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Wouldn't Be Caught Dead Driving One

1094 messages,  Last post on Jul 28, 2008 at 4:35 AM

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#1039 of 1094 Re: Not A Smart Choice [hpmctorque] by snakeweasel May 09, 2008 (3:59 am)
Replying to: hpmctorque (May 09, 2008 3:36 am) Well looking at it realistically how often do people commute with more than two people in the car? In your daily commute how much performance will you ever use? A high (or even medium performance) car in rush hour traffic is a joke, the Smart has enough power to work well in typical city driving. Not only that but the Smart gets as good city mileage as most other cars get on the highway, that sounds pretty good to me So me one other non hybrid that beats 30 MPG city.   As an only car the Smart may not be the best choice, but as a second commuter car its a very good choice.
#1040 of 1094 Re: Not A Smart Choice (snakeweasel) by hpmctorque May 09, 2008 (5:32 am)
I'd agree with everything you said if only the Smart were less expensive. My point is for about the same price as the Smart, there are better choices.   It'll be interesting to see how the Smart retains its value. If its depreciation is similar to the MINI's, then I'll reevaluate my opinion regarding the Smart, because it will mean that the market considers it a good value. If it suffers rapid depreciation, as I suspect, then the smart buyer would be well served to buy a two year old, low mileage Smart for, say, $8,000. Replies to this message: nwng (May 09, 2008 7:06 am) bumpy (May 09, 2008 7:26 am) bumpy (May 09, 2008 7:19 am) snakeweasel (May 11, 2008 7:48 am)
#1041 of 1094 Shoot... by lemko May 09, 2008 (7:06 am)
...if a Smart was priced like the average lawn tractor or a modestly-priced motorcycle, I'd definately consider one. As it is, there are better alternatives.
#1042 of 1094 Re: Not A Smart Choice (snakeweasel) [hpmctorque] by nwng May 09, 2008 (7:06 am)
Replying to: hpmctorque (May 09, 2008 5:32 am) Has the production quotas been sold out for 2008? With gas prices getting higher everyday, I think more and more people are rethinking their vehicle purchase from the standpoint of "want" to "need". Replies to this message: bumpy (May 09, 2008 7:26 am)
#1043 of 1094 Re: Not A Smart Choice (snakeweasel) [hpmctorque] by bumpy May 09, 2008 (7:19 am)
Replying to: hpmctorque (May 09, 2008 5:32 am) It'll be interesting to see how the Smart retains its value   That will be interesting to see, as they may not even be done with the current order backlog by January 2010, never mind whoever else signs up in the next 18 months.
#1044 of 1094 Re: Not A Smart Choice (snakeweasel) [nwng] by bumpy May 09, 2008 (7:26 am)
Replying to: nwng (May 09, 2008 7:06 am) Yep, 2008 was sold out a year ago, and 2009 is in all likelihood also spoken for by now. I signed up for the dealer waitlist and I was something like 79th in line two weeks after they opened.
#1045 of 1094 It will never happen... by lemko May 09, 2008 (7:36 am)
...but it would be something to see a city street scene where all the vehicles are Smarts, Minis, Aveos, Fits, and Yarises. Heck, throw in a few Honda 600s for a retro touch. Replies to this message: mattandi (May 09, 2008 7:54 am) steelydan (May 09, 2008 9:12 am) nwng (May 14, 2008 12:46 pm)
#1046 of 1094 Re: It will never happen... [lemko] by mattandi May 09, 2008 (7:54 am)
Replying to: lemko (May 09, 2008 7:36 am) Certainly not those specific models probably, but just go to most any city in just about any part of the world outside North America, and you'll get a taste of that street scene. Some place it is even more different. I remember being surprised at all the bicycles in some places.   FWIW - I like the Smart, but if I were dead, I hope no one catches me driving one.
#1047 of 1094 Re: It will never happen... [lemko] by steelydan May 09, 2008 (9:12 am)
Replying to: lemko (May 09, 2008 7:36 am) Speaking of a retro touch, how about the Renault LeCar with that roll-back canvas sunroof ? That car was ungainly , but it looked funky fun as only the French can do. I'm sure the problem with that car had to with frequent visits to Le Garage.........
#1048 of 1094 Re: Not A Smart Choice [hpmctorque] by stovebolter May 09, 2008 (10:12 am)
Replying to: hpmctorque (May 09, 2008 3:36 am) While price and fuel economy of the Smart don't set it apart from cars like the Aveo, Accent, Yaris, etc., there is one other factor that does, particularly in a city - the car's footprint. The Smart can park almost anywhere - heck, you can put two in a one car garage. That's a huge deal in a city driving/parking environment.   That said, anywhere outside of a tight parking situation you're absolutely right - the Smart is selling more on image than economics. Replies to this message: steve_ (May 09, 2008 10:55 am)

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