I have been thinking of getting a smart car...sort of my version of getting a motorcycle.
As I live in Windsor, we have a winter, it nothing like the rest of Canada.

My question is, are there any smart car owners in ehmacland. What's your experience, would you buy another one.

Reading various sites the quality seems all over the place...and it also sounds like the diesel is not very reliable....although would want the gas engine...thoughts.

My neighbor has a little Smartcar and loves it ............ although it is not good in St.John's snow and the potholes will ruin the entire suspension. Still, he uses it as his "getting around the city car" during the May-Nov. period and loves the gas milage.

i have one. A 2010 model I bought second-hand with low mileage. Plain and black. Great little car. Really fun to drive... turns on a dime, parks most anywhere. I've not had it long enough, I suppose, to encounter the reliability issues you speak of. That said, it's our main city commuter and it's driven just about every day. I take it out on 400 series highways and it keeps up fine. Short wheelbase makes for a bumpy ride, but just about any teensy car like that will ride rough.

We bought used from the Benz dealership downtown. Test drove three Smarts in all, including a beautiful cabriolet model. Alas, neither I nor my wife liked the rear-view visibility through the soft top. We also like the glass roof on our model - feels very much like you're driving a convertible, with all the light flooding in. It's great on gas - I usually give it the high-test stuff, just to keep the engine happy. We're really happy with ours. Here's a picture of it, in all its spartan, black, filthy glory, up by Lake Simcoe.

I always check out the Automotive Protection Association web site, as to the views of their members, here is what is being said of two vehicles in the same class.

Automobile Protection Association | Lemon-Aid New Car Buyer's Guide (http://www.apa.ca/lemonaid.asp)

For 2011new vehicles
BELOW AVERAGE
SMART ForTwo (RWD)
Body Style: 2HB, 2CV
Engine: 1L-3 70 HP
Transmission: 5A
City Fuel Economy: 5.9L/100 km
ESC: Standard
Emissions rating: Tier 2 Bin 5

Top Pick
ABOVE AVERAGE
TOYOTA Yaris (FWD)
Engine: 1.5L-4 106 HP
Body Styles: 2HB, 4HB, 4SD
Engines: 1.5L-4 DOHC 106 HP
Transmissions: 5M, 4A*
City Fuel Economy: 7L/100 km
ESC: Standard
Emissions rating: Tier 2 Bin 5

...and for 2012 New vehicles

2012 smart fortwo

Specifications
Below Average
What’s new
Standard air conditioning. New Bluetooth and Innovation packages.
The three-cylinder 1000cc engine revs smoothly and performs well in typical driving. The transmission is the Achilles heel of this car.
Body Style: 2CV, 2HB
Occupants: 2
Engine:
1L‑3 (70 HP) 
Transmissions: 5A
Drive Layout: Rear-wheel drive
City Fuel Economy: 6.9L/100 km
ESC: Standard
Emissions ratings: Tier 2 Bin 5
Warranty: 4/80,000
Country of Origin: France

2012Toyota Yaris

Specifications
Above Average

What’s new
All-new hatchback. Sedan continues on previous-generation platform. Standard Bluetooth on all hatchbacks.

Body Style: 4BL, 2HB, 4HB*
Occupants: 2/3
Engine:
1.5L‑4 (106 HP) 
Transmissions: 5M, 4A*
Drive Layout: Front-wheel drive
City Fuel Economy: 7.8 L/100 km
ESC: Standard
Emissions ratings: Tier 2 Bin 5
Warranty: 3/60,000, 5/100,000
Country of Origin: Japan

I like the concept of the smart for two but have not heard many good things said about them.

I have been thinking of getting a smart car...sort of my version of getting a motorcycle.
As I live in Windsor, we have a winter, it nothing like the rest of Canada.

My question is, are there any smart car owners in ehmacland. What's your experience, would you buy another one.

Reading various sites the quality seems all over the place...and it also sounds like the diesel is not very reliable....although would want the gas engine...thoughts.

I once priced out the smart car.. thought for giggles why not.. then I seen what the monthly payments and insurance was going to be - I said not a chance..

Stick with the diesel if you have the money to purchase one..[ the word tin can comes to mind] - just my 2 cents.. [ see if you can rent it for a week - then you have the answers you are looking for.. that is what I do before I lease - most of the time they give you 2 day test drives any way.]

This story was published in the Halifax Chronicle-Herald a couple of days ago... specific to the diesel model. Who knew that the motor was a "sealed unit" and could not be repaired, only replaced? :yikes:

Smart car 'not so smart' (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/74442-smart-car-not-so-smart)

Thanx DL

I found this very helpful.

