I wish the US got this

"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
10/26/2016 at 17:22 • Filed to: None

at least I think I wish the US got this or was it actually awful?

DISCUSSION (24)

CaptDale - is secretly British > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 17:30

Right?! I’d rather have that than the Smart for Eww.

and 100 more > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 17:30

We did get them for awhile. I’ve seen at least two. One in Austin, TX.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 17:31

I’ve seen one in the Malibu canyons ... sort of like a real life GTA5 easter egg.

TysMagic > and 100 more
10/26/2016 at 17:42

that’s intriguing, i wonder where I could find one

Spoon II > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 17:54

Yes! I’ve been fascinated by those things since they were released!

and 100 more > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 17:56

I’m digging, and finding that I’m wrong, and the ones I saw were likely either imports, or visiting from Mexico.

Autofixation > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 18:05

Renault?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 18:16

Wikipedia claims that production was stopped in November 2005 because of warranty claims so I am going to go with calling it a steaming pile of suck.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/26/2016 at 18:17

Reading further it appears they were paying out €3000 per vehicle sold in warranty claims.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 18:21

There’s a yellow one by me in Florida. I think I have some pictures saved from a couple phones ago. Even had Florida plates. I’ll try and find it

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 18:28

I just learned that the Smartuki kits work on these. Game changed.

Cé hé sin > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 18:39

Their big issue was leaks. Water gets in everywhere and it soon gives an ECU a very expensive bath which was why production was cut short. They were costing Merc a fortune in guarantee claims.

Cé hé sin > Autofixation
10/26/2016 at 18:39

Smart Roadster.

Mercedes Streeter > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/26/2016 at 20:07

Oh you. :p

Mercedes Streeter > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/26/2016 at 20:08

Rush engineering at its finest! :(

Mercedes Streeter > and 100 more
10/26/2016 at 20:13

You can’t legally import them....there are some loopholes you can use to keep them here...or steal the VIN off a wrecked first generation smart.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Mercedes Streeter
10/26/2016 at 20:26

I know, I am full of pun!

ranwhenparked > TysMagic
10/26/2016 at 20:37

Agreed, especially the coupe version. There were a couple of companies in the UK that tried to buy the tooling, but either they couldn’t get the funding together, or Daimler wouldn’t sell.

Originally, a group tried to buy the MG brand off the Chinese and build the Smart Roadster as a new MG Midget, but that was the main thing Nanjing wanted, so obviously they wouldn’t sell. Then, they tried to get the rights to AC and build it as a new Ace, but that fell through as well and the whole project died.

and 100 more > Mercedes Streeter
10/26/2016 at 21:41

I was hoping you’d chime in!

Would it be similar to importing a Beetle from Mexico (by using an American belly pan)?

Mercedes Streeter > and 100 more
10/26/2016 at 22:10

Nah... harder than that...One way is to be in the military. If you serve in a place where a roadster was sold, buy one and bring it back to the states on a visa...then before the visa ends, try to title in a state with a DMV that won’t look too far at what you’re trying to get a title for.

Another option is to separate drivetrain from chassis, ship separately, then build the car here and register as a kit.

Another option is to get lucky... import it here and try to slip it by customs as a “show and display” car, then try to dupe customs and try to register as a road car.

The most illegal option would be to find a wrecked first generation fortwo, then steal its VIN plate. I’ve personally seen a first generation forfour for sale in Texas...it had the VIN belonging to a fortwo of the same year.

And sometimes, just sometimes, customs will let one slip through and be registered without issue.

TysMagic > Mercedes Streeter
10/27/2016 at 08:57

all the regular loop holes for stuff we don’t get I assume. (also expected to get you in on this since you’re rocking two smarts at the moment)

TysMagic > Cé hé sin
10/27/2016 at 08:58

So it’s a fair weather car only thing - if I ever own one I will have to remember this

TysMagic > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/27/2016 at 09:01

good lawd, yes!

bob and john > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/29/2016 at 16:31

.....

hell.

yess