My Smart car has arrived at the dealer today!

[NICKG]

well now i have a tough decision to make...I want the car but I am scared about the current economy. I am leaning towards not getting it, or buying it and reslling it. Black passion coupe with clack tridion and black interior...all options. There is now a 3 year wait i understand. I am teetering....on what to do

[URY914]

I have a bridge I'd like to sell you...

[Zef]

What to do ? ...buy a Toyota Yaris.

[livi]

Smart guys buy old Porsche.

[kach22i]

Would it be a second car which you don't really need?

Highest non-hybrid mpg car sold in America.....................gas prices still going up.

Where will oil prices be five years from now in 2013 when the car is paid off?

[NICKG]

well i would use it..it gets great mileage...way better than my jetta and thet (the jetta ) has been killing me with repairs lately. The Smart cars are selling for quite a bit more than sticker on resale for you naysayers...

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by Zef

What to do ? ...buy a Toyota Yaris.

love to..but
1. no yaris' around(sold out)
2 used yaris is selling over new sticker
3 new ones if around get big market adjustment here
4 it isn't as cool (imho, I do like the yaris)

[the]

It seems like if you have the chance to buy anything that there is a 3 year wait list for, you should probably buy it, and sell it for a profit.

(Cars may be a little different, since in most states you have to pay sales tax, registration, etc. - but still, you can always find someone willing to pay significant money for something where there is a 3 year wait list).

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by NICKG

(the jetta )

What ever you do, get rid of the Jetta.

Just my opinion, had a VW Golf once, not cheap to maintain once it was paid off.

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by the

It seems like if you have the chance to buy anything that there is a 3 year wait list for, you should probably buy it, and sell it for a profit.

(Cars may be a little different, since in most states you have to pay sales tax, registration, etc. - but still, you can always find someone willing to pay significant money for something where there is a 3 year wait list).

that is what i am thinking

[the]

how much can you get it for? They seem to be going for high teens to low 20s on ebay.

[the]

e.g., here's a black/black with 71 miles that sold for $18.9

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2008-NEW-SMART-PASSION-COMFORT-PACKAGE-CALIFORNIA_W0QQitemZ180250304378QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q2 0TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180250304 378&

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by the

how much can you get it for? They seem to be going for high teens to low 20s on ebay.

otd for like $16(tax, tags title etc included)

[onewhippedpuppy]

Ebay it, make some money, sell the moneypit Jetta, buy a used Civic for $5k that gets 35 MPG. Otherwise, it was nice knowing you.

[the]

looking at ebay again, it's only the cabs that are going for over $20K.

Hardtops don't get that.

Take a look at the prices, see if it's worth the hassle to you. My guess is you could net $2-3K, if you turned and sold it before putting any miles on it.

For something with a 3 year waiting list, they aren't going for much over sticker.

http://motors.completed.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Trucks___W0QQMake247a0eZSmart4c4a5a9QQLHQ5fComplet eZ1QQ_catZ157077QQ_pcatsZ6001Q2c6000QQ_ssovZ1

[the]

looking at ebay again, it's only the cabs that are going for over $20K.

Hardtops don't get that.

Take a look at the prices, see if it's worth the hassle to you. My guess is you could net $2-3K, if you turned and sold it before putting any miles on it.

For something with a 3 year waiting list, they aren't going for much over sticker.

http://motors.completed.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Trucks___W0QQMake247a0eZSmart4c4a5a9QQLHQ5fComplet eZ1QQ_catZ157077QQ_pcatsZ6001Q2c6000QQ_ssovZ1

[creaturecat]

The Smartcars are all over town (for sale at dealerships and being driven) in Vancouver B.C.. $2000 gov't rebate.....out the door $15000.
European cities - in the city - absolutely everywhere.

[competentone]

Buy and resell it if you're confident you can make a profit. Otherwise, I'd say just pass on it.

The "Smart Car" will become a really "Dumb Car" if you are ever in an accident with a normal-sized car.

Do the math too -- when you start figuring out your actual fuel savings, you realize it takes a long time to ever justify buying any new car trying to justify the expense based on the "fuel savings."

[MichiganMat]

save your money.

Get an old CRX (40+mpg) or a Geo Metro (40+mpg).

The economy is going to get rough, and I wouldn't want to be under a big car loan if I were you.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I have to agree. Although you certainly could improve your own personal financial situation and increase your ability to ride through the coming recessionary storm by getting a better MPG car, there are ways to give you the "better mileage benefit" that are a lot cheaper.

I've actually been looking at selling my M.B. and getting an old MR2 or CRX as a daily beater. If I ever had to take a job further away I'd probably do it, or just use my 944 or 914 (not quite as good MPG as some other vehicles though, but it would save me the $1,000 or so capital outlay, additional insurance, etc.) Gas is getting way too expensive and I'm endeavoring to reduce the day-to-day cost of working (commuting, lunches, etc.) to zero by bicycling to work and parking my car here to use when I have to go to a job meeting or whatever. I'm supposed to be working to make money, not spend it. Effectively commuting and other costs can mean you only "earn" $0.80 to $0.99 of every dollar. It should be $1.00 - no less, IMHO.