Thinking of a Mercedes Smart Car...

[JashiK]

Just wondering if anyone has experience with the 2009 Mercedes Smart Car? I'm thinking about it since I drive about 45k KM/year and gas definitely adds up. Right now they offer $2k off and 3 years of maintenance free, but that's kinda useless for me since it's which ever comes first 36 months or around 36k KM's. I'll have gone thru that within the first 9 months.
I'd be trading my 2005 Acura TL for this... what do my fellow TM3ers think?

[MPS]

i think i want ur TL

[Dreamliner]

If you drive 45,000km of city driving only yes. I would not feel comfortable driving the Smart Car on the highway due to its size.

[alhope34]

The smart car doesn't get much better milage than the Yaris, is much more expensive, extremely fugly, and extremely unpractical. Can barely fit two passengers and a backpack in it lol. Get a Yaris... A dude in the states put 300,000 MILES on his yaris in 3 1/2 years I believe it was. Still runs fine, never done anything except basic maintenance for it.

[pacmann33]

Smart car engines are constantly getting replaced under warranty, not too reliable, search for the forums, many more headaches for the high mile drivers!

Get a yaris, fit or mazda2/fiesta instead. Honda civic gets excellent mileage also.

[Unoriginalusername]

I'd get a honda fit sport

[crystal8484]

The smart car doesn't get much better milage than the Yaris, is much more expensive, extremely fugly, and extremely unpractical. Can barely fit two passengers and a backpack in it lol. Get a Yaris... A dude in the states put 300,000 MILES on his yaris in 3 1/2 years I believe it was. Still runs fine, never done anything except basic maintenance for it.

yaris bubble for the win! they're tiny but they are surprisingly very spacious and great on gas. my girlfriend had one and she loved it. My only experience that I can say I've had with the Smart Car is me laughing at how retarded people look while driving it and always thinking of that simpsons episode "Do you find something comical about my appearance when I'm driving my automobile?" <insert way lanky man from waaaay tiny car>

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Jashik,

Dude, you used to have an MS3!!!! I promise that if I ever see you in a smart car, I will openly mock the crap out of you. :chuckle

Get a Yaris or Honda Fit, instead. Then we'll only mock you a little.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[aris]

Don't do it...i drive 50,000km a year and i still wouldn't buy one

And the serive on those cars are not cheap.. a guy that used to come to my restarant was saying that it cost $150 to change the oil casue they need to remove the engine to do it...I don't know if their is any thruth to that but that's what he said.

[Unoriginalusername]

whats wrong with the TL btw? they are nice cars

[mazdabetty]

EEEEEWWWWWWWWW don't get a smart car...... I'm sorry but people look retarded driving those things... especially on the highway, I always feel like I'm gonna blow them over if I drive by them too quickly hahahha...

And like zoom zoom boy, I will also openly mock the crap out of you, to no end. :chuckle

How come you're gettin rid of ur acura? If it's to save some cash, get a used mazda3! They're going for a really good price now, all the 05's are off lease you can probably get a great deal on a GT or something!

[SpeedBaby]

have you driven one yet? take one for a test drive and see how you feel about it. after driving one for 5 minutes i knew i couldn't deal with driving a car like that on a daily basis - they are way overpriced and ridiculously underpowered (kinda the opposite power/$ ratio from the MS3)

also be prepared to be facing a lot of these:

http://pinstripebindi.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/haha.jpg?w=300&h=228

I would however consider the roadster if they ever bring it to north america...

[Unoriginalusername]

buy a bmw m3 if you want to save gas :chuckle according to top gear at least. good lesson in the way you drive though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTOyiKLARk

[JashiK]

lol everyone... I was expecting the finger pointing and all.
I'm just looking to save on gas. There is nothing wrong with the TL, I actually like the TL a lot and gas consumption is pretty good for a 6 cylinder, but I just like the gas consumpton numbers on the Smart Car and in the long run I'd be saving thousands on gas.
My negative points are, scheduled maintenance is expensive. I hear it's around $150-$250 every time. Parts aren't cheap if something needs to be replaced.
My only positive point would be, save money on gas as I'd be getting more than double the milage.
Ash... the 3 doesn't have much better gas milage than the TL. It's either I keep my car or get a cheapo econobox, but I dunno... semi leaning towards keeping my car bcuz I don't want to get the smart car and have costly repairs in the future.
Oil changes on the TL cost me next to nothing and I recently did my timing belt and water pump service... so the car should be good for maintenance for some time... hMM... decisions decisions.
Do I really want fellow TM3ers to point and laugh at me? lol

