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Smart Fortwo

491 messages,  Last post on Oct 07, 2009 at 6:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? smart formore, smart fortwo, Hatchback


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#175 of 491
Re: Pros & Cons of the ForTwo [bobndebi] by subienewbie2
Apr 05, 2008 (8:12 am)
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Replying to: bobndebi (Apr 05, 2008 7:41 am)

They are pretty cool. Mine will to at the deal in Chicago in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
 
Unfortunately I will not be able to take delivery, if your interested in in mine let me know.
#176 of 491
Re: Pros & Cons of the ForTwo [bobndebi] by sbonhartwell
Apr 05, 2008 (10:15 am)
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Replying to: bobndebi (Apr 05, 2008 7:41 am)

Make sure you read the statements pretty throughly to avoid surprises. Great car but some shortcomings.
 
Upstatei
#177 of 491
2nd happiest day in my life by dunepearl
Apr 05, 2008 (11:02 am)
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Like the proverbial boat owner, I reached euphoria when someone purchased my pre-owned smart the other day. What a wake up in a few hundred miles to find "some" of its shortcomings.
#178 of 491
Re: Pros & Cons of the ForTwo [bobndebi] by kinkyangel
Apr 06, 2008 (3:16 pm)
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Replying to: bobndebi (Apr 05, 2008 7:41 am)

1. Lack of dealerships. Only 74 dealerships throughout the US. Many in places like southern CA but then many other states with no dealership. This means long drives to pick it up or have it serviced. {dealer map on smartusa.com}
 
2. 2 year/24 month warranty. The WORST in the US.
 
3. Instead of 60 mpg or more the US model at best gets in the 40's but many users are reporting 30's. {At least one owner in San Diego is getting 20's.}
 
4. Some owners with the first year 08 models are having problems with gear shifts breaking. {See #1 about lack of dealers.}{smartcarofamerica.com}
 
5. Poor safety ratings. 3 star rollover. 3 star passenger side crash. {safecar.gov.}
 
6. Wait times as long as 2 years in some area's. Though one can be readily purchased on eBay.com for anyone willing to pay a premium for a slightly used one. {Buyers remorse or some buyers looking to flip and make a quick buck? Either way congesting the system for those who want one and waiting on the reservation lists.}
 
7. People who made reservations later than others getting theirs sooner thus causing discontent among some with longer wait times.
 
8. Dealers putting as much as $2K or more in aftermarket items to make money for the ones not claimed by original reservation holders. Then selling to anyone who walks in and can afford it thus circumventing the ordering and waiting process all together.
 
It is a novelty item for many. Some purchasing it just for the wow factor and attention. That same curiosity has drivers of other vehicles taking pictures while driving on the highway of the smart cars. It's cute so it gets one star for that.
 
It is decent on gas. It is small and can fit in smaller spaces than many other sedans. It's good for a commuter car but with only 2 seats it certainly is not a practical family car. Without cruise control it's not practical for long distance driving.
#179 of 491
Happy I sold mine by dunepearl
Apr 06, 2008 (4:39 pm)
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At best, once the newness wears off, they will sell but approx 24K units per year. Once the Toyota IQ hits our shores, smart is toast. If the VW hybrid diesel comes here, they're both toast.
 
Yeah, I sold mine on eBay but at even cost. 6 months from now there will be a profusion of them for sale on eBay.
 
 
#180 of 491
Re: Happy I sold mine [dunepearl] by scwmcan
Apr 07, 2008 (9:08 am)
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Replying to: dunepearl (Apr 06, 2008 4:39 pm)

I don't see anywhere you have posted what you didn't like about it. Just curious.
Scott
#181 of 491
Re: Happy I sold mine [dunepearl] by gregg_vw
Apr 07, 2008 (9:47 am)
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Replying to: dunepearl (Apr 06, 2008 4:39 pm)

Please. It may not be for you, and it is good you were able to get something else without taking a bath. However, it will not be "toast," because there is going to be a market for a small urban runabout (with all the accompanying compromises), because it is not completely about mileage. Nothing else on the market is anywhere near close to being as small. That is its selling point, and one the hybrid diesel VW will not have.
 
There are plenty of happy smart car owners. They were just not looking at the same attributes as you. There will continue to be a niche market for the smart, but no, it will not supplant sales of other high mileage subcompacts. I think some folks ordered it for its uniqueness factor and did not seriously consider the shortcomings of a car that is shorter overall than the wheelbase of most subcompacts.
#182 of 491
The ZAP Smart Fortwo by ironmike59
Apr 07, 2008 (1:43 pm)
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I've seen several on the road around DC this past month. They were so small it was hard to believe something like this got past Nadar. I read a little about it and, from what I read, interest in MPG, I find it probably ranks 2nd or 3rd behind slightly larger vehicles that get nearly the same MPG. I have on 05 Honda Civic Hybrid (5 speed manual trans) which I drive 79 miles one way carrying approximately 800 pounds of human flesh (4 MEN) out of WV to DC. As long as I maintain RPMs climbing out of and into Charles Town on 340 I have not problem. I have gotten as high as 49 MPG and as low as 42 MPG with an average of 45. MPG is more affected by termperature then speed. Honda is willing to RUN once optimum RPM is attained. Honda cost 19K - Fortwo cost 12K. I guess it depends on the person. Fortwo will probably sell to singles or people who choose to commute by themselves. I'd have to drive one before I could make any other assessment.
#183 of 491
Re: Happy I sold mine [scwmcan] by dunepearl
Apr 07, 2008 (3:25 pm)
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Replying to: scwmcan (Apr 07, 2008 9:08 am)

Very squirrely on highway over 60mph. Rattles and wind noise. 34mpg requiring premium.
#184 of 491
Re: Happy I sold mine [dunepearl] by scwmcan
Apr 08, 2008 (3:54 am)
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Replying to: dunepearl (Apr 07, 2008 3:25 pm)

Well these are things you should probably noticed on the test drive (except of course the milage) so you shold have known before the pruchase, but since you didn't notice I will just say sorry that you didn't and glad that you are happy to have gotten rid of it, it is probably for the best.
Scott

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