My name is Jeff and I live in northern New Jersey. I don't as yet own a Smart car but I'm giving one some thought for my next wheels which will be awhile but I'm captivated by the design and by the gas mileage which will again become important when oil prices rise along with global economic recovery. I have some concerns about the ForTwo. First of is the short warranty and I'd likely look at an extended warranty plan if it didn't cost too much more. The other is the premium fuel need which I consider at odds with the car's economy image. Can the ForTwo run on midgrade (89 octane) without significant loss of gas mileage? Another is reliability which as yet is a question mark. Aside from that, I think I could get by with one as my only car since I've no family to cart around. I think it would be best not to have most of my commute on the open highway in a ForTwo but I'm not afraid to be on the road in a car this small. I'd get a Pure with only what I consider essential options like A/C, basic stereo and heated seats (it's often cold here in winter). I might opt for the panoramic roof but I don't think it's available on the Pure. Power steering and windows aren't needed so I could keep the delivered price to 15K before extended warranty. It may be 1 1/2 to 2 years before I buy so I've plenty of time to evaluate. Hope all of you here really enjoy your Smarts; good luck with them.
I have had my smart since June and love it! Absolutely no problems with mine at all. So as far as reliability I haven't had any problems. I know some people have tried using 89 fuel but they reported significantly less MPG. Gas is getting very cheap so I wouldn't cheap out on getting Premium fuel. If I remember correctly the head of smart usa wrote a letter saying not to use 89 fuel in the car, but I could be thinking of something else. I have a cabrio - so no pano roof, but I love being able to put my roof down whenever I want.
Welcome to the forum Jeff.
I for one look for excuses to drive my little tomato and leave my other larger car in the garage. Yes the warranty has a nostalgic ring to it such as American cars or VW's of yester year with just 12 months or 12,000 miles. One must accept 24,000 miles and hope for the best. As for mileage... I bought my car before the gas crisis and the fact that it is miserly on gas is just a little extra. By holding just 8.7 gallons of gas, it makes one ignore the fact that the engine would like to see hi-test... it's really a minor issue.
The reliability factor is average in my opinion.
Since you don't have the need to transport several people it should serve you well.
So far I've experienced a bad shifter with almost 9,000 miles on the odometer and that's about all.
Also consider that when you have to clean your smart you will be finished before any one else. Good luck in your decision and... oh yes, the smart likes highways- contrary to what some people may believe...
Thanks for the comments, thusfar! I forgot to ask about insurance cost but you need to shop around for good rates. Yes, and that "manu-matic" shifter; has it been problematical for anyone? In another forum, I read from one poster it was initially balky then smoothed out by 15,000 miles. Car magazine testers of ForTwos all deride it but they only test brand new cars so it may well be the shifter improves during breakin. Have any of you noticed this to be the case?
Don't worry about the transmission. It works fine when you get used to it. The car magazine are comparing it to an automatic transmission which it isn't.
As for fuel, you will get a little better milage and performance with the higher octane, it will more than offset the increase in cost. besides, you are talking a few bucks at the most on a tankful.
My Pure has AC and the single CD radio. thats it. Haven't thought about the heated seats and it gets cold here, even below zero, I didn't feel like I needed the hot seats.
I use my Smart to commute from Lebanon Twp to Morristown daily.
Locally or on the highway, I have never had issues with the trans. I just drive it the way I drive my manual cars.
Anyone who complains about the trans not shifting properly just doesnt know how to drive their Smart. If you drive it like a manual letting off at each shift point, you will find it quite fun to drive.
jimvw57, my sister lives in NW Minnesota (Benedict, near Bmidji) so I know how cold it can get there, much worse than NJ. True, I don't need heated seats but it would be a comfort I never had before. Then again, I could probably get a DC power heating pad to plug into the cigarette lighter, assuming Smarts have one. It's not a biggie but it would be nice. So the tranny really is a manual without a clutch, right? And NJREDZ06, are you using Rte. 287 most of the day? I pass by Morristown on my way to Union every day but by then I'm on Rte. 24. Sounds like you don't mind being on the open highway in a ForTwo. By the way, your username implies an affinity for the Chevy Corvette Z06. Is that your other car? I've looked at regular 'Vettes but decided it was an imprudent expense for me. A ForTwo is just about as striking and WAY cheaper all around.
Hi all,
I am Stella and I was looking forward for such kind of forum where I can make some friend and now I found it.I would like to say hello to all.
stella
Last edited by jwight; 12-30-2008 at 03:33 PM.
Reason: removed commercial link
I drive my little car from East Windsor to Hamilton. I like the transmission. I do not have a problem with it. I like driving it on the highway. It can keep up with traffic. I have the Pure with no AC and no radio (installed one later - Radio9 - and really enjoy it). I am use to not having AC so it was no big deal for me. I call my little car Herb. I had the little car since March 2008.
~ I drive 100 miles roundtrip to work, all highway, 5 days a week in my Smart . . . i love it every time I step into it!
I have finally gotten the hang of shifting correctly . . . I am 102% happy with my Smart car, I don't regret this purchase at all!
I have always been a fan of 2 seaters but I always got hit with high insurance rates because of it . . . The Smart has low insurance rates, is SO much fun to drive and it manuevers like a go cart!
I couldn't find a reason NOT to buy it
Last edited by smartYsmileS; 12-30-2008 at 11:52 AM.
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