[MAZDA Kitten]

One word: DIESEL

There is so many options out there now. Why not a 3 series diesel or Jetta

[JashiK]

buy a bmw m3 if you want to save gas :chuckle according to top gear at least. good lesson in the way you drive though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTOyiKLARk

I'll check out this clip when I get home. Unfortunately they blocked out youtube here. I really wouldn't mind a M3 for my next car, but I'd be going the opposite way of my plan... lol
How's your baby doing? Are you having many sleepless nights? I'm sure every bit is worth it....

[JSI]

TL is a nice car, I would have a hard time going from that to a Smart.

[JashiK]

One word: DIESEL

There is so many options out there now. Why not a 3 series diesel or Jetta

Wanna stay away from VW... Horrible record with electrical problems. It's a major hit or miss with it and rather not risk it.
I didn't know the 3 series had a diesel...?

[MAZDA Kitten]

They do!

Or get a nice Benz Bluetec

[JashiK]

They do!

Or get a nice Benz Bluetec

in Canada??? u sure cuz I don't see any bmw diesels on the Canadian site.
BMW (if they have diesel) or MB Bluetec = too much $$$.

[MAZDA Kitten]

I am sure 100%

2010 335d and X5d

[nitsuji]

The smart car doesn't get much better milage than the Yaris, is much more expensive, extremely fugly, and extremely unpractical. Can barely fit two passengers and a backpack in it lol. Get a Yaris... A dude in the states put 300,000 MILES on his yaris in 3 1/2 years I believe it was. Still runs fine, never done anything except basic maintenance for it.


I would say get a Yaris as well. I drove my friend's downtown and was surprised at how peppy it was even with 3 other passengers. We had to fill gas and scrounged up some change thinking that 10 bucks would be enough for us to get home and fill maybe a little less than a quarter tank or so). To our surprise 10 bucks filled a little more than half an empty tank. Never lost a "bar" on the way home either (includes some more city driving).

My friend beats the crap out of the car...ALL the time. Nothing has broken yet and he has a piss poor maintenance record for it. lol. He's owned it for 2 years now I think has had only 1 oil change...that we forced him to get...

[JashiK]

hmm weird cuz I don't see it on bmw.ca they only have 2009 vehicles.

[JashiK]

Nothing has broken yet and he has a piss poor maintenance record for it. lol. He's owned it for 2 years now I think has had only 1 oil change...that we forced him to get...

DAMN! 1 oil change in 2 years???? LOL
does he have the hatch or sedan?

[MAZDA Kitten]

hmm weird cuz I don't see it on bmw.ca they only have 2009 vehicles.

Thats probably why. I believe they are available next month (October)
Just Google it or go to your local dealer. :)

http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/270/2009-bmw-335d

What sounds better. A Yaris... or this:



Audi (http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/newcars/audi/make_overview.php) isn't the only maker pushing the performance aspect of diesels, as BMW (http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/newcars/bmw/make_overview.php) launches the 335d, a 3 Series equipped with a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel inline-6 producing 265 bhp and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. That massive amount of torque is delivered from 1750 rpm on. The Bavarian automaker claims 0–62-mph (0–100-km/h) acceleration of 6.2 seconds while delivering EPA fuel economy of 9.7 kpl city and 14 kpl highway.

[Unoriginalusername]

I'll check out this clip when I get home. Unfortunately they blocked out youtube here. I really wouldn't mind a M3 for my next car, but I'd be going the opposite way of my plan... lol
How's your baby doing? Are you having many sleepless nights? I'm sure every bit is worth it....

thanks, she is 14 months old now and sleeps right through the night so all is well on that front.

the TL can run on regular gas i am told so you can try that instead of premium to save some money.

