Drive Your Dream Blog

Gone are the days of driving to your mailbox to retrieve the day’s mail or revving up the family car to go to the neighbor’s house for dinner. Here are the days of riding a bike to the grocery store and hoping all the provisions fit into your backpack.

It is just this type of scenario that Chrysler needed to successfully launch its Smart Fortwo line of cars in the United States. In fact, because of the current state of affairs, dealers are having trouble keeping the Smart Fortwo Passion Coupes and other models on the lot.

Images courtesy of the Smart USA Website.

Several dealers have commented that the waiting list for the Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe is quickly approaching the one year mark. Why, you ask?

The obvious reason is the gas thing. The Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe gets a terrific EPA estimated 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. This is plenty good enough to save some serious change with the current gas price trends.

But don’t discount the other factors of the Fortwo’s allure. For example, some people love the fact that the car is actually 9.5 inches shorter than a Mini Cooper. Others love the smart European design (Swatch is to credit/blame for this).

Also, don’t be fooled into thinking that just because you are travelling down the road in a beer can with wheels that safety is a grave (horrible pun) concern. The Fortwo has performed very admirably in crash tests.

While no one will question the exotic nature of the car’s appearance, the chief complaints with respect to the Fortwo come when the conversation runs to performance. Achieving 0 to 60 mph in 12.5 seconds will not get you into many record books, unless you are a horse at the Kentucky Derby.

“To truly be considered an exotic car, in my mind, you have to have both the looks and the performance,” says Ron Sturgeon. Sturgeon knows a thing or two about both quirky cars and exotic cars from operating a family of exotic car businesses.

“Our businesses try to cater to those who enjoy driving unusual cars like the BMW Isetta or a London Taxi, but the vast majority seek pure performance,” claims Sturgeon.

The Fortwo has another advantage that is proving timely, its price. With models from $12,000 to $16,000, it is easier to get into the Fortwo than any exotic car. That’s why so many people are purchasing cars like the Fortwo and then seeking out exotic car clubs, where they can access exotic cars for far less than the costs of direct ownership, or just renting exotic cars for special occasions.

My new strategy will be the Fortwo for Monday through Friday and then I’ll visit Mr. Sturgeon for the weekend when I feel the need to rent a Viper convertible in Dallas.

Written by G.D. Gregory. If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.