Dont have one yet... (Re: general questions)

[Smike4two]

But I want to know;
1. How is the car on long trips? Seats comfortable?
2. After the 2 year or 24000 mile waranty, what problems have you encountered?
3. Do I have to get the car serviced at only a Smart Dealer or any mercedes Dealer?

Thanks.

[burtandnancy]

1. I've been 500 miles in one day, seats OK
2. Haven't heard anyone yet thats gone 2 years or 24K miles.
3. In some cases one in the same. But I'd stay with your smart dealer for the first oil change and service if needed. I've had two smarts, about 4K miles on each and have yet gone back for anything...

[SmartDigger]

1) Long trips and comfort is a non issue

2) all 251's are less than one year old.

3) Smart center your best bet unless you plan on doing it yourself

[forestacademy]

1) like any other car, different cars fit diferent people differently. Ive gone 300+ miles in one day with no problem. Remember Cruse is not a Factory Option yet, But a Good aftermaket one is available.

2) Since they have only been in the country 16 months no one has hit the 2 year mark yet, but their are plenty of those that have gone over the 24000 miles. (that should tell you how they ride for many miles) The Low waranty is a way of keeping the cost of the car low and afordable. But it is important to note, it doesn't matter how many miles you put on the 08's, Smart was still offering the updates to the software and other issues in the 2.0 program to all owners.

3) Plenty of folks do basic service themselfs. oil change is easy and anyone can do it. If you keep good records it shouldnt matter for your waranty. That being said, since it is such a short waranty you might as well give your dealer the work and keep those smart techs knowledge level up. The more cars they deal with the more knowledge they get. You can take it to someone else but you will have to deal with learning curves with other service providers and that means your paying them to learn.

[Jordon]

1. Seats aren't bad, long trips ok, but lack of cruise control and bumps can wear you out. We have taken it before but plan on taking our Sable on our next long trip.

2. The only problem we have had in 5300 miles is the shifter quit communicating with the trans and the car would not start. Car is currently at shop awaiting parts, once again driving Sable.

3. Yet to have it service, but bought service package so most likely will.

[jimvw57]

Keep in mind what you are buying here. If you want a car mostly for long trips, you might want something with a longer wheelbase, bigger motor, more storage space. It is designed primarily as a car for around town. It is not a luxury car, never claimed to be. If you want a cushy ride, and all the comforts of a limosine, get a limo. We have seen people buy them and complain that it does not ride like their Fleetwood, etc.

Ift is a fun little car, great for quick trips and CAN be used for road travel. I myself do a 90 mile round trip commute every day, with much longer trips on the weekend. I have a base model Pure with AC and radio. so thats about as basic as you can get. I have no problems with a 400-500 mile trip. With 16,000 miles, I have not had any problems with the car at all. I did go to the dealer and get the 2.0 upgrade (2008 models) and it runs just fine. I usualy do my own oil change. It is not hard and you don't even have to raise the car. It does take a while for the oil t drain, my concern with quick oil change paces is they may not let the old oil all drain out.

I'd buy another one without even a second thought if I needed it.

[broberts]

[quote=Smike4two;225591]But I want to know;
1. How is the car on long trips? Seats comfortable?



I bought my 08 Cabriolet in Oct 2008. In six months I have accumulated over 14,000 - many on Interstate trips. I am looking forward to the installation of the cruise control (it arrived yesterday).

I bought a "memory foam pillow" at Stapes (about $40.00). I only use it on "long trips". It makes a BIG difference for Interstate traveling.

Bill

[headless]

Originally Posted by Smike4two

But I want to know;
1. How is the car on long trips? Seats comfortable?
2. After the 2 year or 24000 mile waranty, what problems have you encountered?
3. Do I have to get the car serviced at only a Smart Dealer or any mercedes Dealer?

Thanks.

1 no problems with seats

2 I have had my smart for 5 years here in Britain, absolutely no problems with it, it is a great car, so presume the 451 will be similar.

3 Lots of independants have opened up here, specialising in smarts, they are great for cheaper servicing as long as they have the Star Machine that reads and fixes fault codes, so I presume people like Smartmadness will start doing servicing as it is the logical way for them to go once people are out of the warranty period and don't want to pay main dealer prices.
Ellis

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by broberts

I bought a "memory foam pillow" at Stapes (about $40.00). I only use it on "long trips". It makes a BIG difference for Interstate traveling. Bill

PLEASE tell me you're not SLEEPING while driving your smart! Sleeping and Driving DO NOT MIX! DON'T DRIVE ASLEEP!!!

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

[headless]

I too use a memory foam cushion in my smart roadster, but it is because I am a shortarse and need to see over the steering wheel, you sit really low in a roadster and your eye level is most other cars numberplates.
The seats don't adjust for height but the closer you put the seat to the wheel the higher it becomes, but I like to sit back so the seat is low, so I use a cushion