Smart cars

Funny you say that...I was actually thinking the opposite until I saw two today including one in my neighborhood with temp tags on. Doesn't Mercedes sell them? The SMart Car revolution is on!

 

They are popping up around various parts of DFW, I thought about putting a deposit on one but that was to only to flip. Some poeple are selling them for $5,000+ over sticker for immediate delivery. You had to get on the list a year ago in order to do that but give it couple months & the high demand will die out.

 

The dealer is sandwiched between park Place Porsche and Mercedes on Inwood. I am on the list, but the mileage is pretty bad for such a tiny and anemic little car. I suspect I will be able to order an Audi TDI before I get to pick colors etc on the Smart and while the Smart is urbian chic (to some), it makes little sense if it has less practicality and mileage than an A3 TDI. So I remain on the fence.

Except for the mileage, I actually like the car a lot.

 

What's the mileage?

 

It would be a great car if you live in a densely populated part of town, but I wouldn't put my life on the line for my 50 mile round trip commute on the freeway. I might consider a Mini Clubman though.

 

I saw one in a small fender bender last Friday. Held up well.

 

I heard it was pretty strong..but I still wouldn't want to be driving that thing and get hit sideways by a Hummer or big a$$ truck.

 

Just picked mine up last Saturday. Now I have two German cars with rear engine, rear wheel drive and bottom hinged pedals.
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Just picked mine up a few days ago.
Fun car to drive, and they aren't too slow
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Precisely my thought process. I drove one back in 03 that had somehow *cough* slipped into the country. Head turner, but not fun next to an 18 wheeler. I know it's supposed to bounce on impact, but still it scares me.

 

Good going Mike! Very cool car.

I look forward to seeing it next time I am at Norwood.

 

Cool ride Mike! Can you park nose in ?

 

Well here is a crash test done by 5th Gear. I wouldn't want to be in it but damn thats pretty crazy that you could probably walk away if you weren't completely out of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR6UozdBWRY

This is with a Hayabusa engine in it I think. Looks like fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck&feature=related

 

I would love to see a "fixed-up" Smart Car...maybe with some cool 19" wheels (if they even fit), body kit, etc...hahaha

 

Here's one that's "up".
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Smarts are supposed to get 35 MPG or so. Good but not as much as one would think however.

 

55mpg, I doubt that. I've heard the numbers on the Prius are exaggerated quite a bit. I could also see why some owners would want to falsify their miles per gallon.

Why couldn't from the beginning, hybrids at least look halfway decent. If they had a much sportier look I think they would have picked up steam a lot faster.

 

It's definitely short enough to park nose in, but I bet there would be a ticket on the windshield pretty quick as the law states both tires have to be less than 18 inches from the curb. It doesn't state which two though...

 

People won't buy normal looking hybrids, they want everyone to know that they're 'green' and are ok with ugly cars. Look at the Civic hybrid, they can hardly give them away.

 

Is that why you have a road wheel from a hybrid on the right rear of your Jaguar, Jim?

I am proud of what you are doing for the environment, sir!

But, shouldn't it be GREEN, not RED?

 

Sad but true.

Anyone else feel the sudden urge to watch the "Smug" episode of South Park.

 

90% of the reason people buy hybrids is so that they can be congratulated by their peers.

I have a friend who bought a Toyota Highlander hybrid because he drives in the city and he is pissed because he is still only getting 22mpg. That is only 6mpg better than the gas powered model. but there was a $7200 price difference.


If my friend drives 200 miles per week, he spends $25 per week in gas, a regular Highlander at 18 mpg would cost $33 per week, for a weekly savings of $8. With the $7200 cost difference, he did get a $1500 tax credit for buying the vehicle (this is no longer available) so he spent $5700 to save $8 per week. So to break even he is going to have to drive that thing for 700 weeks or 13.5 years.

 

Maybe he is now HOPING for the price of gas to go up to help justify the investment?