smart car

[stevepaa]

anyone bought the smart car? any comments on it?

http://www.smartusa.com/

[creaturecat]

sister in law bought the top of the line one, 2 weeks ago.
Should have bought a Yaris IMHO.
Really bad ride, awful manual/auto trans, noisy, great on gas, a joke to park.

[LakeCleElum]

Check the "Car and Driver" test. Not very flattering. IF you're buying for fuel mileage, you'll do almost as will with a Civic or Corolla and have a lot more comfort.

[CurtEgerer]

I drove one Sat. Gearbox is very odd. I don't quite understand how the fuel mileage can be so poor - 33 city, 41 highway. I can do much better than that in my Jetta TDI's and seat 5 people with luggage. I suppose it could be a fun little car to drive around the neighborhood - everybody smiles and waves when you're driving around.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Stupid fad. Mileage is no better than a nice civic, corolla, hybrid. 2 Seats, poor safety, no utility. I don't get it.

[Palum6o]

Its not designed for here and they are about as stupid as a Maybach. In France/Germany the Smarts are everywhere, which is where they belong.

[VincentVega]

When I first read it was coming here a few years ago I thought maybe I'd buy one. Now that I see what it's turned into, no chance I'll own one. For the $$ I'd much rather have a Civic or Fit and a pile of cash in the backseat.

[notfarnow]

Lots of them around here. I think they're neat little cars, I'll certainly be interested in one as a second vehicle when they become cheap used cars.

However, as a practical vehicle they just don't make any sense to me. Less room then a Yaris, and a VW diesel gets better mileage.

[kach22i]

Strong points on styling, and I liked the handling on my test drive last year.

The engine is in the rear.................gotta love that aspect of it.

[Porsche_monkey]

Totally over-priced for what you get.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by PBH

Totally over-priced for what you get.

Just like a new Porsche, so just buy pre-owned.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by Palumbo

In France/Germany the Smarts are everywhere, which is where they belong.

I was in the UK last week for a wedding, saw plenty of Smart cars in London but very few elsewhere.

I can see their utility for living in a city where your other major option is a motorcycle, but as others have stated it doesn't have much to recommend it if you have space for any other econobox.

[svandamme]

scary on highways

[URY914]

What do they cost?

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

Stupid fad. Mileage is no better than a nice civic, corolla, hybrid. 2 Seats, poor safety, no utility. I don't get it.

Can you elaborate on the poor safety part of your thread?

I respectfully disagree with that opinion, based on what I've seen and heard of the design of the smart. Granted, with a lack of mass, there is very little impact absorbsion, but there is a very, very strong passenger compartment area which does a fantastic job of protecting the occupants from intrusion in an impact.

There are very few cars that are designed with as much safety in mind as the smart. The problem is - given it's size, there's only so much they can do.

- Z-man.

[kach22i]

EDIT: 04/09/08
I went to the Smart Dealership yesterday.

Convertible: $17,500

Coupe: $14,500

.............and a long waiting list.
.................................................. ........see pictures on page 2

Posted by james on April 27, 2006 at 11:46 AM
http://www.retrothing.com/2006/04/smart_car_poise.html

[Update: The Smart will be available throughout the USA in early 2008, starting at a mere $11,590. Roger Penske's United Auto Group will incubate 30 to 50 dealerships in metro areas. Be sure to read our followup commentary "Why the Smart car's arrival in the USA is a good thing."]

Date posted: 11-21-2006
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=117630

With a little help from the United Auto Group, which has signed an exclusive deal to distribute the car, the Smart Fortwo will arrive in the U.S. in January 2008. It will be available as both a coupe and a cabriolet and priced from around $11,000-$14,000.

http://www.erynn.ca/smart%20car%20cost.htm

What will the Smart Car Cost ? USA. In the US the Smart car will cost at least $15000. CANADA. In Canada the Smart Car is about $16000 for the coupe, ...

[s_wilwerding]

Honestly, if you're in the market for that type of car, check out the Honda Fit. I came this close to buying one - they handle well, have plenty of interior room, and get about the same mileage as a Smart.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Can you elaborate on the poor safety part of your thread?

I respectfully disagree with that opinion, based on what I've seen and heard of the design of the smart. Granted, with a lack of mass, there is very little impact absorbsion, but there is a very, very strong passenger compartment area which does a fantastic job of protecting the occupants from intrusion in an impact.

There are very few cars that are designed with as much safety in mind as the smart. The problem is - given it's size, there's only so much they can do.

Size and power would be my main concern. The bodies proximity to the edges of the vehicle. Visibility to other vehicles. Ability to handle higher speeds and get out of trouble with power when needed. You can have a great impact absorbing design but remember, this thing is competing against our standard huge SUV's out there on most of our roads. Suburbans, Escalades, full size trucks, etc. That's one of the differences between their use here and many parts of Europe. This thing is designed as a true "city" vehicle but in the US, how many cities can you really stay contained in? Maybe in LA or something it makes more sense. I can make it from one end of Seattle to the other in 10 minutes. I feel like I've got a target on me driving my 911 most days. As such, the civic/corolla are still scary but I would assume would fare better in a collision with a larger vehicle. They also have enough power to handle our roads, get out of trouble and are larger and therefore more visible to other drivers. I could be totally wrong about that. I'm certainly no expert, just seems like common sense.

I drive an old 911 and race a Formula V so safety for myself isn't my #1 buying concern. My main issue with the Smart is the $'s you pay for what you get. That calculation makes no sense. But neither does driving a 25 year old Porsche to most people

[Palum6o]

The Smart cars were also designed to use less parking space. In Europe, you'll see two Smart cars share one standard size parking space. You'll also see them parked on the side walk without taking too much space. See what happens if you try doing that here. The car was not designed for America.

[Porsche_monkey]

It's fine to say they are designed to bounce on impact, but controlled decelleration is preferable, hence the development of crumple zones.

And with pick-up trucks and SUV's on the road you are at a decided disadvantage, I think that's pretty obvious.

Z-man - shouldn't you be declaring a conflict of interest here?