Thinking of a Smart for my next commuter car...

[indydad]

I've been shopping around for my next commuter car, but everything seems so boring besides the Smart Fortwo. I found a left over new all black 09' Passion w/ red interior at my local dealer that I am interested in, and I also found a used white and black 08' passion with only 8500 miles for only $9995 at a Mercedes dealer about 2.5 hours away. The used one makes more sense financially, but I really like the black w/ red interior and the fact that the other is brand new.

A couple questions about the Smart...

I drive close to 30k miles a year around Indianapolis for work and I am planning on keeping my next vehicle about 3 years...should I rethink getting a Smart if I need to keep it til' it has 90k miles? How reliable have they been overall? I've heard about issues with a clutch plate on them?

Also, I have a 2 year old son that wouldn't ride in the Smart very much, we have an 08' xB for the family car, but I take him to day care everyday, about 2 miles away, so I would have to take him there in the Fortwo. Have you heard of anyone putting a forward facing child's seat in the passenger seat for short trips?

Thanks for the info everyone!

[Smart Bob]

The smart should make an excellent commuter car for you. There are a few smarts that are appoaching 60k miles plus with few concerns. The clutch issue was resolved on the 09 models. The smart comes equipped to handle a child safety seat. The directions for attaching it are in the owner's manual.

Let everyone know what you decided to do.

[Benjamin]

Indydad,
seems like smart would be a very good vehicle for you and will likely produce pretty nice savings at the end due to lower maintenance cost and gas savings. Both cars you are considering sound like a good candidate for you...I would probably go for a used one myself...that is after my wife insisted on a new smart cabriolet for $18G...but hey it works out at the end...I love this car

[NeWave]

Originally Posted by Smart Bob

The smart should make an excellent commuter car for you. There are a few smarts that are appoaching 60k miles plus with few concerns. The clutch issue was resolved on the 09 models. The smart comes equipped to handle a child safety seat. The directions for attaching it are in the owner's manual.

Let everyone know what you decided to do.

Clutches aren't all resolved on the very early 09 builds... a couple been fixed already. Mine did the "blank out no reverse" bit a few days ago. 11/08 built.
No worries to you though, it's all covered. Most of the stuff you hear is from the few people who have the problems, not the ones without. There's a few people in on this board in the 50k+ range without a hiccup.
As for the childseat, the passenger airbag shuts itself off if whats in the seat is to light or not there.. 90 lbs I think is what turns it on. It has strapdown points, as said previously.

[jimvw57]

I drive roughly 30K a year with my commute, I bought my first Pure Sept. of 2008 and I would highly reccomend them. A child seat wouldn't be a problem as they are designed to handle that. I have had a few issues, but Smart has stood behind every problem I have had and I have had none of the problems dealing with the dealerships that I have seen with the other manufacturers. Like posted, all the known problems get resolved quickly. With the price and gas savings, the car will pay for itself in a very short time putting those kind of miles on it.

[forestacademy]

We have a similar car arrangement, We have a smart for whoever is going the furthest each day, and a Versa as our "BIG" family car. OUr smart hit 30K after about 1 1/2 year

Kids love the smart because they get to see the road. Their has to be a certain weight up front for the airbag to work. If its under about 70 pounds the airbag is off.

Also, Indy has one of the good dealers should you run into problems. The used one may work for you, but you never know how they were treated and it will shorten your already short warranty.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by indydad

I've been shopping around for my next commuter car, but everything seems so boring besides the Smart Fortwo. I found a left over new all black 09' Passion w/ red interior at my local dealer that I am interested in, and I also found a used white and black 08' passion with only 8500 miles for only $9995 at a Mercedes dealer about 2.5 hours away. The used one makes more sense financially, but I really like the black w/ red interior and the fact that the other is brand new.

A couple questions about the Smart...

I drive close to 30k miles a year around Indianapolis for work and I am planning on keeping my next vehicle about 3 years...should I rethink getting a Smart if I need to keep it til' it has 90k miles? How reliable have they been overall? I've heard about issues with a clutch plate on them?

Also, I have a 2 year old son that wouldn't ride in the Smart very much, we have an 08' xB for the family car, but I take him to day care everyday, about 2 miles away, so I would have to take him there in the Fortwo. Have you heard of anyone putting a forward facing child's seat in the passenger seat for short trips?

Thanks for the info everyone!

Indydad,

As far as "used" or "new", that's a personal decision

Personally, I think the smart would be a great work car for you. 30k a year and more has been done by many of our members.

As far as your child in the smart; I have a special needs child, 12 years old, in a car seat and he LOVES riding in the smart

Go to www.safeandsmart.com/ and read how safe these mircro's are

IF you get one, join us at Fuelly | Share and Compare Your MPG

[gabe1475]

I take my children in the smart all the time to school and therapy. My youngest, currently 3, loves it and feels like a big boy getting to ride up front with dad. They usually end up fighting over who gets to go to the store with dad.

[TMACK]

Not a problem.
I'll pull 15K/year this June and find the car comfortable.
It's no Mercedes, well OK, it is, but you will be one with the road and to me that equates to safety.
I've never felt safer than when I'm in this car.

[rfernatt]

Mine is a 75 mile/day commuter and works great to get two people to and from work comfortably, safely, and efficiently. I have put over 30,000 miles on it in a year and a half. My wife and I have also done some long 1,200 to 2,000 mile road trips with no issues. Consider cruise control if you'll do any long distance driving. Wider front wheels/tires also help with the ride and handling, if you're into customization.

My anniversary tribute to the smart: http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=gs7eZQt-V48