I have a dream....

[andytk]

Hi I'm new. I've been reading pistonheads for a little while now (still haven't stopped laughing at Mr. Chassis and his engine building )
and I have to day I've never come across anything like it before, most forums (free acess anyway) tend to be full of folk that are very good at fiction but lack character, so to speak.
Although I don't own a sports car I do drive and subscribe to the views of most pistonheaders, ie. I like a spirited drive but I like to think I'm responsible etc etc. (when it says 30 GO AT 30.)
if you think you drive a bad car go read my profile.

Anywayyyyy,

I digress

I have a question ( idea?) regarding the little chopped up Smart car. From my perspective (poor student undergrad looking forward to getting a degree and a job eventually) it would seem that there is a niche in the market for a small 2 seater sports car (I don't need practicallity) rear wheel drive (for fun) and without masses of power (sub 150hp, sub 100 even).
Built along the same lines as a smart car (basic subframe, plastic panels) there is no reason why a small light car wouldn't sell well to those that couldn't afford a bigger more difficult to insure car.
If Merc can knock out Smarts at 6500 quid a go then why not a little sportster for 10K?
The technlogies are there, supercharged (small) engine, Alloy wheels, off the shelf components etc.
Please don't misunderstand the concept, the frame would NOT be based on the Smart if that's what you're thinking but would be small and light (aluminium?)
I know you're all going to suggest an MX-5 or caterham or something but even so they're still a bit more expensive.
I guess my concept would fall down on the lack of a massive market (thus lacking the neccassary long production runs) and the difficulty of producing it for round about 10 grand.
Still it begs the question why does a new MX-5 cost 15 grand. (Ok, premium car I know...)

anyway I'd buy it if they'd make it (eventually)

this is my first post hope you all find it thought provoking as that is my aim.

[hertsbiker]

Ok, wait until DCUK release that roofless thing with the rumoured 800/900cc engine that will knock out 100bhp in standard form, possibly 120bhp. In a car that weighs 700kg as standard....

The Smart's biggest problem is it's height, but they build high, so they can build short. Hence the parking, maneovrebility (sp?), and overall small dimensions.

Still don't fancy something with no roof or doors tho'.

[mel]

I won't suggest MX5, Lotus 7 etc how about the Suzuki Capachinno (sp?) if I remember righty that is pretty much as you describe.

[anonymous-user]

Fiat Barchetta's, left hand drive so they're dead cheap but i think they look lovely and are a little less comon than MX5's and Z3's!

[Fatboy]

I remember reading about a year ago that smart were planning a two seater roadster - same engine, but up front with RWD, plastic panels etc. Never heard any more about it though - it was a concept at Munich? last year???

[mr_tony]

err mgb anyone, lowish power -> cheap to insure especially on a classic policy, very easy to run with many specialists providing good service, looks good etc etc..

[sixspeed]

I went to a market research on the Smart models before they were launched..

They had the Coupe, the Cabriolet and this little Roadster. Looked very nice - completely different to the 'original' Smart cars. Had an Elise-type roof (ie, build it yourself), but sadly (or we thought so anyway) it was powered by the 70 or 80bhp Smart engine. A lot of us wished it would have more power because it was a great looking car.

-andy-




-andy-

[Paul V]

I have a friend who’s into smarts, he seemed under the impression they will still be producing the roadster

[andytk]

just had a gander at the Fiat Barchetta and I'm dissapointed to see that it's FWD. And based on the Punto platform. Nice try Fiat but you'll have to try harder.

I've never seen the Smart roadster myself but it sounds interesting but only if it's got a low slung approach not the high C of G that the (regular) Smart has.

No offense to anyone but I just can't stand MG's in general so wouldn't touch an MGB with a bargepole. But thats just IMHO.

I ran a search for DCUK and didn't come up with anything. (BTW does DCUK stand for DamlierChrysler UK, sorry if this is obvious but I've never heard the term before) unfortunately I live in Scotland (great roads) but silly amounts of rain so I'd be dead set against a soft top, it'd need to be a tintop for me.

Cheers
Andy

[hertsbiker]

Yes, DCUK = Daimler Chrysler UK. Or DUCK as we call it on the Smart site.

The Roadster looks to have a CG about 9 inches from the road. Don't be too concerned about the BHP, the weight will be very low.

[ninja_eli]

Honda Beat as well as already mentioned suzuki. The Honda I think uses something similar to a motorbike engine and gearbox (650 cc ??). It is very small and very little and is convertible.

The actual size them of these cars is amazing, they really are so small.

[ErnestM]

Greetings Andytk:

GM actually tried this with the Pontiac fiero www.fiero.org back (in case you haven't seen one - I do not know if they made it to the UK) in 1984. They were actually quite affordable little mid engined two seaters. Other than the engine fire debacle in the first year, there are several other reasons that they "went away". However, one of the most striking was actually relayed to me by a friend that worked for pontiac towit:

Because they were so affordable, people that purchased them, especially non traditional sportscar buyers, tended not to take care of them, and therefor contributed to the reputation that the car was completely unreliable.

I think that most people that post on this board are avid enthusiasts of the respective marques that they have chosen, and look at the vehicles acquired as a kind of "reward" for hard work. I know I certainly do.

This is, of course my opinion of sports car ownership. The fact that I have to work really hard to be able to afford the car that I want, makes it that much sweeter when I am driving it. It is kind of an internal goal that you can set for yourself for hard work and effort. (Kind of like graduation )

PS: Interesting web site!

Cheers

ErnestM

>> Edited by ErnestM on Monday 11th February 20:43

[anonymous-user]

having re-read you first posting Andy i see what you mean now! Are you proposing something like a Mini or an Imp, rather than go the 7 clone route choose something, well, erm.......something with a roof!.
I think there would be a market for tuned minis, particularly if you removed alot of the excess weight like the rear seats and trim and put two bucket seats and a tuned 1380cc A series in there! Obviously its not rwd but plenty of fun none the less and could be quite cheap!

[andytk]

Just looked at the Honda Beat and the Smart Roadster concept. Both cars are exactly what I had in mind.

I really hope the little Smart Roadster makes it into production it would be a good first car once I(eventually) get a proper job.
Besides the lack of power can be made up for to a certain extent as Hertsbiker has said somewhere in another thread the engine power can be upped reasonably cheaply (at the cost of reliability, but I could maybe live with that)


Andy