Thinking about buying......avg cost to maintain

[altaine]

My g/f and I are thinking about buying a smart car, and I'm curious how much the maintaince costs are compairable to GM cars (only other cars we've owned).

Thanks in advance for responses.

[Dunerunner]

Over the past year, come April; I will have spent a total of $323 on maintenance issues with my smart. $100 to repair an impact sensor damaged during installation of my tow brackets and the rest was for a set of sockets, a breaker bar, filter wrench and oil.

[altaine]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

Over the past year, come April; I will have spent a total of $323 on maintenance issues with my smart. $100 to repair an impact sensor damaged during installation of my tow brackets and the rest was for a set of sockets, a breaker bar, filter wrench and oil.

Thanks for the response, but I forgot I'm also curious if you use the dealer for maintainace or your own mechanic.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by altaine

My g/f and I are thinking about buying a smart car, and I'm curious how much the maintaince costs are compairable to GM cars (only other cars we've owned).

Thanks in advance for responses.

I've spent $30 in about six months and 7K miles only because I changed the oil/filter early at 4.5K miles. But, the jury is still out on the longer term reliability issues. The Mitsu engine should last a good long while and be reliable if properly maintained, but electrical systems, tranny, etc. is a 'who knows' for the 451 at this point.

[forestacademy]

3 months and 5500 miles, only gas so far.

I plan on going to the dealer for the 10K service (oil change and air filter + the once over) should come in under $200.

[Dunerunner]

Originally Posted by altaine

Thanks for the response, but I forgot I'm also curious if you use the dealer for maintainace or your own mechanic.

Dealer for big issues like the sensor, but I change my own oil, oil filter, air filter and cabin air filter.

[spdickey]

One year of operation, about 5500 miles. Took it in to EZ Lube for the Mobil 1 oil change $75.00. Cabin air filter from Amazon $15.00. Just gas after that.

But don't get me started about all the goodies I added to it like the extra floormats, trunk cover, custom arm rest, etc.

[Suze]

Dunerunner - I think your costs weren't really "maintenance", other than the filer and oil, were they? And didn't you buy a spare tire? Is that maintenance? Or insurance? (nice to see you back )

For me - One year (Today!) and the only maintenance cost was the 10,000 mile maintenance/oil change at the dealer for $99. Of course I've spent more on fun than on maintenance. Like the cruise control, the racing stripe, the panel swap and the trips!!!

[SuperGeek]

The official maintenance schedule is one oil change at 10k miles due to use of synthetic oil. Dealer cost is at Mercedes labor rates and comes in at $100-200, or you can change it yourself or give it to any mechanic and get it done cheaper. I'm not sure how many people use EZ Lube type shops - I'm afraid to drive mine into one because of the narrow wheelbase, I might fall through the hole in the bay floor. Spdickey, did your EZ Lube have an oil gnome in the floor or did they lift it?

Beyond that, there's no maintenance in the first year... years 2 and 3 are a bit higher but so is any car. So, expect about $100 more per year than a GM car. Repairs under warranty are covered - 2 year manufacturer warranty, I paid an extra $1200 or so for 5 year extended. Non-warranty dealer repairs are at Mercedes labor rates, typically $100/hr compared to $40-60/hr for a generic shop - but I'm pretty sure GM dealers charge 70-80/hr so it's not much higher.

[The GMan]

Truth be told, yearly maintenance is usually waaaaaaay down the list on why I buy (or don't buy) a car.

I'd be more worried about how often you two will fight about WHO gets to drive the smart car today.

Have fun with it, it's worth the price of admission (unlike those generic GM things you've been driving).