Any here ever have a Smart Car ?

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by Yesfam

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]

Originally Posted by CurtP

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]

Originally Posted by IB4TL

Well, you already own a pink tutu so I guess this makes sense.


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

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

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by sublime1996525

I think the Smart cars are actually gas powered.

Some are, but some are pure BEVs.

[Anjdog2003]

Originally Posted by SurfnSun

If you want a cheap run-around small car, get a Chevy Volt.

Taking a Bus > Chevy Volt > A Smart car

[AUTOHOLIC]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

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]

Originally Posted by Anjdog2003

Taking a Bus > Chevy Volt > A Smart car

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

Gimme the Volt.

[markids77]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by SurfnSun

Bus = Getting assaulted by a Biden voter.

Gimme the Volt.

[bsmith]

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.

[Aerovette]

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

Gone in 260 Seconds

[CuzzinJack]

Yes , I have one , but not like the ones below ..
And no , I'm not ghey or named Karen..

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by sublime1996525

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.

[outrunm]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

I think most of us here on this site are heterosexual, so no.

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

[CuzzinJack]

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 .

[Tikiman]

I don't know how smart it is, but my truck automatically pulls into the Lowe's parking lot whenever I go into town.