Having Second Thoughts

[almostsmart]

I went over the weekend to my SMART dealer in CharlestonSC and test drove the SMART Passion. I also looked at the other 2 models as they had several dealer models on hand. I even reserved one with a number of 1626.
Since then I have spent a lot of time on this board reading threads and have become concerned that I may have made a poor decision. The more I read the more I think that the SMART is not for me.
I loved everything about the car until I found out it had a Mitsubishi engine. I am disturbed that so many have said their SMART has left them stranded. Some state door problems, alarm problems, transmission problems and most disturbing is the post that indicated the Mitsubishi engine was discontinued in European model because of reliability issues. As this will be my primary form of commuting and my dealer is an hour and forty-five minutes from my home, I really can not afford to have this little guy dead on the side of a country road. I am also disturbed that it only has a 2 year or 24,000 mile standard warranty and an extended warranty is $1,200 more. That doesn't give me the warm fuzzies!!!
I need reassurance!!!!

Does anyone have a lot of miles on their SMART?
What issues have you had and when?

I am trying to decide whether to cancel the reservation and look at something like the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris.
Any input is welcomed!!

[VinceLA]

Go to any marquee forum and you will find the same trend. Pple will complain something about that marquee. Join the Yaris or Fit forum and report back if you can.

Or start from Acura and end with Yugo. I am pretty sure after the Yugo forum, you won't want to own any marquee.

[SmartPassion]

Originally Posted by almostsmart

I loved everything about the car until I found out it had a Mitsubishi engine. I am disturbed that so many have said their SMART has left them stranded. ... Some state door problems, alarm problems, transmission problems and most disturbing is the post that indicated the Mitsubishi engine was discontinued in European model because of reliability issues.

I must have missed something here. Where does it say the Mitsubishi engine has been discontinued?

As I understood it, the first generation European smarts (450 model) had "Mercedes" engine which some have considered unreliable. The current generation (451 model) has the Mitsubishi engine with more HP. Its the same engine all over the world.

Inquiring minds wants to know.

[Dunerunner]

I don't commute in my smart, poor thing only gets short drives around town. I haven't had any problems with the car and the ODO is at 1200 miles. Fuel economy is averaging 38.6 MPG. I haven't added any mods to the car but plan to at some future date. This nano is just flat fun to drive, like nothing I have ever owned!! Good Luck!

[DavidV]

Originally Posted by almostsmart

I went over the weekend to my SMART dealer in CharlestonSC and test drove the SMART Passion. I also looked at the other 2 models as they had several dealer models on hand. I even reserved one with a number of 1626.
Since then I have spent a lot of time on this board reading threads and have become concerned that I may have made a poor decision. The more I read the more I think that the SMART is not for me.
I loved everything about the car until I found out it had a Mitsubishi engine. I am disturbed that so many have said their SMART has left them stranded. Some state door problems, alarm problems, transmission problems and most disturbing is the post that indicated the Mitsubishi engine was discontinued in European model because of reliability issues. As this will be my primary form of commuting and my dealer is an hour and forty-five minutes from my home, I really can not afford to have this little guy dead on the side of a country road. I am also disturbed that it only has a 2 year or 24,000 mile standard warranty and an extended warranty is $1,200 more. That doesn't give me the warm fuzzies!!!
I need reassurance!!!!

Does anyone have a lot of miles on their SMART?
What issues have you had and when?

I am trying to decide whether to cancel the reservation and look at something like the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris.
Any input is welcomed!!

I'd take a Mitsubishi engine over a Mercedes engine any day of the week. Look at all the high-horsepower Evos out there with 4G63s routinely putting out 400+ hp and some tuners now cracking the 1,000hp mark (AMS) in a 4 cylinder Mitsubishi engine.

On top of that, we have a normally aspirated engine in our cars which should be more durable and reliable than the turbo engine that was sold prior.

-- DavidV

[Flashman]

almostsmart,

First of all, the Mitsubishi engine is very reliable and not discontinued. Notice that the issues reported are NOT engine related. So far the engines have been great. The main reported issue that affects your ability to drive are tranmission related issues.

That said, realize that the nature of any online forum is that most people come online for a single primary reason, they are seeking information. Therefore it is only natural that owners who experience problems are more likely to go out of their way to seek additional information than those who do not.

There are thousands of 2008 smarts now in the U.S. and Canada. Even more world-wide. All running the same transmission. Most operating without problems. I believe what you are seeing here is not representative of the mass market.

That said, since this would be your ONLY car, and your dealer is so far, I would not blame you for considering a more conventional (and hence probably more reliable) car such as a Yaris or Fit. But, if you do go with the smart and are worried about being stranted, just make sure you arrange for your insurance to cover a decent rental whenever you car is in the shop.

[bottlerocket]

Originally Posted by Flashman

almostsmart,

First of all, the Mitsubishi engine is very reliable and not discontinued. Notice that the issues reported are NOT engine related. So far the engines have been great. The main reported issue that affects your ability to drive are tranmission related issues.

There are thousands of 2008 smarts now in the U.S. and Canada. Even more world-wide. All running the same transmission. Most operating without problems. I believe what you are seeing here is not representative of the mass market.

Ditto.

I just turned 2,000 miles, NO problems whatsoever, with the doors, transmission, radio, lights, a/c, sunshade, engine......nothing.

I use this car every day, six days out of seven (the entire week if I can get away with it). It takes me to work and back and I also run errands on it. I've driven it on short business trips too, with my only issue being people coming up to ask questions

[bull8042]

Don't use only what you read here to make your determination. I haven't had any problems with mine, and I haven't posted that I haven't had any problems. (Well, maybe I have, but that was in answer to another post like this one. But I digress.) Everyone comes here to ask questions, get advice, or mostly complain/whine. Just the nature of forums.

[MichaelJ]

Pushing 3K miles here. Except for having to put 7 gallons of gas into it every couple of weeks, no problems.

[SharonRB]

My smart cabrio is my only car, and I love it. I drive it to and from work, for errands and have taken it on trips from the Detroit area to both Lansing and Kalamazoo. I have not had any problems other than the one time the engine light went on. That turned out to be a fairly common issue with a part in the emissions system that had to be replaced and it only took a half hour to get it done. There was no danger in driving the car while the light was on.

Bottom line is that I've never had so much fun driving a car and if I had to do it all over again, I would. I had some misgivings right before I took delivery, but I'm glad I went through with it. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made and the timing was perfect.