http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46nMnCt75qI

Although Monster Garage is probably one of the stupidest car shows I’ve ever watched (the things they do are pretty cool), they took a Peel Trident replica and tried to shoe horn a Hayabusa engine in there. Be funny to pull up to a Vette’ with one of those things, and outrun it on a 1/4 mile. Somebody did the same thing with a Smart Car, they have videos on Youtube.

SERSteve- Although I would agree that your saving a lot, your also getting a lot more car and most likely can justify the payments. Personally, I wouldn’t go with the Smart simply because there’s NO room at all. If you wanna take friends? No. Kids? No. Dogs? No. And as far as I know, the current dealership has been touchy with people looking at these vehicles. I’ve seen quite a few up here recently. And why you messed around with the variables some there is beyond me, but let me update that some…

60,000 miles, or about 5 years of driving, at $4 a gallon, with about the most common segments of mpg’s for vehicles, SUV’s, Mid-size and compact.
-15 mpg = $16,000
-25 mpg= $9,600
-35 mpg = $6,900 (rounded to nearest hundred)

But hey, just because of the cost difference, that doesn’t mean we “are going to have to slow down and drive smaller”. I would rather drive something that’s going to cost me a few thousand dollars more, but DO a lot more in the long run with more equipment, to a little vehicle such as the Smart Car despite how good it may be.

anything @ 18 MPG average $3075 (at 3.69 a gallon)

for 5 years of driving
@12 MPG $23,062.50 (3.69 a gallon)
@18 MPG $15,375 (3.69 a gallon)
Fit: @ 29 MPG average $9543.10 (3.69 a gallon)
smart: @ 36 MPG average $8333.33 ($4.00 a gallon)

The difference between something averaging 36 MPG and something averaging 12 MPG is a whopping $14729.17 Dudes!!! Americans are gonna have to slow down and drive smaller… The smart may not be the best answer, but at least it’s a start and for some it’s even a “smart” decision. (sorry I couldn’t help myself!)

My math was with gas prices staying constant… what would this look like at $6 a gallon…
try $37,500.00 at 12 MPG
and $13,750.5 at 36 MPG (calculated at $6.60 a gallon) check this out! even at $6.60 a gallon a car averaging 36 MPG will cost you less in gas over 75000 miles than a car getting 18 MPG when gas is $3.69

Think about it before you buy that 2009 Camaro SS!

Funniest Top Gear segment ever, in my opinion.

Whats 53 inches long and 39 inches wide?

You ___ oranges.

Usually most people regret when they turn _0, which is also part of the name, and one less and that’s the size of the engine!

However, price is where I’m happy. I’m not getting a Cabrio, so I won’t be spending $18,000 on this thing. Mine will be $14,395, with my stereo and all the other features I want. There is no car with the same features for the same price. None. And it has better safety ratings than any other small car for the price. The Yaris does have comparable safety ratings, but only when you tack on the airbags, which brings the price to nearly $17,000, knocking it out of the price point that I’m in.

Again, I’m not replacing my family car, and I don’t need 4 seats and room for groceries for my commute. I go to work, and come back, and I carry my laptop and a sack lunch. I need a second car because my minivan isn’t that efficient, and my wife needs it more than I do. It costs more to have her take me to work each day than it would to buy this car. The extra expense of insurance and fuel have been considered, and for the convenience of having two cars, it’s worth it.

Trading a big car that is not ready to be replaced for a small car just for efficiency is a bad idea. But buying a second commuter car if you need it is not a bad idea. If you are shopping, shop around and find something that fits your needs and wants. I found what I need and want, and I’m sure not everyone will come to the same conclusion. But no one should be sheep, and just buy stuff for the wrong reasons. They should buy it because that is what they need and want. If we all needed and wanted the same exact thing, our cars would look like SeAZ.

Global, I can’t wait for the slew of EVs, and I hope they are not so costly.

However, judging by the numbers, I think that “niche” is bigger than we think.

But with the Euro being so high VS the greenback, it’s almost a losing proposition to sell the Smart as an ‘econo-lux’ vehicle since it has zero luxury. You’re better off buying a Mini, an entry level Audi or even a 1-series BMW.

All I know is that in Canada, the pricing for a Smart is too high for such old technology and you are forced to go to a MB dealership to have that thing serviced. No thanks!