# Smart Cars **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 15, 2008, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854 "2008-11-15T13:16:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/1 "2008-11-15T13:16:05Z")
In a previous thread on this subject, a thread I can’t seem to find, I made the comment that I wouldn’t buy one. However, the times they are a changing. Due to a back injury that resulted in spinal surgery, I am effectively retired, several years before we had planned. My Darling Marcie has also had to retire quite a few years before planned due to a disability. Now I don’t want a pity party, but our incomes have been cut and our physical abilities to drive long distances have been curtailed due to our physical problems. Since we ain’t going anywhere and we ain’t going back to work, we no longer need two cars and my Darling Marcie has hit upon the idea of trading both cars for one Smart car. I don’t disagree in principle but I worry about the consequences. If any one my fellow dopers has any experience with the Smart car, I would love to hear your experiences and your level of satisfaction; I would also love to hear anecdotal stories about Smart cars. As always, any input will be more than welcome and I thank you in advance. LouisB ---
**Author:** ![Hakuna\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hakuna\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hakuna_Matata)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/2 "2008-11-15T13:39:16Z")
As a practical car I doubt that a Smart car is your best choice, and this comes from a guy whose wife is getting her Smart car this coming February. But for us it is a car to go to and from the ferry and grocery shopping. It gets okay mileage from what I can tell, but not what it should for its size. Really depends upon the reason you are getting the car I think. If you are thinking you are saving gas money, then no it isn’t a good choice. If you are thinking you aren’t traveling far distances, and it is quick and easy to park and is a head turner–sure why not. That is how I view our purchase–it is a fun car, it looks fun, my wife really really really wants one, it is inexpensive and it is a bit of a head turner (for now, but once the streets are full of them, not so much). And the price is good–the cheap one is like $11,000, we got one with all the bells and whistles and it only is running like $18,000. good luck! I am sure you will get tons of people here who will tell you that is sucks, etc. For them that is likely true. You have to decide if it is a good choice for what you and your wife want. From what you described, I would say yes. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/3 "2008-11-15T14:07:52Z")
Back injury? How comfortable are you going to be in it? I’ve heard that there is plenty of room for the passengers, but with that short of a wheelbase, I wonder how well it rides. Are you planning on doing any traveling? Even day trips? ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/4 "2008-11-15T16:25:44Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Back injury? How comfortable are you going to be in it? I’ve heard that there is plenty of room for the passengers, but with that short of a wheelbase, I wonder how well it rides. > > Are you planning on doing any traveling? Even day trips? No, it will be used for running to the grocery store, doctor’s office, pharmacy, etc., etc. It this pipe dream of my wife goes very far, you may be assured that I will give it a thorough test drive; several of them if needed. Believe me, I am concerned about the back situation. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/5 "2008-11-15T17:48:10Z")
Safety-wise it looks like they’re safer than you [might think](http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/14/autos/smart_fortwo_iihs_crash_test/?postversion=2008051410). And the Germans tend to produce reasonably relaible cars. I’d say it’s not a bad choice _cough_(Ford Focus)_cough_ as long as it’s very easy to get in and out of. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/6 "2008-11-15T18:59:31Z")
Are American Ford Focuses considered bad cars in some way? Because here it is considered a good, reliable, perhaps slightly boring small car. The Mk I was hideously ugly IMO, but that’s a subjective thing. I’m biased because I drive one, but it and the the other Focuses I have driven seem like perfectly decent cars. I understand on Googling that in recent years the European and US Focus model lines might have diverged significantly. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/7 "2008-11-15T18:59:50Z")
I have never driven one but I am not a fan based on the specs. The gas mileage is terrible based on the problems it is supposed to solve. You could get a nicer sedan from the lesser import companies for about the same price or you could buy by a used Honda or Corolla with better support and history in the U.S. I am not sure what the supposed benefits of a Smart Car are unless you live in an area with tiny parking spaces which is rare in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/8 "2008-11-15T19:02:59Z")
