- #359 of 491
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Re: Delivery Dates [highrise]
by highrise
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Nov 05, 2008 (7:14 am)
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Replying to: highrise (Nov 04, 2008 9:01 am)
Group, thanks for the responses regarding the delivery date of my smart. The dealer had 50 delivered last week and six of them went orphan. One of the orphans was similar to what I want but had the standard single-slot CD and no fog lights. I offered to buy it if they would upgrade it to the premium radio at my expense. The response was that it would cost $1,043 for the head unit plus the additional cost of two hours of labor. I believe those costs are total BS. Then, "as a rule" all orphans get window tint, pinstripes, and LoJack installed at an additional cost of $2,000. I'm not interested in the tint, stripes, or LoJack. In the end, that makes the total cost of the orphan about $3,000 more than than the much nicer car that I want to configure. As of today, the six orphans are still sitting there.
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- #360 of 491
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Smart car, not so smart.
by joshuag
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Nov 08, 2008 (1:15 am)
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Replying to: datlila (Mar 03, 2007 11:21 am)
Has anyone actually seen one of these cars in person. I have, and next to my Dodge Ram it look like a little spec. I can't imagine driving one of those on the freeway, how dangerous. The back bumper is right behind the seat. And only 40 mpg, why not buy a 5-speed civic, a Saturn Astra, or something like that that get within a few mpg. I think this might be another one of those cars that people drive so they can show everyone how really green they are.
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- #361 of 491
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Re: Smart car, not so smart. [joshuag]
by pf_flyer HOST
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Nov 08, 2008 (6:22 am)
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Replying to: joshuag (Nov 08, 2008 1:15 am)
I would never put down someone because they bought a smart or any other small car. But a dose of reality does help. I drive a Versa, and even with the excellent safety ratings it has, in its class, I know that I'm probably in a less than ideal situation if I tangle with a larger car or truck.
I had a smart pull out in front of me when he shouldn't have this summer. I managed to avoid hitting him, but the look on his face told me he knew he was in a bad spot.
The silliest defense I've heard of the smart with regard to safety is that it's so light that it would probably bounce off the front of an 18 wheeler and the car would keep you safe. Uh huh 
That comment was even immortalized in an Ask Dub Schwartz! entry on the Alternate Route.
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- #362 of 491
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Re: Smart car, not so smart. [joshuag]
by snakeweasel
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Nov 08, 2008 (6:43 am)
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Replying to: joshuag (Nov 08, 2008 1:15 am)
Has anyone actually seen one of these cars in person.
I have, not only that I have driven one. Yes its a small car but it is fun to drive, nimble and easy to manuever around things.
I can't imagine driving one of those on the freeway, how dangerous.
I have seen them on the freeways and they kept up with traffic very well and seemed to handle the wind very well.
As for dangerous its not really any more dangerous than any other small car.
And only 40 mpg, why not buy a 5-speed civic,
Well that 40 MPG is most likely a combined city/highway mileage. The Smart owners I have talked to state that they get mid 30's city and mid to upper 40's highway. With that 5-speed civic you might do 40 Highway but a lot less in mixed driving. So the Smart would get at least 10% better gas mileage than the 5 speed civic.
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- #363 of 491
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Re: Smart car, not so smart. [snakeweasel]
by dmathews3
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Nov 08, 2008 (7:27 am)
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 08, 2008 6:43 am)
May not fair well against a big car/truck but it is still safer than riding a motorcycle. I used to have a Honda GoldWing which is about a 1000lb bike and it only got 37 to 39 on the highway.. If you figured just weight as the reason for something getting good/bad gas mileage than the Wing should have gotten at least 60 on the highway. Remember this car was made for city/urban driving where small is better. It was never designed for our freeways and even in other countries for the most part it is used in those croweded cities that have been around hundreds of years before cars were even thought of. They were brought to the U.S. because of a demand for them so if they only sell 30 or 40K a year that has to be a profit since they are building them anyway.
