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

[SmartBob]

I'm only dropping about $12,500 and I need a new car.

[propes]

Originally Posted by mnext02

Another thing. Why can the 05 European Gas smarts get 55 to 60 mpg and the 08s get 20 mpg worse? Why ? Why ?

Gallon is not a gallon is not a gallon. The actual size varies by country (US, imperial, and maybe others). And the MPG tests are different as well - look at Canada's ratings.

[jediknight36]

I agree, but thats the thing. It gets the same gas mileage as my motorcycle and I can drive it all year long. I need it. The kias are cheaper, but not as good mileage or build. Thats why I wait...

[rgbeath]

We don't have a fair way to compare the mileage of the new smart with the old EPA rankings.

Someone with a little time can log into http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymanu.htm and calculate the % of change for an car with the same engine and weight etc on the old system to the new system and use that % to calculate an approximate comparabe mileage rate for the smart. This would give a fair number to compare the smart.

[jediknight36]

yea, but what would that be? I dont see many 3 cyl cars on the road. and if you compare two of teh same cars, like the kia rio from last year to this year, they are rated the same. WTH?

[jediknight36]

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ratings2008.shtml
thats the calculator link.

[rgbeath]

Not to compare car to car but to see the difference in how the old calulation method relates to the new calc.

[Alan_Hepburn]

Originally Posted by MicroNut

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

I find it quite amusing that pretty much everybody was lamenting the fact that they need to buy premium fuel for the car, at about 20 cents more per gallon than regular, but mention a diesel engine and I haven't seen ANYBODY complain about diesel fuel being an average of 50 cents more per gallon than regular gas... (not saying you're one of these, MicroNut - just using your post in a generic manner!)

As for the mileage claims - I'm going from a Ford F450 Crew Cab Diesel that gets 10 mpg on a good day - if I drive it daily for my commute I have to fill it up every 2 weeks at a cost of around $100. I really don't care if the smart only gets 35 mpg instead of 40 or more - it'll still be better than my truck!