If I lived in an urban environment (like the one the Smart was designed for) I would give it some thought and probably end up on used civic/civic hybrid. However, since the highway is 90% of my commute, the Smart wouldn't work out for me. IF I had to have a car with better mileage, I'd go for a used base model R56 once, which should be in the $ ballpark with the "Passion" Smart. In the meantime I am perfectly happy with my MCS....at least until a diesel Cooper hits the streets of the US of A.

 

If you drive a Smart, can you give out parking tickets?

But seriously, I wouldn't mind having it as a second car, just not for freeway commute. I'd use it as an errand-runner, or as an emergency spare.

 

I have hatred towards big cars; SUVs

Smarts are friends

 

It's my understanding that the SMART US car has an asperated Mitsubishi motor whereas the European has a turbo (not sure of the manufacturer of the engine). Can anyone confirm this?

 

Actually I saw one of those in my neighborhood recently (don't know what an A series was doing here) and, relatively speaking, that thing was huge Not bad looking or anything, not all that exciting either - a little shrunken van. Another Euro car we could use here as a not bad smaller car option.

Well, the prior version was a Mercedes engine that, it seems from the little I've read about it, proved to be a tad more problematic/needed more attention then what this current Mitsubishi engine should be. I don't know all the info offhand, but here is the Wiki about the engines: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_F...d_Fuel_Economy.

It is a different bag in Europe though, with different emissions requirements, diesel options, etc. The Brabus *should* be coming here, so we shall see what the US will get.

 

I don't hate them, if I lived in the right area I would definitely consider one if I had to drive in city traffic.

 

Read Gabe's review on www.motoringfile.com, posted this morning.

 

Sorry to see that it looks like Gabe is another reviewer that did not have the time/inclination to learn the transmission. Really truly, lots of people actually directly disagreeing with his assessment (and the steering feel is very good and I hate overboosted steering, hard to believe we are taking about the same car), so it simply goes to show how subjective these things are. The context is that the Smart is a fun cheap created for cities microcar, and it is not comparable with the bigger more expensive Mini.

If you can say "Actually the more I think about the more I’m convinced there is absolutely no reason why anyone should be buying a Smart in a market like the US." then you really do not live in the area to understand benefits which do make it better then the Mini to live with. I'll say it again, it sure has been fantastic to drive to some busy congested area and slot right into a spot the Mini couldn't vs. driving around an around in the MCS as I've had to do before.

Wow, that reinforces my scepticism of reviews, especially based on short term use, and the context of the driver who may have brand bias or perhaps not the experience or POV/context to be objective or mesh with mine and others opinions. I flat out disagree with much of it (and heck, if you are going to remark on things the stereo at least know which one it is, there is a difference) Guess reviews are like opinions which are like other things...

Edit: I don't know how coherent this is as I am in a rush, but there truly is no point in me clogging this thread up anymore. As always I'll just live by test driving cars for myself and getting what I like. Cheers all

 

Yup...I agree!!

 

http://www.cardomain.com/id/Xanthus

I have owned 3 MINIs and a Mini.

I like the SMART.

Deal.

It is what it is. I hope future models are better, but for the price we are satisfied and I enjoy driving it as much as the GF lets me.

 

I actually did "learn" how to drive it from previous experience driving the fourtwo and the roadster Europe. It's better than the first generation but still nothing less than terrible.

I live in one of the most congested areas in the US. It doesn't change the driving experience.

I'll go ahead and take offense to that. I think I've driven/reviewed enough cars to be more than qualified to give a fairly well versed opinion from an automotive enthusiast's POV. You have every right to disagree but then I have every right to disagree with you

 

Honestly, experience with the prior car which has a completely different transmission (among other things) is not really relevant when it comes to remarking on the new car unless you are evaluating and comparing those differences. The funky new clutchless transmission does take time to finesse and get the timing to be second nature to optimize the response - I also believe it/the ECU is adaptive which is something else that takes time.

That may well be, but the quote was ..."there is absolutely no reason why anyone should be buying a Smart" (see above for full text of what I first quoted) which mentions nothing about the driving experience, is simply a generalizing summary which ignores the other attributes like parking, plastic non denting panels, etc that contribute to actual real world reasons people buy the car and clearly do not think "the Smart is a poor choice for just about every occasion". As to competitors, well point me to another new legal safe true microcar for sale in the US in that price range with the same options available.

I didn't intend to offend Gabe, just as I assume you didn't specifically set out to be offensive, although some of the wording you chose might not jive with that notion exactly. Fwiw when I mentioned experience and POV I was referring to time taken with the car and the open mind to approach it in context and without bias (bias towards other cars/away from the one being driven, or based on prior experience with the car).

Come to think of it, perhaps I should be offended given such a subjective review apparently skewed toward Mini comparison with an apathy towards even learning the options (ie what radio it is you are evaluating or if the "seemed to be leather" is, etc), or making an effort to disseminate useful information beyond your opinions. Driving a lot of cars is nice and can be helpful if reviewing others, but in of itself it doesn't necessary mean that person's judgements are objective or weigh out the context of the car in question.

Without going into more detail and dragging on I have to say that this did reinforce my abiding scepticism of reviews and see them afresh for what they often are, just opinions. Anyway, I bow out again and agree that we do indeed each have every right to disagree.

I add a because I do think its fine to disagree without bearing malice.

'night all

 

On a lighter note, I'm off to go see one of these things in person (Though I'm certainly not in the market... they don't need to know that )

 

Have a 2011 Mini S. Want to put HID conversion lites in...Battery Comp is seperate. where and how do u hook up the capacitor. + and Neg wire. is there anywhere else to hook it up to other than the battery really dont want to drill any holes

 

 

Dude, Really? 3 year old thread that has absolutely nothing to do with HID's.

 

Trolly troll is trolly.

Also, WE WON the war with smart cars. Smart US is no longer producing cars for the US, and has turned over control to Mercedes.

 

i know, i read that the deal went down within days of dodge relinquishing all U.S. sprinter distribution to Mercedes. The "Sprinter" has had a tough life here in the U.S. Went from Freightliner To Mercedes To Dodge Then Partially back to Mercedes then finally fully Mercedes (Even though its always been Mercedes owned and built)

 

I absofrickinlutely 101% totally agree!!

 

I'm 35 now but when I was in grade school I never picked on the "less-cool" kids since you never knew where they might end up in life. So I see no point on picking on Smart cars. You never know when you might meet a hot *** chick driving one......

 

She might be hot but would you want to ride in her car?

I am not a Smart hater, just too small for me, the wife, and 2 dogs. I might drive a smart if it had the Hyabusa drivetrain in it

 

I'd rather have a Smart Car than a Nissan Leaf(I drove one a few weeks ago

 

All things considered, I'm not sure I'd count this as a win. They are still selling cars and Mercedess is behind them (rather than Penske).

Frankly, Smart will always get some cred form me if only because they built a smaller car than a MINI and it met crash standards. And here MINI led us to believe this was not possible. And just wait til the iQ comes out!!!! MINI/BMW = asleep at the switch.