My Ex wants a smart car. Anyone have one or know about them?

Any help would be nice. I dont know crap about these except they look like death traps and hellaciously expensive to fix.

 

Yes they will be expensive because Smart is owned by Merecedes Benz these days. They have a boot "Trunk" thats not worth talking about, a top speed of 84mph, the top of the range has 61BHP, 0-60 in a misserable 16 seconds. BUT they get nearly 60mpg combined because they only have a 700cc engine. Theres only two seats obviously, they're fantastic around cities because of their smallness and nippyness. And there is a Brabus version........... WOW!!

 

The one thing you need to understand is that it's not for everyone. I've heard too many people complain about how small it is, how little space there is, only 2 seats etc. It works for me, but a smart isn't for everyone. If you intend to have more than one passenger, it's not the car for you. I can fit 6-7 grocery bags in the trunk, and the passenger seat folds flat if you need to carry large items.
The car is actually quite spacious for the size of the car. It has more room than my parents cars (Jag x-type and volvo s70). The ride quality isn't very good, obviously, but it isn't that bad once you get used to it. It's advertized as getting 40 mpg, but I get an average of 45. While it isn't the fastest car out there, it feels very nimble on the road. The fastest I've driven mine is 80 mph, and I have the base model.
The one complaint I have about the car is it's easily blown around by the wind. It can me rather jarring to drive on mindy days, as the car will jerk around unexpectedly.
As far as safety goes, I'm glad to say that I haven't had much personal experience with the safety features. I was in a fender-bender at one point, and my smart took no dammage because of how strong the plastic body pannels are. It does have 4 airbags standard, and the safety cell around the car is designed to protect the passengers in the case of the accident. I would look on the company website for more information.
Overall, I wouldn't say it is the best car ever, but it is quite a good car. I find it to be extremely fun to drive and easy to live with. The best thing about it is how it turns heads on the road. I took it to a meet once and parked it next to a Ford GT and a Lamborghini Gallardo. People abandoned the supercars to look at the smart!

It would still be a good idea to look at other cars, but don't count out the smart just because it looks too small or unsafe.

 

There was a thread here a couple weeks back about Smarts and the insurance on the Smart was incredibly expensive, I believe. I'll see if I can find the thread.

 

There is a thread around here somewhere complaining that the cost to insure a Smart is outrages...probably due to that death trap thing.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235051&highlight=smart+insurance+mercedes


Found it

 

Ping VTC. He's got one.

 

Thanks.

You lit up one yet today...?

 

No offense to any Smart owners but ------

I have a neighbor with one. When I ask him if he likes it, he shrugs his shoulders like "eh". The biggest complaint is the gearbox. Can you say SLOOOOW to shift?

One of the big deals for the original design was that in Europe you could park the Smart straight into a small space meant for parallel parking. I guarantee if you try that in most cities in the states, you'll end up with a parking ticket for illegal parking.

I saw one the other day going down the road in LA. A guy in his early 40's had a beige one with a pink stripe and on his lap-- sticking it's head out the window --was a poodle with matching beige color fur and a pink bow in it's head. That was enough for me to say: NEVER EVER.

Get a Mini if you want cool small car or a Toyota Yaris if you want to go cheap. Either will have no problem when you want to resell it or trade it in for something else and you'll at least get 4 seats unlike the Smart. Let's face it, these econo boxes are only good for a couple of years before you get tired of them. There's always a better one around the corner.

 

I can't believe people, it's a commuter car, low horse power, you bet, small, you bet, low on storage room, you bet. Reliable, better than most cars, resale value, better than most cars, MPG, better than most cars, safety, better than most cars.

SMART cars are not sports cars. Measuring 0-60 is ridiculous, do Toyota and Honda owners measuse 0-60 when they're looking for a Corolla or Civic? No.

 

Oh yeah one thing i forgot, the panels are interchangeable so you can change them when ever you like. You could have a green one one week and a red one the next!! thats pretty cool, don't mean to be harsh but thats about the only thing that is. If you crash you just buy a panel to replace the damaged one.

 

Yes! Hoyo Epi II Cabinet!

 

They're OK for what they are. Unfortunately it'll take one accident where one gets squished by a Suburban etc., with pics circulating all over the net and the small car phobia will be realized. I'd just stick with getting a Honda or similar.

 

You're helping your Ex?

 

Yea really! Actually she is one of the few I actually like and we still talk a good bit.

 

I don't think that has happened yet {a catastrophic accident that was worse than it should have been because the car failed inappropriately} and they're nearly a decade old.

 

JR....

I own one. Just picked up a new 2009 SMART Passion coupe last week.

Do not buy the previous diesel model under any circumstances........it is gutless and very, very, expensive to fix.

The 2008+ gas model is 20x better........I sell these BTW........not pitching for the bizz....just speaking my mind.

 

Get one, put a busa engine in it, Brabus wheels..

 

I had a passenger ride in a Brabus Smart the other day. Cool little car but not worth the money IMHO. For that money I would much rather have a 500 Abarth (which should become available in the US in the next year or so if the Fiat-Chrysler deal is successful).

BTW, the Smart's interior is surprisingly spacious (I'm 6.2).

 

Smart crash test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

 

I saw one the other day, look pretty cool. Had some big rubber on it and was painted jet black with some silver trim here and there. Looked awesome and something I would consider if I needed a SMALL car to cruise around the city etc..etc..

 

Yes, it is a nice little car. There are quite a few Brabus Smarts in Monaco (as well as the other types). After all, there aren't many cars you can park sideways
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Lol! Jeez!

 

Good luck with that one Ben.

 

Yes, that is a not-so-rare scene in European cities