Talk me out of it...

Post by **TPRJones** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:08 pm

I just test-drove a Smart car. I liked it a lot. It was quite roomy, and felt almost like driving a miniature SUV. It's got just the right features, and it's very affordable. The only negative is that the "Automated Manual Transmission" shifts rough, but I could get used to that.

Someone tell me awful things about Smart cars and talk me out of it.

Post by **GORDON** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:15 pm

What are the actual net monetary savings you will incur owning one?

Post by **TPRJones** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:24 pm

My current car is paid off, so car payments are a big negative. My current car gets 32 mpg versus nearly 40 mpg, and my insurance would drop $100 a month. But that's minor in comparison.

But I so want one. I can afford it. But I certainly don't need it, I've only got 58,000 miles on my paid-off 2002 Hyundai. It seems so silly to go buy a new car when I've got one that's perfectly serviceable.

I'm a cheap-skate, you know.

But I so want one.

Edited By TPRJones on 1250288688

Post by **GORDON** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:34 pm

Well, if you want one, you want one. Price <> its worth to you. You're a grown man, do what you want.

And tell us all horror stories related to owning one so your experience can be a warning to us.

Post by **TheCatt** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:42 pm

Every Smart car I've seen on the road is driven by some douche who thinks the speed limit a) matters and b) is 5 mph lower than reality.

Don't be that douche.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:39 pm

Smart car? Fuck, I hope you never hit or get hit by anything larger than a house cat, because it'll rip thru that fucker like aluminum foil.

& I echo catt's speed limit observations.

Post by **TPRJones** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:18 pm

GORDON wrote:You're a grown man, do what you want.

Bah, I'm no adult, just old. And I hate big expenses, even if I can afford it. I grew up having to be thrifty, and it's sort of automatic. But maybe it's time I went ahead and spent some money on something I want, damn it. *sigh*

As to being a slow-driving douche, that won't be a problem. During the test drive I accidentally sped 20 miles over the speed limit without noticing. It's got a governor at 90 mph, but it'll go faster if I disable it.

The crash test results are actually pretty good on it, btw. It doesn't have much in the way of crumple zones, but the hard stiff shell is very good. There are very few crashes that will intrude into the passenger compartment. There is added danger due to the lack of crumple zones, though, because sudden deceleration is more sudden.

It took me three years to finally decide to buy a new LCD TV (which was stolen two weeks later). I expect I'll keep "considering" this purchase for a few months at least.

Maybe I should keep my old car instead of trading it in. Just in case there are problems with the smart and I need to let it go.

Post by **TPRJones** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:44 pm

Yeah, I had a similar Carmax story....

Of course, I guess I should have been a LITTLE more cautious about BUYING a car from them, but that's the human brain for you.

Hey, thib, what's the details? There's some smart cars at my local Carmax that would make me feel better due to the price. But I've never bought a car from them, and know many people that have sold them crap. Should I avoid them like the plague or what?

Post by **TheCatt** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:48 pm

I'm not very good about buying new cars. I'm 35 and on my 2nd car since I turned 16. When I got a job a couple of years ago, it was a good raise, etc. I told my wife I was going to buy a Lexus. She said "Sweet!" I said "No, you're supposed to talk me out of it." Then, when I got this job offer a month ago, I said "I'm going to go buy an Accord," she said "Sweet!" I just glared.

I started shopping to replace my first car (a 1990 Honda Civic) in 1997. I eventually bought a used Camry to replace it in 2001, cuz the Civic's oil light didn't work, and the car had a slow leak, and the engine seized due to lack of oil.

I hope to keep my current car for 6 more years. The way I look at it is all this time is $ I can save up for the next one, and get whatever I want. And, if I bought a car, it would just start a countdown towards the time that car had to be replaced.

Post by **TPRJones** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:09 pm

Yeah, you get it.

The part that really makes it hard is my Hyundai could easily last another decade. So this whole things seems completely frivolous. Except I really like these little cars.

I never have passengers. If I do it's never more than one. I hate lugging around two extra seats and a whole five feet of car I never use. It just seems silly. And the smart is the only 2-seater car I can find that isn't stupidly over-priced.

Edited By TPRJones on 1250298591

Alhazad · Post by **Alhazad** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:06 am

TheCatt wrote:Every Smart car I've seen on the road is driven by some douche who thinks the speed limit a) matters and b) is 5 mph lower than reality.

Don't be that douche.

Myah, eat shit. I drive the limit.

Post by **GORDON** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:09 am

Alhazad wrote:
TheCatt wrote:Every Smart car I've seen on the road is driven by some douche who thinks the speed limit a) matters and b) is 5 mph lower than reality.

Don't be that douche.
Myah, eat shit. I drive the limit.

In the passing lane?

Post by **thibodeaux** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:59 am

TPRJones wrote:
Yeah, I had a similar Carmax story....

Of course, I guess I should have been a LITTLE more cautious about BUYING a car from them, but that's the human brain for you.
Hey, thib, what's the details? There's some smart cars at my local Carmax that would make me feel better due to the price. But I've never bought a car from them, and know many people that have sold them crap. Should I avoid them like the plague or what?

Bad head gasket. The car I bought is fine, though.

Post by **TPRJones** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:42 pm

Thanks, thib. That put me at ease about buying from them.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:45 pm

TPRJones wrote:The crash test results are actually pretty good on it, btw. It doesn't have much in the way of crumple zones, but the hard stiff shell is very good. There are very few crashes that will intrude into the passenger compartment. There is added danger due to the lack of crumple zones, though, because sudden deceleration is more sudden.

That thing can't have much mass.

Post by **TPRJones** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:18 pm

Nope, only 1600+ pounds. In a collision against an immovable object I'll be toast. But against another vehicle I use their crumple zones to my advantage.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/223062/

Post by **TheCatt** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:54 pm

Nice!

Alhazad · Post by **Alhazad** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:16 pm

GORDON wrote:
Alhazad wrote:
TheCatt wrote:Every Smart car I've seen on the road is driven by some douche who thinks the speed limit a) matters and b) is 5 mph lower than reality.

Don't be that douche.
Myah, eat shit. I drive the limit.
In the passing lane?

Well, once; but the other side of the road was stripped.

Post by **GORDON** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:50 pm

Alhazad wrote:
GORDON wrote:
Alhazad wrote: Myah, eat shit. I drive the limit.
In the passing lane?
Well, once; but the other side of the road was stripped.

Then I pardon you, my son, and I reward you with 5 minutes of unbroken eye contact with me.

Post by **TPRJones** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:16 pm

I gotta tell you, chicks dig the smart. It's almost like I'm driving around in a cute little puppy.