Smart ForTwo USA the good v. bad

[peterbra]

I purchased the 2008 Cabriolet convertible in March. The first car I was sold, never left the dealer, as the top got stuck mid-way and even their Smart Car head mechanic couldn't find the problem. 2 Days later I was offered another that I tested and found to be excellent. But the gas milage is very disappointing. I've filled the tank 4 times, and the milage runs only between 27.5 and 32.2 - far less than the 40 - 50 expected. The dealer and the president of Smart Car USA have told me that was not unusual. Also I would have expected DRL. For the SMAR car's size is very important for out safety. And here in NY we are required to have lights on during the rain. If I forget, I can get a ticket. Yet I enjoy that the wipers go on and off automatically as needed. And at the night the lights go on, but I feel like my SAAB and Acura they should always be on as all the Canadian and European models do.
The White Plains NY Smart Car dealer, sales and management couldn't be nicer people to deal with. Friendly and honest - not what we've learned to expect from a "car dealer". I've even talked directly to the president of Smart Car USA (div of Mercedes) and he too is friendly and honest, but unable to solve my biggest disappointments - yet says that possibly the future will bring better performance. That won't help us who already purchased.
It is fun to be the center of attraction. I never park the car without a crowd, and every car that passes me has to stare, laugh or give a thumbs-up. People that come over to me, smiles and compliments me then usually asks the following questions: What is the milage? How much did it cost? Do you feel safe, and how fast does it go? The first one is the most disappointing one to answer honestly. Bottom line - I love my SMART CAR and will continue to recommend it - but I hope they can find a fix soon...

peterbra@mac.com Mt. Kisco, NYhttp://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/images/smilies/megaphone.gif

[StevenM1TX]

So far I have been getting 38 - 41 mpg so I can't complain about that. Here in Texas I really prefer not having drl, although it would be nice if the auto lights would go on when the auto wipers trigger. Not required here, but I always have felt if you need your wipers then you should have your lights on as well.

[limey]

Frankly I hate Daytime Running Lights and have deliberately avoided buying any new car that has them. As a motorcyclist, Daytime Headlights were one of the few things that helped bikers stand out in roads full of Brain Dead Cagers as we call them. Now that cars have them, bikes just blend in.

As far as I know DRL's are not required in any state, and NY is the only State that I know of that requires headlights to be on with Wipers. I am in neighboring CT and they are not required here.

[dbwill]

Lights are required with wipers in Missouri.

[JThw8]

Required in NJ too.
I thought I read somewhere about the ability to enable or disable a DRL feature, maybe that was just for euro cars though.

I agree with the above poster, as a motorcyclist I like the headlights on to distinguish the bikes and help them stand out, DRLs just make the bikes blend and the cagers go back to oblivious about the bikes.

[CruisingAZ]

I can have the dealer turn on DLR on my Jeep but once activated they told me they could not be deactivated, there are times when I do not want my lights on so I have no choice but to leave that feature turned off.

[race911]

CA did the lights 'n wipers thing last year (or was it the year before?).

[Billc]

NC has lights on with the wipers. I just block the sensor and run all the lights all the time. DRLs do not turn on the tail lights so blocking the sensor works best for me.

[Beachy]

Maryland requires lights on in the rain. That law was passed a few years back.

My first tank of gas yielded 35.45 mpg. Not bad for the first couple hundred miles of mixed city/highway driving - actually better than I expected. The mileage should improve slightly as the motor "settles in" and I get more used to the car.

I like the idea of DRL, but I can live without it as an "automatic" feature.

[SmartBob]

DRL is a good feature but you should be able to turn it off if you want. I rented a Malibu for a day. It defaults to having the DRLs on but you can switch them off. New Jersey says "Wipers On = Lights On".