Any Smart Car owners/buyers out there?

[Sharmai]

Don't buy a smart car. I have finally one out and test drive the things. Good lord what a stupid decision I would have made had I not thought things through first and test drove the thing. See post #165 http://www.fohguild.org/forums/gener...tml#post993651 for more details..

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Anyone here looked into buying a smart car or currrently own one? I'm currently in the market for a car in the 10-15k price range and I was looking at primarliy used cars when I passed by a brand new store called smart car usa that had these brand new "mini cooper" like cars for 13-18k or so (with taxes and options)

smart USA - open your mind to the car that challenges the status quo

It's only a 2 door car and small but I have my Ford Focus Sedan that I'm keeping in the event I need a 4 door car. I'm completley avoiding all SUV's and trucks because the insuance is so high for them or they have horrible gas mileage. I did find some nice Honda Civic's pre-owned with 50k miles are so that looked ok so its kind of a decision between that or a Smart Car.

I'm wondering if anyone has an experience with the cars or knows anyone who does. What I really want to know is how do these hold up over 5 years? For their really low price it seems nice for a brand new car even though its only 2 doors. If I had kids it might be a problem but I always have the Ford Focus to fall back on and its not like at 15k car should be a huge strain on my budget at 300$ a month.

Car insurance quotes look at around 300-600$/6 months but that could vary greatly. Any way enough rambling anyone have any good or bad experience with these cars?

[Jimmy Carter wuwu]

If you want to die in a car, i'd say get a smart car. Besides driving all the pussy away, one bad crash will basically kill you.

[Sharmai]

In that video I checked out earlier it didn't seem as bad as your picture. Sure you legs might be in trouble and the debris could be a problem but going 70mph to 0 in 1 second is going to fuck you up no matter what your driving.

I need a car to survive your basic every day accidents like bumping a car in front of you or something like that but theres no way I'm going to buy a car basesd on how well it survives a crash with a semi while going 80mph down a freeway because at that speed... It doesn't matter what your driving your fucked anyway.

now if it turns out that smart cars have a tendenacy to just speed up and go flying off the road in random directions causing major accidents like the above then hell yes I am interested in hearing about that

[kedwyn]

I'd prefer a Toyota Corolla to that. I think they run around 13k.

[Jimmy Carter wuwu]

Smart cars I would assume would be great only in city driving, going over 60 in one of those I would be scared shitless. I would stick with your Honda idea, not a big fan of Honda but one thing I will say for them is they last over 400K miles and the satisfaction of knowing you wont get laughed at or die at 65+ mph is a plus.

[Screamfeeder]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Carter wuwu

If you want to die in a car, i'd say get a smart car. Besides driving all the pussy away, one bad crash will basically kill you.

YEAH BROSEF A SMART(DUMB) CAR IS LEIK FOR FAGGORTS LAWL LAWL!!!

BE A GIANT MAN LIEK ME AND GET U A HUMMAR!!

FOR THE HORDE!!!!

[Abysmal]

this is basically a city car. if you plan to stay inside the heart of a major city almost all of the time these cars become practical. if you're like just about everyone else in the usa, get a real car. there are plenty of fuel efficient cars for 15k new.

[Hachima]

Have fun when it gets windy and your car rolls over like a tumbleweed.

[Jimmy Carter wuwu]

Originally Posted by Screamfeeder

YEAH BROSEF A SMART(DUMB) CAR IS LEIK FOR FAGGORTS LAWL LAWL!!!

BE A GIANT MAN LIEK ME AND GET U A HUMMAR!!

FOR THE HORDE!!!!

Fuckin 04's. If that smart car would of crashed into that that bus the odds of being decapitated are far more likely then walking out of that Hummer with only a scratch. Fuckin moron.

[Sharmai]

Originally Posted by Abysmal

this is basically a city car. if you plan to stay inside the heart of a major city almost all of the time these cars become practical. if you're like just about everyone else in the usa, get a real car. there are plenty of fuel efficient cars for 15k new.

Out of Curisoity.. Name some?

New for 15k and a decent car? I suppose asking for a decent car new at 15k is a lot but well whats the point of buying a craptastic car right?

for 15k so far all I've found is 2005 and older Honda's and Toyotas. The Toyota Corllas look ok but come with 50k or more miles (which for a toyota isn't bad at all when they can hit 200k or more) and the Honda's look ok to still with 50k miles..

