Checkswrecks
Well-known member
I think Smart missed their potential. Warren Brown and some of the other car pundits have been pointing out how much more you now can get with a Honda Fit, for about the same gas and less purchase cost.
Smart Car
- Thread starter FJRocket
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:huh: Honda Fit, less purchase price? Not quite, starting at $14,950 msrp for the base manual version. Vs $11,590 for the Smart Pure w/o options. Still, they do overlap in pricing and you get a lot more space on the Fit. 28-34 mpg on the Fit.
Checkswrecks
Well-known member
You made me go look up the local prices on cars.com. Like Warren Brown and our neighbor said, there are very few of the base ones and the dealers have added to the price of the Smart. Within 50 miles of me (DC area) are 3 of the Passion that is supposed to sell for $13,590 and they are priced from $15800-$18700. There are 78 Fits from $14,500-$16,700.
Somebody sent me this link for a video of a Smart crash test and the woman sums it well at the end. The car is stout, but head-on and without the deceleration of a crumple zone, the occupants can't take what the car can. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s
FJRocket
Doctor Throckenstein !!!
Remember PDP? Waiters? That's what's going on with the smart. If you make a reservation for a smart through the parent company today, you'll probably wait a year for your car.
I paid retail for the car that I ordered, no mark up other than the typical document ********, which was not negotiable. Smarts that have been reserved are selling for sticker. Orphans, cars that were not bought by the person who reserved them, are being sold at a premium. I don't think that will last long, but I hope it does. Those of us who waited a year for the car are paying retail, though.
My car is a metallic comfort package passion, and I paid $15,300 for it. It has many features that you may or may not find on similarly priced micro cars. Air bags, ABS, Traction Control, tire pressure sensors, automatic on headlights, automatic wipers, power windows, multi disc CD player (obsolete already?), aux input for MP3/IPOD, etc..
I haven't compared features with the other cars mentioned as alternatives to the smart. There are some really good choices out there. One of my best friends feels the same way some of you do, it's not the right car for his family. And that's cool. For me, it's a very small alternative to riding my FJR solo in inclement weather. And it's something different and fun.
I paid retail for the car that I ordered, no mark up other than the typical document ********, which was not negotiable. Smarts that have been reserved are selling for sticker. Orphans, cars that were not bought by the person who reserved them, are being sold at a premium. I don't think that will last long, but I hope it does. Those of us who waited a year for the car are paying retail, though.
My car is a metallic comfort package passion, and I paid $15,300 for it. It has many features that you may or may not find on similarly priced micro cars. Air bags, ABS, Traction Control, tire pressure sensors, automatic on headlights, automatic wipers, power windows, multi disc CD player (obsolete already?), aux input for MP3/IPOD, etc..
I haven't compared features with the other cars mentioned as alternatives to the smart. There are some really good choices out there. One of my best friends feels the same way some of you do, it's not the right car for his family. And that's cool. For me, it's a very small alternative to riding my FJR solo in inclement weather. And it's something different and fun.
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Checkswrecks
Well-known member
Like FJRocket said, if you make a reservation, you pay the sticker price with the doc fees. Some dealers have marked up the fees to $500 or so, but most don't. And like the PDP, if you just walk in and want to buy one they happen to have, you're going to pay more, (in most cases).
As to the crash tests and safety, these have been around the rest of the world since '98 and there isn't any documentation of higher than average injuries or deaths. They are very stout with the Trident Safety Cell design. I used to hear that doom and gloom "you're gonna die if you crash" stuff all the time when I drove a Miata.
I know people that had their Miatae run over by semis and walked away with minor scratches. Anything can kill you, stop worrying about it.(p.s. you're gonna die anyway!)
On a motorcycle forum we're debating the merits of crash tests?? :blink:As to the crash tests and safety, these have been around the rest of the world since '98 and there isn't any documentation of higher than average injuries or deaths. They are very stout with the Trident Safety Cell design. I used to hear that doom and gloom "you're gonna die if you crash" stuff all the time when I drove a Miata.
(p.s. you're gonna die anyway!)
If this Smart car can only reach 35mpg (highway?) with no luggage I'll keep m '05 Altima. I'm getting 32mpg with that, loaded down, at 80mph
FJRocket
Doctor Throckenstein !!!
IO-540. I'm a Lycosaurus guy. Actually, when the thing REALLY craps out (gas will be $10 by then, I'm sure) I'll see if there are any relic Hyabusas laying around and go for the big conversion. Or just put in the 1.21 jigawatt reactor and toss in some banana peels. Or just go for the moped year round.
I got the smart to offset the carbon footprint of my TMX-IO-540. Smart gets a little better mileage than the Rocket. About 1/3 the top end, though.
