Drove a Smart - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dee8go · #61 12-03-2008, 10:59 AM

A Mini Cooper would be fun, I think. I could never see myself in a Smart Car, though.

86560SEL · #62 12-04-2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickg

Seems like everyone I see on Epray has less than 10k miles on it. Makes me think people get tired of them real fast.

Or where gas is so cheap now that they are converting back to their SUVs.

rickg · #63 12-05-2008, 06:40 PM

I think you may have a point there.
The Benz dealer my friend bought his from has like a 2 year waiting list for Smarts, but you can get on some other waiting list in case someone backs out, you can get theirs. They got a phone call saying they had one of those, if they wanted it. When they went in to buy it, the salesman asked them if they put their name on the list back when gas was $4/gallon, which they had.

Oh, and their other car is a Camry Hybrid.

DieselAddict · #64 12-05-2008, 06:43 PM

Idiots. How about actually thinking ahead and keeping a fuel-efficient car for the long haul regardless of current fuel prices. Even if gas is $1 it still costs money to fill up, not to mention it's unlikely to stay this low.

kknudson · #65 12-06-2008, 12:39 AM

OK I don't get it, even with gas at 3 or 3.5 bucks a gallon.

15k for the Smart 30 / 40 mpg.

My Escape(2004), a new one would be under 20k and 22+ (my actual around town mileage).
Taxes etc on both extra.
A larger vehicle, much more comfortable even for the limited HW driving I do.
I can go grocery shopping, carry tools, 3 or 4 passengers.

I agree with saving gas, but at what cost, not necessarily $ but overall comfort, safety, capacity etc.

Try to make a run to the garden shop in spring, pick up 200lb fert, maybe some peat moss, a few planters, 10 flats flowers, ........

It would take an awfull lot of driving to make the gas savings worth it, and I don't know if I could handle that much driving in one.

I'm all for savings, and do everything I can, but it has to make sense.

Smart
1000 miles / month / 33 mpg = 30 gals @ 3 = 91 $ / mth gas

Escape (and there are MUCH better examples available, but I'm going from experience)
1000 miles / month / 22 mpg = 45.5 gals @ 3 = 136 $ / mth gas

So 550 bucks a year more for gas in the Escape, sorry I can't justify the gas savings for the convienence etc. Well unless you have 2 cars and then insurance would wipe out the $ savings.

Although I think an electric version might make sense, limited range yes, but ...

DieselAddict · #66 12-06-2008, 01:00 PM

On the very few occasions when I needed a pickup truck, I just rented one from Home Depot for $20 an hour. Certainly beats owning one, because hauling is all they're good for. The ride quality and mileage are horrible.

Hatterasguy · #67 12-06-2008, 01:25 PM

A BMW 335D will get about the same mileage as a Smart.

A 3 series is a real car.

DieselAddict · #68 12-06-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

A BMW 335D will get about the same mileage as a Smart.

A 3 series is a real car.

And a TDI Jetta will actually get better mileage, and it's a real car too.

Hatterasguy · #69 12-06-2008, 02:18 PM

No its not.

rickg · #70 12-07-2008, 06:33 AM

I honestly had no idea this thread would last this long

I'm just surprised it hasn't some how turned political.
How about this.
If I DO buy one, should I use synthetic oil, or dino oil?

That outta bait a few of ya

I'll probably just keep my old beater Subie. It's paid for, just runs and runs, nothing ever breaks, and it gets 30mpg to work and back. Not real safe, though. The doors are about as safe as a beer can, if I ever get hit from the side. Although I was rear ended by a W126 300SD in stop and go traffic on the freeway a few years back, and didn't do a thing to it. The way I got jolted, figured the rear bumper would look like a pretzel. Barely a mark.

LUVMBDiesels · #71 12-07-2008, 12:25 PM

I'll bite...

Don't use anything but Rotella

Even if gas went back up to 4 bucks a gallon, I could not see many people moving to Smarts. They are too small and they do not have the smugness factor of a Prius.

http://www.southparkzone.com/episode-vid-1002.htm