# What car (sold in America) looks similar to a Smart Roadster? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 25, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728 "2005-11-25T20:56:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/1 "2005-11-25T20:56:59Z")
Hi Car Dopers - Inspired by the “no car excites me thread” … I _LOVE_ the [Smart Roadster](http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/45704727281221200241805PM.jpg) after seeing a few of them in Europe. It’s the first car I’ve been in love with since I was a little boy and I thought that Kit was the end-all be-all. I mean, I can’t tell you how much I love this car. I love the styling, I love the guages, I love the mileage, etc. It’s got it’s cons, I know (from reading review after review), but THIS is my dream car. One day, a Smart Roadster will be mine. The problem is (of course) that they don’t sell these babies here in the U.S. of A. And, from what I can tell, it’s a major freaking nightmare to try and import (any) foreign car into America. You can buy a Smart Roadster in Mexico, but the retrofitting to get it up to standards would probably cost as much as the car. So here’s the question: What car sold in America looks similar to the Smart Roadster? What car out there would make a passable substitute until the glorious day that Mercedes/Smart decides to let these babies go in America? (Note: similar to the regular ol’ Smart Roadster, not the Brabus coupe which has the sort of hatchback). More [pics.](http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/showlink.asp?CatID=4570&parentID=47&subname=Smart_Roadster_and_Roadster_Coupe&parentname=Smart_car) Thanks, Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/2 "2005-11-25T22:30:09Z")
Off the top of my head, there’s the [BMW Z3](http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nabla.s.site/Bmw%20Z3.jpg) and the [Mazda MX-5 Miata](http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~sahn/pics/Miata/MiataProfile.JPG). The Miata gets the better milage of the two, about 30 on the highway. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/3 "2005-11-25T22:37:53Z")
I personally prefer the [Lotus Elise](http://www.atspeedimages.com/elise/). I think it has nicer lines. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/4 "2005-11-25T22:46:33Z")
You might want to dig around [here](http://www.kitcarmagazine.com/) (or do a google search on kit cars) and see if you can find a kit car that looks similar. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/5 "2005-11-25T22:47:04Z")
Another idea is a [Porche 911 Targa](http://vista.pca.org/stl/events/2004/89%20Targa.jpg). That’s an '89 model, you wouldn’t want anything more recent than 1990 or so becuase they are more like coupes with a giant sunroof than a convertible. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/6 "2005-11-26T00:54:49Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Off the top of my head, there’s the [BMW Z3](http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nabla.s.site/Bmw%20Z3.jpg) and the [Mazda MX-5 Miata](http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~sahn/pics/Miata/MiataProfile.JPG). The Miata gets the better milage of the two, about 30 on the highway. Yeah, these are the ubiqitous “small sporty” cars. They’re the right overall size but their lines are SO straight. I know lots of people like this, but I sort of prefer the curves on the Smart Roadster. Miatas are definately fun to drive, but I’ve never really liked their look. > [@MikeG](#): > > I personally prefer the Lotus Elise. I think it has nicer lines. The Elise is a sweet car. I totally agree. However, it’s like 3 times the price of the Smart. I could almost relocate to Europe for that price! (kidding) 🙂 > [@Tuckerfan](#): > > You might want to dig around here (or do a google search on kit cars) and see if you can find a kit car that looks similar. Groan. Sounds like work. Just kidding - that’s a pretty cool site, I’m def doing some poking around there, and will let you know if anything sticks out. > [@Lute Skywalker](#): > > Another idea is a Porche 911 Targa. That’s an '89 model, you wouldn’t want anything more recent than 1990 or so becuase they are more like coupes with a giant sunroof than a convertible. I agree with your assessment about newer model Porsches. And I took a look at your picture, just not digging on the Porsche lines. I never have - not really sure why. Thanks for the suggestion though. I guess I’m looking for something curvier like the Smart. The Lotus looks pretty good, but it’s so freaking expensive (especially compared to the Roadster). Any other cars you guys can think of? I want to be excited by my car dammit! 😃 BTW Thanks for the quick responses. - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/7 "2005-11-26T05:42:48Z")
