Smart Car, what's the poop?

[finster101]

Okay, what do any of you know about the Smart Car? I am thinking about one for the wife. She does 70 miles a day.

[oldekid]

Try this: http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/

[jgc61sr2002]

Saw one on the road today. A convertible.
May be good around town but I have my doubts about highway use.
Just toooo small IMO.

[Breadfan]

When I think smartcar I think this:

LOL

[finster101]

Try this: http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/


Thanks, I have been on the site. I am looking for real issues or problems that you will not find on the company outlet.

[TAKEDOWN]

When I was stationed in Europe, they were all over the place, but are they safe in an accident? That's the concern...scooters along w/smart cars are also common, but europeans seem to be aware of these smaller vehicles and actually look for them(safety wise)...Americans, I don't know!

[quota]

No space for luggage.
Scored 4 stars on EU crash tests. Good to remind it to your spouse when she would be driving it on the highway, close to a Kenworth T2000 pulling a 53" trailer, on a windy rainy weather... She absolutely must try it before buying it.

JP

[Richy04]

Get her a used Insight with a factory warranty..

Smart tops out at 85, mine does 113.

Even with 176k on it and a dead NIMH battery I get 50 to 54 MPG and up until last month I only put 200 bucks into it until I hit 175k, then I had a funny noise from the trans. I picked up a trans and slapped it in and I am still motoring about 164 miles a day.

[Rocknthehawk]

Or for less money, comparable gas mileage, and more space, the Chevy Aveo, Toyota Yaris, Honda echo, etc are all great options.

[Aren Jay]

I know quite alot about them.

They are made in France for Mercedes Benz.

They are small.

They are tiny when you have to park and fit anywhere.

They are not very small when you are inside them. Narrow but with lots of interior space. Not Marauder space but quite a bit.

They are safe. See The IIHS report on the Fortwo.
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=632

They get good but not great mileage. Mind you the reported mileage is the new formula so it isn't that bad.

They have RWD, Twdo Doors, mid engine, Semi automatic transmission. You can drive it in a fully automated mode but it really isn't that great. Much better in tiptronic mode. The transmission is a manual with auto mode, not an automatic. Thus it can be t-bar towed behind an RV or Marauder etc...

No spare tire included but you could include one if you want, I have been thinking that one could be roof mounted if you don't want to look at the sky. The tires are pressure monitored and there is a pump with sealant if you get a flat. The tires/wheels are 15".

Lots of openings and very easy to see out of. When driving around you don't feel like you are in a tiny car, until you look over your shoulder.

Slow 0-60, but that is relative. It is 2-3 seconds slower than a 289 V8 1966 Mustang. But might beat it to 30 mph. So it isn't that slow. Not Marauder fast.

It has lots of room for groceries and carrying things, the passenger seat fold forwards flat, and allows for up to 20+ cubic feet of cargo, same as our Marauders' Trunk. 8 cubic feet if you want to see out the back window, 12 if you dont.

Rear window wiper, not sure about the convertible.

TINY!

Easy to park, yes I said that but I mean it is easy to park. Every parking spot even those for Motorcycles are big enough to park a Smart Fortwo.

Requires supposedly 91 octane gas.

Has a 10 litre gas tank and will travel 350-400 miles, more if highway only.

The seats is firm but comfortable. Not a Marauder seat.

At first it feels like a go cart but once you are up to speed it cruises along just like a VW Rabbit / Golf. After a while it feels like any other car only easier to park.

You will either love it or hate it. Although it does grow on you.

Some places allow you to double park them and will charge only half the parking rate if you have one.

The Government will give you are rebate for buying one. In Canada anyway.

The Aveo Yaris and Echo are huge in comparison and ugly. The Honda Fit is bigger, but read the reviews, not very popular for one or more reasons. The Smart car larger in the front seats than the others.

With a For Two you never have to drive anyone else or more than one other person anywhere, or you can use the I have to pick someone up, thus I can't take you along excuse, which doesn't work when you have a backseat.

Really good if you have a kid and the wife wants to take it somewhere, you do not have to go, and if you do , you get to drive your Marauder, not an Aveo.

Test drive it, then decide, nothing beats the test drive. One way or the other.

Crash tests for the Aveo are not as good:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=585

The Yaris is good but only with the side airbags:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=589

The Fit is good:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=593

[offroadkarter]

I know quite alot about them.


