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View Full Version : Any here ever have a Smart Car ?


04 commemorative
03-21-2024, 10:38am
I was thinking of looking for a small car to have as a 2nd backup.

KenHorse
03-21-2024, 10:39am
Smartest car I've ever owned is my C7 :D

Aerovette
03-21-2024, 10:42am
"It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap"

~B. Springsteen
Musician and commie bastard.

GTOguy
03-21-2024, 10:47am
I think most of us here on this site are heterosexual, so no.

Onebadcad
03-21-2024, 11:06am
I know a dood, probably has at least 6 cars, one is C8, he needed a car for work, drives a lot daily, he got one, he loves it, I think he paid like $10K for it a few years back, still drives it daily, appears to have great value.

BTW, he is a BIG dood, and claims he is not jammed in there.

I say for for it, and if you ever decide to go Class A RV, it is the perfect tow car.

IB4TL
03-21-2024, 11:14am
Well, you already own a pink tutu so I guess this makes sense. :Jeff '79:


IB4 dvarapala invites you over at night so he can cook breakfast for you in the morning. Make sure to wear a mask :leaving:

sublime1996525
03-21-2024, 11:20am
I'd be mostly worried about getting in an accident with anything over 3k pounds lol.

Onebadcad
03-21-2024, 11:23am
I'd be mostly worried about getting in an accident with anything over 3k pounds lol.

Great point, I think if you get hit while driving a smart car you could straight to the morgue, bypass the hospital.

RMVette
03-21-2024, 11:29am
IMO I'd opt for a 4 cylinder Honda or Toyota or like I have a Mazda 6. I get 33 - 35 mpg on the road with it.

Unsuspicious
03-21-2024, 11:43am
I got to see 2 big gangsters getting into their smart car and run from the police, only to hit a curb and roll the car, had to jaws of life the wreck and one guy died. The comments on the news story were funny and brutal, such as "smart car dumb people"

IB4TL
03-21-2024, 11:47am
Great point, I think if you get hit while driving a smart car you could straight to the morgue, bypass the hospital.

I'd rather skip buying an EV & go straight to the morgue with my balls in tact :Jeff '79:

Datawiz
03-21-2024, 11:54am
Smartest car I've ever owned is my C7 :D

My C8 is smarter than your C7, but I think it spies on me more than yours does. :willy:

Onebadcad
03-21-2024, 11:55am
If you get one, it does have 9-second potential!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zvTGJgGDHM

Torqaholic
03-21-2024, 12:13pm
Had a Dodge Power Wagon back in the 1970s with a mind of its own but it was real stupid.

sublime1996525
03-21-2024, 12:21pm
I got to see 2 big gangsters getting into their smart car and run from the police, only to hit a curb and roll the car, had to jaws of life the wreck and one guy died. The comments on the news story were funny and brutal, such as "smart car dumb people"

Bahahaha! Killed from a curb. That would be embarrassing.

I'd rather skip buying an EV & go straight to the morgue with my balls in tact :Jeff '79:

I think the Smart cars are actually gas powered.

CurtP
03-21-2024, 12:25pm
I looked at them when they first came here. Fuel economy is poor, especially for it's size. Dealer service is Mercedes and expensive. Serious claustrophobia driving it. Wasn't for me.

If I was looking for something small, I'd look at a MX-5. Or get a motorcycle.

ZipZap
03-21-2024, 12:29pm
I got stuck renting a Smart in SLC one time. I have never been so afraid in a car; including my racing cars. It is an absolutely terrible feeling to have the acceleration of a moped when you merge on the freeway.

Never again.

bsmith
03-21-2024, 12:39pm
there's one running around omaha that is painted like a Little Tykes Cozy Coupe.
I'd drive that, but not on a highway/interstate. :lol:

Yesfam
03-21-2024, 12:39pm
Dealer service is Mercedes and expensive.

Mercedes-Benz dealers typically won't work on them. It was a separate franchise which was available to some stores. You may find a former Smart franchise which would be willing to work on them, maybe not. If you are serious I would check locally first to see if you have local options.

SurfnSun
03-21-2024, 12:54pm
If you want a cheap run-around small car, get a Chevy Volt.

CurtP
03-21-2024, 12:59pm
Mercedes-Benz dealers typically won't work on them. It was a separate franchise which was available to some stores. You may find a former Smart franchise which would be willing to work on them, maybe not. If you are serious I would check locally first to see if you have local options.
Wasn't separate here when I was looking. Sales and service was at the Mercedes dealership. It was the same thing with Mini when I bought my first one - sales and service was at the local BMW dealership (although they later separated).

Yesfam
03-21-2024, 1:16pm
Wasn't separate here when I was looking. Sales and service was at the Mercedes dealership. It was the same thing with Mini when I bought my first one - sales and service was at the local BMW dealership (although they later separated).

Separate franchises, same stores. Different tools and training. Most of the folks I knew that worked in a store that had Smart said that the majority of the owners were wackos. We applied for Smart franchise and were turned down. The factory deemed our market not compatible with the brand.

dvarapala
03-21-2024, 1:36pm
Well, you already own a pink tutu so I guess this makes sense. :Jeff '79:


IB4 dvarapala invites you over at night so he can cook breakfast for you in the morning. Make sure to wear a mask :leaving:

I don't cook breakfast for my booty calls - I send them home in an Uber immediately after I'm done with them. :D

dvarapala
03-21-2024, 1:37pm
I think the Smart cars are actually gas powered.

Some are, but some are pure BEVs. :yesnod:

Anjdog2003
03-21-2024, 1:41pm
If you want a cheap run-around small car, get a Chevy Volt.