Maybe I could shoehorn an FJR motor in there? Someone prolly has a dead ticker that could be rebuilt?!?
Oh yeah, I forgot.... passion comfort package also has heated leather seats, keyless entry, electric window defroster (rear), rear automatic wiper. Probably more stuff. I'm learning every day.
35 mpg? Where did you see that number. They generally see 38 to 45 with some folks reporting 50+, though not all the time. They take some time to loosen up and deliver better mileage from what I've seen on the Smart Forum so far.If this Smart car can only reach 35mpg (highway?) with no luggage I'll keep m '05 Altima. I'm getting 32mpg with that, loaded down, at 80mph
Part of the trouble comparing mpg is the new EPA ratings which are lower for all vehicles. We compare the numbers we actually see on our own vehicles to the EPA posted numbers and it doesn't seem like a valid comparison.
Scab
I got nothin' here...
It's just you Scab. But then, everything brings that image to mind for you, doesn't it? You are one sick puppy! :bigeyedsmiley:
Scab
I got nothin' here...
Hey, I just call it like I see it. :lol: Just wait till you get one. I've got whole list of jokes just waiting.
FJRocket
Doctor Throckenstein !!!
Why you waiting, Scab? Bring it on! Erckle me! :lol:
Yeah, my smart got 37 on the first tank. Looks like it will be in the low 40s on the second, with mostly in town driving. So as far as mileage goes, it's right in there with the estimates. But there are a lot of cars in the same range, and I'm sure more on the way.
Yeah, my smart got 37 on the first tank. Looks like it will be in the low 40s on the second, with mostly in town driving. So as far as mileage goes, it's right in there with the estimates. But there are a lot of cars in the same range, and I'm sure more on the way.
More on the way I hope. As to lots in the range of the Smart, not so. Toyota Corolla, Mini Cooper, Yaris are all 36/37 EPA to Smart's 41EPA. That's a pretty big jump to me even if it's only 4-5 mpg better EPA to EPA.
Checkswrecks
Well-known member
The Europeans learned to not put on their seatbelts in the Smart. It stopped the cops from thinking that they're wearing backpacks and giving 'em jay-walking tickets.
Driving a Smart's probably as fun as a go-kart, but it sure looks like:
FJRocket
Doctor Throckenstein !!!
If you guys chip in, I can buy a set of orange, green and yellow panels. Then go to Toys R Us and get some stickers from one of these little pedal carts. Take me about a day to change out the plastic smart panels to change the color. :blink:The Europeans learned to not put on their seatbelts in the Smart. It stopped the cops from thinking that they're wearing backpacks and giving 'em jay-walking tickets.
Driving a Smart's probably as fun as a go-kart, but it sure looks like:
FJRocket
Doctor Throckenstein !!!
2nd tank of premium gas, 41.5 mpg combined driving. This ain't no FJR by any means, you want performance, this isn't your bag. But it's a pretty nice driving little buggy. I think I'll keep it!
3rd tank so far appears it's going to be upwards of 44 mpg with combined driving. That, and small footprint, was the mission, and the smart is measuring up nicely. :yahoo:
Hopefully I'll get tired of the li'l bruiser and get back on my FJR pretty soon. Need to blow out the cobs and carve some curves!
3rd tank so far appears it's going to be upwards of 44 mpg with combined driving. That, and small footprint, was the mission, and the smart is measuring up nicely. :yahoo:
Hopefully I'll get tired of the li'l bruiser and get back on my FJR pretty soon. Need to blow out the cobs and carve some curves!
FJRocket
Doctor Throckenstein !!!
3rd tank of premium.......
[SIZE=18pt]48.4 MPG!!!!!!!![/SIZE]
Oh, and that's combined driving.
The quirkyness of the manumatic shifting has lessened quite a bit. The suspension has softened up and the ride improved quite a lot.
I may look like quite the geek driving it, but I'll take the mileage to the bank. :yahoo:
[SIZE=18pt]48.4 MPG!!!!!!!![/SIZE]
Oh, and that's combined driving.
The quirkyness of the manumatic shifting has lessened quite a bit. The suspension has softened up and the ride improved quite a lot.
I may look like quite the geek driving it, but I'll take the mileage to the bank. :yahoo:
teerex51
The Italian Scallion
Yep. The MCC Smart is now 10 years old and you see these cars everywhere in Europe.
They have an outstanding safety record and are immensely popular as city cars in our old and cramped city centers.
My wife drives a 2001 Smart and loves it. I wouldn't take one on a longish trip, though, as the luggage space is barely enough for 2 toothbrushes and a six-pack.
Stef
PS: ..and yes, the manumatic transmission is a PITA : :derisive: slow and jerky
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