> [@Usram](#): > > Are American Ford Focuses considered bad cars in some way? Because here it is considered a good, reliable, perhaps slightly boring small car. The Mk I was hideously ugly IMO, but that’s a subjective thing. I’m biased because I drive one, but it and the the other Focuses I have driven seem like perfectly decent cars. I understand on Googling that in recent years the European and US Focus model lines might have diverged significantly. I don’t think they are considered bad here. They just have to compete with the typical large sedans, pick-up trucks, and SUV’s that Americans favor. There is nothing wrong with them, they just seem like a student’s car and they are also boring here as well. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/9 "2008-11-15T19:08:28Z")
My experience with the Focus is as an insurance guy. I’ve talked to thousands of people who have been involved in front-end or broad-side collisions and have come away with minimal injuries. When I am reviewing a claim file involving a Focus and it has been involved in a moderate-severe accident of this type, I am relieved and surprised when the only injuries are broken legs. The only reason I would buy a Focus would be to give it to my ex-wife to drive. Not saying that they’re bad cars. But I sure as hell wouldn’t want to have an accident in one. ---
**Author:** ![Albrecht\_Durer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@Albrecht\_Durer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albrecht_Durer)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/10 "2008-11-15T19:09:53Z")
From what I’ve heard about the Smart, I wouldn’t recommend it. Firstly, it requires premium gas, which is going to hamper gas savings. Plus, it doesn’t even get fantastic gas mileage; the mileage is good, just not great. Also, in every review I’ve read, people complain about the transmission being jerky, with an especially delayed and bad lurch from first to second gear. That may be murder on your back. And, depending on where you are, the prices may be at a premium because of how popular they are (I’ve heard they’re going for $5-7K over sticker price in LA). [Edmunds.com](http://Edmunds.com) has a Smart for a long-term test drive and they blog about it [here](http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/Vehicles/2008SmartFortwoPassionCoupe/). A few weeks ago, they had an oil change performed on their Smart (at the dealer) to the tune of $210. A nice quote from that blog post was “an economy car in build quality only.” Instead of the smart, I would recommend something like the Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit, or the Mazda 3; all are small, economy cars with reasonable gas mileage that won’t break the bank. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/11 "2008-11-15T19:22:43Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > My experience with the Focus is as an insurance guy. I’ve talked to thousands of people who have been involved in front-end or broad-side collisions and have come away with minimal injuries. When I am reviewing a claim file involving a Focus and it has been involved in a moderate-severe accident of this type, I am relieved and surprised when the only injuries are broken legs. The only reason I would buy a Focus would be to give it to my ex-wife to drive. > > Not saying that they’re bad cars. But I sure as hell wouldn’t want to have an accident in one. OK. FWIW, the current European Focus gets a five star/four star NCAP occupant safety rating, the same as the safest of its competitors. [http://www.euroncap.com/small\_family\_car.aspx](http://www.euroncap.com/small_family_car.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/12 "2008-11-15T19:24:50Z")
And maybe Ford has made changes. I dunno. Given the state of US auto manufacturers it may not be an option soon anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/13 "2008-11-15T19:56:11Z")
You might consider the VW Polo Blue Motion which does 88 mpg (U.K. gallons) using diesel. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/14 "2008-11-15T20:20:58Z")
due to the size of the Smart car they made the structural cage (surrounding the passengers) too strong to avoid being crushed. The problem with that is that there is nothing absorbing the shock. Look at any of the videos showing a Smart Car crash test and it bounces like a ping pong ball and then flips over. It would be a great island car where speeds never exceed 30 mph but it is not capable of absorbing the shock of a serious accident. All that energy is transmitted to the passengers. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cars/472854/15 "2008-11-15T21:01:58Z")
[CNN says opinions on the car are mixed.](http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/autos/0802/gallery.smart_fortwo_review/index.html)[Previous thread on Smart cars where safety issues were discussed.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=377507)[Rather hysterical story about a Smart car in an accident on the autobahn.](http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1389729.html) > [@](#): > > A lorry driver shunted a tiny Smart car two miles down a busy German motorway because he didn’t know it was wedged to his truck. > > Klaus Buergermeister only stopped, allowing the Smart car’s terrified driver to escape, when he was flagged down by police. > > The trucker, 53, pushed the tiny car driven by Andreas Bolga, 48, along the busy A1 after pulling onto the autobahn at Leverkusen. Were it me, I’d go for a lightly used Honda or Toyota, or a diesel VW.