New Member, Smart-Purchase Pending

[NukleoN]

Hi there!

I've been reading the forums like crazy in preparation for my purchase of a White Smart with silver cell and black interior. I've considered pretty much all aspects of owning this car over a Mini Cooper S, and went and started the purchase process today. I'll know about my financing options tomorrow when banks open, but I am excited about this car and can't wait to park it in my garage and call it my own!

Little background, I am an artist and an avid motorcycle rider, and with transportation I am quite a minimalist. My preferred mode of transport is motorcycle, but sometimes when I want to get groceries, a small TV or something, I really gotta have a car if I don't make use of mail or delivery. The car is also a nice backup for the bike to break up commuting, when I have to commute (I work at home now) or if my bike is in the shop, or in extreme cases, when the weather is super bad and riding just isn't as fun (though I ride in all weather).

As a motorcyclist, this car is kinda like a 4-wheeled bike for me, and after measuring I've determined that this car will only take half the length of my garage. I could pull it in and put the bikes behind it without even turning them sideways (or vice versa), and the girlfriend's side is unaffected. To me, the garage space-saving is a huge benefit! This was a reason I liked the Mini as well, but the smart is even more space-efficient.

Driving it, I was pretty impressed. The power isn't amazing, but it's not nearly as bad as I imagined given the specs. I don't drive cars for speed anyway. Most pale in comparison to my Gixx6 or R1, so to me, cars are utility and a necessary way to transport things in addition to myself until you start spending over 50k to get something fast and awesome-looking. I love the tight turning radius, the wheels at the extreme corners, the great aftermarket support, swappable body panels, etc. There's so much to like. The engine is tiny, but the car is tiny and doesn't weigh much so it all seems to fit.

Overall, the smart to me is more than just a car. It strikes me on a deep emotional level in its boldness of design and unique size-economy, and as a paradigm shift. It's a continual statement of the minimum size car you need to comfortably carry two adults wherever you want to go, without the need for too much vehicle.

The gas-savings is important too. I am used to gas-efficiency with motorcycles even using premium fuel in the R1, so this should be very similar if not better.

Lastly, the price is right. 15-16k for a ForTwo Coupe is excellent compared to the much higher entry price of a Mini Cooper S....apples and oranges, I know, but the cost is definitely a consideration. My R1 was 12k, so the Smart is like buying an R1 with a few extras. Cheap!

All in all, I love this car...can't wait to be a real true owner...tomorrow!

NukleoN

[Suze]

I know it never rains in southern California - but just in case it ever does, the smart beats the bike...

When you're in love, you gotta go for it. !!

Welcome to the forum!

[NukleoN]

Thanks Suze! I love your pink custom Passion!

Yeah, I love the bike, and no other car really inspires me like the smart. The bike lets me use the carpool lane on my own in California (huge boon), but the smart is just amazing, especially considering that CA no longer gives out free carpool stickers for hybrids, least not for now.

Thanks for the welcome! This website has been an awesome resource for my smart research. I was able to walk into the dealer knowing a bit about what I wanted in a smart.

[jetfuel]

...welcome to the asylum NukleoN...hope your desire for a smart comes through..
...and by all means...stick arround...we can use an artist ...

jetfuel...join SCOA...you'll be glad you did

[JohnnyM]

Right on NukleoN

I'm a motorcyclist also and commute by two wheels as much as I can(weather permitting) and enjoyed your comments.

I hope you can get the smart of your choice and enjoy it as much as I have on a recent purchase. Maybe in your weather region you will find that AC feels pretty good in traffic for a change

Good Luck

[forestacademy]

Did smart end their 4.2% Financing?

Anyway, before you pick one up make sure you read this thread
Pre-delivery checklist


Stick around, you could find some creative ways to customize that white blank canvas
Custom Smart 451 Speedo DIY This should give you an idea of what you could do.

Welcome and keep us updated

[jetfuel]

...no...extended to coincide with the clunker program...

...jetfuel

[mvaldes]

Glad you decided to join us. I have no doubt at all that you'll love your Smart. Congratulations on a wise decision.

[NukleoN]

Thank you all for the warm reception! I will own a smart, just depends on whether I can get the 4.2% financing through Daimler or whether I will have to get it elsewhere. If it falls through, no worries, I am still torn on the cell color I want since I am considering how silver/black will look with various color changes. The silver/white is cool tho, it's so very NASA space-theme and really, both would look good with any color I think. They're both fairly neutral.

The checklist is a great idea, thanks! I've put everything into my iPhone and will be going through it tomorrow when I take delivery.

Woot! Good to be here. Ohhhh.....by the way, how awesome would it be to tow a bike with a smart car? I am talking about one of those super light, single motorcycle trailers....like the trailer in a bag or the stinger or whatever it is, the foldable trailer. I think the smartie with the towing package I saw somewhere could totally do it, coz I don't know if you could tow too much else with it besides water vehicles or motorcycles, or perhaps a light U-Haul rig or something.

NukleoN

[forestacademy]

WHen you take delivery, make shure they give you the time to walk you through the car. Don't just have them show you where things are, do it yourself. Open the engine compartment, hook the engine cover out of the way. Pull out the metal cover and put it back. Dig to the battery yourself. to many folks come on here asking things that the dealer shoul have shown them and I blame the dealers, but if you go on a weekday for pick up their is no excuse.

Also as far as trailering a motorcycle see Hauling a Harley