There’s [Keinath](http://www.autoindex.org/maker.plt?no=1896) but I don’t know if they’re imported. I know that the [Qvale Mangusta](http://www.motorcities.com/media/image/640/01C5B165428545F/2001-Qvale-Mangusta-black-F.jpeg) is and can be had for $35-45K. Yes, they’re produced in association with [DeTomaso](http://home.earthlink.net/~colours2000/). ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/8 "2005-11-26T05:52:28Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > I know that the [Qvale Mangusta](http://www.motorcities.com/media/image/640/01C5B165428545F/2001-Qvale-Mangusta-black-F.jpeg) is and can be had for $35-45K. Yes, they’re produced in association with [DeTomaso](http://home.earthlink.net/~colours2000/). That … is a _sweet_ car. Oh man. Excellent suggestion. Again with the price, but good night. That car is beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/9 "2005-11-26T05:53:33Z")
[Qvale Mangusta, front quarter](http://auta5p.car.cz/katalog/qvale/mangusta_01.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/10 "2005-11-26T06:06:30Z")
There’s also the [Venturi Fetish](http://www.venturi.fr/us/fetish/fetish_spirit/fetish_spirit.php3), but I don’t know if they import them into the US (or how much they cost, but the cars are pretty cool looking). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/11 "2005-11-26T06:10:01Z")
[Toyota MR2 Spyder](http://toyota.images.free.fr/images/japon/toyota/mr-spyder_1.jpg) - $20K or so. The [Yaris](http://www.volny.cz/autosalony/zeneva2000/Toyota%20Yaris%20Cabrio%202.jpg) should be selling in the US next year. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/12 "2005-11-26T14:52:14Z")
The new [Pontia Solstice](http://www.seriouswheels.com/2006/2006-Pontiac-Solstice-Roadster-Wet-1024x768.htm) is pretty close and curvy. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/13 "2005-11-26T15:07:55Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > The new [Pontia Solstice](http://www.seriouswheels.com/2006/2006-Pontiac-Solstice-Roadster-Wet-1024x768.htm) is pretty close and curvy. Or its sister car, the [Saturn Sky](http://www.saturn.com/saturn/showroom/future_vehicles/SKY_scenic2.jpg) (in 2006). ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/14 "2005-11-26T23:53:48Z")
Toyota MR2 Spyder and the Saturn Sky were the two that immediately popped to mind. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/15 "2005-11-27T02:06:09Z")
[url"[http://www.autofit-schlossgarage.ch/Audi\_TT\_Quattro\_Destiny\_1.jpg](http://www.autofit-schlossgarage.ch/Audi_TT_Quattro_Destiny_1.jpg)"]Audi TT ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/16 "2005-11-27T02:06:24Z")
[Audi TT](http://www.autofit-schlossgarage.ch/Audi_TT_Quattro_Destiny_1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/17 "2005-11-27T02:20:47Z")
The TT! How can it be mentioned in the same thread as a fun-filled RWD corner dasher like the Smart Roadster? The only thing that comes close is a Lotus Elise, and it’s indeed far more expensive. If your focus is on the driving experience, get an MX5/Myata. Sure, it’s a little less daring in looks, but it has fantastic handling and good reliablity. If looks are your focus, and handling comes second… it’s anybody’s guess. Might as well be the frickin’ TT. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-car-sold-in-america-looks-similar-to-a-smart-roadster/332728/18 "2005-11-27T16:03:58Z")
> [@Coldfire](#): > > The TT! How can it be mentioned in the same thread as a fun-filled RWD corner dasher like the Smart Roadster? > > The only thing that comes close is a Lotus Elise, and it’s indeed far more expensive. > > If your focus is on the driving experience, get an MX5/Myata. Sure, it’s a little less daring in looks, but it has fantastic handling and good reliablity. > > If looks are your focus, and handling comes second… it’s anybody’s guess. Might as well be the frickin’ TT. Ah ya Yurpy! He specifically asked about cars that 'look similar to the Smart Roadster." Never having seen a Roadster in person, I looked at his pictures and thought, “That looks similar to the Audi TT.” He even said this about the Miata and Z3: > [@PeterWiggen](#): > > Yeah, these are the ubiqitous “small sporty” cars. They’re the right overall size but their lines are SO straight. I know lots of people like this, but I sort of prefer the curves on the Smart Roadster. Miatas are definately fun to drive, but I’ve never really liked their look. Not having driven either of them, I can’t speak to anything other than their looks.