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Smart Fortwo
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The Venture will also be more expensive and therefore competing with other hybrids that may not get as good mileage, but do offer other amenities it doesn't (like room). The other big factor for some people will be that the Venture is something like three feet longer than the smart (negating some of the park anywhere factor), but offers no more passenger carrying capacity. Plus that passenger has to ride in the back. But it is another choice and choice is good.
The website clearly states it will be legally a motorcycle, but I do see it as a more viable option to things like the Smart, just as the Smart is a viable option (to some) to the Yaris.
But no getting soaked on that Venture so that's good and out of the elements with the benefits of a car and a motorcycle are pretty cool.
I do agree it has to be put into production but they did get the Can-Am spyder into production and that's a 3 wheeler. it's massively sold out everywhere tho.
If they get that hybrid on the market they will sell a ton of them if they actually do get 100+mpg.
Smart is selling cars here like hotcakes right off the griddle. How long that will last is hard to say. The diesel is a factor but less now since diesel fuel is currently more than $1 per gallon higher than regular gas.
I want to like the Smart, i will know after driving one.
As for the diesel smart yes the price of diesel currently blunts some of its appeal, but it still get almost twice the milage of the gas version (though admittedly the performance level is not the same, but seems to be acceptable). so it still pays off for now. Also up here the difference isn't as great as it seems to be in some states, and I expect it to drop to on at least par with regular in a month or so once the heating season ends (it usually does).
Hoope you get to test drive a smart soon so you can share your experience (positive or negative).
Scott
I'd be willing to wager a sizeable sum that if the Venture actually makes it to production that it will be reviewed by every publication out there, considering it gets 100mpg AND is a hybrid. Google it and a lot comes up considering it's not available yet and I expect that when it is any flaws will be shown up by journalists driving the snot out of it as they are wont to do.
Safety is an issue but I think it should be at least as safe as a modern motorcycle.
I will test drive the smart probably next week. the problem is the nearest dealer is now sold out. :surprise:
So we shall see.
I would really like a diesel in something like the Smart. OR one that has a Hayabusa engine in it like on YouTube :shades:
My gosh that has to be the fastest smart on the planet!
Kind of an oxymoron don't you think>>
Kind of an oxymoron don't you think>>
You've got me there! :P
That brings up the question, if it is legally a motorcycle will you need a motorcycle license to drive it?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
All of this talk about the Smart's transmission got me to thinking... How hard would it be to install a fake clutch pedal in the car so that it would be easier to initially drive? Another idea is that the clutch at some point trips a solenoid, right?
Why not re-wire this to one under the dash and attach a clutch pedal to that? My old 1967 Mercedes did exactly this. No linkages at all - just a switch at each end and a soleniod. Press the pedal and click - clutch engages. Release, click - disengages.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I had a scooter that was suppose to get 65 the best I ever got was 45.The guy that got 26 said it was when he went over 65.I just wonder if he was a young driver doging the car had the gas peddle to the floor all the time.I put in my Reservation but I have a year to change my mind.I want better gas milage.My Chevy HHR averages 28 miles per gallon to and from work.My wife has kind of made it her car.I bought the lt it has the smaller of the (2) 4 cylinders put it can run on regular.We plan on keeping it one of the best Cars I have ever had.What about part for the Smart Car Oil Filters Air Filters I like to at least service my cars my self.
Thanks Randy
Thanks
There is now a one year wait. Will consider 2K plus invoice.
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/smart_fortwo_2007/303.aspx
Also, on some of the other posts I've read, I hear (see?) people saying they put down their $99 deposit and then have to wait a year to get the actual car. Is that still valid? Doesn't the dealer in Lindon (? I think) have any in yet? Or, is it because you have to special order to get the exact one you want - kinda "made to order"? Thanks People (well, I'm sure most of you are anyway!! LOL) Bob
Unfortunately I will not be able to take delivery, if your interested in in mine let me know.
Upstatei
2. 2 year/24 month warranty. The WORST in the US.
