[SMART]

I am very interested in knowing why our viewers are interested in the smart car?

Are you trying to save gas?

In need of a new car?

Do you just love the design?

Please share all insight with the smart car of america forums and find others who might be in the same boat as you!

 

[RLove]

With a 2.7 mile commute the driving motivation isn't to save gas, although with gas going up we'd like to have one high mpg car and one luxury car in the garage with the beater pickup. We just bought a Lexus IS250, so the luxury car is in place. I would have a hard time parting with my Audi TT, but something will have to go.

Our family travels to Europe nearly every year, and we've always loved the Smart and wished that it would come to the States. I snatched up a MINI when they were re-introduced, and now it's time for the Smart. Also eyeing the reintroduction of the Fiat 500. I tell my wife that we'll get a Smart in '08, and a Fiat in '09. She just smiles and shakes her head as she walks away.

So, #1 - Design, #2 - Gas saving. I've always believed that small cars are the way to go, but here in Texas, with all the soccer moms blindly driving around in their huge SUV's while yapping on their cellphones, you have to have second thoughts. But I think micro cars NEED to be considered as our future. The survey I heard of said that $4.34/gallon was the average turning point where people would ditch their gas-guzzlers...so, what do you think? Next summer maybe? We'll be driving our Smarts and laughing at the diehards trying to salvage a buck or two out of their Suburbans.

 

[kurt013]

I have been to Europe a couple of times also and fell in love with the looks of it there. It certainly isn't for the gas milage, which is very poor for such a small underpowered car. But I have always liked small cars for the handling, ease of parking, and to save space in my garage. I had an Insight a few years ago that had more room, could blow the doors off a Smart ( and many other cars) and got more than half again the gas milage, but they quit making them because we didn't buy them. I would like to see the US embrace small cars in general, and the Smart is the smallest one out there.

 

[teapots]

I am very interested in knowing why our viewers are interested in the smart car?
Are you trying to save gas?
In need of a new car?
Do you just love the design?

Please share all insight with the smart car of america forums and find others who might be in the same boat as you!

This is easy. All of the above.

I am trying to save gas. I drive 48 miles to and from work, and fill up at least once, sometimes twice a week.

It is time for me to buy a new car. I presently have a 2002 Ford Escort-2 door (and no one has ever been in my backseat).

The design is great. OK everyone, don't you think it looks like a teapot. All it needs is a handle and spout.

Teapots

 

[smartwo]

smart car purchase

We first saw the smart car in Monte Carlo a few years ago and my wife fell in love with it.
I am buying it because my wife likes it and I like unique cars.

 

[eqwalker]

I commute 60 miles per day so mileage is on the top of the list for me, but I want a car that I like the looks of as well. The Prius (and other high mpg cars) that are currently available are just too plain or ugly for me. When I accidently ran across the Smart browsing the web (I have never been to Europe, or even seen or heard of a Smart), I instantly was drawn to the car's looks. The more I investigate it, the more that I liked it. So, now I patiently await the introduction. For not only the somewhat better gas mileage (that they are saying it will get, but I think it will get better), but for the design and the down right good looks.

 

[litlsis]

Ummmm...

....because our Mini, Floyd, needs a little sister and I am just not that into childbirth?

 

[pokeyrider]

This will be my four wheel motorcycle.

The fun factor should be awesome.

 

[Broken Kid]

I fell in love with the car years ago in Italy and Germany on vacation. I even had a diecast model of the red/black Smart I reserved! So first and foremost, for me, is the look and feel.

I used to drive a Honda Del Sol, so I'm used to small two-seaters. My other car now is a Nissan Xterra, and it gets horrible gas mileage. Plus, it's more than five years old, so I'm ready for a new one that gets better mileage!

 

[jonnysan]

I first saw the Smart at the Woodward Cruise last August and was drawn to it's appearance right away. It appears to be a good car to *electrify* and I plan to either do that or trade on a Smart PHEV or EV once they become available. I am sure the published gas mileage numbers are lower than the actuals will be for that car. Driving habits make all the difference and with the Smart, if you don't hammer it all the time, I am almost certain another 5mpg can be gained with prudent driving. Looking forward to driving it this month.

 

[SmartCard]

Initially, it was the "cute as a button" appearance, followed by the fortwo's practicality. It really gets me to see these huge gas guzzling SUVs running around town with a single driver in it!
But now, with gas prices of $3/gallon as commonplace (and who knows what in the future!), its the right move for that reason.

 

[SMART]

I think its the right move simply cause of its beauty! The more I look at this car the more I am in love with its build and lines!

 

[Roninsig]

Why must settle for a model that gets 40 MPG when in the rest of the world it gets 50+ MPG Why?

 

[eqwalker]

I figure 40 mpg is the minimum and probably for city driving. I figure, and have heard, of 50+ for highway.

 

[Felinae]

I miss my Geo Metro. I used to get 45-48 MPG easy.....

 

[RLove]

I miss my Geo Metro. I used to get 45-48 MPG easy.....

You're kiddin' right? I understand the 45-48 mpg, but you miss your Geo?

 

[Felinae]

Given the choice btwn the smart and the Geo, the answer is obvious....

But for now the smart is just a dream......

 

[1of2ForTwo]

In terms of fuel comsumption I can give you a steer from my experience.

I have a a 2003 ForTwo Cabrio Pulse and when I was driving 30 miles each way to work every day, I could get approx 330 miles per tank. That is around 45 mpg on various roads, but no motorway and very little dual carraigeway driving, ie a lot of medium speed and stopping.

If I was doing longer journeys and took care to keep the speed and acceleration down (ie approx 60 mph raher than 70 plus on motorways and under 3000rpm) I managed to get 417 miles from a tank. That is approx 57mpg. I think I used superplus fuel for this however.

Now I have had my engine remapped (and a K&N filter and 'delipped' intake)from 61 bhp to around 80-85 bhp and do city driving only, with a bloody set of traffic lights every 200 yards and no journey over 3 miles, I only manage 285 or so per tank, which is just short of 40 mpg.

If the new ForTwo is similar I would say a careful driver could manage 60 mpg on a good run. Not amazing but not bad. I don't know if it will appeal in the US, but UK owners often compete with themsleves and each other to see who can get the most distance on a tank and post the results on Smart forums.


I personally think they should have done something really radical and produced the 100mpg Smart car, but hey, the diesl is not far off and I like the 80 plus bhp 'the Red Rocket' produces!


Has anyone considered a remap yet?

 

[RLove]

I think with the relatively low cost of the Smart and what I've read there will be several from this forum looking into boosting the performance. I would definitely get the low restriction air filter, but that may be it. I want the higher mileage....the thought of 50+ mpg makes me kinda light-headed.

 

[Shane]

I am very interested in knowing why our viewers are interested in the smart car?

Are you trying to save gas?

In need of a new car?

Do you just love the design?

Please share all insight with the smart car of America forums and find others who might be in the same boat as you!

The moment I saw The Smart Car in The Pink Panther movie I wanted one...

Reasons for my interest...

1) The look of the early body style got my attention, It was love at first sight!...

2) I'm much more interested in MPG than Horsepower...
Two things that would convince me to buy a new Smart would be if a Diesel was offered in the US,
and if an aftermarket "Early Body Style" kit was offered...

3) The other reason I got to have this car, is the Smart would be the perfect car to tow behind my
35' Dolphin Diesel Pusher Motorhome...

It would be great if the new Smart Car was offered in both body styles the "Early Classic" and the new
revised style...

An aftermarket "Classic Body kit" Would be welcomed...

Shane...