2010 is sure shaping up to be a good year for the smart car shopper, more than the previous ones. There are going to be 20 cars, SUVs and hatchbacks which are better than 30 mpg. However, as efficient as those cars may be, the cost for them isn’t very attractive, especially if you’re counting your money carefully. In fact, for some models, you may have to pay up to $11,000 more for the hybrid morel, as opposed to the gasoline-based one.

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Doing the green thing, I carpooled with my wife half way to San Francisco. From her office, I took the train. After that I walked to the Moscone Center to attend the 51st International Auto Show. Once I got my press pass (sorta – the guy in charge had no clue what was going on, so he just waved me through) I headed for the escalator.

At the bottom … the Smart Car. You know, the little guy where if you had a magnetic handle it could double as a suitcase. Put it neutral and pull it around.

Base price – $11K. A year ago, you had to pay double just to get on the list to buy one. Now they are sitting in a show room in SF, the pretty little girl says. I tend to think that if I went there, the sales dude would ask for more or tell me to put my name on a list. I didn’t bother to go the show room. I did get a good look at the inside of the car … the very inside … and the out. Some 45+mpg rating … and super safe. My wife and son are shopping for cars now. Maybe … just maybe …