Is it a good investment?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by xkristinx on January 10, 2008 at 2:33pm

I think it depends on how much driving you do. As it's a second car, you already have access to a full-sized if you need to pick friends up or run large errands.

If it's for putting around, you'll definitely save a lot on gas.

My experience with Smart Car sales reps (and this pricing) has been that it's discouraged as a "cheap" car, and it's sold more on it's being "green" and "alternative."

A Yaris is definitely cheaper. So it depends on gas consumption.

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on February 14, 2008 at 10:58pm

i do 99% of my driving alone, it is a good value, it may appreciate in value, several people on e-bay have sold theirs for $5-10,000 over list price, just because of the 1+ year wait now (a lot of people never knew of the smart before a month or two ago, unlike some of us "smarties" that have known of this car for years)

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Coté on February 15, 2008 at 2:05pm

You may want to take a look at this article http://www.unfocusedbrain.com/projects/miles_per_dollar/ for a way to see what it costs in a miles per dollar in fuel to drive any car. On this site you can modify the calculator for your own use.

You can also check the EPA's website where they show an "annual fuel cost" for each vehicle. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

But, as you know, fuel costs are not the only determining factor. one must consider depreciation, maintenance, warranty, insurance, etc. The 2008 smart is a new model both here and in Canada so it's difficult to assess some of these factors when comparing smart to a Honda or a Toyota that has an established track record.

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on February 15, 2008 at 10:34pm

the thing is Mitsubishi warranties their engines for 10 years/100,000 miles in their own cars, MB is making a profit setting their warranties at 2 years/24,000 miles and selling nose-bleed add-on warranties (tire warranties! jeez!!!! i have only had one flat on a new car in 26 years! and that was driving thru a gravel parking lot in a body shop where i picked up a sheet metal screw!) add-on warranties on new cars are just that, add-on profits for the dealer, cuz they're locked into sell the car at a super low price!

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Coté on February 16, 2008 at 12:27am

The 45bhp engine is a diesel which is not available in the 2008 North American smart cars.

smart's EPA estimated annual fuel cost is $1339.

There are 2 Civics with lower annual fuel cost figures than the smart: one @ $884 burns CNG and the other is a Hybrid @ $1064. The gasoline models are higher @ $1542 and $2008. As for the Corolla, the Automatic is @ $1542 and the Manual 5-speed is @ $1444.

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on February 16, 2008 at 12:37am

but the hybrids are like $10,000 more to buy, it'll take years to make up the difference, then when the batteries go, there's a chunk of change to replace them! CNG... i have not seen one station that sells that in illinois. use it on forklifts, and those run out of "gas" real fast, IMHO. the honda hybrid, driving the same distance, hmmm.... $275 divided by $10,000, that's 36 years to get your "payback", providing the batteries last that long... I DON'T THINK SO!!! the hybrid will be landfill before you get payback, plus 2-3 sets of batteries.

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on February 16, 2008 at 1:22am

personally,. i recommend that nobody buy any extended warranty on a smart, Mitsubishi is an established, hi-tech manufacturer, you think they'll make a lancer engine better than a smart engine? they have a reputation to uphold, MB states upfront it's a Mitsu engine, and Conti will make sub-standard tires for MB? i think not! the finance clown just plays on your fears to earn his paycheck! i bet he makes $3-400 on each contract he sells (tire or drivetrain) and you're out a few thousand, plus the interest, for they automatically make the loan out for 5 years at 6.9% (i smell "loan shark"!) i told the idiot i was willing to put 50% down, he said benz wouldn't finance that low of an amount! salesmen are all alike, sharks looking for bait and chum! love the car, hate the company!!!

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