NEW Smart ForFour

[Thrumbleux]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

My criteria I didn't regard as an exhaustive list of rules, and to every rule there is an exception. But to qualify as a classic, old and or rare is not enough. That merely makes it collectible.
If this quality cannot be defined in the criteria I listed then it is an emotional thing that makes a person desire and covet the car in question. By way of an example, a Morris Marina 1.8TC and a BMW2002Tii. Both from the same period, possibly even the same amount survive, and both could be regarded as collectable. But which is the classic? Which one would you want to own and drive?
The oohs and aahs that follow an E-Type down a street sum it up. Somehow it offers something to everyone in a way that a Cosworth engined Ford never will.
And that marks a total shift. A car that has appeal to all, not just fans of the marque.
The Triumph Stag somehow manages the same and despite qualifying by ''my rules'' to some degree, so does the Mk1 Golf GTi. Subsequent GTis miss the mark though, as they only appeal to fans of the marque, fans created by the Mk1.
So, some ooh aah factor required then. Now, I'd bet the Fiat 20V Turbo will have that effect, whereas forfours will only appeal to smart fans - well some!

[problemchild1976]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

P.s.missed off the Renault espace as a real contender as future classic!!

The forfour is still an unknown car in today's Market so writing it off now is not possible!!

JJ

[superstevie]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

limited numbers of roadster were produced, all well received, completely unique to what was on the market (bar the copen) at the time, good to drive, good looks, if not that reliable. Quirky is probably the best way to describe it. Oh, and killed off well before it should have been.

Many a magazine has predicted that the roadster will become a classic in years to come, and I think it will.

Forfour, as I said, if any, I reckon it will only be the brabus that will be a classic in years to come. Mainly down to the fact that in the UK there were only 250 of them. The rest of the range gave the market nothing new. Its a good car, don't get me wrong, but apart from the two tone colour scheme, what else does it have that a polo or fiesta doesn't? A Clio Williams is classics these days, but a 1.2 version of the same car isn't. See what I mean with a forfour brabus vs a standard forfour?

[Thrumbleux]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

IMHO Renault Clio Williams is/will be a classic.

One man's meat is another man's poison

Because it was highly regarded in its day, rarity, and heritage via motorsport connection to Williams.

So what?! As I said, your classic criteria are flawed!! If you really think a magane225 is a classic just because it's fast then you are crazy!! Only future classic Renault is the Clio v6 - all the rest are defo not classics of the future!!

The golf gti mk1 is a classic already!!

The hot hatch Renaults I didn't imply as classics. Merely respected cars for now. See how the Clio Williams needs (and has) additional aspects.
And agreed, fast is not enough. It has to be an affordable, accessible fast, as in Mk1 GTi.

Crossblade defo!! Still don't understand??

It's in the same class as the Suzuki cappucino that was out way before and the diahatsu copen of the same time! All 3 nice cars but not future classics!! If they make a new forfour, then it's chances of becoming a classic will be reduced severely!! (and now we have linked classics and the new forfour with all of the above - god I'm good!!)

JJ

That's the toughest one to explain! Yes, these cars offered largely what the Roadster did but somehow are ignored. The only thing I can suggest is small cars especially rely on the emotional aspect, and large Japanese corporations struggle to engender that warmth in people.
By contrast, along came smart. A brand new brand, all warm and fuzzy, funky little city cars then a chunk of modern retro in the Roadster. Retro as it was the type of wind in the hair little sportscar that the Brits used to rule over, modern as it had brand new sophisticated mechanicals and an ethos and image that was refreshingly new. Somehow, it hit buttons the Japanese missed.

[superstevie]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

That's the toughest one to explain! Yes, these cars offered largely what the Roadster did but somehow are ignored. The only thing I can suggest is small cars especially rely on the emotional aspect, and large Japanese corporations struggle to engender that warmth in people.
By contrast, along came smart. A brand new brand, all warm and fuzzy, funky little city cars then a chunk of modern retro in the Roadster. Retro as it was the type of wind in the hair little sportscar that the Brits used to rule over, modern as it had brand new sophisticated mechanicals and an ethos and image that was refreshingly new. Somehow, it hit buttons the Japanese missed.