I'd never buy the yaris just because i'm not crazy about toyota given the problems we had with our 2004 matrix xrs. the honda fit is a good choice, however with the yaris/fit/used vw golf/jetta diesel the residuals are often so high that you don't save a whole lot of money in the process

i've driven them all and if i had to pick one i'd go with the fit sport, for an econobox it has a little bit of personality to it that almost makes it bearable to drive something that slow whereas the others don't imo

[JSI]

I am sure 100%

2010 335d and X5d

I drove a 335d in Holland this May. That car was scarry how fast it was.

Can't find it on the .ca site either?

[SpeedBaby]

i've seen a 335d on the road a few days ago...

[Unoriginalusername]

I drove a 335d in Holland this May. That car was scarry how fast it was.

Can't find it on the .ca site either?

for 60+ grand it can be yours lol

[Thrizzl3]

335d review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4lrYDGUB5Y

[JashiK]

Yikes... starting is just under $50k. I can't afford. LOL
Everything about the car sparks interest except the price.

[MAZDA Kitten]

Get a hybrid then :)

I drive 40k a year as well so I'm also researching my next car LOL
My 3 has almost 200k still going strong and amazing mileage

[Unoriginalusername]

Get a hybrid then :)

I drive 40k a year as well so I'm also researching my next car LOL
My 3 has almost 200k still going strong and amazing mileage

hybrids do well on the government tests, but don't offer real world gains especially in the colder weather than a fit or a yaris or a diesel golf/jetta in addition to being worth nothing after the battery approaches its eight year life span. a friend of the family went to trade in an 2001 prius with 130,000km in great shape and was given $500 from multiple dealers citing the fact that it would need an $8000 new battery to be worth anything to them

[JashiK]

I like the look of the 2010 Toyota Prius. I should test drive one and see how it feels. Seems a bit pricey though.
I wonder how the Chevy Volt will be when it comes out...

[JashiK]

hybrids do well on the government tests, but don't offer real world gains especially in the colder weather than a fit or a yaris or a diesel golf/jetta in addition to being worth nothing after the battery approaches its eight year life span. a friend of the family went to trade in an 2001 prius with 130,000km in great shape and was given $500 from multiple dealers citing the fact that it would need an $8000 new battery to be worth anything to them

I forgot about that... winter gas milage isn't so great. Too bad we're not in california. I'd just get a bike.

[Chester_Lampwick]

Definitely Yaris. Although, with 50,000kms per year a Prius would actually be good too. My sister drives 32,000 per year which I find quite a lot. It wasn't enough to make the Jetta TDI worthwhile, believe it or not. If gas was $2 per litre it would.

Yaris makes the most sense. It's about 1/2 the price of a TDI, but still has seating for 5 in a pinch. Similar price to the two seater SMART and about the same fuel consumption.

[Unoriginalusername]

If i were to buy a small econobox, i'd look at these:
2009 yaris
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/09yaris_674_450.jpg

2009 Fit sport
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/2009_honda_fit_sport_ikea.JPG

2009 city golf/golf diesel
http://www.auto123.com/ArtImages/103325/2009-volkswagen-golf-001.jpg

Nissan Versa
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/versa_08_800.jpg

Kia Soul
http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/kia_soul_production_side_images_3.jpg

Nissan Cube
http://www.japanesesportcars.com/photos/d/33048-2/2009-nissan-cube+_13_.jpg

[JashiK]

If I have time after work I'll try test driving a fit and see how that goes. Then I'll test drive the Yaris. If these cars handle like ass it's gonna be a turn off.

[aris]

Get a hybrid then :)


A hybird only gets good gas milege if your driving it in the city..when driving it on the highways it runs on gas

[-RJ3-]

Just wondering if anyone has experience with the 2009 Mercedes Smart Car? I'm thinking about it since I drive about 45k KM/year and gas definitely adds up. Right now they offer $2k off and 3 years of maintenance free, but that's kinda useless for me since it's which ever comes first 36 months or around 36k KM's. I'll have gone thru that within the first 9 months.
I'd be trading my 2005 Acura TL for this... what do my fellow TM3ers think?

I wouldn't suggest to get a smart car..

The crumple rating is bad, I gotta find the picture between two trucks... doesnt look promising.

[bluntman]

I don't think any car (or occupant) can survive this.
http://www.julrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/mall-smart-car-in-accident.jpg

Add to the fact that it want premium fuel? I'll pass. I'd prefer a Yaris or a Fit instead.

[-RJ3-]

Damn!!!


