Kind of having second thoughts...?

[ablrn]

Hi out there! I live in L.A. and my Smart Passion is due the end of January. I ordered it in April when gas prices were on the way up. Didn't expect it for a year, then configured in September, I think.

LOVED the car when in Italy 1.5 years ago - wanted to bring one home in my suitcase! They are SO appealing. Now, I am concerned with the practicality of it. My 17 year old daughter will get my PT Cruiser so we will have another larger car. I do worry about safety, though...

Please help me get rid of my doubts so I can be excited about the delivery of my red/black Smart Car!!!

[jimnkaran]

If the only doubt you have is the safety factor you should check the rating on the PTCruiser, the smart car has a higher safety rating. The pt cruiser is just a dodge neon. The smart car did get the highest safety rating available. We have had ours for a week and absolutly love it, lots of room, plenty of power and lots of fun. Don't back out, it is a great little car.

[NuBiker]

Have you taken a test drive in one, here in SoCal? Even if you have, do it again, and while you are in the showroom, take a look at the naked SMART frame all the dealers have on display.
Looks perdy safe to me!!
What color U gettin?
I want a White/Silver, but am way far away from even configging.
I put in my $99 in September, 2008.
My wife has a Blue/Silver(orphan). I drive it once or twice a week, and I love it!!!
I probably am going to give up my cruiser bike when I get my SMART - at least it's safer than my motorcycle, LOL.

Best Regards,
Nu

[Neonspinnazz]

I at some points had second thoughts, stick around for awhile and your mind should be changed.
As for the PT Cruiser, it's just about as safe as a Dodge Neon with paint peeling off.

[jimvw57]

Well I'd compare it to a motorcycle. Room for 2, no worries about the weather, A/C for those hot days, heat for the cold ones. There is a lot of room behind the seats. Much more than it looks. I wondered about the practicality too but I looked at how much of my driving was just me or one other person and I figured 90% of the time it would work out fine. I still have the Expedition for those family trips or when the snow hits 10-15 inches on the road.

[mvaldes]

Go ahead and get it. It's great fun and unless you're a totally reckless and/or inattentive driver, perfectly safe. I drive mine on the interstates around NYC daily and it's just fine. Take it regularly up to our weekend home in NE CT too. Also NYC interstates, bridges, CT interstates and lots of fun back roads too. The only negative is the relative scarcity of dealers and occasional part back orders. Since most of us rarely need to visit the dealer, that's not a biggie. And, out your way, even that shouldn't be an issue.

[John_H]

As safety goes, this car is solid. I would not compare it to a motorcycle for safety (or much else for that matter). The safety cell engineered into the car is superb with reinforcements in critical places and engineered force deflection in others. For minor accidents, the Smart comes up almost unharmed and at significantly lower repair cost than "the other guy." For more sever incidents, the Smart has held up remarkably well in everything I've seen from crash tests to photos of cars in severe accidents to personal stories of walking away from nasty stuff with only a little soreness.

The safety cage, the front and side air bags, the narrower width, the tires acting as crumple zones, the Electronic stability control and more factors make this thing so much safer than many of the vehicles out there.

I heard someone say that they'd "rather be in a walnut than a watermelon." We might have little cars but our skins are tough.

[ablrn]

AAAAH! I can't afford 2 new cars! I have to keep my PT Cruiser! Don't make that one sound bad!
When I test drove the Smart I was amazed at how"heavy" it drove - didn't feel small until I looked in the back! Lot of room in passenger area, though. I do LOVE the looks of it.
I am a very good driver, defensive, anticipating what idiots are about to do (here in L.A. we have more than our share). I live 2 miles from work, which is a plus.
I'm getting rally red (so assume it's a 2009) with black trim - a little ladybug!

[danag]

Originally Posted by ablrn

Hi out there! I live in L.A. and my Smart Passion is due the end of January. I ordered it in April when gas prices were on the way up. Didn't expect it for a year, then configured in September, I think.

LOVED the car when in Italy 1.5 years ago - wanted to bring one home in my suitcase! They are SO appealing. Now, I am concerned with the practicality of it. My 17 year old daughter will get my PT Cruiser so we will have another larger car. I do worry about safety, though...

Please help me get rid of my doubts so I can be excited about the delivery of my red/black Smart Car!!!

I hear you on second thoughts too. Although in my case my concern is not about safety because the car got good ratings. My concern is more about the economy right now, and is it the right time to take on another expense. My husband's job seems secure now, but who knows down the line. For us, this is totally an extra car as I still have my SUV I can drive. Mine is also due around February, and I really wasn't expecting it till later next year. I want this car SO bad, I'm trying to make an intelligent decision, and not an emotional one.

If your only hesitation is safety, then I wouldn't hesitate at all and get it. Hope it works out for you.

[ablrn]

Danag - I also was not expecting it this fast. Needed a little more time to get the money together (like my tax return $). I am an RN, so job security for me is good. Trying to make intelligent decision on this - is it really practical to get such a small car?