Higher cost to maintain

[rwj53]

I really like this car but it seems to me that it will not be that reasonable to maintain. Tires will cost alot more and in areas such as wisconsin where the snow can really fall now and again 2 sets will probably be needed. Mechanics are harder to find and when you do the price will cost alot more to repair because this is not an ordinary car. Don't get me wrong I am not putting the car down as I really want one but I am also looking at the negatives along with only a two year warranty.What about parts availability? If something goes wrong am I going to be without a car for an extended period of time. Closest smart dealer is 25 miles away. Give me your thoughts on this subject. Thanks

[Ared08]

No offense meant but if you feel that you can't afford to maintain a car you really shouldn't be considering the purchase.
If the tires supplied on the car are half way decent you should expect, at least, 45,000 miles before you have to purchase new ones. At 15,000 miles per year you should get three years out of the tires.If those tires cost $125 each to replace you are looking at a total of $500 to replace those tires. If they last you three years all you need to do is save $3.21 each week and at the end of those three years you will have the $500 you need to purchase new tires.
Now, lets talk about the brakes.

[spdickey]

Annual oil changes at 10,000 miles are recommended by smart. That's the only scheduled service, once a year. Cheapest car to maintain I've ever owned!

[rwj53]

How about parts availibility? Has anyone had to wait for parts yet because their dealer did not stock them and how long to get the parts in and repaired. I am talking a situation as where the car was undriveable. I'm not nit picking I just like to do alot of research before I purchase something. Thanks

[jwight]

Too soon to tell; all I've seen so far is one broken headlight with the dealer saying a week to get the replacement from Detroit. Don't know how PAG plans to handle parts - central location or farm them out to the smart centers. More to follow.

[dbatch1715]

It looks easy to do your own oil changes. The oil filter is in a open area underneath the car and the drain plug is easy to get at. I do not think you would need ramps or jacks because of the high clearance at the rear.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by rwj53

I really like this car but it seems to me that it will not be that reasonable to maintain. Tires will cost alot more and in areas such as wisconsin where the snow can really fall now and again 2 sets will probably be needed. Mechanics are harder to find and when you do the price will cost alot more to repair because this is not an ordinary car. Don't get me wrong I am not putting the car down as I really want one but I am also looking at the negatives along with only a two year warranty.What about parts availability? If something goes wrong am I going to be without a car for an extended period of time. Closest smart dealer is 25 miles away. Give me your thoughts on this subject. Thanks

You are much closer to your dealer than many here you need snow tires for any car that sees a lot of that weather. This one is new and it takes a while for things to become common to see. That alone can be a PITA. Cost, only time will tell.
karl

[Fredvon4]

The is no mandate to pay MB $100 per shop hr to maintain warranty

I would highly recommend having the "dealer" do the first service a year or so from now at 10,000 miles or what ever the book calls for .... they do have the ability/requirement to hook up the diagnostic computer and do a good multi point mechanical inspection and give you a detailed report...

Later if you are not experiencing any real problems or drive-ability issues you can service yourself or pay a less costly place to do the mechanical inspection / service

Tires in this size are available every where for under $100 each...in some brands as low as $65 per corner

Snow tires and steel rims in snow areas are normal cost of living in snow areas and they will be relatively inexpensive for this car

Full synthetic extended life oil even if changed every 5000 miles (as I will do) is still less then $29 per change

Brakes should last three or more years and the pads/ shoes are cheaper then most out there (you do not have to buy MBs at MBs prices)

Clutch should last 5~8 years and will be just as expensive to replace as any other manual trany car..

Annual fuel for a 35~42mpg car is significantly less if you are now using a 18~25mpg vehicle

Interest and insurance on the $15~18K purchase are lower because the car is less expensive compared to a comparable $23K~$35K hybrid with similar mpg

I am not at all happy with the 2/24 warranty or this sales method...

But all things considered this should be a good buy, relatively trouble free, and generally inexpensive automotive desision...

[rwj53]

Fred. Thanks Thats the kinda info I am looking For. Thanks everyone.

[Carnut]

"Brakes should last three or more years and the pads/ shoes are cheaper then most out there (you do not have to buy MBs at MBs prices)"

Fred, I read some bad reviews of non OEM pads on the Ca site. Check it out prior to buying after markets. ;)