Slow 0-60, but that is relative. It is 2-3 seconds slower than a 289 V8 1966 Mustang. But might beat it to 30 mph. So it isn't that slow. Not Marauder fast.




Since when did a 289 mustang do 0-60 in 14.4 seconds? Or anywheres near that for the matter?


Theres a dealer here in Edison, i am starting to see more and more by the week.

This probably isn't relevant but the handling on the fortwo is absolutely horrible because of the skinny tires.

[MENINBLK]

When you are driving down Interstate 95 at 55 mph and two tractor trailers
pass you at the same time on both sides, you'll never get inside another one again
after you clean up the mess you leave behind... :eek:

[magindat]

There's a black and silver Smart Fortwo Passion around here. I kinda dig it.

[wchain]

02eghIfyHP0

[Pops]

Wes that DID NOT make me run out and buy one!

[jonroe]

I saw one doing about 65 on the DC Beltway amongst heavy fast traffic. The sight alone was enough to keep me away. It was scary looking.

[ts-pa]

What do you think of the Smartuki (http://www.smartuki.com/) version?

[Marauderjack]

What do you think of the Smartuki (http://www.smartuki.com/) version?

I wondered how long that would take......"Super Smart" Car!!:beer:

[Bobmiddle]

IMO go ahead and buy the smart car for your wife and invest the gas savings in a good life insurance policy for her.

[finster101]

IMO go ahead and buy the smart car for your wife and invest the gas savings in a good life insurance policy for her.


I was thinking of trading her in on a newer model I've had my eye on. :rolleyes:

[Lowndex]

You can read through the hilarious threads. Some serious stuff about safety. In the end, it was one of the 'smartest' buys I have made. The car is fun to drive, relatively safe, reliable (1.17 million of them made and counting) and cheap to purchase.

Summary: Compared to other autos for the dollar and mileage, there is no comparison: the Smartfor two rules!:)

[finster101]

You can read through the hilarious threads. Some serious stuff about safety. In the end, it was one of the 'smartest' buys I have made. The car is fun to drive, relatively safe, reliable (1.17 million of them made and counting) and cheap to purchase.

Summary: Compared to other autos for the dollar and mileage, there is no comparison: the Smartfor two rules!:)


We like the looks of them. The Echo and Aveo look awful to me. Going for a test drive Saturday. How long did you have to wait for yours? I am told a year.

[Lowndex]

When I think smartcar I think this:

LOL


The car is great for its design intent.

[Lowndex]

No space for luggage.
Scored 4 stars on EU crash tests. Good to remind it to your spouse when she would be driving it on the highway, close to a Kenworth T2000 pulling a 53" trailer, on a windy rainy weather... She absolutely must try it before buying it.

JP

The 2008 has a NHSI crash test rating of 5 stars! Also, it hold an enourmous amount of luggage. The learn the truth about Smartfortwo, watch this video:
http://www.truthaboutsmart.co.uk/

[Lowndex]

Get her a used Insight with a factory warranty..

Smart tops out at 85, mine does 113.

Even with 176k on it and a dead NIMH battery I get 50 to 54 MPG and up until last month I only put 200 bucks into it until I hit 175k, then I had a funny noise from the trans. I picked up a trans and slapped it in and I am still motoring about 164 miles a day.

The US Smartfortwo tops out at 92 mpg due to the rev limiter.
See www.smartcarofamerica.com (http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/)

[Lowndex]

Or for less money, comparable gas mileage, and more space, the Chevy Aveo, Toyota Yaris, Honda echo, etc are all great options.

2008 Smart fortwo passion
Compare the fortwo to the Yaris
List Price: $13,590
Smart fortwo Advantages: Anti-Lock Brakes Standard
Traction Control Standard
Side-Impact Air Bags Standard
Power Windows/Locks Standard
Better Highway Mileage (41 vs. 36)
Better City Mileage (33 vs. 29)
Sunroof/Moonroof Standard

Toyota Yaris Advantages: Engine (4 cylinder vs. 3 Cylinder)
Child Safety Locks Standard
36 More Horsepower (106 vs. 70)


source **- http://www.car.com/content/research/...Action/Compare (http://www.car.com/content/research/vir/index.cfm/vehicle_number_int/1022923/Action/Compare)
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[Lowndex]

IMO go ahead and buy the smart car for your wife and invest the gas savings in a good life insurance policy for her.

