- #453 of 491
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Re: US-spec models arrive [vgoff]
by robr2
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Jun 12, 2009 (7:03 am)
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Replying to: vgoff (Jun 11, 2009 11:59 am)
I don't think we have improved on the economical car as much as we think, I bought a 1993 ford escort and it gets 30 mpg, a 1997 dodge caravan that also gets 30 mpg. so in the last approximate 10 years our mpg has only increased by 6 mpg.
Compare the features, safety items and weights of those cars to today's cars. Back in 1993, you didn't have airbags, crumple zones, side door beams, electronic abs, skid control, et al. All those things add weight.
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- #454 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [kelly1st]
by cburn85
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Jun 14, 2009 (2:12 pm)
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Replying to: kelly1st (May 29, 2009 7:43 am)
I've had my eye on the Smart Car well before they came to the States. I always figured I wouldn't be able to afford one, but now that my 97 Cavalier is needing its second engine replacement in just the 7 years since I have owned it I decided I need to buy my first new car. Not only is my first choice available to me now, but it is one of the cheaper options if not the cheapest out there.
The problem is that my daily commute is 36 miles of city roads with speeds between 45-50 mph and 12 miles of Interstate with speeds of 70-75 mph. Outside of this I rarely go more than 5 miles out of my way and usually on just city streets to visit stores or the theater.
I'm not concerned about the city roads at all of course, but I just want to be sure the Smart ForTwo can handle the 12 miles a day (6 there and 6 back) of speeds around 70-75 mph. I really am not concerned about safety but rather about the car being able to perform well enough. This stretch of Interstate is in OKC and is actually pretty rural with more grass than concrete(I240 East of Sooner Rd if curious) I'm also not too concerned about a smooth ride.
I'd just like to know if someone with an 08 or 09 model can let me know if the car would handle this sort of commute well or not. Also, the only part of driving in my short 7 years on the road that I hate is driving in heavy snow or ice. Oklahoma has been getting hit very hard these last few Winters and I just hate losing any control of my vehicle. However I keep hearing that the car handles this stuff suprisingly well. Is that really the case.
I really would appreciate as much feedback as possible. Just keep in mind that I'm cool with the passenger/storage space, the safety, the fuel consumption, the jerky acceleration, and slightly rough ride at higher speeds. I'm just want to know if the car will get me from A to B(outlined above) and anything else to know positive or negative.
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- #455 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [cburn85]
by kelly1st
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Jun 15, 2009 (4:53 am)
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Replying to: cburn85 (Jun 14, 2009 2:12 pm)
I ordered one way back when and I picked it up July of 08. Had it for a year now and I can't express how pleased I am with it's performance and most notably Fuel consumption. I have maintained a fuel log from day one and during winter months with the snow tires on we were averaging 42 to 43 in the city with 46 to 47 highway. With the swap back to regular tires I am now getting 46 to 47 in the city and 48 to 49 highway. The key is to be vigilant on the proper tire inflation. I had a low in the winter of 38 MPG and was stunned but a check of the tire inflation showed a drop in two tires of pressure. Once I made the adjustment to proper pressure I shot back up to 42 MPG. Keep in mind I tend to have a heavy foot so I don't baby it when I drive. As for handling it isn't as bad as one thinks. I have cruised the highways at 70 to 75 with ease. I had a fear of Big Rigs throwing me around like a plastic bucket in a wind tunnel when I got near one but nothing at all. Was fine! Only concern is if the wind is really high I won't take it out as with the height of the Smart it does make it for some serious concentration in big winds. I have no problems with control at around 35 to 45 mph of winds but if it is pushing 50 to 60, I leave the Smart in the garage. I'm sure it could handle it but I have driven a VW Hard Top High Top in the Northern California area for years so I know what it's like to try and navigate a car with a high body style in heavy winds and I prefer not to bother with that again. I am sure the Smart would do alright but I would rather not play with it in those high winds. The Smart has terrific pickup for passing even at high speeds as it will hit and is capable of cruising at 90 mph with ease if one so desires!! If I could I would buy a second one and may do so as I see the price of GAS is on the rise again. As for safety I feel more safe in the Smart then my Impala as in the Smart I have more manuverabilty and can avoid the Phone Talkers and all those who ignore the reason they are behind the wheel!!
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- #456 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [cburn85]
by kelly1st
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Jun 15, 2009 (5:05 am)
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Replying to: cburn85 (Jun 14, 2009 2:12 pm)
I just re-read your post and I should mention the handling in the snow. I reside in Mass. I couldn't wait for the first snow fall to test the Smart and see how it did in the snow. First snow fall I took it out to an open parking lot and put it into every possible slide I could and did all I could to fish tale it. The more I tried at high speeds it just did verry slight slides and then corrected itself as if it didn't want to slide. I finely realized why and it is due to the light weight of the Smart compared to a bigger car such as my Chevy Impala. I drove the Impala like I did the Smart I could have gotten it into a 360 turn around but the Smart slid very littel. It sildes but with no pressure to the gas of the brake it just corrects itself as the ABF does it's job for you! It drove good over the snow minus snow tire's. With snow tires no issue at all in heavy snow or even ice for that matter. Same with any car when it comes to both snow and Ice, drive with caution but more importantly watch out for the other drivers who think they can ignore safety when it comes to snow and ice or worse yet those who think because htey have a four wheel drive they can do 50 and 60 in snow. All that means is you got more ways to wreck then with just a two wheel drive. In answer to your question, the Smart does fine in snow. Better actually since with the Smart you can heat up your seats in the winter and that makes for a toasty warm drive!!
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- #457 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [kelly1st]
by dmathews3
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Jun 15, 2009 (11:28 am)
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Replying to: kelly1st (Jun 15, 2009 5:05 am)
Doesn't the Smart have stability control? If so, that may be one reason why it didn't slide much.
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- #458 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [kelly1st]
by cburn85
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Jun 15, 2009 (12:14 pm)
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Replying to: kelly1st (Jun 15, 2009 5:05 am)
Fantastic information and all good news to me. As soon as I pull enough together for a downpayment I'm going to make my way to a dealership, or rather the only dealership with them here in Oklahoma. My last hurdle is just going to be getting used to all the attention I'm going to get. These things probably gets stares and comments in the big cities, but here in Oklahoma I have yet to see a single smart on the road so I know I'll turn heads.
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- #459 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [cburn85]
by gregg_vw
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Jun 15, 2009 (1:27 pm)
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Replying to: cburn85 (Jun 15, 2009 12:14 pm)
aww, you probably already turn heads.
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- #460 of 491
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premium
by kneisl1
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Jun 21, 2009 (11:45 am)
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I cant get past the requirement for premium gas. Effectively cuts the mileage by 10-20%. No diesel?
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- #461 of 491
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Re: premium [kneisl1]
by stout7735
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Jun 21, 2009 (10:52 pm)
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Replying to: kneisl1 (Jun 21, 2009 11:45 am)
Handle it, cheapskate... 
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- #462 of 491
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Yaris
by kneisl1
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Jun 22, 2009 (10:43 am)
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My new Yaris will handle it very well indeed! The same mileage, the same price, room for four, and does it all on regular!
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