Traded smart car in

[Chassol]

Well I finally had to make a financial decision cost wise so far as gas costs, insurance cost, maintenance costs and needing a larger vehicle.

Smart - 36.7 MPG on super unleaded (mileage went down over 4MPG when they went to less than 10% ethanol) , auto insurance at $528.00 every six months (no accidents, tickets or claims and all discounts), 20,000 mile service $560.00 before sales tax. Needing a vehicle to carry 4 people.

I went with a 2009 Subaru Impreza. Less than 500 (now) miles on odometer. Getting 26.8MPG on regular gas, car insurance is $332 every six months and 20,000 service $149.95. Can now carry 5 people and got 2.9% financing through Subaru. It's a very nice car, but I'm still going to miss the smart.

I did get a good trade on the smart as I think the dealer will find a buyer with gas prices going up again.

Savings on insurance and maintenance costs will make up a lot on the gas costs, but again will miss the smart.

I wish the insurance companies and MB dealers would lighten up on charges as I believe this will force folks to drift away from a great car.

I wish one and all the very best with their smarts and maybe someday I'll have an electric one

[Kermit]

The Smart just isn't for everyone. It wasn't a surprise for me that it only held 2 people so that's why we've kept ours.

As far as 36.7mpg for the Smart - if I got that bad I'd rethink my driving technique.

After owning dozens and dozens of cars, I've never had a Subaru- just not for me as their mileage has steered me away from them lately. If I lived up north I would consider one and back in the 90's I considered an Outback wagon when wagons where hard to come by and I didn't see the need for a big honking SUV. (I went Saturn instead)

Enjoy that Subaru. They are great cars!

[Chassol]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

The Smart just isn't for everyone. It wasn't a surprise for me that it only held 2 people so that's why we've kept ours.

As far as 36.7mpg for the Smart - if I got that bad I'd rethink my driving technique.

After owning dozens and dozens of cars, I've never had a Subaru- just not for me as their mileage has steered me away from them lately. If I lived up north I would consider one and back in the 90's I considered an Outback wagon when wagons where hard to come by and I didn't see the need for a big honking SUV. (I went Saturn instead)

Enjoy that Subaru. They are great cars!

"if I got that bad I'd rethink my driving technique." - I absolutely understand and agree, but 90+% of my miles are interstate going back and forth to work at 70+MPH. At that speed limit most folks are driving at 80+MPH . Even at 70-75 I was getting 41-42 MPG before less than 10% ethanol. To me it is NOT the answer, unless they can figure how to get the same out of it as 100% gasoline. My commute is approximately 18,000 miles per year back and forth to just work .

I wish Subaru and all the other manufacturers would bring their small cars here to force the insurance companies and MB dealers to cut out their expensive hits (insurance & maintenance) on all of us.

Lucky you, with two smarts too . I know you will enjoy them for a long time.

[scdaf]

For what it's worth, your insurance company was reeeeeeaaaallly hosing you on your smart. We pay about as much for a year as you do for 6 months, with no discounts. smart was just featured on MSN as one of the cheapest cars in the USA to insure.

Dealer costs on scheduled services are crazy. Just did my own 10k for under $40 and less than 15 minutes work.

Sounds like the Subie is more suited to your needs though.

[Z06-LITE]

I only pay $419.00 per year on my Brabus coupe through the Hartford Ins. Co. Of course, I am old, nearly 63 with a clean driving record and am a member of AARP. I also pay just a bit over $400.00 per year on my Corvette Z06. I guess it pays to get old and be a safe driver.

[eqwalker]

Originally Posted by Z06-LITE

I only pay $419.00 per year on my Brabus coupe through the Hartford Ins. Co. Of course, I am old, nearly 63 with a clean driving record and am a member of AARP. I also pay just a bit over $400.00 per year on my Corvette Z06. I guess it pays to get old and be a safe driver.

Indeed. I'm not at 63 yet (47 here), but I only pay $230.00/6 months on my Brabus cabrio and $309.00/6 months on my 06 Z06. Both full coverage.

[gstreetcomic]

I am a single person and really the two seats are perfect for me. When i need to go for more than i will use my fathers car. I am getting as much as 39.9 miles per gallon, the lowest i ever got was 36.7 once in a while i will get 40.
As far as my insurance, i am with Progressive and my cost os 48.17 a month for six months. That comes to 289.02 times that by two you get 578.04.
I was with Virginia Farm Bureau and they wanted 609.00 a year plus they charge a 40,00 membership fee. A small savings, but in this day and age every little thing counts.

I cans understand your need for a larger car however, and i do hope you will like the Subaru. I imagine if i ever get married and have kids the Smart may be on the way out, but for now i enjoy.

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by scdaf

For what it's worth, your insurance company was reeeeeeaaaallly hosing you on your smart. We pay about as much for a year as you do for 6 months, with no discounts. smart was just featured on MSN as one of the cheapest cars in the USA to insure.

Amen!! $528 is roughly what I pay for six months' coverage on three cars and a pop-up camper.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by The Rigger

Amen!! $528 is roughly what I pay for six months' coverage on three cars and a pop-up camper.

Umm, how? That's like 20 bucks a month for each. I pay $80/mo full coverage on the 2008 Smart, 75/mo on the 2002 Ford Exploder. Perfect driving record. Farmers insurance.

[Alan_Hepburn]

Trying to compare insurance bills is a lesson in futility - the insurance companies set their rates based on factors such as your zip code, your driving record, your credit rating, the driving record of others in your household, and many other factors. People living next door to each other probably don't pay the same for insurance - trying to compare rates across state lines is ridiculous, at best.