3. Instead of 60 mpg or more the US model at best gets in the 40's but many users are reporting 30's. {At least one owner in San Diego is getting 20's.}
4. Some owners with the first year 08 models are having problems with gear shifts breaking. {See #1 about lack of dealers.}{smartcarofamerica.com}
5. Poor safety ratings. 3 star rollover. 3 star passenger side crash. {safecar.gov.}
6. Wait times as long as 2 years in some area's. Though one can be readily purchased on eBay.com for anyone willing to pay a premium for a slightly used one. {Buyers remorse or some buyers looking to flip and make a quick buck? Either way congesting the system for those who want one and waiting on the reservation lists.}
7. People who made reservations later than others getting theirs sooner thus causing discontent among some with longer wait times.
8. Dealers putting as much as $2K or more in aftermarket items to make money for the ones not claimed by original reservation holders. Then selling to anyone who walks in and can afford it thus circumventing the ordering and waiting process all together.
It is a novelty item for many. Some purchasing it just for the wow factor and attention. That same curiosity has drivers of other vehicles taking pictures while driving on the highway of the smart cars. It's cute so it gets one star for that.
It is decent on gas. It is small and can fit in smaller spaces than many other sedans. It's good for a commuter car but with only 2 seats it certainly is not a practical family car. Without cruise control it's not practical for long distance driving.
Yeah, I sold mine on eBay but at even cost. 6 months from now there will be a profusion of them for sale on eBay.
:lemon:
Scott
There are plenty of happy smart car owners. They were just not looking at the same attributes as you. There will continue to be a niche market for the smart, but no, it will not supplant sales of other high mileage subcompacts. I think some folks ordered it for its uniqueness factor and did not seriously consider the shortcomings of a car that is shorter overall than the wheelbase of most subcompacts.
Scott
The "poor" safety ratings noted above aren't really all that bad. The driver side did well. What worries me, however, is the Ins Instit for Hwy Safety hasn't tested it yet--and their test is the more rigorous offset frontal impact. However, many of you have seen the recent British video of a smart car rammed into a barrier at 70mph. It came away ok. (That was not an instrumented test, however.)
They shoulda made the car a foot longer. They shoulda given it more power and a genuine stick shift. They shoulda designed it to run on regular gas. They shoulda given it a killer warranty.
But in the end, the car just isn't delivering on its fuel economy promise. You can only survive on being "cute" for so long before you gotta start delivering. Just ask any child star!!
Just MHO
Scott
Your right about the extra foot. In europe it is Smart For Four and its been on the market for a few years..
The smart is RWD, which is necessary for superior handling. However, it's just too short and stubby to take advantage of it. It needs that extra foot.
You can buy RWD wind-up cars in any dollar store. Most look remarkably like the smart car; tall and stubby. But you release them on the kitchen linoleum and they spin all over the place. That's what scares me about the smart car.
The extra foot would not be for 2 extra seats. It would be for cargo and increased utility. And maybe a dog or cat carrier.
It is not a four seat subcompact. It is no more tippy than dozens of other models out there.It is a very unique conveyance with many resulting compromises. It could have used regular gas, but then the hp would be less than it already is. It could have a longer warranty, but then the car would cost more. It is the product of trade-offs, but it is another choice we didn't have just a short time ago.
A lot of people would be happier with an Accent or Mini or Versa or Fit or Miata or whatever. So get whatever floats your boat. The smart's selling point is its extreme small size while still providing two people with plenty of space for commuting. You start messing with that and it is not a smart anymore. The FourFour was a bust, and probably for that reason. What's unique about yet another 4 door subcompact?
I found the car to be very comfortable, There was more than adequate space inside.
The ride was stiff, but not significantly worse that my Mazda (and much better than the protege 5 that we had before the 3's). I found it quite comfortable over some bad roads and did not find it overly harsh at all (perhaps because I am more comfortable with a European ride anyway (from my volvos etc.) (though of course Mike T with his peugeots would disagree on the firmness of European cars, they have a ride quality all their own). I would have to guess that complaints about the ride quality must come from those used to the more american type of ride.
