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Smart car gets its fair share of stares

Contributed by: Kevin Hamm/YourHub.com on 4/1/2008

Looking more like a clown car than a coupe and averaging 40 miles per gallon, the new-to-America Smart car will make you feel pretty bright as you drive past gas station after gas station. And the quirky two-seater's design appeal goes beyond that of most cars, too.

"I squeal every time I see one," said Pam Witherspoon, a Castle Rock resident who got her metallic red convertible Smart car in February.

"Every time I walk out the front door I'm like, 'Ooh, ooh, ooh - that's my car,'" she said.

Witherspoon, 39, said she fell in love with Smart cars during a trip to Europe in 1998 and was the second person in the Denver area to get one.

The only Smart car dealership in Colorado opened in Englewood on Feb. 19, and they've delivered 35 cars since then, said Trang Hamm, the dealership's president and general manager. While there are cars on the lot to test drive, people wanting to buy one put down a $99 deposit, "build" the car online and then wait for it to be delivered.

Hamm said there are about 800 people on the reservation list - it opened in March 2007 - and the time from deposit to delivery ranges from 12 to 18 months, though it could be sooner if someone drops off the list.

Nationally, there are about 30,000 people waiting for a Smart car, and 3,476 have been sold through March 31, said Ken Kettenbeil, Smart USA's director of communications.

Measuring in at just short of 9 feet long - a Honda Civic is 14 ½ feet long - and powered by a 3-cylinder, 71-horsepower engine, the Smart car has been available in Europe for 10 years but came to the United States in January.

Going green
CarCity/hwy mpgPrice
Toyota Prius48/45$21,100
Honda Civic hybrid40/45$22,600
Smart fortwo33/41$11,590
MINI Cooper28/37$18,050
Honda Fit28/34$13,950
HUMMER H315/20$29,405
Lamborghini
Marcielago		8/13$313,600
Despite the car's diminutive size, Witherspoon said she's managed to fit $200 worth of groceries in the car - as well as a tenor drum and a box of T-shirts - and that she uses it as her day-to-day car.

"You can fit most of the things you want to bring home," she said. If she needs to cart around more than one person or something that won't fit in the Smart car, she just takes her fiance's SUV, she said.

Nathan Elinoff got his Smart car about four weeks ago. For Elinoff, 50, the owner of Funtastic Fun in Englewood, the car's size, fuel efficiency and price tag were the draw.

"My gas bill for my (old) vehicle was $250 a month," he said. "My car payment is $250 a month for the Smart car, so why not?"

The base-model coupe, the Smart fortwo pure, starts at $11,590, the more decked-out passion coupe starts at $13,590 while a passion cabriolet will set you back $16,590.

Like Witherspoon, Elinoff first saw the Smart car during a trip to Europe. He considered importing one into the states but it was going to be too expensive. The Smart car is his primary car - "I just really needed a fuel efficient vehicle," he said - and his family also owns a Ford Escape.

Elinoff said he hopes the little Smart car does well here and serves as a wake-up call to other carmakers that Americans want more choices when it comes to fuel-efficient vehicles.

"When gas goes to $4, that's going to be a big signal to buy smaller cars," he said.

Though he bought it for other reasons, Elinoff said the car's unique design doesn't hurt.

"When I'm driving on the highway, people brake in two lanes to let this little cutie-pie in," he said.

Smart cars are part of the Mercedes-Benz group and are built in a factory - "Smartville" - in Hambach, France. The founder of Swatch wristwatches is credited with the original idea for the car, and its name is a combination of "Swatch," "Mercedes" and "art."

To Witherspoon, the car is a masterpiece, and Spot - that's what she calls it - draws his fair share of attention wherever she goes. She said other cars will pull up next to her and match her speed while the passenger takes a picture.

"I smile and wave," she said. "You can't be a shy person and own one of these."


Pam Witherspoon's Smart car FAQ

Caught ya lookin'!

I know you have some questions ...

Make: smart ( http://www.smartusa.com)
Model: 2008 fortwo passion cabriolet
Unofficial name: Spot
Who's it made by? smart is a member of the Mercedes group
How much ...? This one was just under $18,000. The base model starts a little under $12,000
Is it ...? No, it's not electric
Then is it ... ? No, it's not hybrid
Can you ...? Yes, it's street-legal and goes up to 90 mph
How much power ...? It's got a 1-litre engine, giving it 71 hp
How many ...? It's a 5-speed auto-manual with paddle shifters
What kind of ...? 2008 EPA estimates are 33 city/41 hwy, but I've been averaging right around 40
How big ...? Dimensions: 8'10" l x 5'1" w x 4'11 1/2" h
Aren't you ...? Of course it's safe - it's essentially a little steel roll cage on wheels

I fell in love with the smart in Europe in 1998, got on the USA e-mail list in July 2006, made my reservation in March 2007, and was the 2nd person in the Denver area to pick up an official smart on Feb. 20, 2008. Hope we gave you a little smile today!

Pam puts a copy of her Smart car FAQ under the windshield wiper of her car whenever she parks it.


Editor's note: The source for the "Going green" table is www.autos.aol.com


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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments
Submitted By: Bob Hudson
posted on 4/9/2008 @ 4:35:35 PM
(Not Rated)
When you think about the consequences of getting hit by a Dodge Ram or a big SUV it really doesn't matter what you're driving. Once gas hits $4.00 and higher a gallon those folks won't be on the roads much anyway. The Smart Car (and vehicles like it) is the future. The REAL question here is if you, as a consumer, are willing to part with your dinosaur and start treating this energy crisis as an ongoing reality.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Brad Bettag
posted on 4/9/2008 @ 11:25:26 AM
Rated Story
I agree those cars are cool but you are only telling half the story. "Little roll cages on wheels" is an understatement. They passed the concrete barricade test at 40 mph which is the standard. However when pitted against a Dodge Ram, in side impact, front impact, and rear impact, the smart car failed miserably. Conclusion, save the money on gas all you want just hope you don't get broadsided by an SUV because that WILL be your last accident you ever have.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Barbara Peal
posted on 4/9/2008 @ 11:15:00 AM
(Not Rated)
The name "Spot" is appropriate because it would also be descriptive after a collision with a 2 ton Suburban. It can hold $200 worth of groceries but so can my glove box thanks to the Eco-Nuts and a liberal congress denying oil exploration. Finally, 71 HP attaining 90 MPH? Only in free fall.
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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments
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