Quote:
Originally Posted by fishrdnc
Sorry, but the Mercedes thing was part of it. Anyway, to help get back on track, I believe that after some rational thought many will back out when the time comes.
1. Some may have only a passing interest and/or do not miss the temporary loss of their returnable $99.
2. Some will realize that it is not suitable as an only car unless they are urban dwellers with an affordable place to garage it. And, only marinas charge to dock by the foot.
3. Some will realize that it is not a good substitute for a second “standard” car, and is of limited practicality if not used as intended (as a “city car”).
4. Some will realize that $12-$17k is a lot of money for “Whee; look at me” motor-bling that will be of transient cuteness and attention-getting value, if that is their primary interest. PT Cruisers are now invisible, and even MINIs are not turning heads.
5. Some will realize that it isn’t an extremely “green” or extremely cheap commuter. The MPG is quite good but not spectacular, and 91-octane gas adds expense.
6. Some will tire of waiting and might go the grey route, or wait for used U.S. 451s sold by disillusioned, early buyers. Some might hold out for a future U.S. “stop-start” (maybe) or diesel (not gonna happen) configuration.
7. Some will not care for long distances to dealers and servicing.
8. Some will shy away due to safety concerns, real or imagined.
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A couple of notes about this post:
Living in Chicago area, I've found that driving a smart around the city FAR SURPASSES the use of a normal car. This includes so-called 'midsize' cars, which are just as long as SUVs. Even some compact vehicles' size makes the smart an even more attractive option. Yesterday I parked a demo vehicle in a spot I could not even fit a two-seater 350Z in.
Also, the smart fortwo is actually the GREENEST car available now. Keep this in mind: The 'greenness' of a vehicle CANNOT be judged on the useable life of the vehicle alone. What happens to 45-50 MPG hybrids after their lives on the road are through? How much of the hybrid system is recyclable? Is the vehicle 95% recyclable like the fortwo?
Now, I'm not naiive enough to not realize that you need somewhere to recycle a vehicle. However, at least smart has thought about the future, and has engineered and built their vehicle with that in mind. How many other manufacturers have had that in mind?
And you say the MPG is not spectacular? It's got the best MPG of any gas-powered car sold in the US today (and that's using 2008 EPA standards!). The only vehicles that surpass that are hybrids, which cost around $10,000 - $20,000 more. Are you saying that the extra $10-20k is worth it to pay to save $0.15-0.20 per gallon at the pump? It's tank is only a little under 9 gallons. That's a dollar and a half. Even if you fill up the car once a week, that's still...what? Less than $100/year? Not to mention that 91 octane gas burns cleaner, is better for the environment, and improves fuel economy and performance.
Several people I know are also purchasing this car for use to drive to and from work. Maybe it is only 5-20 miles a day 5 days a week, but using this car to commute is a much better option for the environment and your pocketbook. Think of it this way...do you drive to work alone or do you carpool with 4 other people? If you drive to work 4 days a week with at least 2 other people, then it makes sense to drive a car that seats 5. But if you drive by yourself, what sense does it make? Liken it to going to a restaurant by yourself, sitting in a large booth, and ordering food for 5.
True, this car does not make sense for a lot of people. Hopefully a few the over 10,000,000 people in Chicagoland area will see that this car makes sense for them.
1976 Rover Mini
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (SOLD)
2009 smart Passion (Gone)
2011 smart Passion
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