Smart Cars .. advice from owners?

[WDWBarb]

I've searched and found a few threads about Smart cars but wanted to see if any other Dis'ers either own or have owned a Smart car and what their honest opinions are?

I'm considering one and want some honest opinions/advice from those "in the know!"

 

[Kimberly]

My mother has worked for Daimlier (primary owners of Smart) North America since the mid 70s, and had one as a company car for about 11 months not too long ago. What do you wish to know?

 

[Jennasis]

My cousin hates hers. She says driving something that small on the highway is terrifying. She feels like she would die if someone so much as tapped her bumper.

 

[WDWBarb]

My mother has worked for Daimlier (primary owners of Smart) North America since the mid 70s, and had one as a company car for about 11 months not too long ago. What do you wish to know?

I guess, in general, the good and the bad. The obvious downside is not a lot of room in the vehicle, but it does seem like a perfect little in-town commuter car. The mileage is good (not great, since my much larger Prius gets better mileage) but I've heard it requires premium fuel? And in keeping in-line with what Jennasis said, is it really terrifying to drive? I don't think it would ever see the highway (I would use the Prius for longer drives) but what about just driving down the city street? Do you feel like you might get squished at any time?

I've also heard that it is jerky to drive (haven't test driven one yet). Is that your mom's experience?

 

[buckeyelabmom]

x

 

[Kimberly]

Well, being that my mother always enjoyed small nimble cars, she thought that she would like one as well. With the build quality of Daimlier/Mercedes oversight, the fit and finish is thought to be generally good as well. It isn't however, and there are better cars for the money. They don't particularly handle well either, apparently more or less "like a refrigerator on a wheelie cart." They don't go particularly fast either, they top out around 80 mph. They are the best around town or in the city at sub 40 mph speeds. The automatic is also clunky, and is very hesitant to shift gears.

Simply put, there are far better cars for the money. My mother claims the Mini Cooper is a far better vehicle, even though it is from their main competitors company (BMW).

 

[Christine]

I can't answer any questions but my coworker has one and loves the little thing. I've ridden in it many times (on the highway) and have become accustomed to it. It's rough over bumps and doesn't handle like a sportscar on sharp turns (but neither does my Highlander).

It's really not bad but I think, for the money, I could pay a little more and actually get a backseat.

 

[Jennasis]

I guess, in general, the good and the bad. The obvious downside is not a lot of room in the vehicle, but it does seem like a perfect little in-town commuter car. The mileage is good (not great, since my much larger Prius gets better mileage) but I've heard it requires premium fuel? And in keeping in-line with what Jennasis said, is it really terrifying to drive? I don't think it would ever see the highway (I would use the Prius for longer drives) but what about just driving down the city street? Do you feel like you might get squished at any time?

I've also heard that it is jerky to drive (haven't test driven one yet). Is that your mom's experience?

I'm sorry...I just used highway as a catch-all. I meant ANY street.

 

[tvguy]

A co-worker has had one for a year, but has it up for sale now. She liked it, but her husband bought her a new Mercedes ! But she's one of those folks that I think never keeps a car longer than a year or two.

I think my issue with them is there are bigger cars that get better gas mileage and cost less.

The loyalty to Mercedes that some of my friends have baffles me. They say they are the best cars they have ever driven. But their cars are always in the shop. Of course, the dealer here will come to your work or home and pickup the car and leave you a loaner car, so I suspect the superior customer service overshadows the repair issues. And my friends also say they would never keep a Mercedes beyond the warranty period.

 

[stichy]

I drive a minivan right now and I hit tons of things. DH wants my next car to be as small as possible. I suggested a smart car. DH immediately shot that idea down since he doesn't think I would survive a crash. It looks like it would crumple like a tin can if it hit head on.

 

[Kimberly]

They actually absorb energy very well. There's a video of one of these things crashing into a highway divider made of concrete at well over 80 mph. The passenger compartment stayed well in tact, but think of what would happen if say a large SUV were to hit it? Sure, the passenger compartment would stay intact, but it would fly like a soccer ball.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

In light of some of the posts on this thread, I just wanted to share a story.

Last week I was driving on the Southeast Expressway in Boston doing 70mph in the high speed lane in heavy traffic conditions (pretty much the norm for Boston drivers; in fact that might be considered slow and you will likely be passed by many at that speed).

Someone came flying up on my bumper, tailgated for a bit, then decided, apparently, that I wasn't going fast enough for his or her liking and shot out around me into the middle lane, then jumped over to the right lane and flew ahead in that lane for a while, shooting way up ahead until I lost sight of it. He or she had to be going at least 80+, way faster than me.

Imagine my surprise when I saw it was someone in a Smart Car! I'd never seen one of those move so fast, and admittedly I did worry about the driver if there was an accident. I never saw who was driving.

 

[Northstar]

In light of some of the posts on this thread, I just wanted to share a story.

Last week I was driving on the Southeast Expressway in Boston doing 70mph in the high speed lane in heavy traffic conditions (pretty much the norm for Boston drivers; in fact that might be considered slow and you will likely be passed by many at that speed).

Someone came flying up on my bumper, tailgated for a bit, then decided, apparently, that I wasn't going fast enough for his or her liking and shot out around me into the middle lane, then jumped over to the right lane and flew ahead in that lane for a while, shooting way up ahead until I lost sight of it. He or she had to be going at least 80+, way faster than me.

Imagine my surprise when I saw it was someone in a Smart Car! I'd never seen one of those move so fast, and admittedly I did worry about the driver if there was an accident. I never saw who was driving.

Note to self: Better a smart driver in a dumb car than a dumb driver in a Smart Car.

 

[disney1990]

We just looked at the Smart Cars at our local mall. They said that the top speed is 90 MPH. And, they have a 5 star crash rating. Did you know that all the panels can be taken off and replaced -- for about $1500 you can totally change the color of your car. They are just so cute.

 

[Longsx3]

When we lived in Germany we drove one and loved it! They are very popular in Germany and believe it or not I have seen one after an autobahn crash...the driver walked away!