Picture deleted, bluntman found the pic.

if you want smart economical, a yaris might be your answer.

[alhope34]

To be fair, you can find trashed pictures of any car that makes it look bad (see picture). I believe the Smart had a better overall crash rating than the Escape/Tribute as of 2007.


http://media.nowpublic.net/images//85/1/85109445e6a40c149250d710701cb543.jpg

[-RJ3-]

I agree, but the difference between the cars you see is there is no support from the back nor the front... its pretty much the cabin and thats it.

[alhope34]

I agree, but the difference between the cars you see is there is no support from the back nor the front... its pretty much the cabin and thats it.

So basically the same as any pickup and large suv with their box frames? No crumple zones on those monsters.

[MAZDA Kitten]

hybrids do well on the government tests, but don't offer real world gains

I hear this too...

[MAZDA Kitten]

2009 city golf/golf diesel
http://www.auto123.com/ArtImages/103325/2009-volkswagen-golf-001.jpg







Not available in Diesel :complain

Wish the (German made) Rabbit was available in Diesel tho :flaming

[azn_outlaw]

Your joking about a smart car over a TL right dude?

man there is no really positives about the smart car, its a overpriced GOLF Cart LOL!

where would be saving gas w/ a smart when the damn thing takes premium fuel...i find that so odd about that car and the fact as already stated which is maintenance cost YIKES!

nothing really economical or true savings with the smart car....

dude stick with the TL stop changing cars like you do shoes....

but you really want to save money here is a list of cars:

92-95 Civic DX 5 speed (low octane, cheap to maintain, no balls motor but 650KM or more too the tank)

99+ Toyota Corollla - No none sense car, cheap to maintain, great gas milege

or

Volkswagon TDI - So the VW may suck on some side of things but most VW TDI are pretty good motor and reliablity wise...it is also known that Euro cars are mainly known for there diseal motors.

Another euro diseal a Benz...nothing like ballin yet got gas milage.

Keep the TL, screw the Smart car

[crystal8484]

Your joking about a smart car over a TL right dude?

man there is no really positives about the smart car, its a overpriced GOLF Cart LOL!

where would be saving gas w/ a smart when the damn thing takes premium fuel...i find that so odd about that car and the fact as already stated which is maintenance cost YIKES!

nothing really economical or true savings with the smart car....

dude stick with the TL stop changing cars like you do shoes....

but you really want to save money here is a list of cars:

92-95 Civic DX 5 speed (low octane, cheap to maintain, no balls motor but 650KM or more too the tank)

99+ Toyota Corollla - No none sense car, cheap to maintain, great gas milege

or

Volkswagon TDI - So the VW may suck on some side of things but most VW TDI are pretty good motor and reliablity wise...it is also known that Euro cars are mainly known for there diseal motors.

Another euro diseal a Benz...nothing like ballin yet got gas milage.

Keep the TL, screw the Smart car

I applaud you good sir!

[Kevin@nextmod]

I understand where he's coming from. You have no idea how bad the TL is on gas. My little bro drives one and only gets 400 on a 70L tank 91 octane. He uses it to drive to school and to the malls. Car is bone stock and he doesn't have a heavy foot. But to replace it with a smart car? I wouldn't agree tho. As those guys above said, choose a yaris or fit.

[JashiK]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I've decided not to go with the Smart Car. Wasn't really a matter of looks, but weighing out the repair & maintenance costs AND I didn't know it had to use premium fuel too!!! WTF haha...

[She_Prime]

Woot David had sense knocked into him!

[mazdabetty]

success!!!

You get a free cup.....

http://10.media.tumblr.com/tBy9xflrtq9qo7lhBuUhz5JLo1_500.jpg

[JashiK]

there's a smart car that's faster than a ferrari. I'll post up the youtube clip from home.

[She_Prime]

^ I need to get you two in the same place and make you homemade peanut butter cups!

[mazdabetty]

there's a smart car that's faster than a ferrari. I'll post up the youtube clip from home.

Just for that I'm taking it back.

http://10.media.tumblr.com/tBy9xflrtq9qo7lhBuUhz5JLo1_500.jpg


^ I need to get you two in the same place and make you homemade peanut butter cups!

Home made?????????? oh my gaaaaah!!!!!!

