Relax, this is not a Smart bashing thread!
This is just a little insight on a large SUV driving dinosaur crossing over into what will in inevitably be mandatory for all of us.
It took me an hour to get over my "feeling like a fool". Why you ask? Because one could say that a 6'1" 220lbs. forty something from the South in a SMART car could be classified as a circus act. But I hung in there and left the dealer and went straight to pick up my son at school who cheered along side his 20 friends when I pulled in. In addition, the Q&A sessions at every red light along with the smile factor got me over the Clown Car Phobia real fast. While this 2000 10 cyl. Excursion driving fossil fuel burning dinosaur was little self conscious, the general public really seems to embrace the future and this class of car is definitely the future.
Getting out of my dinosaur-
I have been eco-conscious for sometime now and fully support and have supported all types of conservation. My family and I love the outdoors and proactively support ocean, reef & fishing programs. My main business has employed many a Toyota Corollas but my personal lifestyle & business required the ownership of large SUVs & sedans. Weekly 300 mile trips 6 passengers on those trips, 3 kids, 2 dogs, grandmother, vacation home, etc.. Remember, fuel cost wasn't an issue back then. I would fill it up for $50 in late 1999 and today it is over $160 which last a week if I don't use the truck. My monthly fuel cost can easily top $1200 per month today. But still getting me out of a monster and into a Yaris just didn't sit well and Coopers are just to "Mas Puto" in my area... the Clown Car analogy again.
Getting a Smart-
So, a year and a half ago... I knew about the Smart and because I also own a couple of Mercs I was on the Smart mailing list. So, I reserved a Smart thinking it will be great promo for my company and $14k was a no brainer. I really forgot about the reservation and who needs another purchase today in the depths of bush-o-nomics. Cut to- My local dealer calls me 2 weeks ago and says my Black/Black Cabrio is in??? What Cabrio??? I bought the $14k version. Wrong! it's the hottness!!! So it's not a company car anymore it's my new daily commuter... and I have embraced the daily use of this car 100%. I have had my car for 2 weeks and absolutely love it!!! The fact is that 80% of my driving today is alone and no further than 20 miles from my home and for that type of use the Smart is just ideal. Is it an Interstate cruiser??? No, of course not... but I run it on the highways (20-50 mile runs) all the time and there is no better vehicle for my Miami-Key West trips.
First Impressions-
I was very surprised when I got in the car for the first time... spacious and comfortable even for me at 6.1". You don't really sense that you are in this tiny car. In addition, I am very impressed with the build and the overall quality of the car. The fact that it has many cross over features from the Mercedes line is also a bonus. All that being said, I am springing for the extended warranty. Finally, the economics of it all... Cost, fuel efficiency, $35 fillups, etc... while I am not getting the 50 mpg Prius performance, the fun factor cannot be under estimated... it makes up for the missing 5-10 mpg. For me the CABRIO is an absolute must have!!!! It's like having a mini jeep without the guzzle.
Driving-
I was expecting the worse but I was very pleasently surprised!!! Surefooted is the best I can describe it. I find that the car overall has a great solid road feel and the highway is a non issue!!! I find myself zipping around with 100% confidence. The one thing I can say is that yes it is sensitive to cross winds and yes it can get air borne if you hit a speed bump at 10 mph. but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Pick up & acceleration is fair to good. Manual mode definitely gives you all the pickup you need for hairy situations.
My hill billie buddies & mid life crisis-
"I hate to see you get hit by my SUV" is the joke of the month!!! I reply,me too... while I count the xtra $1200 in my pocket every month! Did I mention it's a chick magnet? More attention then a real expensive car I drive.
Is it safe?-
My logic tells me no. Smart hitting a F350 at any speed is fatal in my opinion. But I haven't hit a thing in over 25 years and I don't plan on hitting or being hit for another 25. Definitely, for the time being all Smart owners should drive hyper offensively to avoid the dinosaurs!!
Today
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