Should I get it?

[smart4me?]

So is the Smart smart for me? This would be my first car, most of the driving 90% would be in the city and for the most part short distance 5-10 miles. I live in minnesota so the weather can get pretty bad out here during the winter.I'd like to hear your thoughts and honest reviews on the smart especially if you have similar driving conditions(90% city short distance driving).

MPG?
A/C?
Handeling?(Normal,Snow,Icy,Windy conditions)
Comfort?
Service?
Dependability?
ETC.

thanks.;)

[bottlerocket]

YES get it, although you should probably hear from some fellow Minnesotans...

[smart4me?]

Thanks, I would like to hear more though concerning the questions I asked earlier.And yes it would be nice to hear from some minnesotans.

[a2jack]

Smart4me. As an only car you will have trade offs. You will need friends to haul anything larger than a couple bags of golf clubs.

On snow and ice the car is OK. With Snow tires I'm told it will run like a Polar Bear. In high wind it will dart a bit, but truck vortex it does not even see.

Mpg. 42-45 without trying. Comfort very good. Service? We haven't had them long enough to know. Dependability? First model NA451 some glitches, but wife has it on the road every day with up-most confidence.

Our del date 01-23-08. Build date 01-08. Miles now on Ode, 5,800.
A2Jack

[blackbeagle]

Originally Posted by smart4me?

So is the Smart smart for me? This would be my first car, most of the driving 90% would be in the city and for the most part short distance 5-10 miles. I live in minnesota so the weather can get pretty bad out here during the winter.I'd like to hear your thoughts and honest reviews on the smart especially if you have similar driving conditions(90% city short distance driving).

MPG?
A/C?
Handeling?(Normal,Snow,Icy,Windy conditions)
Comfort?
Service?
Dependability?
ETC.

thanks.;)

I think you should test drive it first to answer some of your own questions (handling, comfort, service, etc). After all, you will be the primary driver and not the reviewers on here.

As for mileage, on this forum, you've seen on average mid/high 30s City and low/mid/hi 40s on Hwy. There will never be just 1 or 2 numbers. It'll depend on your driving habits. So far, cruising around Apple Valley and up and down 35w, we're getting high 30's on ours with NO A/C usage so far (with 2 occupants and two dogs). We've had it for 1000 miles.

I've driven on heavy rain this past weekend and it appears there's no problem (put some rain X on your windshield because the wipers are pretty flimsy). We got ours a month ago so no snow experience. However, this fall we WILL get some Blizzaks on ours when they become available. I think it's a must for MN drivers. The road does get icy and heavy crosswind over a bridge COULD potentially slide the car over a bit. That's an uneasy feeling.

As for dependability, so far so good. I got the 'check engine' light the first week and that was due to the gas cap. Other than that, knock on plastic.

Oh...one other thing, if you live in the Twin Cities, you know about all the construction going on. Just keep an eye out for potholes and rough spots. Try to avoid them if you can because your behind will be sore after a long trip. Being that it's a small car, you WILL feel every bump.

Remember, this is a micro car. Going from my V6 Maxima to this was an experience. Don't expect Cadillac comfort/Corvette handling/Lexus dependability and you'll love the car. It is what it is; a great alternative for urban transportation....and a damn fun car to drive.

Hey good luck with your purchase. I hope you get it soon.

[stuberman]

Check out the link A2Jack found - lots of fun and informative:
http://www.truthaboutsmart.co.uk/

I live in Michigan and use this as my daily commuter to work about 6 miles each way.
I also pickled mine up on Jan 23 and found that that the stock Continentals do very well in the snow. I will not bother with Blizzaks (check out the threads on winter tires to see the problems you may encounter due to the tire pressure monitors).

My reactions:
MPG - 40 MPG around town with a light foot
A/C - works well, expect MPG hit running A/C
Handling - excellent
Comfort - great in town - less so on long trips
Service - huh? I have to drive 2 hours to get to a smart center
Dependability - no problems so far
etc: incredible fun, expect people to 'swarm' you, heated seats ideal for the cold - heater works well warms up quick in subzero temps, car has plenty of 'zip', fill ups are still affordable and infrequent.

The big problem: if you have not reserved yet it will be quite a long wait - or get on the orphan list and hope for some luck. The older 'greymarket' (450's) are a different model and expect a different experience.

[smart4me?]

thanks guys, you have been great help.