Smart Car Review

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This car will be just a trend unless they can get it up to at least 45 in the city.

We get 30 city and 38 highway in our xB and it's got actual seating room for 4 adults and 108hp in a 2300lb package can buzz along at 80 on the highway just fine. (5 speed helps)

Plus Toyota threw in power everything,sunroof,traction control,ABS and a nice sound system to boot and we picked it up for about $12k w/18k miles on it. The previous owner installed Tien coils and 17" Motegi wheels but the ride is kinda rough and will probably be going with a 16" wheel with all seasons on it.

It's far from being alot of people's cup of tea but you don't have to be boring to be practical.

FunpicsforFeb001.jpg~original
 
If you do the math, a Prius is still a smarter buy! People buy that car to attract attention.
 
Can't beat a Prius as a commuter car but it's not very comfortable for anybody above the age of 8 in the back seat but at least it has a back seat.
 
The Prius costs nearly twice as much as the Smart ForTwo, but it does get as good if not better gas mileage than the Smart. Personally, for the price of the base Smart, I rather get an Yaris and take a hit on gas mileage while gaining more space and utility or for the price of a higher end Smart--an even better choice a Corolla.
 
We have a MINI Cooper S and love it. The mileage is decent, depending on how you drive. The worst I get is 25 mpg and the best has been about 31 mpg. The best thing is the performance, it screams around corners like it's on rails. Best handling car I've ever owned. It has more headroom and legroom than my 4Runner, by a mile. Good crash ratings also.

It's a good second car alternative for when you don't need to haul big stuff. Plus, if it ever breaks down, you can stuff it in your pocket and walk home.
 
IMO, due to the Smart's lightweight, I'd be more worried about after impact and getting thrown sideways into another lane where you're most likely going to be struck by traffic moving at a good speed too. But if it's kept in city driving, this over glorified golf cart would be less likely subjected to an accident of that magnitude.
 
We've got a 07 Mazda 3 GT fully loaded, and love the heck out of it! Averages about 28mpg between city and highway. Great deals at about $20-$21k.
 
alaskaman said:
anyone who can watch this video and the impact and thinks that they will be protected deserves the car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biYLn47VwJs
Click to expand...

Personally, i prefer the upcoming 2009 Honda Fit.

Alaskaman, do you think that a Honda Fit or even a Camry would fair much better than the Smart in the above crash?? Hell, i am not even sure how my G500 (or a 4runner) would look like after a crash like that! According to the magazine that did the test, no one would survive a crash like that in ANY car.

The reason that you see things flying around is that the Smart has plastic panels around a steel shell. Therefore, upon impact, the plastic panels serve as crush zones and thus get destroyed. However, you can see that the steel shell is still intact...even after a 70 mph crash!

So, although the Smart is not my favorite car nor what i would even buy, i think that it is a decent car for the CITY.
 
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To provide a fair view of the Smart that our trauma nurse (alaskaman) did not, here are some more info:

Here is a good article on the Smart's safety features: http://www.getsmartny.com/smart-safety.aspx

And here is the official crash test report (ENCAP is equivalent to IIHS here in US): http://www.euroncap.com/tests/smart_fortwo_2007/303.aspx

Here is IIHS: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=632

BTW, the Smart actually did pretty well in the REAR crash test: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_restraints/headrestraints.aspx?smart

Remember, the side and rear crash test results are comparable to any other car. The frontal crash result should only be compared to other car of Smart's size/weight.

Not bad for a golf cart! :)
 
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On the other hand, the NHTSA does show that the Smart's weakness is not likely the structure, but the restraint system: http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site...toid=c95df2905bf54110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD

As some of you may know, IIHS (insurance crash test) frontal crash test results reflect more of structural strength of the car. NHTSA (government crash test) frontal crash test results reflect the effectiveness of restraint systems (seatbelts, airbags).

So, it does seem like the Smart did well with IIHS frontal crash(= structural strength) but did average on NHTSA frontal crash (= restraint systems).
 
RonMAIDEN said:
We get 30 city and 38 highway in our xB
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Is this according to the NEW EPA ratings?? I remember that the xB got the same mpg as my Corolla. Therefore, with the new EPA, it should be getting around 27 city, 35 highway...or somewhere in that neighborhood.

EDIT: actually, i just looked up your Scion's fuel economy under the NEW rating:

Automatic: 27 city / 32 hwy
Manual: 27 city / 31 hwy
 
Uneek said:
IMO, due to the Smart's lightweight, I'd be more worried about after impact and getting thrown sideways into another lane where you're most likely going to be struck by traffic moving at a good speed too. But if it's kept in city driving, this over glorified golf cart would be less likely subjected to an accident of that magnitude.
Click to expand...

I agree with above...the Smart will be out of it's league on the highway.
 
RonMAIDEN said:
Can't beat a Prius as a commuter car but it's not very comfortable for anybody above the age of 8 in the back seat but at least it has a back seat.
Click to expand...

Are we talking about the same Prius?? The current Prius is huge inside...on par with Camry. I think that it is considered a midsize. The backseat is quite roomy. The Prius is a GREAT commuter car and is pretty good on the highway too (quiet, and reasonably perky).

The ONLY negative with the Prius is the asking price. No discounts...in in my neck of the woods, the dealer even adds "Market Adjustment Value" to the MSRP! :mad: You will need to drive the Prius for a long time before you make any "profit" from it over a 4-cyl Camry or Corolla. And by that time (60-80,000 miles or so), you will need to think about replacing the costly battery/charger system (>$3000 i think) in the near future after warranty runs out. Of course, the other electronic dodads will need to be looked at too. Lastly, the Prius is not a car that you can just take to your local mechanic to fix...thus, you need to take it to Toyota dealer where ass rapping is free of charge. :D
 
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With our older style xB I know the ratings may have changed but the figures I gave are what we are actually getting and the lowest we've seen is 29 city but we usually average right at 30.
 
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