quick beginner questions

[mpletten]

1. What is the expected lifetime mileage of the smart? Is it on par with most cars, or less?

2. What are maintenance costs like compared with the typical car? oil change, breaks, etc.....

3. Im thinking of getting it with the intent of doing a vehicle wrap to advertise my 24 hour fitness center, what do smart car vehicle wraps cost?

[jwight]

First, welcome to the forum! Second, try a search for these topics and you'll find lots of info. Quick answers, IMHO, are:

1. Too early to tell on these new cars; the early European models have been around for 10 years.

2. Under warranty, not bad. Once the warranty runs out, you're at the mercy of your dealer's shop rates or whatever a local mechanic charges. Parts are not cheap.

3. No idea on wrap costs.

[Smart pizzaguy]

My Smart cost me $1850 to have wrapped. Had price quotes ranging from $1500 to $2700. Hands down it is the best advertising medium I have used.

[Dave Van]

Taken care of I'd think the life span of a Smart would be average or above. I am going to do the oil/filter and other up-keep at 5-8k rather than the 10k and in general keep the car well maintained. I get 150,000 + out of my other cars and expect the same here....only time will tell. Also using Smart spec oil filters and fluids, good grade gas.

[smarticus]

"god grade gas." So that's why it's so expensive.

[Dave Van]

You don't have the id of smarticus for no reason!!! thanks for spotting that!! I buy GOOD grade now!

[RVGRINGO]

Our 15,000 Km warranty service by Mercedes in Guadalajara was about 1895 pesos or around $175 US. Parts are not just expensive, but I hear through our Mexican Smart Club that they are horribly expensive and that the dealers really love to sell new parts. As a result, independent service shops have sprung up in Mexico City & we hope to see one in Guadalajara soon; there are rumors. Since my 2007 Passion will be out of warranty before the next scheduled service, I'll be rigging up a suction pump to change my own oil; yes, the 2007 has no drain plug. Air filters can be ordered from K&N.

[dhawk312]

So I'm new to the whole Smart car scene but how do you go about getting a company to advertise on your car? How much do people get paid for this, on average, if at all? I am on the fence right now about replacing my current car with a Passion, but if I can get paid just for driving my car, this will substantially push me toward purchasing one. That is if I can find or get one.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by dhawk312

So I'm new to the whole Smart car scene but how do you go about getting a company to advertise on your car? How much do people get paid for this, on average, if at all? I am on the fence right now about replacing my current car with a Passion, but if I can get paid just for driving my car, this will substantially push me toward purchasing one. That is if I can find or get one.

I've considered that - actually I've considered it before with my other unique daily drivers in the past. Mentioned it to my wife right after I first bought the Smart. Can't bring myself to advertise for someone though, even though I should get paid enough to make the car note and some. (Check out the cost of a local billboard per month)

mpletten-

1. I've thought the same thing. In my Geo I had 100k and it was still going strong with a Suzuki 3 cylinder so I would hope Mitsubishi can do as well. Same goes for my Honda Insight I had, 100k still strong. Once again a meticulous maintenance schedule does help. Both cars had lots of life left.

2. Hopefully not bad, I am lucky as I get a lot of parts via secondary market at cost. Unfortunately the secondary market doesn't have squat for these cars yet.