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Saturday, March 03, 2007

Smart Car: Maybe not a smart purchase


Anyone who has spent much time in Europe will instantly recognize the Smart Car (the slightly longer Smart ForTwo is pictured here). In 2008, the vehicles will be introduced to the United States (although some have already debuted at a much higher price than the anticipated $12,000 to $15,000 for the 2008 models). The tiny two-seater will hold two six-foot passengers, impressive for such a pint-sized vehicle. The U.S. gas-powered version of the car will likely be powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged, three-cylinder engine that will develop 84 horsepower. At first glance the Smart Car may appear a good choice as a dinghy vehicle for RVers who seek a very lightweight towable (the smallest Smart Car weighs only 1,653 pounds). But according to Consumer Reports, which tested the diesel version of the car recently, it may not be the cat's meow. Its conclusion: It was "the worst vehicle we've experienced in many years." Sounds a lot like the Yugo. Remember that one?

posted by Chuck Woodbury at 7:03 AM

20 Comments:

  • The diesel version of the Smart car has been in Canada for the couple of years and is very popular, mainly because it gets 75 miles to the Imperial gallon (4.2 Litres per 100 KM overall). I have driven one and it is not a Mercedes but it does have a Mercedes Deisel engine, excellent traction,a safety cage similiar to that of a NASCAR vehicle and a lot of features you may not expect on such a small car. For example, heated seats/mirrors, leather,AC,side air bags, etc. Checkmout the Smart website or take one for a drive it may be for you or not.

    By Blogger Fred H, at 6:30 AM  

  • I appreciate the the heads-up on the 'Smart Car'; but I don't appreciate more innuendo than facts. I think more 'Testing is required before we call it a 'YUGO'.

    Obviously it works in Europe.

    tchamp5@comcast.net

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:48 AM  

  • I've read the Consumer's Report, which talks about how long it takes to get from 0 to 60 mph etc. I think this is completely missing the point about the Smart Car. It's for urban driving. I've lived in large ciites, often visit them now with my RV. The smaller the car the better, when getting around congested urban centres; even better in cities one doesn't know well or at all. Also, and this is a hard concept for many people, it really isn't always necessary to drive 70-75 mph (110-120 kmh in Cda) I recall 55 mph limits in the US during the 1970s gas shortages.
    One last thing, the CR sort of compared the Smart Car to the Prius. How much does a Prius cost?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:04 AM  

  • If one wants to believe Consumer Reports that is their choice but a little research will show that this nonprofit "unbiased" group is just another way to make a good living from the gullibility of people. Two of a number of web sites which point out the faultiness of Consumer Reports reporting in two different areas are:

    http://www.allpar.com/cr.html

    http://www.indexinvestor.com/Free/
    consumerReports.php

    Bill

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:31 AM  

  • My G--!! You can talk about the mileage and everything else about
    this thing. I am not close to being
    wealthy but if it got 150 mpg I could not stand to look at it even
    on a dark night!! Let alone be seen
    in it!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:53 AM  

  • Don't know about the car, but "CR",
    I call it my laugh book. I have had
    3 cars they bad mouth, and I found
    them to be great. I have three of
    their Top rated appliance, and they
    are a piece of ---!
    CW
    Amarillo

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:16 PM  

  • I have driven the Smart Car both with left hand drive and right hand drive (the latter in England). It is DEFINITELY not a Yugo, and it is not that far from being a Mercedes-Benz, complete with its driver options, diesel and ease of parking (pull in directly to the curb as opposed to parellel parking (it is only 8 fee long). The only problem I can see with it is that its rear wheels/tires are not the same size as its front wheels/tires, AND for possible political purposes in the USA, it is not allowed to be sold here yet. That latter reason is probably because of Junior Bush's and Dickey Cheney's investments in the stock of oil companies.

    By Blogger Don Thomason, at 1:21 PM  

  • A car that size, I gotta wonder just how safe is the car in an accident. Modern cars now have what's called "Crush Zones." That is that an area will crumple before reaching the passengers. A car this size can't have much of a Crush Zone. I would rather pay in terms of miles per gallon than pay hospital bills because I was riding in a car that couldn't survive an accident.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:34 PM  

  • Hey !!! Would this fit in a "toy hauler" ??? I think I see my future.

    By Anonymous Dave Kiefer, at 12:58 PM  

  • Remember the CR reports on the VW's in the 40's????? Still very popular and fuel effient today !!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:56 AM  

  • I don't believe anything Cr says. I have not turned my suzuki samurai over and its a 87. The way they talked I was to find it rolled over in my driveway some morning and not running. still running strong . Bob

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:42 PM  

  • I don't believe anything Cr says. I have not turned my suzuki samurai over and its a 87. The way they talked I was to find it rolled over in my driveway some morning and not running. still running strong . Bob

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:43 PM  

  • I drive my smart car 150+kms everyday in rush hours and I am pulling a trailer and I still love it. Just on the hills starting is slow. www.smarketingmedia.com

    By Blogger dart, at 8:58 PM  

  • Instead of assuming it has no safety cage, watch the crash test video. The Door opens after a 70mph crash.
    http://www.metacafe.com/watch/60538/smart_car_crash/

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:02 AM  

  • If you are worried about safety check out youtube. they have a video of it being crashed into a wall at 70 mph. Your giant SUV should fair as well.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:40 AM  

  • I test drove one today. It's no Yugo and suprisingly roomy and peppy. The Smart cars being sold in the USA have entirely different engines and transmissions than the one CR tested. Plus, the smart is a new type of vehicle and therefore can't be compared to a Lexus or a Prius.
    Go test drive one before you form an opinion, don't let CR do your thinking for you.

    By Blogger jetjam99, at 11:09 PM  

  • And now the government safety ratings are out. It performed poorly in some area's and less than stellar overall. 3 stars for roll over and driver side front impact. It BARELY eeked out a 4 star rating. There are problems with the gear shifter breaking. And the wait list in some area's is two years or so. Add to that there are only 74 dealerships nationwide you could be up the creek without a paddle if you break down in a state with no dealerships.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:49 PM  

  • is it just me or this car really looks weird? :-|

    By Anonymous Vehicle towing, at 2:13 PM  

  • As for Consumer Reports, the best thing you can do is throw their publications in the trash. I've had really bad experiences with vehicles they highly recommended and then in less than a year they come out with a really bad rating for the car and the value dropped like a rock. I wouldn't use them for anything.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:21 AM  

  • I drive one :). I went from a 7 passenger SUV to a ForTwo. I love it. There are trade-offs. The ride is not as smooth. I can't haul the kitchen sink, too. But......
    1) it gets great gas mileage
    2) I can park it anywhere!
    3) it's so much greener
    4) it's an incredible conversation piece
    5) there's no problem w/ high speeds on the Xway
    6) it's easy to hand wash
    7) it does surprisingly well w/ high winds too
    8) people are so much nicer to me when driving (letting me in traffic)
    9) I halved the cost of my vehicule purchase
    10) the huge skylight makes it seem more roomy
    This is after 4 months of driving and putting on 5000 miles urban and cross country

    By Blogger SuzieM, at 5:23 AM  

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