smart Durability - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Iceberg · 11-13-2007, 08:01 PM

My wife wants a smart to commute to work in. She drives 35 miles on the freeway to and from work daily (by herself). She currently is cummuting in a Turbo Beetle and has put 80K miles on the car in just over 4 years (second set of tires & still on original brakes). She drives against traffic and has a very easy commute compaired to others driving into our metro area. Do you think a little smart is up to the task? It is pretty normal for modern freeway driven small cars to stay reliable out past 150K miles. Has anyone heard if our Canadian neighbors have had good experiences with freeway commuting with the smart?

Mish in AZ · 11-13-2007, 08:27 PM

I'm glad you're asking this question - I'm in a similar boat - er, uh - CAR.
I drive 37 miles each way, mostly freeway. One big difference, though, is the weather. I'm a little concerned my summer travels might be akin to being a bug under a magnifying glass because of the clear top. I'm hoping the AC is powerful. I look forward to the responses.
Mish in (it's a dry heat) Arizona

propes · 11-13-2007, 08:28 PM

Sounds like me: I'm at 70,000 miles in three years.

So far, by what I've read at clubsmart.ca, they are; and the model we're getting will have more pickup than the 450 (also poorer mileage, alas). The biggest issues seem to be replacing consumables (headlights and oil), which have been made a lot easier in the 451.

SmartBob · 11-14-2007, 02:12 AM

This is great.......you can see just what REAL kind of hwy mpg our Smarty will get. I think we'll all be pleased.

bentoutofshape · 11-15-2007, 08:24 PM

The smart will be a desposable car. Think Geo metro. Drive it for 100k and toss it out. Few of us will keep the car more then 7 years/ 120k miles. We'll trade up for a newer one. Maybe a smart hybrid.

mixed · 11-16-2007, 07:12 AM

Just a little food for thought for commuters.........

I have a 450 model diesel with currently +/- 98,000 miles (157,000 kilometers) and I have had the car for only 32 months. My daily commute is 65 miles (106kms) each way or roughly 650 miles per week not including any other driving and I love it.

The only real problem I forsee are as previously mentioned the consumables for your cars. I have had the turbo and intercooler replaced and monitor my EGR valve but these are more the effects of shoddy north american diesel than the car itself. I am very pleased with my car in the commuting capacity summer or winter and will probably be replacing mine with a 451 but not until I have driven this one into the ground.

**jwight** · 11-16-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixed

I am very pleased with my car in the commuting capacity summer or winter and will probably be replacing mine with a 451 but not until I have driven this one into the ground.

Good feedback; thanks. I think we're all a little concerned because this is a "new" car to most of us here in the lower 48, but the basic car has been around for almost 10 years and smart has given us an improved version in the 451. I'm optimistic the smart 451 will hold up as well as the 450 has.

eqwalker · 11-16-2007, 10:05 AM

I'm going to be optimistic and believe that, as long as you maintain the car well, you should be able to put well over 100k miles on it. Maybe even make it to 200k. I have a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 with 125k on it and it is still going good. Everything still works well. I am hoping to do the same with the smart.