Looking At A Smart Car

I’ve been reading about the Smart car and the new Smart dealership that’s in Milwaukee.  I drive a small economical car because I drive 35,000 miles or so a year and I have better things to spend money on than a car and gas.  Don’t get me wrong - I love to drive nice cars - but with a family and such, I’m content to sacrifice my ego when it comes to my car.  Since my car will be end of life in two years or so, I’m always on the lookout for what I might want next.  The Smart car, with its claims of economy, seemed worth looking into. 

To be honest, I don’t think it’s a good choice.  Here are some specs for the Smart car:

Number of cylinders/ configuration three in-line
Rated output 52 kW / 70 hp @ 5800 rpms
Max. torque 68 lb ft @ 4500  
Wheelbase 73.5 inches
Track width front/rear 50.51 inches/54.53 inches
Length 106.1 inches
Width 61.38 inches
Height 60.71 inches
Headroom 39.7 inches
Legroom 41.2 inches
Shoulder room 48 inches
Hip room 45.4 inches
Passenger volume 45.4 cu. ft.
Turning circle 28.7 ft
Luggage compartment capacity 7.8 (up to beltline)/12 (to roof) cu. ft.
ECE weight without driver 1,808 lbs (cabriolet: 1,852 lbs)
ECE Payload 507 lbs (cabriolet: 463 lbs)
ECE permissible maximum weight 2,315 lbs
Maximum speed 90 mph
Acceleration 0–60 mph 12.8 sec
City/highway (mpg)  40/45 (EPA 2007); 33/41 (EPA 2008) 

Here are the specs for my current car:

Type: Inline 4-cylinder  
Horsepower @ rpm (ULEV) 138 @ 6000
Torque @ rpm (ULEV) 136 @ 4600
Turning diameter, curb-to-curb (ft.) 33.9
Wheelbase (in.) 104.3
Length (in.) 177.4
Width (in.) 69.9
Height (in.) 58.3
Track (in., front/rear) 60.7 / 60.7
Curb weight (lbs., MT) 2723 to 2751
Curb weight (lbs., AT) 2747 to 2895
Head room (in., front/rear) 40.0 / 37.6
Leg room (in., front/rear) 43.5 / 35.0
Shoulder room (in., front/rear) 55.6 / 55.1
Hip room (in., front/rear) 54.2 / 54.0
Passenger volume (cu. ft.) 97.9
Cargo volume (cu. ft.) 14.2
Total volume (cu. ft.) 112.1
Mileage: 4-speed automatic (city/highway) 25 / 33

Most of my driving is on the highway, so the Smart car would give me an extra eight miles per gallon.  Over the course of a year, that’s roughly a savings of 207 gallons or $621 (assuming $3/gallon). 

For that $621, I give up 68 horsepower, 50% of my torque, room in the driver’s seat (at 6’1” 230 lbs or so, that matters), seating for three passengers, half of my cargo space, and I get to pay more for it.  It’s also small so I guess it’s easy to maneuver through narrow city streets, but like I said… most of my windshield time is on the highway.  Sorry, but it’s not a good fit for me. 

I know that much of the demand for the Smart car is being driven by the fact that it’s new and neat looking, but I hope that people remember that it should fit their lifestyle.