Saw a smart, bought a Honda

[Iceberg]

We live in Portland/Vancouver metro and finally saw our first smart car (white four-two Passion Coupe). Well, my wife was not impressed so she went down and bought a Honda Civic Hybrid instead. She was concerned about driving her 70 mile round trip freeway commute & getting squished by one of the drugged up truckers running up and down I-5. I thought about taking her car for myself, but as a full figured male (6'1" 270 lbs) I think I might look a bit out of place in that little car (10 lbs of ....stuff, in a 5 lb bag...lol). I have really enjoyed this forum, however it is time get my C note back & move on down the road. Everyone behind me in line can move up one space...lol.

[stevenvillatoro]

Congrats on the new Honda... that's an excellent choice. I had the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but would go for the Civic if I had it to do over again.

[SmartBob]

getting squished by one of the drugged up truckers

....can happen in any car. Be careful out there. We have the same problem on I 295 here in NJ. I'm on it 20 minutes everyday.

[Iceberg]

We both liked the size of the Toyota Camry, but she thought it looked like a old man's car.....lol. Hey, she used to drive a new VW Turbo Beetle. She also thought that the Prius was ugly, as do I. Anyway, she really like the looks of the new Civic Hybrid and we also get a $2100 credit on our '07 taxes. I almost bought her a Honda Insight back in 2001 (Honda's 1st Hybrid), but it only had two seats and the passenger side airbag could not be turned off. At the time our little boy was a toddler and that was unacceptable.

[stevenvillatoro]

I put 50K miles on my 2002 Insight with a manual transmission. The car was a little harsh, but great at sipping the gas. The new Honda Civic is stunning to look at, and gives about 10 MPG better than the Camry in the real world.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by Iceberg

Well, my wife was not impressed so she went down and bought a Honda Civic Hybrid instead.

See posts under "attrition" and "orphans."

[RLove]

Everyone is entitled to their decision of course. But I see some fallacies in your thinking.

• Hybrids are the most economical in city driving. The 70 mile highway commute will require using gas more than electric
• The Honda is a smidge beefier on the sides and rear, but in a accident like you describe, recovery in either car will be preformed with a putty knife.
• 6'1" 270 lbs fits in either car, and doesn't look out of place, although I think the Smart just might be the better choice due to ingress/egress considerations.
• Nobody is going to notice you in a Honda - which my be a good thing.

The Honda is a great car, I'm sure you'll be very happy. You could still take delivery of the Smart when it comes, drive it for a while and then sell it, probably for more than you paid.

[Iceberg]

Well, I'm now actually thinking of buying the smart along with the Honda & using it for my short commute to the office. My commute is only 10 miles, and I currently drive my old 1989 Chevy full size four wheel drive pickup that gets about 12 mpg (on a good day). Hey, it has been paid off for over 15 years; I think of it as my recycled vehicle (re-utilized w/ no additional natural resources used). Even with that rational, I hate to give the oil companies my hard earned petrol dollars!

[nevis]

At $3.00 a gallon and 10 mile commute, you only spend $6.00 a day round trip. No vehicle payment.

At $3.00 a gallon with the Smart, same commute, you would spend $1.50 a day.

$16,000 cost for Smart, Truck is paid for.... Truck is better deal....

[SmartBob]

A similar equation: A friend of mine bought a Prius...and continues to remind me of his excellent mileage. His 4 cylinder truck was paid for. He bought his hybrid for $24k.