I'm so thankful I had to wait!!!

marcrhodes · 01-28-2008, 04:37 PM

Thank the good Lord I wasn't in the first wave of reservists to get my smart car! After reading the lower than expected Mpg's people are getting, I made the decision not to go ahead with my smart fortwo purchase. Last week I bought a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (diesel), manual transmission, with 77,000 miles on it. Has a 5-star safety crash rating for front impacts, and a 4-star crash rating for side impacts. I paid $13,800, the car is like new. Nearly 90% of the 300+ miles I put on it during the week were stop and go city traffic. And my mileage for the week was 46.3 MPG!!!!! I can't wait to see what my highway mileage will be. I have read online that many get around 52 mpg during long highway trips. The car is loaded, and wonderful to drive. Has a backseat and all the options you could want. Yes diesel is a bit more, $3.59 right now in CT, but with this kind of mileage it is absolutely cost effective. I was so looking forward to my little smart car, but the car's disappointing fuel economy and all the marketing mess before it's release has been a huge disappointment. I made the right decision for me, and I couldn't be happier. If I had the money for an extra Sunday "toy" car, I might consider still buying one, but to be used as primary transportation is not practical all the way around. I really think smart blew their chance of mainstreaming their car into the states. They should have modified their diesel model to meet US standards. The smarts on Ebay aren't even selling for that much more than people are paying for them at the dealers. I would like to thank everyone on this forum, though. This is the only place I was able to get reliable information on the fortwo, and I appreciate that. Cheers to smartcarofamerica, and to smartusa....... well, the one-finger salute.

SmartAzz · 01-28-2008, 04:53 PM

Enjoy your car.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me mpg is not the primary reason I am interested in the Smart and the figures as I hear them are fine in my book

bobnyuma · 01-28-2008, 04:57 PM

Well I did expect this. I may not get mine as well. Plus I mau not get the new job I want to which is a pay raise for me. I have a deal pending on the some property next door and there is a ton of used cars that get better fuel econmy on the market. I like the Smart, however, you are correct the diesel is the way to go for economy in the small car. I do believe tho that fuel economy will improve for the smart with useage and run in on the motor. Give it time. The smart has a niche, I still like it. Economics are the truth teller here.

jediknight36 · 01-28-2008, 05:10 PM

Well, some people are getting in the upper 40's for their mileage. I think the next line will be better, and the ratings are not as good as promised, but it all depends on how you drive too. I drive using the tach and get average 31 mpg in my toyota matrix. Its rated 28/34 and that was in 2006. Plus Im not a skinny guy and no cruse in this bad boy. I think with responsible driving you can get good mileage in just about any car. I hope you enjoy your VW though. I wish you the best of luck. For me, cant wait for my smart. 1 more year...

young-nyc · 01-28-2008, 06:22 PM

different strokes for different folks...
although gas mileage isn't as great as expected, it's still very good.

but gas mileage alone isn't what's swaying my decision, it's the overall package especially the parking. It's very difficult to find spots living in ny, and with the smart car it should be a breeze =)
not to mention the list of amenities that's available on these cars..and the wow factor

seems like everyone is basically hooked on the gas mileage aspect of the car.

MicroNut · 01-28-2008, 06:54 PM

marcrhodes, your logic is sound - a well maintained, used vehicle is always going to save you money over a new one. I think your choice of the turbo-diesel Jetta is an excellent one. I hope it gives you many years of good service.

But I have to take some issue with your statement about the decision not to bring the diesel smart to the US. This was simply never an option for PAG. The current smart CDI sold in Europe doesn't meet our emissions standards and cannot be engineered to do so at any reasonable cost.

In fact, diesel emission standards in your own state (which are based on California's) are so strict that no new diesel cars are currently sold there. Even the extremely advanced (and pricey) BLUETEC Mercedes cannot be sold in CA, CT, ME, MA, NY, PA, RI or VT.

I note this with some sadness, since a diesel would be my smart of choice if one were available...

pauly · 01-28-2008, 06:57 PM

For me, I'm not here for great gas mileage nor the fact that its environmentally friendly. I couldn't care less about that stuff.

I have always liked the looks of small cars, and I really like the looks of this one.

jediknight36 · 01-28-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauly

For me, I'm not here for great gas mileage nor the fact that its environmentally friendly. I couldn't care less about that stuff.

I have always liked the looks of small cars, and I really like the looks of this one.

oh no, here we go...

bucketboss · 01-28-2008, 07:08 PM

It is sad that the diesel won't be available for now. Here are some of my latest personal diesel car observations.

'98 Beetle TDI...............43 MPG lifetime (80K Mi)
'05 Merc. E320CDI........38 MPG hwy/32 in town..Impressive(alas it's gone)
'06 Beetle TDI PD...........38 MPG so far ( a bit disappointing really)

I like diesels so a smart diesel would be my first choice as well. Plus you can always chip the turbos and get more oooomph pretty readily.

I will get my smart Passion and form my own opinions but it is more of a companion for the Isetta.

Carnut · 01-28-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcrhodes

Thank the good Lord I wasn't in the first wave of reservists to get my smart car! After reading the lower than expected Mpg's people are getting, I made the decision not to go ahead with my smart fortwo purchase. Last week I bought a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (diesel), manual transmission, with 77,000 miles on it. Has a 5-star safety crash rating for front impacts, and a 4-star crash rating for side impacts. I paid $13,800, the car is like new. Nearly 90% of the 300+ miles I put on it during the week were stop and go city traffic. And my mileage for the week was 46.3 MPG!!!!! I can't wait to see what my highway mileage will be. I have read online that many get around 52 mpg during long highway trips. The car is loaded, and wonderful to drive. Has a backseat and all the options you could want. Yes diesel is a bit more, $3.59 right now in CT, but with this kind of mileage it is absolutely cost effective. I was so looking forward to my little smart car, but the car's disappointing fuel economy and all the marketing mess before it's release has been a huge disappointment. I made the right decision for me, and I couldn't be happier. If I had the money for an extra Sunday "toy" car, I might consider still buying one, but to be used as primary transportation is not practical all the way around. I really think smart blew their chance of mainstreaming their car into the states. They should have modified their diesel model to meet US standards. The smarts on Ebay aren't even selling for that much more than people are paying for them at the dealers. I would like to thank everyone on this forum, though. This is the only place I was able to get reliable information on the fortwo, and I appreciate that. Cheers to smartcarofamerica, and to smartusa....... well, the one-finger salute.

While I wish you the best, please stop by and post your maintenance and repair costs for the next 24 months/24000 miles. Also the loss in equity you take when you resell it.