I like the way the man thinks. hehehehehe:)

[Raudermaster]

lol, who cares if she does 70 miles a day, my dad does about 85, and he just bought a Fusion. Lasts all week with a tank, and he's not light on the throttle either, not to mention you can fit more than 1 person in it.

[Raudermaster]

http://images33.fotki.com/v1187/photos/4/41821/141880/smart_fail-vi.jpg

[Aren Jay]

Since when did a 289 mustang do 0-60 in 14.4 seconds? Or anywheres near that for the matter?


Theres a dealer here in Edison, i am starting to see more and more by the week.

This probably isn't relevant but the handling on the fortwo is absolutely horrible because of the skinny tires.


1966 Mustang 289 auto, 0-60 in 10.9 seconds.

1974 Firebrid 400ci Rockford car, 0-60 in 10.4 seconds.

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercoupe/articles/0-60times.html

Check it out yourself.

0-60 MPH in 10 seconds used to be considered fast.

1974 Ford Torino 460ci The Tomato was a fast car with a 0-60 in 8.7 seconds.

Fast is relative.

[Aren Jay]

http://images33.fotki.com/v1187/photos/4/41821/141880/smart_fail-vi.jpg


Funny, it passed: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=632



Test details:

The Smart Fortwo was introduced in the 2008 model year. As its name implies, the Smart seats only two people; there is no rear seat.
Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail.
Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on the right tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would also be possible. Head acceleration from the roof rail hit was negligible.

[Raudermaster]

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want my head that far into the bag.

[ts-pa]

During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail....Head acceleration from the roof rail hit was negligible.

If you were the dummy, I'm sure that your head bouncing around wouldn't be negligible.

[mrjones]

[QUOTE=Richy04;622215]Get her a used Insight with a factory warranty..
Even with 176k on it and a dead NIMH battery I get 50 to 54 MPG


Is the battery pack still in the car? Would you get better mpgs if it were out?

[Breadfan]

The car is great for its design intent.

I stand by my statement, I literally laugh when I see them. I can't help it!

[Breadfan]

During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail....Head acceleration from the roof rail hit was negligible.

If you were the dummy, I'm sure that your head bouncing around wouldn't be negligible.

Head's bouncing off stuff happens in most car frontal crashes. A big problem is the head going backwards after the crash and then to the left hitting the B pillar or door frame.

This problem is also why NASCAR and other race organizations moved to restraints the attach between the helmet and rollcage to keep the drivers head from going too far.

Honestly that pic doesn't look that bad, passenger cabin is staying in tact.

But, the lack of frontal area means more force is being placed in the cabin, which could become an issue.

So that's what it looks like at 35mph how about 65? That's the big question is how the thing would hold up to better speeds.

They're still hilarious looking.

[Rocknthehawk]

Head's bouncing off stuff happens in most car frontal crashes. A big problem is the head going backwards after the crash and then to the left hitting the B pillar or door frame.

This problem is also why NASCAR and other race organizations moved to restraints the attach between the helmet and rollcage to keep the drivers head from going too far.

Honestly that pic doesn't look that bad, passenger cabin is staying in tact.

But, the lack of frontal area means more force is being placed in the cabin, which could become an issue.

So that's what it looks like at 35mph how about 65? That's the big question is how the thing would hold up to better speeds.

They're still hilarious looking.

I'm also wondering what the impact looks like from an angle. Most impacts are NOT directly head on.

[Aren Jay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROO7DBW3R0I

70-0mph in one second.

Smartcar survives, but the people inside do not, but it isn't the cars fault. In a Marauder similar thing, car survives but your brain and heart etc... do not.


I'm also wondering what the impact looks like from an angle. Most impacts are NOT directly head on.


IIHS tests are offset.

The 70 MPH test is at an angle.

[lucenti]

only way to travel

:coolman:

[OneBADLsE]

My life is not worth an extra 25 mpg


end/

[finster101]

Done deal. Test drove one yesterday and very surprised. They are solidly built. Fit and finish is very good, and with the paddle shifters actually a blast to drive. I know a lot of you will flame me but the wife loves it, and if momma ain't happy nobody is happy. Many of you know that too.

[JVJ]

Oh, this guy is watching! :bat::eek::bat:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/4/1/0/0/GRIM.bmp