Smarty Pants

[NotSoSMRT]

Ok well I've seen these cars driving around and the first couple times I laughed hysterically from my thirsty V-8 Dodge Dakota at the people driving such a silly looking little clown car.

Then one day i have an epiphany while on heavy pain killers doing server maintenance that all of those people I was laughing at driving those silly little clown cars were probably laughing at me because I use more gas in one minute than the smart car can hold.

In the summer I ride a motorcycle EVERYWHERE I have an '05 Yamaha R1 which gets about 45 mpg when I go easy on it. This is not an easy task. Obviously when it's cold and outside it SUCKS to ride a motorcycle with slick tires to work, so i have to drive the gas guzzler.

What I'm getting at is this; paying $70 for a tank of gas in the truck that only lasts 4 days is not my idea of SMART, so I'm investigating the possibility of parking the truck (only using it when i need to haul toys) and buying a smart car for my regular cold weather commuting.

I have a lot of questions and I hope that you fine people can help me decide if this is the right way to go, so that I don't lose my @$$ putting gas in my truck this winter.

[Dunerunner]

Welcome!! Lots of folks who have done exactly what you have decided to do here!

[mike-in-sa]

Great little cars but I didn't buy mine to save gas. My truck is paid for, $15,000 would buy a lot of gas. I got mine because I have wanted one since the first time I saw one in Italy back in 2000. Lots of cars get good mileage. Smart gets better smileage!

[nprsmart]

Originally Posted by NotSoSMRT

Ok well I've seen these cars driving around and the first couple times I laughed hysterically from my thirsty V-8 Dodge Dakota at the people driving such a silly looking little clown car.

Then one day i have an epiphany while on heavy pain killers doing server maintenance that all of those people I was laughing at driving those silly little clown cars were probably laughing at me because I use more gas in one minute than the smart car can hold.

In the summer I ride a motorcycle EVERYWHERE I have an '05 Yamaha R1 which gets about 45 mpg when I go easy on it. This is not an easy task. Obviously when it's cold and outside it SUCKS to ride a motorcycle with slick tires to work, so i have to drive the gas guzzler.

What I'm getting at is this; paying $70 for a tank of gas in the truck that only lasts 4 days is not my idea of SMART, so I'm investigating the possibility of parking the truck (only using it when i need to haul toys) and buying a smart car for my regular cold weather commuting.

I have a lot of questions and I hope that you fine people can help me decide if this is the right way to go, so that I don't lose my @$$ putting gas in my truck this winter.

The Silverado here has stayed parked in the driveway during the week for the two months the fortwo has been here. The only exceptions have been on the weekends when I've taken my bike to a group ride. Once the bike racks become available, the Silverado won't have much value at all.

I actually thought I had a use for the truck at work yesterday after a 150 pound server UPS arrived. I didn't need it though since the customer came over with her SUV and a couple of young turks to manhandle the UPS into the back of the SUV.

[NotSoSMRT]

Thanks for the welcome! I have a question. Are the smart cars roomy enough for someone 5'9" I know i'm not that tall, but i've test drove regular cars that I didn't have enough leg room in.

[SmarterThanTheAverageBear]

Test drove one, because I had the same question. I'm 6'3, with shorter legs. I had lots of head room, and the seat was not nearly all the way back. I'd say it'd comfortably accommodate someone 6'5.

[NotSoSMRT]

Good to know. I'm planning on making a trip down to smart center denver this weekend to ask questions. How long did it take from the time you ordered your fourtwo to the time you got it?

[ShoshTrvls]

Originally Posted by nprsmart

The Silverado here has stayed parked in the driveway during the week for the two months the fortwo has been here. The only exceptions have been on the weekends when I've taken my bike to a group ride. Once the bike racks become available, the Silverado won't have much value at all.

I actually thought I had a use for the truck at work yesterday after a 150 pound server UPS arrived. I didn't need it though since the customer came over with her SUV and a couple of young turks to manhandle the UPS into the back of the SUV.

Same here ... I have an outback and it seemed to me that the back was always full of stuff I was hauling around. I thought that the Smart would take me to work and back most of the time, but that for my errands and weekend play (I spent a lot of time in the mountains boating during the summer), I'd be using the Outback.

Lo and behold, the Outback has not moved since I got my Smart. Granted, it hasn't been long, but I've been to the boat -- fishing gear, tube, cooler, et al. fit fine in the back ... oh, and so does the dog. It's amazing what you can squeeze into a small space when you need to.

[nscaler]

Originally Posted by NotSoSMRT

Good to know. I'm planning on making a trip down to smart center denver this weekend to ask questions. How long did it take from the time you ordered your fourtwo to the time you got it?

Now the bad news. I waited a year for my reserved car. While you are at the dealer, ask about the "orphans". These are smart cars that the person who reserved the car did not want. Only problem is that most dealers will put additional (expensive) items on the orphans. It is the only way they can make much profit. They only make $600 for each regular smart they sell. And the orphan will probably not have exactly what you want. Some things can be added by the dealer. Your color choices (exterior, tridon "trim", interior) may be limited.
But you could walk into the dealer and exactly (or close enough) what you want is sitting there available.
Well, we can dream can't we?;)