Chelmsford driver turns heads with one Smart car

"It runs on gasoline, not electricity. Gets 36 miles per gallon in city driving, and about 41 mpg on the highway. Cumming paid about $15,700 for the 8-foot-long vehicle -- that's 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper. "

Why bother with this when you can get a small sedan that seats more than two people, get almost the same mileage and costs less? I don't see many people buying these.

It is about time for people to get smarter. Now it is time for the car makers to have cars available for people to drive. It is time to be Not reliant on middle east oil!

Even if we all drove small cars the price of gas would never come down, just look at around the world where small cars are.

Wish I had $15K

The Patriot wrote:

Even if we all drove small cars the price of gas would never come down, just look at around the world where small cars are.

Maybe not, but each individual driving one would save money, whether the actual price per gallon went down or not. There is no need for a car this small right now...the Civic gets around the same mileage, the Hybrid Civic gets even better mileage with room for 4 people.

roger wrote:

<quoted text>
Maybe not, but each individual driving one would save money, whether the actual price per gallon went down or not. There is no need for a car this small right now...the Civic gets around the same mileage, the Hybrid Civic gets even better mileage with room for 4 people.

Exactly. If it were $10,000 it would be a good option.

Wow wrote:

"It runs on gasoline, not electricity. Gets 36 miles per gallon in city driving, and about 41 mpg on the highway. Cumming paid about $15,700 for the 8-foot-long vehicle -- that's 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper. "
Why bother with this when you can get a small sedan that seats more than two people, get almost the same mileage and costs less? I don't see many people buying these.

I agree! The MPG rating is about the same as any four-cylinder car on the road now. What's the point?

I happen to work for Bruce. Sure, He could have bought a 4 seat civic. But in this economy, how much do people think he saved in FREE advertising. I haven't seen a civic get a front page story about it yet. That story will probably pay for that car alone. Go ahead and buy a civic to ship the family around in, and take a course in marketing as well. You just might learn something

Hornet wrote:

I happen to work for Bruce. Sure, He could have bought a 4 seat civic. But in this economy, how much do people think he saved in FREE advertising. I haven't seen a civic get a front page story about it yet. That story will probably pay for that car alone. Go ahead and buy a civic to ship the family around in, and take a course in marketing as well. You just might learn something

Does he work for Smart? The car is getting the advertising, how does he gain anything other than notoriety? What is he advertising? The black strip on the car? I'm missing something. Maybe he's putting his business name on it soon?

Hornet wrote:

I happen to work for Bruce. Sure, He could have bought a 4 seat civic. But in this economy, how much do people think he saved in FREE advertising. I haven't seen a civic get a front page story about it yet. That story will probably pay for that car alone. Go ahead and buy a civic to ship the family around in, and take a course in marketing as well. You just might learn something

If he wants to wedge himself into that thing every morning that's fine by me.(LOL) What does he do when he goes to the corner store for a 12 pack of Pepsi? Strap it to the roof?

$15,700 for a car with no back seat and only gets 31mpg! he could've bought a ford focus for $4,000 less with not much difference in mileage.

roger wrote:

<quoted text>
Maybe not, but each individual driving one would save money, whether the actual price per gallon went down or not. There is no need for a car this small right now...the Civic gets around the same mileage, the Hybrid Civic gets even better mileage with room for 4 people.

For those that own their car outright I see no savings. I can't justify a monthly payment of $300 if you don't even burn anywhere near that in gas.

These have been in Europe for years already. They are old news but defintely cute cars! I've driven them over in Europe on my many escapades over there, and they are a comfy ride. Just more practical over there considering the width of the streets and stuff. Here, not so much. They get the milage to the gallon because of the size and weight. They're not that economic if you really think about it!

I have been eager to get a SMART for many years. I placed my order in March in spite of lots of complaining by friends and family...most of the arguments written here. But I LOVE this car and can't wait to get mine (in 2009, due to backlog). I could consider a mini or Yaris, but they don't have the same personality.

I want my SMART wrote:

I have been eager to get a SMART for many years. I placed my order in March in spite of lots of complaining by friends and family...most of the arguments written here. But I LOVE this car and can't wait to get mine (in 2009, due to backlog). I could consider a mini or Yaris, but they don't have the same personality.

Do you need to wear a helmet when you drive one of those?

i only buy american cars, i don't believe in supporting (insert name of foreign country here)
economy and workers.

i drive a real car wrote:

$15,700 for a car with no back seat and only gets 31mpg! he could've bought a ford focus for $4,000 less with not much difference in mileage.

Your tag is "I drive a real car" and your bragging about a Ford Focus? The Focus is one of the absolute worst cars ever built. Its such a piece of crap that most of the people who build them didnt take advantage of Ford's offer to provide them to its workers at a huge discount, opting instead to pay full price for their Toyotas and their Hondas. Broken ignition switches, wheel bearings that seize up at highway speeds, and crappy starters. Those are the legacy of Fords latest debacle. Imagine buying a new car and having the rear wheel bearing seize up on TWICE in the first year? There's are a couple of thousand Focus owners who know what thats like. There's even more Focus owners who know what its like to have to replace the ignition switches in their new cars, a 600 dollar repair that Ford doesnt even cover. And of course, the tow will be another 100.
lol

hammerhead wrote:

i only buy american cars, i don't believe in supporting (insert name of foreign country here)
economy and workers.

I used to do that too. Know what? After years of buying GM and Ford cars and having them all die at 90k miles, I pulled my head out of my a$$ and did some research, rather than relying on gut feelings, jingoistic patriotic BS and philistine pig ignorance. I ended up buying a Honda. It's still driving great at 120k!*And* it was assembled at a plant in the US.

Besides, in this globalized economy, even if there's an American brand name, it's most likely all or partially foreign produced.

But, cross your arms, stamp your feet, spot your GOD BLESS AMERICA mantra, clap louder, and shop at Wal Mart. It's what your corporate whore masters want.

Angry,
I'll buy a Honda.....but I refuse to set foot in Wally World

Wow wrote:

<quoted text>
Does he work for Smart? The car is getting the advertising, how does he gain anything other than notoriety? What is he advertising? The black strip on the car? I'm missing something. Maybe he's putting his business name on it soon?

HE's advertising that he's a peckerhead. I'd rather ride a bike than get caught driving a smart car.