Learning about the smart car: save gas, space, clean air and money
‘œI know that I am partly to blame, by insisting that cars run on trash.’ ‘“ Al Gore on SNL
Last weekend after touring the Project 7 Ten house (a Platinum LEED Certified home); we continued our eco-romp around Venice Beach and stumbled upon the smart house several blocks away. The smart house isn’t really a house, but rather a showroom for the smart car.
Heard the buzz yet about the smart car? I’ve seen them on my European trips and they’re about to make their debut here in the US.
Nicole Brodeur at the Seattle Times writes:
More than 770,000 people in 36 countries have bought smart’s ‘œfortwo’ model since it was introduced in 1998, hoping to save gas, space, clean air and money.’
The cars start at under $12,000 and get 40 miles a gallon, according to the smart company, which apparently hates capital letters as much as e.e. cummings did.’
Jeanine and I didn’t test drive it but we sat in one for several minutes. Unfortunately, I’m not in any hurry to get rid of my Volvo but when I do, I’ve found my next car.
I’ve always said that my next car was going to be an E-Class Mercedes (used, of course) but lately I’ve been rethinking my wants and needs along with the fact that I rarely ever drive any where. When I do ‘“ it’s to the gym, on a nearby errand or to the airport for work travel. I work from home so I don’t have a commute and we use Jeanine’s car the rest of the time.
The smart car is a made by the Mercedes Car Group so while it wouldn’t be my dream Mercedes; it would at least be a smart Mercedes. It is super-small and super-efficient which gives it a green mark even though it’s a gasoline-fueled vehicle.
I’ve considered other options. One of my neighbors drives a street legal golf cart around town and whenever I see her out doing errands, I’m super impressed with her environmental passion. She also hosts an Earth Day party every year and is known as the neighborhood trash police. Beware of her wrath if you set anything curbside that should be going to Goodwill instead of the landfill
But I like her and I eye her golf cart with green envy’¦ technically I think it’s considered a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle because it carries headlights, tail lights and a license plates.
However, all good intention aside, I couldn’t exactly drive the NEV the 40 miles north for my next jaunt to Asia out of LAX. But I could do that in a smart car which some are describing as a fancy golf cart.
Not everyone is impressed. LittleJoe at Joe Litton’s blog writes:
We’ve decided that the smart car is not for us. Today the ‘œstreet smart’ road show came to Tampa, so we finally had the chance to each take a very short test drive. But that was enough to make a decision.’
Bad stuff: The steering wheel position does not adjust. The horn is not easy to activate; I like to have my thumb resting on the horn button to deal with these crazy Tampa drivers, but I’d have to move my hand to get the horn on this car. And with a car this small I do want to be able to hit that horn very quickly. We’ve got an order in already for a Yaris and that will be primarily my car.’
But for every LittleJoe, there’s a faithful disciple like the guy from the smart fortwo blog. I think I’m sold especially for the under $12,000 price point.
And before anyone comments with the safety questions’¦ here are the FAQs and other opinions. I wondered too. After all, I drive a Volvo where safety is first.
I also saw those in Europe. I wonder if my 6 foot plus husband would fit in one. Hmm. We don’t need a new car or a second car right now, but in the future it might be a good idea, since we might eventually need two.
The Fortwo seems a little pricey when you can get a 2008 Civic DX Coupe for $14,810, or a Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit for even less. Of course, the Fortwo gets almost double the mileage of those cars. Still, it seems like they could make it cheaper with how much smaller it is.
Mrs. Micah: I’m 5’10” and surprisingly, it was quite roomy.
Bill: The smart car is a microcar with high marks in the cuteness category. It looks eco-friendly. The Toyota / Honda equivalent is subcompact and looks eco-nomical. The look of the smart car has value from my viewpoint.
My workplace is moving to another location where bussing will more than double my commute time- and driving would make it infinately easier. We’ve begun to discuss buying a second car for me- but given the rising gas cost, I’m not sold. I also wonder about insuring a micro car- anything else could make toast out if in a car crash *if* I survive. So I would think insuring it would cost more too.
Guess I’ll keep bussing!