Article Comments 2008 Smart Fortwo First Drive

110 messages, Last post on Aug 07, 2008 at 8:31 AM

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What is this discussion about? smart fortwo, Hatchback

Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Smart Fortwo - The 2008 Fortwo is larger than its predecessor, but it's still outrageously small, some 40 inches shorter than a Mini. In real life, it looks like an artist's impression of what a car might look like if we all drank skinny lattes. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion - Bottom Line: Hugely versatile as a city-only car, but perhaps not the best choice for those who go farther or need to carry more. (more)

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#64 of 110 Apples and Oranges by smartrosebud Sep 12, 2007 (6:09 am)
There are so many models of cars because people have such a variety of needs for a car. It would be foolish to buy a Mac truck to carry an occasional sheet of plywood, or to buy a pickup truck to haul heavy machinery long distances. If people are smart (no pun intended), they choose a model suitable for their needs, not for appearance or for the 'toy' factor. I bought a Smart car in June to replace a Mazda van which had reached my usual trade-in age. For the same cost as buying a Prius or a new van, I kept the van for expressway driving and use the Smart car in the city. I've used the van twice in 2 months. My weekly fuel costs have gone from $40 per week to $15 per week. The savings covers the additional insurance costs. Now I have an apple AND an orange... without needed to do impossible comparisons of the two. Am I happy? ABSOLUTELY!
#65 of 110 Makes Sense by hineychaser Sep 20, 2007 (3:07 am)
The Smart vs. Hybrid debate is pointless. Hybrid owners pay for their fuel savings through a higher purchase price. And they typically finance their purchase, compounding the problem. With the understanding that hybrids don't make financial sense, the Smart could get 25mpg and still be a sound financial choice over a hybrid. If your goal is to drive a hybrid for the "Look at me, I'm saving the planet" factor, you're throwing good money after bad and the Smart isn't for you anyway. If you want to drive something unique and save a few bucks at the same time, then seriously consider the Smart. For those that claim there is no truth to the automobile CAFE standards, I say, "you haven't learned how to drive your car properly". My '03 V6 Accord is rated at 30mpg highway and I average 33 mpg (actual) with little effort in mixed highway/city driving. Replies to this message: snakeweasel (Sep 20, 2007 3:58 am) diesel18 (Jan 11, 2008 2:52 am) dmathews3 (Jan 11, 2008 3:25 am) bumpy (Jan 11, 2008 12:21 pm)
#66 of 110 Re: Makes Sense [hineychaser] by snakeweasel Sep 20, 2007 (3:58 am)
Replying to: hineychaser (Sep 20, 2007 3:07 am) For those that claim there is no truth to the automobile CAFE standards, I say, "you haven't learned how to drive your car properly". My '03 V6 Accord is rated at 30mpg highway and I average 33 mpg (actual) with little effort in mixed highway/city driving. While I agree that driving properly you should be able to meet or exceed EPA estimates but exceeding the highway estimate by 10% in mixed driving is a mighty hard pill to swallow. FWIW the EPA on their website has user MPG reports and the V6 Accord no one is showing above 30 MPG in mixed driving. Replies to this message: diesel18 (Jan 11, 2008 2:52 am) dmathews3 (Jan 11, 2008 3:25 am) bumpy (Jan 11, 2008 12:21 pm)
#67 of 110 Re: Humm... [plekto] by diesel18 Jan 11, 2008 (2:50 am)
Replying to: plekto (Mar 16, 2007 6:30 pm) well there is a company in california that is using a hayabusa 1300 GSXR motor in the fortwo and the are calling it the DIABLO.
#68 of 110 Re: Makes Sense [snakeweasel] by diesel18 Jan 11, 2008 (2:52 am)
Replying to: snakeweasel (Sep 20, 2007 3:58 am) what I dont understand is why they are not allowing the Diesel motor in the United States It is suppose to get 631 miles to a tank approx. 70 mile per gal Replies to this message: dmathews3 (Jan 11, 2008 3:25 am) bumpy (Jan 11, 2008 12:21 pm)
#69 of 110 Re: Makes Sense [diesel18] by dmathews3 Jan 11, 2008 (3:25 am)
Replying to: diesel18 (Jan 11, 2008 2:52 am) Maybe it don't meet smog rules at this time.
#70 of 110 Re: Makes Sense [diesel18] by bumpy Jan 11, 2008 (12:21 pm)
Replying to: diesel18 (Jan 11, 2008 2:52 am) The current diesel doesn't meet US emission standards. Supposedly there is a Bluetec version coming out in a year or two.
#71 of 110 smart car owner by yukon252 Feb 12, 2008 (8:47 pm)
hello i have an older 2005 diesel model the passion soft top and have been driving since new. to date have 32000km or about 17000 miles. i upgraded my smart with better turbo and intercooler and chip free from mb cdn . now it put out 75hp. wow that much . the car is only 1200ibs . driving daily to work the cars uses about 10.00 per week and i put shell ultra diesel in so no smoke or smell. weekly driving is about 225 miles or 400ish km. the month of dec i spent 41.00 for the month . they couldn't sell the diesel as it wouldn't pass the air standards of usa.MB went with the gas model. if driven easy it should get 75mpg but once inside you tend to drive it quick. if you can get a diesel try one out there is lots of upgrades for the car 17inch wheels wide body kits and tuner parts. buy snow tires for the car and it will get though winter . if you live in a cold area don't set the parking brake the rear drum will freeze. Replies to this message: yukon252 (Feb 12, 2008 8:51 pm)
#72 of 110 Re: smart car owner [yukon252] by yukon252 Feb 12, 2008 (8:51 pm)
Replying to: yukon252 (Feb 12, 2008 8:47 pm) yes a diesel is on the way , my smart is the 600cc twin turbo twin intercooler 3cyl inline , small but powerfull. upgrades put it at 75hp and next one to 100hp .
#73 of 110 Re: You're forgetting a couple of things [plekto] by yukon252 Feb 12, 2008 (8:59 pm)
Replying to: plekto (Mar 16, 2007 3:46 pm) i have an older diesel model and have done upgrades to the turbo and intercooler and ait vents to pull more air in and it quite quick. 1 and 2 get the jump on cars at the lights , recent changes put it at 75hp for only 1200ibs car. you can get lighter wheels and body kits and chips to tune up the diesel model. upgrades can push the hp to over 110. and still good mpg. it becomes fun with that power and the 6speed and performance exhaust sounds nice.