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- #364 of 491
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Re: Smart car, not so smart. [pf_flyer]
by gostrider
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Nov 08, 2008 (7:30 am)
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Nov 08, 2008 6:22 am)
I drive a Nissan Versa too but as far as getting hit by a big truck or car if it is your time to go it dose not matter what you are driving.You still have a roll cage around you it is safer than a motorcycle if you get hit you will be hurt if not killed.You can be out of the elemints the rain the cold and people really give you the looks I have driven one.I liked acceleration when I was younger that is the big sacrifice because there are places you need acceleration.I have seen people in large vehicles get hit by a 18 wheeler and they were killed. 
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- #365 of 491
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Re: Smart car, not so smart. [gostrider]
by joshuag
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Nov 08, 2008 (10:41 am)
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Replying to: gostrider (Nov 08, 2008 7:30 am)
I wrote about having a Dodge Ram and the Smart car being like a spec. You are all very right, this is a city car, and a majority of people hit by 18 wheel trucks are fatily injured even if they are driving a large vehicle. You all have to agree though that the first time you see one it is very shocking. Also, I am not coming down on anyone concerned about the environment, I also being a very concerned citizen. I am just saying that I think there are other better alternatives.
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- #366 of 491
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Re: Smart car, not so smart. [joshuag]
by gregg_vw
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Nov 10, 2008 (6:18 am)
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Replying to: joshuag (Nov 08, 2008 10:41 am)
There is no alternative yet if a truly small car is what you want. There is no alternative yet if you don't constantly want to be driving around a back seat and a lot of sheet metal you never use. There is no alternative if the economical car you prefer to drive is one that sticks out, gets reactions and makes you smile when you look at it.
It's amazing to me all the naysayers that come here to bash the smart or try to save the poor goons that consider buying.it. What is that all about?? If you are not a smart buyer or admirer, you won't get why anyone would be smitten with it. Anyone who compares a Versa to a smart is certainly not speaking to the smart buyer. Nothing wrong with a Versa, but where does it end? Shouldn't the Versa buyer consider the Altima or Fusion? Shouldn't the Fusion buyer consider a New Taurus or a Lucerne? Shouldn't the Lucerne buyer get a Yukon instead? Maybe we should all drive the same weight and size vehicles, and Harleys should be banned?
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- #367 of 491
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Mitsubishi Engine in a Smart Fortwo?
by johnxyz
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Nov 11, 2008 (9:02 am)
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Replying to: scottl (Jun 07, 2008 10:52 pm)
Hmmm.... Would of thought it would be a Euro marque sourced engine in the Smart Car. Like a Peugeot in the Mini or even a Mercedes -built engine. What engine did MB put in their A-Class cars?
Anyone care to comment on the design or quality of this engine? I assume it doesn't contain any latest tech valve-trains or injection systems...
Who supplies the transmission? And it it a 5 or 6 sp auto? Was the previous model a 6 sp and the current (USA) model is a 5 sp? Thanks.
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- #368 of 491
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Love my new Smart, no regrets
by rdrygg
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Nov 11, 2008 (7:08 pm)
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I've always said that there should be one person cars as I am usually the only one in my car, and notice that many others are too on their way to and fro.So, I've been waiting for the Smart to get here.
I didn't get the power steering and its just fine without it. I took it to the mountains for the weekend, it was a little sluggish uphill, but didn't bother me at all, I was able to drive the same way I always do on this route. It was a very comfortable ride. At first the no cruise control bothered me, then I found a comfortable angle for my foot to stay on the accelerator and it was fine. The weather was mild so I'm not sure I can vouch for it not getting blown around, but I didn't notice anything so far with that. There was plenty of cargo room for my friends and my stuff in the back.
I live in the city and street park at home and work. My quality of life is so much better now that I don't have to wait for spots right in front of my home anymore (I can always count on someone to leave a big enough gap for me to get into, which used to aggravate me because it was usually someone taking up two spaces) I wanted the shortest possible car I could find. This is the perfect car for me.
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