I hate to drive, to the point that I’m pretty phobic about it. But I’m really starting to need to, so my husband suggested that maybe I should take a remedial driving class and then he’d get me a car. He thinks that a Smart Car would be a good idea for me, since I’d do city driving only and work downtown. I’ve never known anyone who had one, so I figured I’d ask here. Do any of you have one, and if so, do you like it?
I’m also very curious as to whether people think it would be safe to use a car seat in it. It’s legal, and you can disable the airbag, but I’m still leery about whether or not it’s safe. The website says it is, of course, but I’m skeptical. Would you put a car seat in a Smart Car?
I recall them as being really spendy for what you get. For the same money, you can get a nicely appointed compact or subcompact. No doubt that they’re cool, but I couldn’t spend that much for something that small, I don’t think.
On edit, I see the MSRP for the base model is ~$11,000. Not as bad as I thought. Still seems like a lot for a little car, though, compared to competitors.
Well, they’re (obviously) really tiny - are you, someone who’s already almost phobic about driving, going to feel save driving a clown car around amoung giant SUVs and trucks? Even compact cars dwarf them.
I think SmartCars are kind of cool, but I’d be afraid nobody could see me.
I don;t see what’s Smart about them. They “only” get about the Mileage of a Honda Fit, are far less roomy, and cost only a little less. They also use Premium gas.
If you live in a city and have to deal with small parking spaces, like REALLY small parking spaces, it may be a good choice. But if that’s not in your “need” column, then I think picking up a slightly used Honda Civic will give you much more flexibility to carry things and people at a lower cost of ownership. They are great cars.
I’m a bit drive-phobic myself, and that’s exactly the issue I’d have with them. I’m the least phobic in a mid-size to large car. I’d consider driving a Smart Car in the city, but the thought of taking one out on the interstate terrifies me.
I test-drove one. Surprisingly roomy, but the transmission is a bitch. It’s automatic, but it feels like a manual; one reviewer described it as “like riding a bucking brocno.” I have to agree, although I suppose you could get used to it.
I would never own one just because I am not in the target demographic but I am also not a big fan of the specs either. The gas mileage is pretty poor compared to what you would have to put up with and I am guessing that repairs might cost more than more mainstream cars. The only possible advantage I can see is with the parking but there aren’t many places in the U.S. where parking spots are that tight. I certainly wouldn’t want any child in a car seat to be in the front seat of any car. The center back seat is safest. I think the Smart Car should really be named “Feel Good Car” because I don’t see the point either.
My dad and my stepmother travel in the summer; they tow their Smart in a trailer behind the motorhome. That way they have a car for in-town trips without having to drive their entire home around.
I was visiting them a couple months ago and had a ride in it. It seemed okay, but a little unrefined compared to most new cars. Dad loves it.
Yeah, the size is the selling point. I see people with Smart Cars driving around Phoenix, even on the highways. While I’m generally a fan of lowering the size of the average vehicle on the road, you don’t get much benefit out of a really tiny car in Arizona.
Yep, love it. Though I don’t recommend it for a family with kids (Mrs. Homie and I don’t have any, so it’s not a concern). In front it’s comfortable and surprisingly roomy. In back = not so much.
A little context: I’m 6’2 and have a family of 6, and I have to commute about 35 miles to/from work. I looked at a smart car, but in my opinion its only potential selling points were the price & mileage numbers. I compared it to a Kia Spectra - and while both numbers were slightly better than the Spectra, the differences weren’t significant enough to outweigh the size / cargo / passenger capacity drawbacks.
My mom got a Yaris when she finally got sick of dumping money into her Mini Cooper. She misses the Mini, but she likes the Yaris a lot. (Surprisingly, it’s even got a smaller turning radius.)
I haven’t ever had a problem riding in the backseat of one (6’ tall), and AFAIK neither has my brother (6’3"). It’s not the most comfortable backseat ever, but it’s not uncomfortable. Of course, I’ve never had to do an extended trip in it, either.
If your main criterion is a not-scary car, I would dissuade you from going for the Yaris. It’s not exactly the sturdiest thing out there and it doesn’t pick up speed in a very timely manner. Not fun when you’ve got a short highway entrance ramp.
In the few years the Fit has been on the market in the US, it’s won more #1, top ten, car of the year, and other such awards than any other car ever has. It wasn’t hard to make the decision to buy one. It’s unbelievably fun to drive, has more utility than most SUVs, gets great gas mileage, is possibly the lowest maintenance car that ever existed, interior and options are far beyond what the price would lead you to believe it had, etc. Look around online, at the major car magazines, consumer reports, etc.
I bought mine (a 2008 Sport) in feb 2008, and now owe less than it’s worth KBB value wise on a SIX YEAR LOAN! It actually APPRECIATED considerably during the gas crisis last summer, and is still hovering near what I paid for it new.
I don’t get Smart cars at all, other than parking, which isn’t an issue most places in the US like it is in the car’s native european lands, it doesn’t have a single advantage over the other cars in it’s supposed class. Other than the crash cage which is indestructible, which is nice, so your body survives relatively intact when the obscene g forces from the car having no mass kills you.
