tbone

I had my heart set on finding a SMART...and then I came across this IQ...and now I'm confused! The IQ is due out next year, I think.

I'm curious as to what people think about the 2 cars







Link to High-Res pics: http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/...a-iq-1/638995/

No pics of the SMART since you all know what it looks like

Mike T.

It's just too cute, isn't it? Toyota follows smart's lead, a decade late, and chooses a name that is so derivative of "smart" that it should be embarassing to them.

The car is a typical Toyota, probably more reliable than any European car, but it's not a convertible, is (imo) a very forced design that does not flow. It doesn't even have the transparent roof that the show car did, cheap buggers. Its vestigal rear seats are literally in the rear crush zone, so whomever is put there ought to be not on the driver's list of friends.

It will outsell smart 4:1 but will not affect smart sales at all, if that makes any sense.

Mike T.

Oh, and I was interested to learn that the smart is powered by a two cylinder turbocharged engine.

Mark08859

Well, it appears to have no lockable storage whatsoever, note the netting at the glove box location. If it is only 10 inches longer, I'd hate to be the sucker, er passenger, in that back seat.

On the other hand, I do like the modern looking dash with the display screen and the option of better sized wheels.

I agree with Mike T.'s assessment about the almost cloned look of the Smart and the IQ name.

Saprissa

I think the 2 rear seats are a waste.
I mean why buy a car so small to carry 4 people?
If the goal is to save gas with a compact light-weight platform, why would I kill that with 4 people in the car?
And being a 2-door, it's just a hassle to put people back there.
Nevermind the rear-crash safety issue that you guys have brought up.
Why have a hatch in the back? Unless the two rear seats fold down to create some sort of cargo space.
But then again I ask, why even bother with the 2 rear seats ?

I don't know.
It looks more like a copy-cat attempt to get their piece of the market share and jump on the "rising fuel cost - mpg - hey look at me" bandwagon.

tbone

Thanks for your opinions, guys. I wasn't sure if I'd even get any, seeing how small this market is.

I still have time to decide, since the Toyota isn't due out til next year, and my reservation # for a SMART ends in 1716. The salesperson said I'd probably be in line for a 2010 model.

bumpnzx3

i would go with the IQ for 2 reasons- 1) there's a descent chance that engine would be more reliable (debateable) and 2) it's cheaper.

although i really like all aspects of the smart- all the way down to it's production facilities- there is just no way i am paying $20k+ for a car like that. hell- i even think $17K fo the IQ is too much for what it is. the back seat issue doesn't matter to me- i would never try to put anyone back there anyway.

Saprissa

$20K for a smart ? yikes
are they being sold for that much ?

I've seen "orphans" selling between $13K to $17K nicely equipped.

Mark08859

Don't be too sure. I reserved in May with an initial 3-month window of July - September 2009. I just finalized my reservation last week with the window now down to November `08 - January `09.

MARK CUMMINS

Yes I Have seen Several Smarts sell for North of 20K

Sold mine for a lot more

Saprissa

well Mark,
I know yours for sure was worth way NORTH of $20K...
specially with all those MBenzNL goodies !

just perplexed at why some people are paying over $20K for 451 Gen II US smarts, when there are ORPHANS at most smart centers going between $13K to $19K at most.
Unless they're getting custom seats, wheels, aftermarket NAVI and BLUETOOTH systems, then that's when I see them over $20K.

I got mine on a whim for $17K fully loaded. No waiting list, no reservation, no nothing. Had all the options and color combo I wanted.
Just walked in and drove out. Maybe I just got lucky.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
2008 smart passion ForTwo Coupe

bumpnzx3

i was only basing my price off of what i saw them for on ebay. there aren't any smart centers around my area, so i don't know what the going rate is outside of ebay.

Buellwinkle

As an example, my Smart is a convertible that is fairly loaded up with leather seats and stuff and has the metalic paint and I paid $18.3K. A similarly equipped coupe with panorama roof is about $14.5K and a stripped version can be had for under $12K. Yes, people can ask whatever they want on ebay but they are not selling. Without a convertible IQ the point is moot, wouldn't even consider it. With a well equipped Yaris at about what my convertible costs, the IQ is not going to be a relative bargain.

Eurosport

don't forget, US market Smart has Mitsubishi engine not MB

tbone

well, lately, I've been looking at Classic Mini's. I've always liked those, and reading about the Honda VTEC engine swaps has me very interested.