A reader writes:

I couldn't resist bringing this one to your attention. Today in NW Portland I had two encounters with a City of Portland Vehicle (#067157, if my memory serves, for a change), that is a new-looking 2006 model year Smart Fortwo. This now-discontinued car is a third-party import (from The Defiance Company, LLC; http://smartcars4sale.com) that, according to my recollection, is selling in the US for more than $26,000, a ridiculous price for a two-seater with a motor-scooter engine and transmission (I once rented one of these overseas, so those descriptions are first-hand). It's hard to verify prices, because the only dealer around, a luxury car seller in Lake Oswego, doesn't publish its prices. Last year, Chrysler announced that it would import and distribute the successor 2008 model, which is much re-worked, enlarged and improved. It would ostensibly be sold at less than $15,000, which is much nearer to its European sticker price.

The Smart is a Mercedes brand, so it remains to be seen whether those plans will survive the Daimler/Chrysler divorce. There's still an active website for the U.S. model at www.smartusa.com. The older Smart, at its astronomical price, is noisy, tippy, handles poorly and offers little crash protection. Its purchase by the City makes their acquisition of Toyota hybrids look super-sensible by comparison.