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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
I rather enjoyed this review. It told me what I would be looking for if I were test driving a SmartCar. It obviously didn't gush over the car, as it pointed out many things I would find fault with, and somethings I would notice as features. I did think it was a bit unfair to compare it with the Prius, however, as the the only thing I really see in common between the two models is that they have 4 wheels and are current "trendy" car choices. As a current mass transit user, the apparently biggest feature noted in the review, the ability to find parking spaces, isn't a big deal for me.
There seems to be more and more choices out there, either now or in the next few years, for the prospective car shopper. Many of these cars are not one-size-fits-all, either. Vehicles like the SmartCar and some of the electric models from smaller companies (the Zap Xebra, or the defunct Corbin Sparrow, both basically enclosed electric motorcycles) are definitely geared toward the urban commuter buyer. If they succeed in the US like the Mini Cooper has, I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the other automakers adapt some of their European and Asian models, like the Ford Ka, for the US market. There are also models out there to fill just about every niche a car shopper could want. Reviews like this help me narrow the field to ones I might be interested in when I'm car shopping again.
Farhad--
It sounds like the Smart Car makes a lot of sense for a certain demographic-- guys like you (or like a lot of friends of mine 10 years ago) that live in SF or a similar city that think Candlestick Point is where they'll sail off the edge of the earth. Clearly they arent trying to sell to me and my 2.5 kids and their soccer balls-- it would be as ridiculous for me to buy a Smart car as it would be for you to buy an SUV or minivan.
The Smart might make sense as one of two cars in a family where someone has a short commute, too, though, I think, not if the commute involved a freeway. Also a small demo.
So, questions--
-What would your mileage be like in real-life situation?(coasting down hills? In a car with mediocre brakes?). Nobody drives with a light foot all the time.
-You say that the freeway was intimidating. Fine, if you live in SF, you may not need to get on the freeway much. What about a major Expressway- type street? Harder to avoid.
- I think that this is the most important question-- could this be your only car?
I live in Montana and Minnesota alternately throughout the year. Cities may be in my future (twin cities, that is) but this car is probably not taller than the snow drifts I see on any given winter day.
1) It'd be somewhere slightly above 30, in my experience; of course, literally, YMMV.
2) I think it'd be fine on a major throughway. I'd feel safe.
3) It could be *my* only car, sure. I think it could be the only car for many in SF and NYC and DC and Seattle and perhaps other cities. Remember that if it doesn't quite satisfy all your needs -- if you want a bigger car for occasional outdoorsy jaunts -- you can always rent a temporary one from one of the many car-sharing services popping up. But again, as you note, it's not for everyone.
There ain't no Asian bottom feeder with a soft top, heated leather seats or climate control.
Yes, it's a bit quirky to drive. Particularly if you are "tone deaf" to mechanical things or refuse to adapt to something different.
It's got enough room that I fit a nice upolstered wood chair in back. True, you might want more room. So stick with your bloated road-tick.
If you push the pedal on the right all the way to the floor, you may find that the car gets along quite nicely, with a delightful snarl from the (Japanese sourced) engine. BTW, WTF is the big rush with all you whiners?
For those questioning safety... You got a bomb shelter in your back yard? Got a "Panic Room" in your house? Where did you draw the line? And why there?
My Smart gets mid-40s so far, rides like any other small car on Michigan roads, loves to be tossed around like a go-kart and is more then up to the task of all day trips.
Obviously my perspective of personal transportation differs from many. I don't look forward to needing a coal fired power plant to plug my car into.
That these super compact cars would have a hybrid option. The cheese wedge is fairly large. A nice compact car, such as Smart, Fit, Yaris, etc. with a hybrid capacity would be even more ideal!
Until then, I'll stick with the VTA.
I know I'm always personally curious what kind of mpg other Prius owners get, especially when that "48 in the city" is tossed around, so I'm sharing my mpg here.
We bought a Prius at the end of March 2008 and have since put 4400 miles on it driving around a flat, sprawled city and taking it on two 800+ mile road trips as well as several smaller trips (150-200 miles round trip) to nearby cities. According to the Prius' onboard mpg calculator, we consistently get 44.6 mpg in the city and 46.3 mpg on the highway.
(Take that, hybrid Tahoe that only gets 23mpg in the city!)
This car is not so smart. First of all, it uses premium fuel, which erases its slight fuel economy advantage over other small cars like the Fit and Yaris. Second, that fuel ecoonomy advantage is almost unobservable. Consumer reports says that its been getting 38 MPG with the Smart and 34 MPG for the Fit and Yaris. Additionally, its made by Mercedes which has a horrible reliability record and expensive repair costs. Finally, good luck finding a Smart that is less than $15K, so there is no real price advantage to this thing.
If Mercedes had sent the USA the diesel model that gets ~50 MPG, then I think the penalty you pay in practicality might be made up for in fuel cost savings and decreased carbon footprint. But, they didn't do that.
The Smart is the Apple of cars. Its quirky and stylish, but it doesn't get the job done any better than anything else. Its just about image, not substance.
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