>>So you can guess Bill is not playing in the german version of VW Rabbit
>
>The first new car I bought was a 1960 beetle. At $1500 it remains the be best automotive purchase I ever made.
>I owned a 1965 and a 1968 and would have continued with them had the family not expanded, requiring more space.

Until the fall of the Wall there were a few indestructible cars, having slightly sub-standard specs and driving following the Beetle practice: Nissan Sunny, early Toyota Corolla, early Opel Kadett, first Mitsubishi Colt. That market segment was nearly killed by the cost-cutting movement spearheaded by Lopez.

I never owned a Beetle myself, but a few girls I dated had one: ok to drive unless on the Autobahn in a hurry or on frosty days, even if starting the car was never the problem.

>
>VW has lost its way with pricing of late- much too high.
>
>The last time in Germany -2003- I was fascinated by the Smart.
>How is it doing over there?

Not really good. In reality the functionality offered in area of transport is that of a (roofed, therefore dry to drive) motorbike.
Parking time is more than halfed compared to normal cars, but driving to the tennis court with partner is better if only 1 sports bag is brought along and shopping afterwards is skipped or results only in 2 smallish bags.

It is fantastic as a 3rd car, as then the functionality of easy parking is an added value to the capabilities already available from motor pool.
As 2nd vehicle it balances out: it offers capabilities, but in a low, steady stream of days leads to discussion of who HAS to take it on a certain day because the other car is needed more for certain functionality.

Price for new ones is IMO too high for functionality, but used market shows higher prices than warranted for the slightly sub par build quality (at least for a Merc).

In 2003 IMO you should have taken a closer look at the early versions of A-Klasse
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_A-Klasse
which was probably killed too soon by the stability problems when first released (Elchtest debacle).
The sandwich chassis offers best room/length even surpassing the Issigonis mini design, which is what is needed in a city targeted 1st and 2nd car here.