[She_Prime]

Yeah made them before for many a party :)

[JashiK]

lol ash too late I already ate it. thanks for taking the wraper.

[JashiK]

angela u know you're gonna have to make a shit load for ash and I.

[She_Prime]

I wouldn't mind lol

Invite Ash and I to your wedding... I'll make tons as a wedding gift! :chuckle

I'll even use splenda instead of sugar for a certain someone :)

[JashiK]

haha joker u... can u make our wedding cake? Pure reese's 3 tier in the shape of a reese's pnut butter cups??? lol

[She_Prime]

I could replicate that cake that you posted on Ash's userpage :)

[Unoriginalusername]

i heard on the radio this am that they are offering discounts on the smart car bringing the price down to 12,900 and including free scheduled maintence fyi

[JashiK]

i heard on the radio this am that they are offering discounts on the smart car bringing the price down to 12,900 and including free scheduled maintence fyi

That's what I was looking at... the $2000 off, plus scheduled maintenance free for first 3 years. I looked at the fine print and scheduled maintenance is which ever comes first 3 years or 36,000km's. I would have passed the 36k KM's well within the first year so that sucks. The Smart for $12,900 has no AC :( no power steering etc... The one I was thinking was $18,XXX, but not sure if the $2000 would apply.
But it's off my list... I guess for now since the TL is in great condition I'll just drive the tl to the ground or until the something major happens where it wouldn't be worth fixing or if I can sell it for a reasonable price.

[alhope34]

I understand where he's coming from. You have no idea how bad the TL is on gas. My little bro drives one and only gets 400 on a 70L tank 91 octane. He uses it to drive to school and to the malls. Car is bone stock and he doesn't have a heavy foot. But to replace it with a smart car? I wouldn't agree tho. As those guys above said, choose a yaris or fit.

My friend has a '97 TL with 370,000kms. His is stock and he has a slightly heavy foot. He averages 10.5L/100km city and about 8.5 highway. Really not that bad considering it's a 12 year old 3.2L automatic.

[azn_outlaw]

Well thats good no smart car thank GOD!!!!

dave I totally understand about trying to save on gas but this is how is see it

you can have the most fuel efficent car but remember what really comes down to is maintenance

you can have a car with the best gas mileage but all that money means nothing especially when you have to maintain the car...

basically you save the most money when the car itself is cheap to maintain, gas mileage in my books always comes second....

seeing that no one mentioned this,

dude you want looks, gas mileage and cheap to maintain....

consider this:






http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g298/dyefreak05/downtown2.jpg

Yeah BOY !!!!!! A V-dub Beetle

these cars come w/ a diesel motor option...

And for a couple of more bucks, which has been proven to work on Euro diesel motors and save owners costs on diesel fuel...

you can run most euro diesel motors on vegetable oil or better known as Bio-diesel...

I know you like your fast food, all that grese from the deep fryer is convereted to fuel..

Imagine that dude, your car will smell like french fries and you get great fuel economy without killing your wallet

that my friend i would say is winner : D

[Gizzmo_jr]

My girlfriend has a Nissan Cube with the CVT transmission. GREAT city mileage. Just zips around down, never goes above 2500rpm (literally) and is pretty roomy.

[dentinger]

get an older volvo diesel or mk4 TDI, and convert it to run on used fryer oil.

but myself, i'd just get TDI, IF i was concerned about fuel economy.

[McGuyver_3]

The BMW diesels have been around since the middle of this year and they get great mileage. I got a chance to drive one for a weekend and i found if i do normal driving like a boot here and there and just regular driving the rest i got 220~ km to 1/4 a tank of gas. the car has give or take 55-60L tank

[JashiK]

as promised...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5S1NAMnYKM

[Kevin@nextmod]

^^ i read somewhere that the smart car in the video have a 600cc motorcycle engine in it.

[blankets3]

i like the smart car test drove on, woulda seriously considered getting it if it was standard

or had the know how to do this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck&NR=1&feature=fvwp

[crystal8484]

I will only allow you to buy a smart car if you do this to it:

http://www.abiztechnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/smart-monster-car1.jpg

[JashiK]

^^ i read somewhere that the smart car in the video have a 600cc motorcycle engine in it.

From what I'm told it has a hayabusa motor. depending on which year motor it either has 1299cc or 1349cc lol.