I dunno, I love my cappuccino when I had it. Felt like an older car to the roadster of course, but it was reliable, faster, had a proper gearbox, revved to 8.5k, and had a very tail happy rear end. But it lacked the roadsters stability at speed, and rusted badly. Even the UK spec cars did, as mine was one of them!

[madDan]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

and you kept it for how long?

[superstevie]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

and you kept it for how long?

and your point is what?

[problemchild1976]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

Outside of the smart community, no one knows what a roadster, roadster coupe or BRC is either!!

It's loved by owners and listed after fortwo owners but it was axed as there wasn't enough interest - like the forfour!!

JJ

[Thrumbleux]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

I dunno, I love my cappuccino when I had it. Felt like an older car to the roadster of course, but it was reliable, faster, had a proper gearbox, revved to 8.5k, and had a very tail happy rear end. But it lacked the roadsters stability at speed, and rusted badly. Even the UK spec cars did, as mine was one of them!

And your opening words there are ''I dunno''. Me neither, but there was something. Smart hit the spot with the Roadster, Suzuki fell slightly short in capturing the publics heart.
Possibly the context has a bearing. At the time of the Cappuccino, the Japanese cars getting the attention were the WRXs and Evos. Perhaps the little Suzuki was just overlooked. By the time smart rolled up, the times had changed enough to make 'economy' a welcome part of the equation, and it also offered a whiff of what appealed and appeared on the WRX and Evos - turbo and paddle shift. It can't be mere coincidence that dump valves were an early and popular aftermarket addition to a Roadster!...
A certain quirk and cheek didn't hurt either. Future classic if not already current classic. And crucially, all models will qualify, from 60hp Lites to the most powerful Brabus models.

[Thrumbleux]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

Outside of the smart community, no one knows what a roadster, roadster coupe or BRC is either!!

It's loved by owners and listed after fortwo owners but it was axed as there wasn't enough interest - like the forfour!!

JJ

But noticed by all.

Axed because of realigned financial priorities within MB, the warranty costs of the leaks heavily influencing the decision.

[problemchild1976]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

Everyone notices the forfour as well!! No warranty issue though

JJ

[Thrumbleux]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

Everyone notices the forfour as well!! No warranty issue though

JJ

The Elephant Man also got noticed!

No warranty issue. Is it Japanese by any chance?..

[Mitchturbo FFO Timelord]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

whereas forfours will only appeal to smart fans - well some!

You are so wrong you wind me up. I TALK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ABSOLUTLY HATE SMART CARS BUT THEY LOVE SMART FORFOUR FOR SOME REASON!

Just the other day some complete strangers came up to me to ask about my forfour and they are were shocked when i tell them that they were only in production for two/three years. After reeling of the car's specs and telling them the price of second hand ones whoever i speak to seem to agree that it's a very good car. Most even drop in the line "wow that is smart!"

My wife's family constantly rip fortwo's and roadster's they say they are unsocialble ugly car's and I'm always loosing my temper defending all smart's because they are all fantastic. Oh and Thumsucker Guess what. THEY Love The smart forfour aswell you pr!ck so put that in you arrogant pipe and smoke it. Everyone I've had in my car loves it and can't believe or understand why smart never sold as many as they should of done.

The forfour is fantastic as are all smart cars. Don't want to fall out with you mate. But you should really Open your freaking mind boyo!

Now please can we all just discuss What we have heard about the new forfour's so far.

If your not interested in the forfour then you should keep your furry nose out of the blimmen topic.

[wemorgan]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour

^ easy tigers.

Is it not simply the case that there are opinions and no facts when it comes to defining classic cars? The great thing about cars is that they are seldom forced upon you. So if you don't like one make, you simply buy another. Choice and diversity are great

[ajprice]

Re: NEW Smart ForFour