UK Smart car has built in iPod dock.

[medea]

http://www.smart.com/-snm-0135155096-1079601675-0000025146-0000030316-1081789707-enm-smart/content/en/en/smart/modelle/imove
It's pretty cool, it charges the iPod and everything. Luckily Smart will be coming to U.S. shores in '06, though I'm not sure what models will be brought out.

[medea]

Here's a pic.

[macka]

Do you happen to know when it'll hit the shores of Australia? I'll start saving now. :D

[Mr. Anderson]

Nice little cars - how much do they go for?

D

[Sun Baked]

Nice little cars - how much do they go for?

DThey should be going on sale in North America, soon as the next generation Smart vehicle starts coming out of the South American factory.

Though they'll probably be sold in Mexico and Canada a year before they hit the US.

[etoiles]

Luckily Smart will be coming to U.S. shores in '06, though I'm not sure what models will be brought out.

apparently they are going to start in the US with an SUV version of the new four door model... pretty sad.

[eyelikeart]

So what happens when the iPod gets revised & changes it's connections? :eek:

[Powerbook G5]

How about that, before too long cars will have a "standard" iPod dock. Now that would spell good news for Apple with making sure the iPod is an industry standard. You don't see car companies coming out with docks for the iRiver or the Napster or Dell Jukebox.

[medea]

So what happens when the iPod gets revised & changes it's connections? :eek:
well the ipod actually comes with the car, it is branded with the smart logo on the back as well as apple's, but hopefully you will be able to buy a replacement dock for future versions.

[medea]

Mr. Anderson: The cars vary starting from around $8000 US to higher for the roadsters.
Etoiles: While I am no fan of SUV's I am sure if Smart brings one out it will be plenty safe and eco-friendly which is just what the SUV category needs.

[iGav]

Nice little cars - how much do they go for?

D

if you ever get chance to drive one in a city environment do... :) they have near slingshot levels of acceleration between 0-40MPH... :D serious fun ;) less so on the motorway at 70MPH though... :eek: :p

it's weird that they're not available in the States yet, it seems like they've been out here for donkeys' years... we've got loads of whacky mobiles in Europe that I'm sure alot of you guys Stateside would love given half the chance. :)

[medea]

we've got loads of whacky mobiles in Europe that I'm sure alot of you guys Stateside would love given half the chance. :)

While I don't consider it whacky I am loving the new Scion xa (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=67445) my wife and I purchased to replace her old Altima.

[iGav]

While I don't consider it whacky I am loving the new Scion xa (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=67445) my wife and I purchased to replace her old Altima.

the chunkyness reminds me of the Nissan Micra... :)

[Apple //e]

They should be going on sale in North America, soon as the next generation Smart vehicle starts coming out of the South American factory.

Though they'll probably be sold in Mexico and Canada a year before they hit the US.

smarts have been sold in mexico for at least three-four years now. they dont sell too well since people have some of the US "bigger is better mentality," though you do see more small cars here.

ive never seen an adult driving one. theyd catch too much flak

"do you get in that or do you put it on?"

[Apple //e]

How about that, before too long cars will have a "standard" iPod dock. Now that would spell good news for Apple with making sure the iPod is an industry standard. You don't see car companies coming out with docks for the iRiver or the Napster or Dell Jukebox.

i think cars should come with usb ports to interface with various devices (mp3 players, gps, coffee warmers, etc)

[MacFan25]

That's very nice, and it would be a great feature to have in a car. I'm interested in how they will sell in the US when they come. Hybrids are becoming more and more popular, and the Smart Car will probably be a hit in big cities, where gas prices are raising each day.

[etoiles]

...where gas prices are raising each day.

...and parking is a nightmare (for example San Francisco).

[Powerbook G5]

Yeah, small cars rock. At my school, parking is a complete nightmare to the point where you wedge your cars in between the parking spaces to fit in and I can only thank God I have a real small car that I can wedge into the most impossible of tight spaces so I don't get stuck driving around for an hour being a parking vulture hoping for the long shot of a chance that someone leaves after a class or to go surfing at some random time during the day.

[ibookin']

Just another reason I'll be buying one of these when they come to the U.S.

I'll likely be in the market for a car at the time, and this seems like the perfect thing. Small, cheap to buy and run, looks decent for the price, and has iPod support.

[kiwi_the_iwik]

Those cars are rude...

(I know NOW I'll get spammed...!)

They may be fun to drive, but I'll wager a decent M1A1 Abrams would give more joy value driving in Central London.

"...Oh, look dear - a slow Volvo driver...."



And they're just not practical. Nice hardware FINALLY being added, but if the Dock's the ONLY reason, well...

Bottom line: if it SOUNDS like a Duck, and it LOOKS like a Duck - well, there's no hiding the fact that it's still UGLY as sin.

