Anyone drive a smart car?

[Buckalew11]

We had one on order but cancelled it. I started reading their bulletin boards and gas mileage was all over the place ranging from 23-60. It depended how you drove, it, where you drove it, etc. Very few people were getting good gas mileage and for the lack of room, I expected better.
The car is roomier than expected in the drivers and passenger's seats. You sit up "high" for a car. And boy was it fun to drive! DH and I both loved driving it. We both got out and said it was like a ride at WDW! LOL

I just wanted my gas mileage to be better. I think a FIT or something was the same or more in that department.
Anyway, good luck with your decision.

 

[moburg]

Apparently they are quite safe. We are considering one with our next trade. But not sure when that would happen. No kids at home. We use another car to haul the dogs around in. I know a couple of folks that own one that love them - they even do OK at highway speeds.

It's designed like an eggshell, surprisingly strong. But they are so light a crash with an SUV would more likely just toss the SmartCar, protected by the "roll cage" frame.

Driving it around town was one thing, but you won't catch me in one on a highway.

 

[Galahad]

I think a FIT or something was the same or more in that department.
.

We got a FIT for DW a few weeks ago. GREAT CAR!!!!!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I really like them but it's just not practical for our lifestyle.

 

[Evil Genius]

Thank you for your replies. Who makes a FIT?

Price ranges are $12,000.00 - $16,000.00 for the cars that are available in the US. Daimler Chrysler is the sponsor over here so it wouldn't be any more expensive to fix than my Cruiser.

Everything I have read says they do well in snow, although I did have a drift that was taller than the car in my side yard this year.

I'm single with no kids so the size is fine. Might slow down my spending habits.

 

[soupy11]

I drove a company car for 2 years and hated every minute of it. It was in the shop at least 6 times for failing systems, including electrical, heater, brakes, ABS, and radio problems.

The car had zero comfort. It never warmed up between November and March. I froze in the car in the winter and in the summer the supposed air conditioner didn't make a lick of difference, so I roasted.

Gosh, I really hated that car and have nightmares about it. I drove my personal car more often but our head-office got wind of it and outlawed that practice.....

Gas mileage was a joke. 20 liter tank that I had to fill up every three days. Burned through oil like crazy and to get to the engine to refill the oil took a huge effort.

The fabric on the seats would stain if you so much as looked at it. The windshield wipers would constantly get crossed with themselves leading to a bend in the arm. Lights would burn out on a regular basis. Mercedes charged us $180 for an oil change.

In the winter the car would get stuck in a plowed parking lot. Forget about a flurry, the thing would just not move.

All in all, I guess I would caution you against it! LOL

 

[pr surfer]

I gave serious consideration to buying one, but the nearest dealer is over 1,000 miles away and the local importers were charging a 150% markup on one.

If I move back to the continent, I'll buy one.

 

[Galahad]

Thank you for your replies. Who makes a FIT?

Honda.

 

[mickeyboat]

DH swears that when we need to buy a car for our girls to share in another 7 years, this would be a good choice - they won't drive too fast, there isn't room for a bunch of rowdy friends and it won't be comfortable enough to engage in certain behavior with boys - just room enough for the two of them to get to school and activities and back home. Finally everyone around here will know who is driving the car and will be able to report to me if they see something suspicious.

 

[Buckalew11]

DH swears that when we need to buy a car for our girls to share in another 7 years, this would be a good choice - they won't drive too fast, there isn't room for a bunch of rowdy friends and it won't be comfortable enough to engage in certain behavior with boys - just room enough for the two of them to get to school and activities and back home. Finally everyone around here will know who is driving the car and will be able to report to me if they see something suspicious.

Well, I love this thought!

Galahad, my nephew and my sister both own Fits and love them. Sister actually likes this year's model better and wanted to buy another one but all the economic stuff has kept her from adding another car to their family. They have 4 kids (1 away at college). I would love one and maybe when DD gets old enough I'll give her my Camry and try to find a used Fit. I really don't want a car payment but I am afraid a car like a Fit may be hard to find. Everyone loves theirs.

 

[Nancyg56]

It's designed like an eggshell, surprisingly strong. But they are so light a crash with an SUV would more likely just toss the SmartCar, protected by the "roll cage" frame.

Driving it around town was one thing, but you won't catch me in one on a highway.

That was my thinking. One was auctioned by the local Rotary adn I was approached to buy tickets. No thanks, I cannot get past the size. The guy said it was very safe and I had no reason to doubt him but I was in an F-350 at the time and could not help but picture that little car if my truck hit it.

 

[monkey68]

One of my good friends has a smart car, she bought it used off her neighbor, and it came with all the pluses, leather seats, seat warmers, rain sensors, etc. Basically, a pimped out smart car. I've ridden in it many times, and it's a fun car. You don't even feel like you're in a little car, until you look behind you and realize there's nothing there. My friend takes the highway everyday to get to and from school, and she has no problems with it. It's a bit slower to accelerate than other cars, but once it's up to speed, it's fine. Around here, they're generally pretty long on ramps anyway, so you have time to speed up.

She also said it handles great in the snow. She was home in Mass. recently when there was quite a lot of snow. She actually took the car out just to see how it handles, and she said it was better than her old SUV in the snow. Apparently, there's also a light that comes on that tells you if you're losing traction or something. This was without snow tires, just the basic tires it comes with.

The only downside is that all the stares from people can be quite annoying. People always honk at you, and point fingers and whatnot. One guy told her she shouldn't be driving a golf cart on the highway. Most people get a kick out of it, I can't look at her and not smile, especially when it's surrounded by SUV's, but some people have this "My car is bigger therefore I'm better" attitude. Apparently, you have to be an aggressive driver if you're going to drive a smartie.

 

[Galahad]

I really don't want a car payment but I am afraid a car like a Fit may be hard to find. Everyone loves theirs.

We bought it just before Christmas. We didn't have to wait at all. We only had 6 to choose from but we didn't get put on a waiting list or anything. They are quite inexpensive too. We did not get the model with the Nav unit (I can read a map myself, thank you ), but the "Sport" trim. It was about $17K.

 

[pr surfer]

I have a good friend who drives a smart. She was tboned at about 45mph by a Kia Sorrento.

She walked away with a sprained elbow.

 

[laurie31]

We want one!

They have very good crash ratings.

DH wants it to commute to work (60 miles/day) Right now, he's driving a '99 Saturn SC1, which is pretty darn small. He gets about 40mpg, and it's got 210,000 miles on it. He thinks the Smart would be a great car to communte in, since he wouldn't be hauling cargo or kids. We also think it would be the perfect first car for our DD in <gasp of horror> 4 years, for the reasons mickeyboat mentioned.

So anyway, we're saving up for one. We haven't driven one yet, though. We need more $$$ before we get to the test-drive state...but it's great to hear that it's a fun car to drive. We don't have to worry about snow -if there's more than two flakes falling simultaneously they close all the streets here. lol.