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.

1. I can relate with you Owen. I like the smart car because it’s small, maneuverable, and great on gas, but, I think the Toyota Yaris is a bit bigger and touts 45MPG (according to 2008 EPA standards). Sure, it’s slightly pricier, but worth checking out.

   Currently I drive an ‘01 stratus with the 2.4 liter 4cyl. It’s averaging 24mpg due to blended ethanol (forced to use it in Minnesota) otherwise I’d get another 4mpg. In the summer that changes when I use a 150cc scooter with 85+mpg around town. It’s not a freeway speed motorcycle, but it will do 55mph and around town I never get that fast. 45-50 tops???

   Any way, the scooter was $1500 new, and I drive it from spring to fall on fair weather conditions. That saves me plenty of fuel!

   Posted by FireWolf on February 04, 2008 at 2223 hrs




2. 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.

   Owen, I normally agree with you, but here is where I disagree.  YOU may, as well as a FEW others like it because it is new and neat looking, but I think the majority of people that want it want it because it is “green” and that is the “good” thing to do now, ya know, be the good environment lovin’, global warming is ruining our earth believin’, liberal tree hugger.  please don’t throw stuff at me now   that’s just my take

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 04, 2008 at 2244 hrs




3. I’ve seen Smart Cars in action on my travels to Canada.  Although they may be the perfect car for cities, only a fool would drive one on a freeway.  They are unstable and will be a deathtrap in a crash.

   I’ll stick with my Korean POS.

   Posted by Headless Blogger on February 04, 2008 at 2251 hrs




4. Smart Car is just another fad-mobile for the ecologically superstitious.  (Yawn!)  But I’m with firewolf.  I used to split about 14,000mi/year in drives to/from work evenly between my small truck averaging about 25mpg and cycle averaging about 67mpg.  That put my yearly average right at 46mpg.  And after a day in the salt mine, a cycle-ride home is just what a guy needs!

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 04, 2008 at 2252 hrs




5. I think most of the demand for the Smart car is from people who live in cities where space is at a premium and the driver doesn’t log long hours on the highway.

   My personal favorite right now is the Aptera (http://www.aptera.com). Very cool.

   Posted by Leisureguy on February 04, 2008 at 2309 hrs




6. I’ve reserved a Smart.  I like the design, and the estimated mpg.

   I drive a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quadcab, with about 66,000 miles on it.  I need it for towing, hauling, construction and demolition.  I take it on vacation:  off-roading in the UP and in Colorado (over Imogene Pass from Ouray to Telluride).

   I LOVE my Dakota, but the mpg is atrocious.  Using it to commute to work wastes gas.

   I used to have a Saturn.  Meh.  I don’t like the Aveo, and I don’t think the Yaris is worth the extra money. 

   I have no intention of driving my Smart on the freeway.  It will be my commuting car.  It’s cute, good on gas and easy to park.  What’s not to like?

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 04, 2008 at 2351 hrs




7. Anyone that said that the Smart is a death trap does not know what they are talking about.  A good video of one hitting a concrete ‘Jersey’ barrier is on youtube, search for ‘gear smart car crash’ or follow this link   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcuimw8ql_A

   If only they could bring in the diesel smart, and then you would see monster fuel economy.

   Personally I like the VW Polo better, but that’s another diesel that you can have/drive in the states, thanks CA.  I will never understand why CA will not allow a vehicle that gets 70+mpg.  But CA is not about saving the planet it’s about controlling the people.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 05, 2008 at 0307 hrs




8. With a 4 inch difference in tracking width from front tires to rear, that going to be insane driving in snow and ice - you won’t be able to keep it on the road, at least not straight.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 05, 2008 at 0427 hrs




9. In a way, it’s a smart car. It’s small, maneuverable, saves on gas, but it can’t be a family car. If you have three kids and going somewhere, this car won’t. When you have a family and with kids, your car should be roomy.

   Posted by Estela on February 05, 2008 at 0500 hrs




10. Regarding that crash test, I don’t believe you saw what went on in the inside.  There was significant penetration of the cabin, which would have made survival difficult at best.

    Posted by steveegg on February 05, 2008 at 0648 hrs




11. 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.

    You’re forgetting a huge selling point of the car for people who live in cities like New York and Boston—the ease of parking it on a city street. I’d love one for that alone. The majority of my driving is in the city, where I never get above about 45 mph, and once I’m home it can take 20 minutes to find a parking spot on the street on a bad day. The alternative is a $400/month spot in a parking garage.

    If I was doing more highway driving, or had to share the road with a bunch of Hummers, I’d probably opt for a Fit or Yaris.

    Smart Car is just another fad-mobile for the ecologically superstitious.

