Thinking of getting a pure. Got some questions.

[beardo]

Well, about two months ago I got rid of my perfectly good 05 Cavalier for what has turned out to be a piece of junk truck that I just had to have incase I ever need to haul something....once a blue moon!!!

So, now that I have come to my senses and the truck will be gone out of my life monday, I need a new car. Basically something I can rely on to commute in and run errands.

I went and test drove a few other cars besides the smart, but I really like the the smart car. Its a fun to drive, go kart feeling kinda car that is going to be good on gas. Heck, from what I have read here, it will be better than my Harley on gas.

Here are my concerns. After spending many hours on this forum, Im worried that these are emotional lemons. Now before you jump on me, let me explain. I have read the stuff on the gear shifter prolems, the three bars, etc. Are these problems found on the 2008 model year fortwo's only? Has smart fixed these problems? What can I really expect from ownership of one of these fun little cars? I cant afford to invest in a car that isnt going to do its main job...getting me to work. I really dont want to buy a hyundai or kia, but those seem to be the other options, the typical, boring econo cars.

Advise needed please!

Thanks, Brian

[gabe1475]

Only an owner for the past three weeks and I love this car. I can't speak to the reliability of the vehicle, but there are plenty of members that can. I did want to add that if you are a conservative driver, you could probably do much better on fuel with this car - 45MPG (I am actually averaging 50 on my third tank, 44 on my first and 47 on my second to date). Other than that do a search on crash test for the vehicles you are looking at. This car will do far better than a Kia Rio. Like you said the car if fun to drive and am happy every time I get to drive it.

[Suze]

Welcome to SCOA!

What you can expect is that people who have problems are more likely to post than people who don't. Just because you've read a number of posts about some issues - that doesn't mean smarts are plagued with problems.

So, I'll post my experience (briefly)

I have an 08 passion, build date 11/07, purchased Feb 4, 08. 25,000 miles, no problems, all smiles. It's my only car.

That being said, this is a fairly NEW model car and we are the pioneers. Some people aren't up for that and that's fine.


For me, I love it!

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by Suze

What you can expect is that people who have problems are more likely to post than people who don't. Just because you've read a number of posts about some issues - that doesn't mean smarts are plagued with problems.

What she said.

And, I'll add my experience. I've had mine as a daily driver for more than 15 months. I live 300 miles from a service center, but have had no need to return. I did make the trip to Atlanta for my 10K scheduled service, but a lot of folks do their own. I enjoyed the weekend trip as a break from my daily rut. From my perspective: reliable, fun car!

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by beardo

Thinking of getting a pure. Got some questions.

Why a "pure"? Why not a "Passion"? Much better value for your dollar, as I see it. You get a stereo and A/C.....the essentials AND you get power windows, paddle shifters, alloy wheels and a panoramic roof. I'm sure I missed something, but for the difference in $$, quite a bargain.

I'm quite happy with my '09 so far, after having it only 9 months and racking up nearly 14,000 miles on it. My 60mi/day to and from work really add up.

While the gas mileage is the best of anything I've ever had, the 'fun factor' is why I bought it........this much fun should be ILLEGAL!

[JohnnyM]

Hi beardo. Driving 2009 Passion with a few thousand miles and zero problems. I'm getting comparable mileage to the typical Harley-Davidson. Uses the same fuel (premium). Better crash protection than any Harley-Davidson. Changing engine oil is just as easy as any Big Twin Harley-Davidson. You can carry more items in the smart than in saddle bags and Tour-Pak and no need to pack rain gear

Also, Big Panda's recomendation to consider the Passion model is very good advice IMO. Smart dealers may also be willing to negotiate pricing on new 2009 models since they need to clear inventory before years end.

[rushfan]

We are on our second smart. Our first had only 1 minor problem; after a while the driver door needed minor adjustment to the latch. That's it. Traded it to get cabrio model. No problems with this one- unless you count everyone wanting a ride as a problem...lol
Brian

[wahi]

Beardo,

Hi. My commute is 150 miles from Indiana PA to the Northside three days a week down 28. Mine's a pure with A/C. No issues with the car or the dealership, either. Rolling along with almost 25,000 miles (or 20 months of ownership)...

Mine's an DaimlerChrysler 12/07 (YES!) (but still an '08) but no shifter issues, no battery issues, no loose radiator cap issue, and gets 44 mpg (based on 27 fillups since joining Fuelly.com) on mostly 93 Octane gas.

Did the 20K miles checkup and service with the dealership. Also got the 2.0 reflash there.

Fun to drive, fun to own. Sorry that yellow is no longer an option, but anyhow, "Go Steelers!!"

[jimvw57]

I am into my second year of ownership of a smart, both of my cars were Pure's. I added the AC and the CD radio, plus an aftermarket cruise (Area 451) and a ScanGauge II. I love this car!! I drive an average of about 100 miles a day commuting to and from work. My milage is in the 38-40 MPG range but I drive mostly 60-75 MPH and lots of hills, colder weather etc. so I think my milage is good enough for me. At 6'4 and pushing over 300lbs, I don't fit in much besides a truck. I fit fine in a smart!!

I decided against the Passion as I figured all the electrical stuff isn't really needed for a commuter car, and a pure keeps the price down. I can crank a window by hand easily enough and I don't need the heated seats, power steering, or paddle shifters, etc. There are times when I think I should have gotten a Cabrio but when it is -20 below out, or 85 degrees out, I am glad I have a pure with the solid roof. My 2008 had an electrical problem that s far as I can tell has only happened to one car (mine) so I would not hold that against the car, plus the way it was handled by smart has convinced me I made the right choice in buying a smart. comparing the 2008 to my 2009, they are quite similar and most people won't notice too much of a change in years.

That being said, you need to examine what you need for it to do. It isn't a pickup truck, it won't haul a sheet of plywood, 8 bags of rock salt, or the wife AND 2 kids. BUT, it will keep you dry when that freak thunderstorm hits and you didn't pack your rainsuit, no bugs bouncing off your faceshield, like when riding the Harley. It is probably real close to riding a bike as you do get the feel of the road, and some of the wind affects on you when driving. I don't miss my Goldwing as much as I thought when I drive the smart.

I wouldn't hesitate to put my kids in a smart as a primary car, or my wife, or my mother. They stand behind what they sell and are quick to assist on any problems. The choice is up to you. Between my 2 cars, I have around 25,000 miles and I don't regret any of them. Well, maybe just a few, but it was an adventure!

[beardo]

I wanted a pure because of the very reason jimvw57 said, I really dont need all the electric gizmos. I like crank windows. Never had one good bad. The pure that they have in pittsburgh was ordered with radio, eps, and ac. So it would be a nice kinda compromise.

I cant believe I got so many responses back so quickly! Thats passion (sorry, the pun had to happen) for this car! I posted this question at 12:30 last night and just read all these responses at 9 in the morning. That says a lot about the owners of these cars...and thats a good thing.

Wahi, Im especially glad you responded, as you know exactly what kind of driving conditions I will be dealing with and you have experience with the dealership. Thats very reassuring.