4 ms·

Manual transmission in the CRX vs an auto in the smart?

• morganvachon 12y ago
  Clutchless manual in the Smart. I looked at getting one a few years back, but I couldn't justify $15k for a two-seater with almost no breathing room and storage space versus $12k for a Nissan Versa with nearly the same MPG and a huge back seat area/storage area. I simply don't understand how they can justify $15k for what boils down to $9k worth of car. It's all hype.
  • chadgeidel 12y ago
    Yeah, I was "window shopping" and was stunned at the prices they are charging for a car that's probably half of what you get with a Fit or a Yaris. I don't understand their model. Lifestyle car maybe?
    • morganvachon 12y ago
      I think the attraction with the Smart series is two things. One, it's meant as a city car, so it makes sense for someone in a fully urban area who needs something easy to park. Two, it is pretty much a fashion statement: "Look at my tiny Kei car!" Now, the second thing is purely subjective and if you want a car based on popularity or "being different", more power to you. Here in the deep south, we have guys and gals who buy the biggest, baddest pickup truck they can...and never haul a thing in the bed for the life of the truck. Pure status symbol. I can imagine a similar mindset among the local twentysomethings wanting to stand out from the crowd by driving an equally impractical car. This is my idea of a truly smart car, and with a sensible price: http://www.eliomotors.com/ http://www.eliomotors.com/