I am a smart fortwo diesel owner since it first came out and I still own the car after putting 220,000km on the road. BTW, I have been through a lot with this car, I work as a engineer who travels 70% in GTA and 30% everywhere else including Northern Ontario and Quebec.
it depends on how you are using it. It is a fun car to go around. I have always considered myself as a "technical driver" and here are my comments:


Performance wise.. it is slow, so slow that if you are on the hill, other cars and even tractor trailers will flash the lights at you, and you cannot do anything about it.
Road Handling is fantastic, if you know how to drive it. The car has a short wheel base, any pot holes or uneven surface will send your car to unwanted places. Under windy conditions, say if you are against 75km/hr wind, it will takes you minutes to speed up to 110km, and nevermind if you want to pass other vehicles on the highway, you will have better luck if you are going down hill or with the wind behind you, then you will have no problem going at 140km (max speed). Snow Tires is a must as the original tires are more like summer slicks, however you will be limited with the tire selection due to the odd tire size, they are not expensive but not always available. The other thing that you have to be aware is that the car does not come with a spare tire or run flat (which I hate anyway), all it has is a tire pump with a tire sealant. So if you tire is cut while you are on the road, you will need to wait for a tow.
the engine is flawless in terms of reliability, the turbo is not. I have the turbo changed at 120,000 km and again recently at 210,000 km. Also you will be served in the MB dealer like you are a 3rd class citizen, expect long wait for available appointments. Unless you are a do it yourselfer, the service will cost you. i.e. oil change and regular service at the dealer will cost you $200 for "A" service and $400 for "B" service, which to me A is an oil change plus some minor inspection. (Where if you know how to do it yourself, the oil filter will cost you $5 (yes, cheap) and about $30 of syth. oil. (3 liter). but if you need to do it every 8,000km, the dealer service will cost you a lot.
Ok. aginst for service, if you need to change a head light (about every 6mths), at the dealer will cost you over $125, as in theory you will need to take off the front hood cover. Of course with practice, it will take me 20 mins, plus 2 bulbs. If you read the blogs, due to the excessive vibrations with this car, the bulbs generally didn't last. I ended up with installing a HID system and I did not have to change my bulb since then.


So in conclusion, the car gave me lots of fun at the beginning, I was involved in all sort of parades, owners' club meet, etc. It also saved me a lot of gas (however all my gas saving eventually went back to the 2 turbo services which cost me roughly $1500. Unless you know the car, and you can do some services yourself I would not recommend this car to anyone.

[ see if you can rent it for a week - then you have the answers you are looking for.. that is what I do before I lease - most of the time they give you 2 day test drives any way.]

1. I do not find any places that rent any car other than the usual pedestrian fords or toyotas or chevys etc. Where do you find these cars for rent? Hell, I cannot even find an Accord or a Mazda, let alone a Smart.

2. Where do you live that dealers give you two day test drives (and that too, most of the time!)?

Cheers

I drive these cars every so often through the Car2Go car share. Great little vehicles in the city, even though the engine is slow and the transmission is like a newbie just slamming the clutch pedal in every shift. I learned to deal with the lack of power but slowing down as little as possible, these cars stay well planted in a higher speed cornering manoeuvre. I learned to deal with the transmission by letting off the gas every shift, whether I'm driving in automatic or manual mode. I don't like taking these things on the highway though. They're sensitive to head winds, cross winds, any wind, and thus require a lot of attention just to keep her straight in a lane.

I'm more interested in the Scion iQ though, with it's ability to carry three and a half people if need be and the possibility of a manual transmission version when they come out with their Release Series models every once in awhile. Smarts are great car share cars, but its lack of manual transmission means I would never own one. Of course you can order a kit from Home of SmartBUSA - Hayabusa GSXR 1300 powered Smart Car. (http://www.smartbusa.us) to add a Hayabusa engine and sequential manual transmission (with manual clutch) but that's another $17,000... even though you'd have nearly the fastest thing on four wheels available.

My model's not diesel and not turbo, either. I drive it like an automatic and it just goes like stink. So far so good. As for treatment at the Benz dealership, so far I've been treated like a first class citizen, regardless of the price of the Smart vs. Benz' more typically dear offerings. Mind you, I bought the car with a good run of warranty still on it - once that's expired I imagine all bets will be off. And though I've heard of the shakey headlight syndrome, we've not had any problems in that regard.

So far we are of the opinion that we would buy one again. We had also looked at the Fiat 500 but its footprint is quite a bit bigger and we would have had to buy brand new.... it too looks like a fun little car to drive.

.

Must... breathe... must... fight... claustrophobia...

Must... breathe... must... fight... claustrophobia...

I have to be honest but I felt that way as well, Macfury. After sitting in one for about 10 minutes, my Toyota Echo felt huge.

I would consider a Ford Fiesta/Mazda2, Fiat 500 and maybe some others as well. Mercedes dealers are very snooty and things like oil changes will cost you alot more. If Nissan or Toyota made them I would have a higher opinion of them.

