2009 model

[BobbyBRD]

33 kw means 41 hp. I had the cdi for 2 years. My best was 107 mpg.
15% city(very slowly) and 85% autobahn @ 55mph

PLEASE SMART. Bring the cdi to us!!!!!!!!

[mdfortwoguy]

I'm not exactly sure how long you have been in the US, but please let me know where you can drive 55 MPH on the highway here (even on highways that are posted 55) and not incite a small riot.

I'm all for bringing diesels here - especially sweet sounding and performing MB diesels - moreso than any type of hybrid. That being said, it needs to be able to perform in this country of intolerant boobs on the roadway with more horsepower than intelligence. The 71 HP that we are getting barely does that. Driving a car the size of a golf cart that can be out accelerated by a VanHool coach is not conducive to keeping a long life on US roadways.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

...please let me know where you can drive 55 MPH on the highway here (even on highways that are posted 55) and not incite a small riot.

That would be in Ohio. Just got back from a trip to the Columbus smart dealership and did 55MPH pretty much all the way there. I did 65 on the highway all the way back. Both were the posted speed limit and there were more than enough friendly state troopers to make sure everyone stuck pretty close to that. Being an "out of stater", I definitely stuck close to it!

I did manage 41.7MPG in my '07 Honda Civic at those speeds though. And that was with a little city driving in Columbus.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

I'm all for bringing diesels here - especially sweet sounding and performing MB diesels - moreso than any type of hybrid.

(at .85 MORE for diesel than reg unleaded here in Central Indiana, i'll stick with unleaded, thank you)


That being said, it needs to be able to perform in this country of intolerant boobs on the roadway with more horsepower than intelligence. The 71 HP that we are getting barely does that. Driving a car the size of a golf cart that can be out accelerated by a VanHool coach is not conducive to keeping a long life on US roadways.


WOW!!! if you really don't care for the 71hp gas model, then don't get one. just more for us that DO want one..... apparently YOU are one of those "boobs" that wants "MORE horsepower than intelligence"....

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[rfernatt]

(at .85 MORE for diesel than reg unleaded here in Central Indiana, i'll stick with unleaded, thank you)



IF (emphasis on the if) the combined mileage of the diesel (based on previous posts) is accurate at 71MPG and the combined economy of the gas version is 37MPG, the price of diesel fuel per gallon could be nearly DOUBLE that of unleaded gas and the fuel costs be essentially the same. Of course, diesel has some other benefits beyond fuel economy.

The cost of fuel per gallon isn't going to break up the diesel fortwo owner. It would probably be the higher purchase cost of the diesel engine that will be the deciding factor and we don't know what that will be, if it ever comes across the pond.

But, sign me up for one if they show up!

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by BobbyBRD

33 kw means 41 hp. I had the cdi for 2 years. My best was 107 mpg.

According to Google's unit conversion (awesome tool by the way), 33 kW = 44.253729 horsepower. ;)

107 MPG is incredible!

[jwight]

Originally Posted by rfernatt

That would be in Ohio. Just got back from a trip to the Columbus smart dealership and did 55MPH pretty much all the way there. I did 65 on the highway all the way back. Both were the posted speed limit and there were more than enough friendly state troopers to make sure everyone stuck pretty close to that. Being an "out of stater", I definitely stuck close to it!

I did manage 41.7MPG in my '07 Honda Civic at those speeds though. And that was with a little city driving in Columbus.

Wow, 200 miles to your dealer; I don't feel so bad now.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by jwight

Wow, 200 miles to your dealer; I don't feel so bad now.

Actually, I believe my assigned dealer is supposed to be Pittsburgh at about 250 miles, but after this weekend I'm trying to get smart to switch my dealer to Columbus since it's closer and MUCH easier to get to. The folks at the Pittsburgh dealer are great, but the downtown location is difficult and Pittsburgh is a pain to navigate in general.

I called smart about the switch and was told that I haven't been assigned to a dealer yet and that I can't switch dealers until I've been assigned. That doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever, but it is smartUSA we're talking about. ;)

[Big Panda]

oh, i understand the 'economics' of gas vs diesel. i honestly believe with my driving habits (i've always been able to exceed what's posted on the Maroney Label) i would do ALOT better than 37MPG.

'if' they did indeed get the 70+mpg's they 'claim', then i 'might' be inclined to at least 'consider' one.

hey, i like to think that i'm open minded!

but ideally, i would prefer a smart that didn't depend on ANY fossil fuels.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by Jeepster55

but ideally, i would prefer a smart that didn't depend on ANY fossil fuels.

Agreed! Sign me up for a fuel cell smart when hydrogen filling stations are a little more available.

I believe the diesel fortwo driven from Arizona to the Detroit auto show averaged a little more than 60MPG in mixed driving with various drivers. So, 70+ with the right kind of driver seems very doable, IMO.