Quack! Quack!

[iGav]

They may be fun to drive, but I'll wager a decent M1A1 Abrams would give more joy value driving in Central London.

5 quid you'd still get clamped in Soho Square though... heheh :p

[wPod]

is that a car or a glorified golf cart? i would be scared to drive a fortwo. . . scared that a gust of wind would knock me infont of an 18 wheeler and i would be crushed in a matter of seconds.

the roadster looks a little better. but is still tiny!

[takao]

They may be fun to drive, but I'll wager a decent M1A1 Abrams would give more joy value driving in Central London.

and at the first stop at the gas-station for refueling the joy suddenly dissapears ;)

BTW: the smart is one of the safest "small" cars at the moment.. in crash tests it got better marks than middle class cars

[Blackstealth]

BTW: the smart is one of the safest "small" cars at the moment.. in crash tests it got better marks than middle class cars

But they don't look safe when you see them on the motorway. I've been passed by one doing 80 or so (I was towing a trailer at the time, normally I wouldn't dare let a smart car pass me) and it looked decidedly unsafe. I'll stick to big cars with lots of crumple room (not that my Pug has crumple space but its replacement will).

[iGav]

(not that my Pug has crumple space but its replacement will).

oooh... you buying??

[Blackstealth]

oooh... you buying??

Yeah, going to look at a Saab 9000 tomorrow...

[michaelrjohnson]

Yeah, going to look at a Saab 9000 tomorrow...

ooh, nice

[medea]

I'd like to comment on the fact that if you were caught in front of an 18-wheeler you would be crushed regardless of the car you were in. That said the days of overpriced big gas guzzler's are over....well for some of us at least.

[michaelrjohnson]

i would love to have a smart, but here in the us, i would have to have the forfour. (i HATE the bigger=better mentality here in the US) also, we have more space than most other countries, for that reason, i would need the forfour. I'd LOVE to get one... when will they be in the US?

[cheekyspanky]

From looking around the Smart website and from various car magazines, I've gathered that the ForTwo isn't planned for the American Market, only the SUV version of the ForFour (and not the standard ForFour). Its been said that the other cars just wouldn't sell in large enough numbers to warrant them being put on sale in the US.

The ForTwo has been on sale here in the UK for quite a while now, I've sat in one and it doesnt feel as small as it looks, but it's rather disconcerting that you can touch the rear window from the drivers seat!

Here's the link to the Euro Ncap crash tests:
http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_ratings/details.php?id1=1&id2=29
http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_ratings/details.php?id1=1&id2=69

I'd rather drive a ForTwo than this

http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_ratings/details.php?id1=1&id2=11

though!

Here's a link to a video showing a crash test of the "Safest car ever tested by EuroNCAP" with an older model of the same vehicle - The Renault Espace.

http://www.uk.renault.co.uk/espacecrashtest/

and a link to the EuroNCAP page on this model, http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_ratings/details.php?id1=5&id2=162

[Sun Baked]

From looking around the Smart website and from various car magazines, I've gathered that the ForTwo isn't planned for the American Market, only the SUV version of the ForFour (and not the standard ForFour). Its been said that the other cars just wouldn't sell in large enough numbers to warrant them being put on sale in the US.The new Mitsubishi/Smart shared platform SUV will probably be the bulk of the Smart vehicle until the new slightly larger 2008 platform arrives.

They said it is being designed with the US market in mind (aka, US crash test standards).

But the Insurance Institute here is also planning on doing side impact testing on vehicles with SUVs in mind in addition to their frontal offset crash tests.

When they started doing this people quickly abbandoned several vehicles that passed US crash test standards.

I can imagine the results of the 2008 Smart vs. an SUV in side impacts. :eek:

[ibookin']

Yeah, going to look at a Saab 9000 tomorrow...

My Hero.

Hope you like it.

[chewbaccapits]

What is the MPG on these cars?,,Hard to pull info from the site

[iGav]

Yeah, going to look at a Saab 9000 tomorrow...

I was looking at a SAAB 9-5 a few years ago, but they were still alittle pricey then esepcially with leather.

Saw a new 9-3 this morning, in Black... that looked pretty mean I must saw... much cooler looking car that the Beemer 3 or C Merc. :D

[Blackstealth]

I was looking at a SAAB 9-5 a few years ago, but they were still alittle pricey then esepcially with leather.

Pricey but nice. My dad got a new 9-5 estate (V6 turbo diesel) last september and it's _very_ nice to drive, pulls like hell from standstill and, with all the trimmings, it's a nice place to pass away the miles.

Unfortunately a 9-5 of any description is outside my price range, this 9000 is a bit of a wildcard as it's very low miles, full service history - and going for a song (unless bidding rises drastically), so I think I'd better give it a good eyeballing this afternoon (and get it HPI checked!). Anywho, wish me luck.

