Smart Cars in Pitt?

[CuriouserGeorge]

Originally Posted by greg42

I find it hard to see where it makes a good choice as an only car, although the OP didn't expressly say only car, I guess, just occasional use. As a second car it could be ideal. But if it's occasional use AND only car (while otherwise working at home or commuting by transit or whatever) it just doesn't seem flexible enough. I could see far too many times where I would need more space for various things. And I wouldn't want to take it on a long trip.

Actually, the reason I posted is because I'm considering buying a house with a small garage built into the slope in the alley way. I wondered what the smallest, most practical vehicle I could have that would allow me to make short trips & commutes, but still give me room to have a work bench, and the Smart car came to mind. It would be my only vehicle, and anything requiring size, comfort, or luggage space I'd simply rent. I'd be retired so no need to make trips in the snow, but I'd still like to be able to do some local shopping (within a half-mile) when necessary.

[BrianTH]

Well, you can't beat the Smart for size--nothing else in the U.S. comes close. If it is just you using the car, I believe the passenger seat folds flat, creating a decent amount of space for basic shopping.

So while I ordinarily wouldn't recommend it for a general purpose car, if minimizing garage space is a major concern, it might be a good fit.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by CuriouserGeorge

Actually, the reason I posted is because I'm considering buying a house with a small garage built into the slope in the alley way. I wondered what the smallest, most practical vehicle I could have that would allow me to make short trips & commutes, but still give me room to have a work bench, and the Smart car came to mind. It would be my only vehicle, and anything requiring size, comfort, or luggage space I'd simply rent. I'd be retired so no need to make trips in the snow, but I'd still like to be able to do some local shopping (within a half-mile) when necessary.

That's an interesting one. It'll certainly be nice and short in your garage.

Might work for you. Just for me there are so many other ways I would go with it. I feel like for similar cost one could have a car still small but useful in all (or nearly so) situations and not have to rent (except maybe once in a great while). I'd go that route even if it meant moving the car out to work or perhaps even not parking it in the garage. I can understand where you're coming from though. I currently have a 2-car garage but only one car. It's ideal, let me tell you. (Okay, it's probably a little too much. Easy to be too cluttered. But it's nice. All the benefits of junking up the garage, plus the car can still go in!)

I'd still say do some math, though. I don't know where this house is, but if you're close enough to a Zipcar, short of driving every day or many hours at a stretch it'll probably be cheaper than owning a car on an annual basis. Zipcar allows you to rent by the hour, and the cost includes all insurance and gas. (You can also use it for multi-day rentals for out of town trips as well.) Then you can have the entire garage for a workshop.

[BrianTH]

I also continue to think Zipcar is the better solution. But Zipcar is only available in some places.