    When I arrived in Paris a couple days ago I was amazed at the number of Smart cars on the road. And there are also enough old Minis (the original British Motor Company version) to remind you that small cars have been a way of life for years in Europe.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 05, 2008 at 0741 hrs




12. People, if you’re going to drive these rolling coffins, please do me 3 simple favors. DO NOT pull out in front of me, or cut me off. I drive an 80,000 lb semi. Thus, I won’t even feel it when I squash your green butt. I really don’t want that on my conscience. Also, maybe put a 10ft fiberglass pole with an orange flag on it so I know you’re there. Just a thought..

    Posted by Billiam on February 05, 2008 at 0849 hrs




13. Owen -

    If you can, wait about 9 months.  By then both the Diesel Accord and Jetta will be in America.  With your highway driving (like me) it will save you gooobbbss of $$$$$.  The Diesel Accord is rated at 63 MPG highway in Europe which translates to 52.8 MPG US.  Since it is a diesel it is designed for highway MPG.  It is cleaner than a Prius (less CO2) and since it is a Honda 200,000 miles is expected.

    Posted by Clint on February 05, 2008 at 0906 hrs




14. Oh yeah - and I forgot the best part - according to reports, Honda claims that the premium for the diesel will be significantly less than the premium for a hybrid.  I would expect about a $2000 premium over a 4 cyl accord- about the same as the Jetta was before California screwed with the emission standards

    Posted by Clint on February 05, 2008 at 0908 hrs




15. I’m at the other extreme. I only drive about 10K miles/year, but I have a full size pickup, so our gas expenditure is about the same. I could go “greener” but all the savings of a small commuter vehicle would be eaten up by the extra insurance cost since I still need the pickup a couple of times a month for hauling, etc.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 05, 2008 at 0934 hrs




16. I want a smart car! It is just adorable and functional! Have you heard of the nano cars in india? They are the cheapest in the world. cheapest and smallest at that. Look it up!

    Posted by Tim on February 05, 2008 at 0939 hrs




17. If you’re looking for fuel economy due to economy (and not CO2) then wouldn’t you be better off not buying a new car as they are generally twice the cost of a used vehicle with low miles? Economy is economy, right? Also you can still claim to be green because you are re-using, which is a million times better than recycling!

    Posted by Matt on February 05, 2008 at 1237 hrs




18. I have to weigh in here. I picked up my Smart car on four days ago.  It is absolutely the best car I’ve owned.  I drove a Geo Metro for the past 10 years and really loved its gas mileage and green friendliness.

    But the Smart car is a superior ride.  I sit as high as any one in a sedan, meaning I have a greater view of the road. I’ve taken it on the congested, SUV-dominated superhighways around Houston and couldn’t be more happy with the performance.

    No, it’s not a family car.  And, admittedly, my commute to and from work is less than 5 miles.  I just couldn’t be happier.

    And a bonus:  You can’t help but have fun driving it. It is so maneuverable.  And everyone you encounter on the road smiles as you go by. It’s just that cute.  I can’t listen to the radio, because everytime I come to a stop, someone is signaling for me to roll down the window and talk about the Smart car.

    I simply love it.

    Posted by Syd Kearney on February 05, 2008 at 2119 hrs




19. Like Svd said even the small gasser smarts have plenty of power for getting on the autobahn with, yes you will stay in the middle/right lanes, but it will do 150Kmph with two fat adults(read my fat 250ish LBS body and a coworker about same size) with out much problems.)  But I have always thought of the Smart and other cars like that to be 90% cars.  They will work for 90% of the people for 90% of there driving.  I.E. it would be great for a family where one spouse does most of their driving just going to work and back.  Now would a smart, even the 4 door, be big enough for a couple with 2 kids to go camping with, no, nor would it be big enough for everyone to go shopping, but for just going to work and back it’s a great car. 

    And having been in 2 accidents in a smart, neither while driving, and one a T-bone with both cars going ~55Kmph, and the other getting rear-ended.  I have to say the crumple zones worked like they were designed to.  Yes in both times the smart was totaled, and it could be agued that if we were in a larger car say a ‘Duce and a Half’ we might not have done more damage then paint to one of the cars.  But hey that’s why you, and the other guy, have insurance.  To pay to fix things like this.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 06, 2008 at 0135 hrs




20. How I wish I could have that one day!

    Posted by Carlo on February 06, 2008 at 0342 hrs




21. I’m in a similar situation.  My vehicle is eight years old now and it does not get the best mileage.  You mentioned head and leg room is important, so you may want to take a good look at the Prius.  It is surprisingly roomy inside for a car that gets great mileage.  I’m not sure what the Smart Car sells for but I feel fairly certain the Prius would be considerably less with a MSRP around $21k to $23K.

    Posted by John on May 24, 2008 at 1653 hrs




22. Actually, MSRP for the Smart Car is abour $12k to $16k.

    Posted by Owen on May 24, 2008 at 1656 hrs