Taking a Bus > Chevy Volt > A Smart car

AUTOHOLIC
03-21-2024, 2:06pm
I was thinking of looking for a small car to have as a 2nd backup.

They are not cars but rather hood ornaments for regular cars.

SurfnSun
03-21-2024, 2:24pm
Taking a Bus > Chevy Volt > A Smart car

Volt = 200mpg
Bus = Getting assaulted by a Biden voter.

Gimme the Volt.

markids77
03-21-2024, 2:29pm
There's an outfit called Fab Lab (I think) which sells lift kits for those. You have to hack some bumper, but you can then install 31 inch tall tires. Looks cool as hell.

Bill
03-21-2024, 2:41pm
It looks like they stopped being sold in the US in 2019, so they're orphans, no dealer network. I'd worry about parts availability. And then there's the powertrain issue. It looks like most or all of the 2017-2019 Smarts are electric. So you're buying a 5-7 year old used car with a battery that will last how much longer before replacement? What will a new battery cost, even if you can find one? The electric Smarts advertise 130/94 mile ranges, and that's when those batteries were new. That makes them practically unusable, except maybe for a local commute that isn't too far.

The 2016 and earlier have 1.0l 3 cylinder gasoline engines. I didn't see mileage figures on them, but at least you can fill up anywhere.

Personally, I'd pass on a Smart and do what others have said, just find a compact car. I bought a Cruze for just that reason, wanted a cheap beater car with decent mileage. I average in the mid 30s around town, and have honest to God gotten 40mpg on highway trips, although I drive conservatively. A more spirited driver would get less. Any small car, Civic, Corolla, Focus, etc. would do the same, I'm sure.

Anjdog2003
03-21-2024, 3:21pm
Bus = Getting assaulted by a Biden voter.

Gimme the Volt.












:Jeff '79:

bsmith
03-21-2024, 3:39pm
there are two or three of them in my small town from time to time.
One is at a neighbors house regularly, and another was recently bought by someone down the street.
I think both are teenagers.
There is/was a doctor in town that had one too. :willy:

Aerovette
03-21-2024, 5:19pm
https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/4d4aa90b-csp_smart_eleanor_2.jpg

https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/ca85582a-csp_smart_eleanor_3.jpg

Bill
03-21-2024, 5:32pm
https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/4d4aa90b-csp_smart_eleanor_2.jpg

https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/ca85582a-csp_smart_eleanor_3.jpg

Gone in 260 Seconds

CuzzinJack
03-21-2024, 5:53pm
Yes , I have one , but not like the ones below ..
And no , I'm not ghey or named Karen.. :seasix:

AgwzHJo3IXM


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JRD77VET
03-21-2024, 6:48pm
I'd be mostly worried about getting in an accident with anything over 3k pounds lol.

I was coming home from work on my motorcycle and one was waiting to merge in my small town. My first thought was " I could take that on and win"

At my previous employer, the truck driver was making deliveries in the flatbed and as he was stopped at a light, he heard screeching tires. He looked in the mirrors and saw nothing. As he pulled forward there was a smart car directly behind with the driver's eyes as big as saucers.

They are extremely small, choose wisely. :yesnod:

outrunm
03-21-2024, 8:50pm
I parked next to this guy last week at a car show. He builds these things, but his hottest selling product is lift kits. I thought I took a whole car pic, but I guess not.

tjfontaine
03-21-2024, 8:54pm
I saw one of these in accident testing against a full size sedan it was NOT good ... I'd skip it - get a small used Toyota or Honda you will be far safer and prob more reliable.

PLRX
03-21-2024, 10:41pm
I think most of us here on this site are heterosexual, so no.

:iagree:

Yep, if I'd see you stepping off that gay car, I'd judge you before your second foot hits the ground.

https://i.imgflip.com/8k3krt.jpg

CuzzinJack
03-22-2024, 5:43am
Stood up pretty good in this vid but , of course , hitting a concrete wall and stopping from 70mph in 1 sec , the G forces are gonna kill you anyway .


qQNLWhVngjE

Tikiman
03-22-2024, 7:02am
I don't know how smart it is, but my truck automatically pulls into the Lowe's parking lot whenever I go into town. :island14:

Frankie the Fink
03-22-2024, 8:10am
A Florida friend has 3 of them with 2 going to cannibalize parts to keep one going. They are glorified golf carts and other than running up to the convenience store I wouldn't be going down the turnpike/interstate in one of them. My friend is a big guy and he looks ridiculous driving the thing.

Onebadcad
03-22-2024, 10:51am
A Florida friend has 3 of them with 2 going to cannibalize parts to keep one going. They are glorified golf carts and other than running up to the convenience store I wouldn't be going down the turnpike/interstate in one of them. My friend is a big guy and he looks ridiculous driving the thing.

Two benefits you just pointed out:

1) smart cars are so cheap you can easily afford a second one for spare parts
2) fat asses can fit, just do not plan on having any passengers

Win, Win!!

mtnman
03-22-2024, 4:42pm
A guy in town here has one with a small lift kit and ATV tires... :confused5:

Bill
03-22-2024, 5:48pm
A guy in town here has one with a small lift kit and ATV tires... :confused5:


Not an entirely new concept:

https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/uploads/2019/09/092319_3.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5c/3e/3a/5c3e3a7600a6206409edd70f613e715e.jpg

owc6
03-24-2024, 9:44pm
A smart car does sound like a death trap.
A solid rear end event that pushes it into the vehicle in front, you aren't toast, you are a panini.