traveling in your smart fourtwo?

[hotdogmom]

hello again,

I'm just throwing out these questions as I think of them, so I won't be surprised [or disappointed] when I finally get my cabrio.

Have any of you actually used the car for long distance driving?
If so, have you had any needs that required getting the car to a dealership?
Can anyone work on them? [I understand tires can be purchased anywhere, since there is no spare tire] ... but if the car overheated, made funny sounds, or got hit by a moose **- is this one of those stuuuuuuupid questions because no one considers buying a smart for any other use but putting around town? This is an issue for me because I do plan to do some highway driving and don't want to get stuck where the only dealerships are Chevy, Ford, Toyota... you get the idea...
smiles

[dcrooks]

I commute 35 miles one way to work and already have over 5,500 miles since Feb 12, 08. Once, when I got a check engine light, I called the toll free smart service center and they helped me out by connecting me to the local dealership.

Tomorrow, I am driving 4 hours one way to see the smart race at the One Lap at Beaverun race track. That will be my longest trip so far.

[iwantmysmart]

Took mine from DC to NJ and back...no problems. It made my trip enjoyable and didn't feel like the car was going to fall apart traveling consistently at 80 either (even at 80 I was getting 41 mpg - it did the 250 mile trip on 5/8 of a tank). bottom line...I LOVE my smart and will always own one. Right now it is my only car and I haven't had any problems with its size either.

anyone can work on them if they have to but if something does happen smart has 24 hour roadside assistance and will tow your car to the nearest dealership to have it fixed (or whatever)

[Dave Van]

Some short trips.....200 miles each way. Don't worry about it too much.

[JThw8]

140 miles a day and some longer trips thrown in there.

Im on week 4 of ownership and over 3000 miles put on her.

Not too afraid to drive it anywhere I guess

[redbluff]

Problem now is dealers dont have parts. Flat tire is an issue.

[dcrooks]

Originally Posted by redbluff

Problem now is dealers dont have parts. Flat tire is an issue.

Yeah, someone on the forum picked up a spare for like $200. Might be worth it just to have in the garage...

[hotdogmom]

Originally Posted by dcrooks

Yeah, someone on the forum picked up a spare for like $200. Might be worth it just to have in the garage...

...or two spare tires since the front tires are a different size from the back.
but the cabrio comes with a compressor and can of fix a flat!!! ** no jack, though

[geochemistry]

Last week the wife and I did a week-long trip to Austin and Copperas Cove, about 700 miles round trip. Got about 44 mpg going, but with the headwinds, A/C and extra swag we brought back only got about 40 mpg.

[ShoshTrvls]

I live in Philadelphia, and have plans to spend Memorial Day weekend with friends in Boston (350 mi. each way, approx.). Assuming I have my car by then (please, let it be ready next week ... please SmartGods), I'm considering using it for this trip.

If anyone thinks I'd be an idiot to do this, please speak now!