I'm on my second smart and no complaints. The first was an 05 diesel that I wrecked in Dec. then I got an 08 gasser which I prefer to the diesel. The good points of the car are: 1.Easy to park; 2.Good gas mileage though the diesel is better; 3. Easy to get in and out of along with lots of head room (I'm over 6 ft tall); 4. Good visibility all round, except for the cabrio which has a small rear window and 5. I find it a great car for driving in town or on the highway.

The bad points: 1.You have to get work done at the Mercedes dealership. From what I have read, this varies in expense across the country. Here in Halifax costs are reasonable for regular maintenance but replacing parts is expensive. I got the extended warranty with both cars and know it paid for itself with the first one and will see what happens with the second over the next few years; 2.No spare tire. This is always a worry if you are going any distance but I bought myself a jack and a wrench and carry an off season tire with me just in case if I am going on a trip. I take my chances with the pump and can of goop around town.

There was plenty of room for two of us when my late wife was with me and she really liked the car. I don't need anything bigger for me.

I saw a lot of Smart-for-4s in France, but all the external charm has gone out of them. More interior room, but no style at all.

1. I do not find any places that rent any car other than the usual pedestrian fords or toyotas or chevys etc. Where do you find these cars for rent? Hell, I cannot even find an Accord or a Mazda, let alone a Smart.

2. Where do you live that dealers give you two day test drives (and that too, most of the time!)?

Cheers

1. Zip Car car comes to mind right away
{ some dealers rent out themselves - Owasco does VW/AUDI}
2. Just ask the dealer.. I have yet to have one say no to me [ I must be lucky ]

hope this helps :)

2. Just ask the dealer.. I have yet to have one say no to me [ I must be lucky ]

Yes, you are lucky. :) I tried asking many dealers and without exception I got laughed at. The Volvo dealer even refused to let me take it on a short around-the-block test drive (with the salesman inside) unless I was serious about buying the car; and the VW dealer said that the test-drive route is predefined and that I cannot even take it in a different route, even if it is just a 10 minute test-drive!

Cheers

I'm just shy of 6' 2" and I too find it comfortable, with plenty of headroom. Funny. I suppose it does feel somewhat like a golf cart but on the other hand I find it very nimble and maneuverable. I can get in and out of some pretty tight spots with it.

I would also look at the Scion... sort of a more muscular version of the Smart. Or the predictably reliable but perhaps less exciting Yaris.

Yes, you are lucky. :) I tried asking many dealers and without exception I got laughed at. The Volvo dealer even refused to let me take it on a short around-the-block test drive (with the salesman inside) unless I was serious about buying the car; and the VW dealer said that the test-drive route is predefined and that I cannot even take it in a different route, even if it is just a 10 minute test-drive!

Cheers

thats sad.. when I leased my Volvos pre Made and owned by China.. I had them for 3 days. and then one of my clients took it for a week for a test drive LOL..
as for VW - dealer you should try is Owasco.. they are amazing.. I have never had an issue about where and when and how to drive the cars.. I live 85 Kms from them - and they said each time have fun.. [ sent them clients too for the good customer service.. ] I believe in the pay it forward method.. if you take care of me I take care of you..
But that is old school and maybe that is a dying way of doing business ..
tilt where you located? [ if you need to purchase or lease some thing VW/Audi or Benz - possibly volvo.. let me know and I can give you some contacts. ]

When I test drive a car, I expect to be able to test drive more than a block.. LOL
it is just common sense..

the only place that gave me grief about driving a car on a 'select path with a dealer in tow' was Queensway VW.. [horrid customer service ] also Kia at erin mills.. gave some speech about how busy KIA is and they have no cars on the lot.. - I walked out and never called them back, then the Kia guy had the gull to call me 2 days later and ask are you going to lease one? I replied nope went to another brand and dealer who cares about customers.. he replied - sorry house rules.. I replied thats okay because you said you have clients lined up and surprised your calling me back. LOL

tilt where you located? [ if you need to purchase or lease some thing VW/Audi or Benz - possibly volvo.. let me know and I can give you some contacts. ]

oh thanks, but I am no longer in the market - I went and bought a Mazda from Toronto Mazda purely because they treated me well and gave me no BS, just a very fair price right-away with no haggling.

BTW, I live in Burlington ON.

Cheers

Must... breathe... must... fight... claustrophobia...

The back window is right behind me so I never felt closed in. Add the optional glass roof and it's the closest thing to being on a motorcycle aside from a convertible.

The glass roof is indeed a bonus. Couldn't stand the cabriolet version though... the much smaller window in the back made us both uncomfortable. Hasn't stopped lots of people from buying that model but the compromised rear view was a deal-breaker for us.

It was bound to happen...it was just a matter of when.
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http://www.ikarl.com/pics/ehmac/2012/smart_pu.jpg

I love it.