Question to smartCar owners... - Automotive -Sports cars, sedans, coupes, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, tickets, dealers, repairs, gasoline, drivers... - Page 5 - City-Data Forum

northbayeric · 02-08-2010, 10:39 PM

Add me to the list of people who just can't see the appeal of a so-called "Smart" car. As was pointed out earlier, Smarts require 91-octane fuel, which cancels out the money you'd save by driving a more fuel-efficient car--and for its size, any Volkswagen TDI will beat the pants off a Smart as far as fuel economy is concerned.

I'm not crazy about the Yaris and its center-mounted instrument panel, but if I absolutely had to choose between the Yaris and the Smart, I'd go with the Yaris. But for a two-door, I'd put the VW Rabbit or Golf TDI at the top of my shopping list. Or a well-maintained 2003-2005 Honda Civic.

Tennesseestorm · 02-08-2010, 11:06 PM

Ah... and the 78 Grand Marquis is a very large car too... I would not want to be in a SmartCar and be hit by a 78 Mercury!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73-79 ford fan

Yeah and I drive a 1978 Grand Marquis and not very long ago I was driving down the interstate at 70 mph with cruse control set and one of these smart cars tried to pass me but fell way behind on every hill like they had their foot feed to the floor and only could pass on flat land so it seems they are underpowered too.

20yrsinBranson · 02-09-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

GM produces a 3 dr Aveo but does not sell one in the US.

Here is what the European version looks like:

Geneva 2008: Chevrolet Aveo 3-Door — Autoblog

Another example of how US consumers have many fewer options of small fuel efficient cars.

Personally, my favorite is the Fiat Nuevo 500

Very Cute! Too bad that it is not available here. Another one is the Ford Ka, which of course, is not available here either.

20yrsinBranson

jlawrence01 · 02-09-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

Very Cute! Too bad that it is not available here. Another one is the Ford Ka, which of course, is not available here either.

20yrsinBranson

Cross the border and you will see MANY vehicles not available in the US. I spent some time in McAllen, TX and saw some interesting vehicles.

Here is another favorite:

Peugeot 206 Plus wallpaper # 05 of 27, MY 2009, 800x600

Moonlady · 02-09-2010, 02:19 PM

Yes, the Civic comes in a coupe version. DH drives one and gets about 33mpg, and it has a back seat and a roomy trunk.

Shop for a Honda Civic Coupe - the Official Honda Web Site

The only reason I would buy a Smart car is if I lived in a very dense city with little to no parking.