[takao]

What is the MPG on these cars?,,Hard to pull info from the site

as far as i found out 56,5 MPG
48 in city traffic
67 out of town

[iGav]

this 9000 is a bit of a wildcard as it's very low miles, full service history - and going for a song (unless bidding rises drastically), so I think I'd better give it a good eyeballing this afternoon (and get it HPI checked!). Anywho, wish me luck.

What's the specs on it??

Hope it's pukka though... there's nothing worse than taking the time out to see a car described as 'perfect'... only to find it's actually a 'perfect example of a truly shafted car'! :rolleyes:

[keysersoze]

Bottom line: if it SOUNDS like a Duck, and it LOOKS like a Duck - well, there's no hiding the fact that it's still UGLY as sin.

Quack! Quack!

stupid ugly duck.

:(

[Sun Baked]

stupid ugly duck.

:(I don't see anything wrong with Donald Duck, his uncle $crooge McDuck, nor Huey, Dewey and Louie.

Or are you guys just plain Goofy.... fans?

[Blackstealth]

there's nothing worse than taking the time out to see a car described as 'perfect'... only to find it's actually a 'perfect example of a truly shafted car'! :rolleyes:

Bingo. Low miles, but the last owner put 30k on it over the last 12 months :eek: and really abused the interior (seats were practically bursting at the seams). Engine was sweet, gearbox was sweet, clutch was a dog and there were a couple hastily repaired (read polyfilla and a Halfords paint kit) carpark dings on the doors that I didn't like. It'd also need a week with T-cut and Mer to bring the bodywork up nice too :mad:

Fortunately I stopped by my local Saab specialist on my way home and set him looking for something more to my liking; more spec, more ponies and more money - but you only live once...

[medea]

I'd like to see these things released over here.

[iGav]

Bingo. Low miles, but the last owner put 30k on it over the last 12 months :eek: and really abused the interior (seats were practically bursting at the seams). Engine was sweet, gearbox was sweet, clutch was a dog and there were a couple hastily repaired (read polyfilla and a Halfords paint kit) carpark dings on the doors that I didn't like. It'd also need a week with T-cut and Mer to bring the bodywork up nice too :mad:

Fortunately I stopped by my local Saab specialist on my way home and set him looking for something more to my liking; more spec, more ponies and more money - but you only live once...

I hate it when you turn up to see a car, that the Dealer has said 'it's immaculate', then you turn up, and obviously immaculate has a very different meaning to them... :rolleyes:

When I was hunting down a replacement Rover 400 Saloon for my bro last year after he wrote off his car, the number of times we turned up and the cars were dented, scratched or just plain missing bits. :rolleyes:

Eventually we found an ad in AutoTrader for a late plate example in Nottinghamshire, with a too good to be true price and incredible right up, wearily we called him up, but because we had to travel I asked him for an honest description of the car, because we didn't want to waste our time and if we travelled up and it was anything other than described he'd be paying for our petrol (only half jokingly.. heheh) he was adamant it was perfect though, so we travelled up and bing... sure enough the car was exactly as described, an absolute minter... factory fresh! deposit down.. pronto, you never pass up such a deal :D

You done a 'National' Search and 'Show 200 results' on the AutoTrader website just incase there's a car knocking about somewhere??

I've just noticed 9-5's start from about 3k... which ain't bad... what's your budget??

[Blackstealth]

You done a 'National' Search and 'Show 200 results' on the AutoTrader website just incase there's a car knocking about somewhere??

I've just noticed 9-5's start from about 3k... which ain't bad... what's your budget??

Top end of my budget is 4k, but I'd rather pay closer to £1500 as I need to start thinking about paying off my student loan sometime soon... Today I've found a nice classic 900 (similar to this one (http://www.saabcentral.com/assets/img/gallery_dynamic/1076675507_jonas.jpg))at a place a few miles up the road, drives well and has been pretty well looked after. Tomorrow morning I'll be taking the family Saab expert with me to give it a good going over and if it's up to scratch bung a deposit on it.

The biggest problem is locating decent quality cars up here in the north - there's a lot of very good condition cars down essex way but I'm only willing to travel as far south a Birmingham to take a look. If tomorrow doesn't work out I might have to arrange a thursday meeting down in London and spend fri/sat car hunting

[ibookin']

Top end of my budget is 4k, but I'd rather pay closer to £1500 as I need to start thinking about paying off my student loan sometime soon... Today I've found a nice classic 900 (similar to this one (http://www.saabcentral.com/assets/img/gallery_dynamic/1076675507_jonas.jpg))at a place a few miles up the road, drives well and has been pretty well looked after. Tomorrow morning I'll be taking the family Saab expert with me to give it a good going over and if it's up to scratch bung a deposit on it.

