Is anyone impressed by these 'smart' cars?

[Mike T]

I love modern art, the Centre Pompidou in Paris is a must-see. One day I will go to MOMA.

I want the BRABUS version, with 98 HP. Fuel economy be damned.

[Mike T]

A US member of Club smart Car got 53 US MPG in his 71 HP gas engined smart on a recent trip: http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?s=...dpost&p=187247

He is not a hyper-miler. So it's not all doom and gloom in the gasoline world.

[DanQ]

I was seriously looking at a Smart. I'm hoping I could get better than the 33/41 EPA ratings, but the premium fuel requirement is the current deal breaker. If you have to pay $0.25 / gal more for fuel you use up most of the mpg savings over something like a Yaris (29/35).

Add to that the 1 1/2 year wait for a Smart, and I bought a 08 Yaris HB.
Maybe there will be a manual or diesel Smart in 09?

I'm getting about 36 mpg on my commute with the yaris (suburbs, stop&go, some 45-50 mph)

[AMX]

There's other cars out there that get as good / better mileage than the Smart car, more room, look better, are safer, and give better performance. In my own opinion.

[Hateful]

I'd drive one; I don't carry a lot of equipment every time I drive. For safety, it's better than any motorcycle( I never see people threatening to kill them for having a smaller vehicle). To get the mileage I do now I have to work at it,but with a smart car I'm sure I could take off just as fast or faster than I do now,so even less chance of being hit by the super-size wagons.My Cavalier is rated at only 24mpg combined EPA estimate,so since I don't live in the frozen foods dept. of the world I could probably squeeze 75 to 80mpg out of one easily.

[VetteOwner]

does anyone know what the early 80's ford escorts got mpg wise? the dodge omi/plymoth horizon? gas VW rabbit? (desils took liek 0-60 in 30 seconds but got insane mpg) anyoen remember, im sure someone on heres had one of em at one time

[Hateful]

my 87 escort EXP got 25mpg (30mpg on long trips),But I was going as fast as I thought I could get away with. 1.9 Litter 5 speed manual.

[BumblingB]

I got an email from Smart yesterday saying I should receive delivery of mine between Nov of this year and Jan 09 (reservation made Sep 07). The wife has been wanting one forever (several years) so we'll wait patiently and save up some $$ to do a hefty downpayment.

As far as looks go, come on - that's purely opinion. Mileage, if anyone here gets the new EPA figure on their current vehicle and is 100% satisfied with that then they should be tied up and horsewhipped - of course that's my opinion .

I looked at the Yaris, liked it too. Looked at the Hyundai Accent too and REALLY liked it because they have a color I like as the Yaris color selection leaves a bit to be desired.

The Smart is lot more buzzy and fun to drive than a Yaris or Accent though. I liked that a LOT about it. It's like getting to drive an ultra safe luxurious gocart to work everyday. How awesome is that!?

[VetteOwner]

Originally Posted by Wazabi Owner

It's like getting to drive an ultra safe luxurious gocart to work everyday. How awesome is that!?

LOL sounds like a chevette but change "ultra safe" to "you better be on your toes as not to get squashed" takes up half a lane, can be loud and buzzy, semi tires come up to mid side window...

[BumblingB]

You sound like an Insight hater too. I drove one for two years and lived to tell about it.....

Chevette, if I could find one I'd jump on it (diesel only though that wasn't a rusted heap like ALL of them are and located within reach and NICE NICE NICE) I came very close to getting one a while back from eBay but something didn't seem right though it was real nice.

I've been looking at "used" Smarts on eBay, it just baffles my mind how people are getting caught up in the shiny new penny trend right now.

Originally Posted by VetteOwner

LOL sounds like a chevette but change "ultra safe" to "you better be on your toes as not to get squashed" takes up half a lane, can be loud and buzzy, semi tires come up to mid side window...