I found the power to be adequate and certainly not scary at all (again having started driving in old Volvos (the 140's and 240's might have something to do with that), there was certainly adequate power to at the minimum keep up with traffic (and I feel maybe more I wasn't flooring the throttle by any means). There was enough power to easily merge onto the highway as well. I would have no qualms about driving the car on my commute from St. Catharines to Stoney Creek (on the QEW) every day (and this would one of the reasons why I would purchase one).
I found the car handled very well on the highway, it was stable and not overly affected by some gusting wind that was occurring at the time, and it took the off ramp at speeds that I would probably not use all the time. I have had cars that were much worse in cross winds that the smart (having been pushed into another lane by the wind when driving on the highway (the winds were extremely high at that time (and thankfully the roads empty)) I know what it feels like to be pushed around, the smart felt pretty good to me). Again I am not sure where the comments that the car is very nervous on the highway come from, to me it was not a concern at all (able to comfortably drive with on hand on the wheel (and yes I know that isn't how you are supposed to drive, it just happens).
I also did not feel unsafe at all in the car, it would take a little getting used to when backing up that the car ends right at the back of the front seats, but that wouldn't take long, and would end up being an asset in my opinion. There was adequate storage and the car was well put together (it had 40,000 km on it and no rattles etc.).
As for noise it was fairly loud on the outside, but I did not find it bad at all inside (my partner would disagree found it too loud inside) and if I had used the stereo would have had no problems hearing it and the engine noise would have faded away (to me at least), but since it was a test drive wanted to hear the car, we were able to have a conversation at highway speeds without raising our voices so to me not too loud at all.
As for the transmission, I don't know that if it is because I have read so much about it, or because this particular car was really good, but I had absolutely no problems with it, I shifter in manual mode (no paddles unfortunately) and was able to shift smoothly and quickly without and problems from the first (the salesman was a bit surprised by this actually, said it usually takes people a little while to figure it out, maybe I'm just talented ), the only place where it hesitated at all was after I stopped on a hill and started up again, and even there I didn't think it was bad at all.
All in all I was very pleased with my test, the only complaint I have is that I didn't do this last year when I bought the Mazda
I guess I will have to look on the bright side, if I can't buy one now, maybe the 2009's will have the diesel option again and I will be able to by a brand new smart for myself (otherwise it will be an even older by that time 450 diesel).
Thanks for reading
Scott
Also, I may be wrong but didn't the one you tested have a 6 speed tranny rather the the 5 speed in the 08.
With the extra gear you get a better response when taking off.
Yes it had the 6 speed, it was as I said very good, I haven't compared gear ratios so I don't know if you do get a better takeoff or not, but as I said reports are that the gasser takes off much better. For me the diesel is the way to go for the milage since it is available, but apparently the 2008's have a better ride, more stable and are quieter, so theoretically those who drive the 2008 should be even happier than I was.
That said if you expect it to be a luxury car it will disappoint, it is what it is and if you can accept that you should be very happy, otherwise move onto something else.
Scott
Honestly, I don't understand all the bashing the smart gets. No one is making anyone buy it against their will. If you don't want one, you likely have valid reasons. But these same reasons may not apply to someone else's situation.
I decided against buying the one I ordered, but I don't feel the need to talk anyone out of a decision to purchase it. We need more choices like the smart, and we need more truly small cars in our midst, so that people are not so freaked out by the small size. (On the other hand, it would be ok if more people begin to be taken aback by how huge so many commuting vehicles are, often with only a driver aboard.)
As for the size of the commuter cars, I am almost ashamed to be driving my Mazda 3 to work and back by myself, I can't imagine driving something even larger, mind you I understand that many people can only have one car and it need to do everything, I just think some of these people have them as much for show as anything else. At the very least they have to take responsibility for their decision and stop crying about gas prices, they are just going to have to wait it out till they buy their next car.
Scott
People can and will gladly deal with diesel engine if it gets 50-60mpg.
Except that you most likely paid more for a 6 year old car with a ton on miles on it.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
People complain about the 2008 smart prices, but they are literally many thousands less than the previous model. Mercedes has not made one dime on the smart, regardless of all the previous models they sold at the equivalent of low to mid twenty thousands. These new low prices will be a real test.