The biggest problem is locating decent quality cars up here in the north - there's a lot of very good condition cars down essex way but I'm only willing to travel as far south a Birmingham to take a look. If tomorrow doesn't work out I might have to arrange a thursday meeting down in London and spend fri/sat car hunting

If you're going to go 900, I'd suggest getting a '94 or later one, since they made a lot of improvements on the interior, performance, ride, etc. Unless, of course, you like the look of the classic 900.

We have 2 Saabs, an '85 900S and a '96 900SE, and the '96 is a much nicer car. It feels much more modern than a classic 900 of any year.

[m4rc]

Back on topic if I may 'Saab boys' ;). A mate came down to meet me in his Smart Convertible on Wednesday. Very nice, loads of modifications - dump valve, massive twin exhausts, chipped, nice hi-fi, lots of little touches. It is outragously economical, and very tiny! No parking spaces at the pub carpark, so we made a new parking space!

As for the iPod version, it was liumited to something like 500, and has long gone I think you will find.

As a side note, apparantly for £500 you can buy all new body panels, and within a couple of hours have done a total swap to give you an all new car - can't do that with your average saloon!

Marc

[Blackstealth]

If you're going to go 900, I'd suggest getting a '94 or later one, since they made a lot of improvements on the interior, performance, ride, etc. Unless, of course, you like the look of the classic 900.

I'm not one of these Saab purists but I really do like the shape of the '79-93 900s. This one's a 5 door '91, so approaching one of the last classics, low miles too - only 100k. And it's mine now after a bit of haggling over the price, I'm going down this afternoon to pick it up :)

[kiwi_the_iwik]

I'd like to see these things released over here.

Yeah - me too...


...especially from a great height, or off a cliff, etc. etc...


Jeez - where's your sense of TASTE?!?!?

:rolleyes:

[iGav]

I'm not one of these Saab purists but I really do like the shape of the '79-93 900s. This one's a 5 door '91, so approaching one of the last classics, low miles too - only 100k. And it's mine now after a bit of haggling over the price, I'm going down this afternoon to pick it up :)

is it a bad boy Turbo model???

[keysersoze]

Yeah - me too...


...especially from a great height, or off a cliff, etc. etc...


Jeez - where's your sense of TASTE?!?!?

:rolleyes:

I think someone should start a thread 'Best Avatars'

I'd vote for yours.


:)

[TimDaddy]

smarts have been sold in mexico for at least three-four years now. they dont sell too well since people have some of the US "bigger is better mentality," though you do see more small cars here.

ive never seen an adult driving one. theyd catch too much flak

"do you get in that or do you put it on?"
Even here in redneck Kentucky, I never get any flack about my small car. I drive a Toyota Echo. People ride me about the center mounted instrument cluster, which I do believe to be better than the standard of looking down through the steering wheel, but nobody makes fun of the size. Just "Damn, I bet you get good gas mileage out of that!" I say "Not bad, around 35 mpg overall, over 40 on the highway."

You know, truck/suv lovers could afford an extra car with these. I find myself borrowing or renting pickups all the time. I would love a Tundra, but I don't want a vehicle with such low fuel economy. I don't like compact trucks. They just don't seem to handle or ride very well. I could probably afford to buy a Tundra with my employee discount, and still get a smart to drive back and forth to work every day. Hell, I could probably put the smart in the bed of the truck to take with me on vacation! Drive the big ole comfortable truck to my destination, putt around in the Smart.

[Blackstealth]

is it a bad boy Turbo model???

'fraid not, it's the plain jane 2.0. But it's still got plenty of poke...

[haiggy]

They should be going on sale in North America, soon as the next generation Smart vehicle starts coming out of the South American factory.

Though they'll probably be sold in Mexico and Canada a year before they hit the US.

YES :D

[etoiles]

I think someone should start a thread 'Best Avatars'

I'd vote for yours.


:)


vote here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=63010&highlight=avatar)
;)

[keysersoze]

vote here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=63010&highlight=avatar)
;)

How cool is that?? I ask a random question and am given a perfect answer... While I did vote for Kiwi the iwiK, I gave you an honorable mention... THANKS!!!

:)

[etoiles]

How cool is that?? I ask a random question and am given a perfect answer... While I did vote for Kiwi the iwiK, I gave you an honorable mention... THANKS!!!

:)

:)
the interconnectedness of all threads in this forum frequently results in emergent self-consciousness... ever get the creepy feeling that a post is watching you ?
I get it all the time :D

[keysersoze]

:)
the interconnectedness of all threads in this forum frequently results in emergent self-consciousness... ever get the creepy feeling that a post is watching you ?
I get it all the time :D


:eek:

(supply twilight zone music here)

:)