Could not wait....

[bottlerocket]

Originally Posted by Smart09

I think ill wait a little more for an orphan but if i cant get one soon i would have to settle for less and get something else.

I got my orphan quickly, best decision I ever made! I still have my reservation thinking I'll configure to what I want, but I love my orphan so much....

[BEAVR]

getting 32MPG using cheap gas so far i've put about 1000 miles on it in less than a week, city and hwy, have not been conservative with the pedal. I read in the manual yesterday that it would get better MPG using premium so i'm giving that a shot. did pass a red smart on the highway the other day, we were both doing about 80 MPH. both cars do look awesome and get stares plenty. Thought the Yaris was too much of an old persons economy car. Sorry, yaris, its just my opinion.
While I do like the smart and may still get it if /when it is built, I am finding that I i am using the backseat and trunk alot more than i thought i would. being able to quickly open the panoramic sunroof is also nice. On my trans am, i got tired of the time it took to open the roof fully, but didn't want a convertible. I can get up to speed and pass people quickly as well. I do not know if the Smart has the same steering ability as the mini cooper, I've read some about just kinda aiming it and going. I love that go-kart feel of the ride.

[jwight]

I do not know if the Smart has the same steering ability as the mini cooper, I've read some about just kinda aiming it and going. I love that go-kart feel of the ride.

Just my .02, but the smart doesn't handle anything like a MINI Cooper.

[saskdiesel]

I am still kicking the tires on some used diesel Smarts. I want to find a private sale and the 3 that are listed locally are all on used car lots.
But until then I am also enjoying the go-cart handling of the Fit I bought last week. I haven't had to put any fuel in yet (430km) so I don't know what I getting for economy. It was rated at 50mpg (Imperial) highway though.

[brian r]

Originally Posted by doogster

I would consider the MINI, but I just can't live with the reduced MPG... HWY it does a good job, but not around town... I think its listed at 23MPG???

The ratings for the latest Mini are 37/28 for the Cooper and 26/34 for the S.
We have a basic '06 Cooper and see 26-28 city and 36 highway, but it's driven hard and if it's on the highway it's going 80 to keep up with traffic here.

[stan1174]

Originally Posted by BEAVR

I got tired of waiting as well. My Dad bought a a new Yaris a few weeks ago and loves it, I couldn't live without a big sunroof or leather seats so got a mini cooper last weekend.
oh my god, it is such a fun little car
Got it used still under warranty tweaked out with all of the options, so didn't feel like a sacrifice not waiting for the smart and all of the goodies that would've come with.
maybe next year when the Smart comes in, I will decide to get it, but for now, the mini is an awesome sporty ride.
Good luck to everyone with the patience to wait

congrats on the Mini! My sister is on her second, she had a 04 Cooper and now has a 06 Cooper s. if I didn't have other cars(350z, Honda Element) I probably would have bought a Mini because its got more seats and cargo space and it is definitely sportier than the smart. I m not saying that the smart is not sportyish but the Mini handles awesome and is much faster. The important thing to me is that both the smart and the Mini aren't your average everyday econo boxes, they have personality.

[doogster]

carsdirect.com is listing the mini cooper (regular, not S) convertible with automatic transmission at 23 city and 32 hwy. plus the price is $24K with some options...

[stan1174]

Originally Posted by doogster

carsdirect.com is listing the mini cooper (regular, not S) convertible with automatic transmission at 23 city and 32 hwy. plus the price is $24K with some options...

the 2008 mini cooper manual is 28/37 and the cooper auto is 26/34

Fuel Economy
(official govt/EPA website)

[Smart09]

this is what consumerguide has for the 07 coopers..

Fuel Economy

Base hatchback, auto. S hatch, man. Base convertible, man. S convertible, man. Class Average 7 7 7 7 5.5
Base convertible with manual transmission averaged 27.6 mpg; an S version averaged a commendable 32.3 mpg in mostly highway driving. Test S hatchback averaged 32.7. Mini recommends premium-grade fuel for all engines.

[doogster]

yes... and that site has the convertible auto listed as:
22 city... 30 hwy