Of course thats only for preowned. I haven't seen any new for 15k.


Edit...

I have looked for decent Honda's or Toyatas under 15k but finding a certified pre owned honda/toyota is kind of hard for that price. I'm not willing to take the risk of getting a lemon or going to a shady dealer since there are so many around. I really don't want a 'fixed' flood car from Katrina or something like that.

I'm not looking at much other then Honda/Toyota since I have had some pretty bad experiences with american made cars. Chevys and fords really piss me off. (Very exensive experiences with these cars) My mother had her coralla from purchase till the day it died on the freeway and it was at 300k miles or so at that point. She never had any other problems with it besides maintence. Thats what I call a car so after looking at longevity and price/maintence reviews toyatas and hondas lead the pack. Though cheap smart cars with good mileage do seem tempting.


I would be doing mostly city driving except on the weekend were I drive 60miles out of town then 60 miles back.

[Jimmy Carter wuwu]

Preowned 50k for a Honda is considered a baby. I'd go for it, list the model/condition with a link so we can give more info.

[Screamfeeder]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Carter wuwu

Fuckin 04's. If that smart car would of crashed into that that bus the odds of being decapitated are far more likely then walking out of that Hummer with only a scratch. Fuckin moron.

Fucking 02

You missed the point.

Rapid de-acceleration in ANY car has great potential to kill you.

Hummer or Smart Car, a wreck at 60+MPH is going to fuck you and the car up.

Originally Posted by Jimmy Carter wuwu

...one bad crash will basically kill you.

Your statement is true for a Honda as well. Why are you trying to kill Sharmai by recommending a Honda?

'Fuckin moron.'

I would rather have a motorcycle over a Smart Car either way.

[kedwyn]

Originally Posted by Sharmai

Out of Curisoity.. Name some?

New for 15k and a decent car? I suppose asking for a decent car new at 15k is a lot but well whats the point of buying a craptastic car right?

for 15k so far all I've found is 2005 and older Honda's and Toyotas. The Toyota Corllas look ok but come with 50k or more miles (which for a toyota isn't bad at all when they can hit 200k or more) and the Honda's look ok to still with 50k miles..

Of course thats only for preowned. I haven't seen any new for 15k.


Edit...

I have looked for decent Honda's or Toyatas under 15k but finding a certified pre owned honda/toyota is kind of hard for that price. I'm not willing to take the risk of getting a lemon or going to a shady dealer since there are so many around. I really don't want a 'fixed' flood car from Katrina or something like that.

I'm not looking at much other then Honda/Toyota since I have had some pretty bad experiences with american made cars. Chevys and fords really piss me off. (Very exensive experiences with these cars) My mother had her coralla from purchase till the day it died on the freeway and it was at 300k miles or so at that point. She never had any other problems with it besides maintence. Thats what I call a car so after looking at longevity and price/maintence reviews toyatas and hondas lead the pack. Though cheap smart cars with good mileage do seem tempting.


I would be doing mostly city driving except on the weekend were I drive 60miles out of town then 60 miles back.

Go to www.carsdirect.com the Corolla was priced for 13500 brand new with no miles.

Camry was 16900 with a 5 speed.


Honda has vehicles price similarly.

[tseveng]

That crash picture can't be of a smart car as there are two rows of seating, which is not an option in the 2 person SC.

CanadianDriver: Auto Tech - Smart fortwo crash-test results
YouTube - Safety, 2008 Smart fortwo.

Bigger is not always safer. Smart cars are made of reinforced steel whereas most cars are made of reinforced steel. Read the article, look at the video, and don't put it off just because it's small. As long as your penis is bigger than 3" you don't need to have a hummer to compensate for it. The car is as safe, if not safer, than the other cars that you are considering. I plan to buy one once I graduate.

[Screamfeeder]

Originally Posted by Sharmai

Out of Curisoity.. Name some?

New for 15k and a decent car? I suppose asking for a decent car new at 15k is a lot but well whats the point of buying a craptastic car right?.

Toyota Yaris
2dr Hatchback
5-spd manual w/overdrive | Engine: 4 cyl | MPG: 29/36

$11,350