Smart car (no AMG content)
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
Smart car (no AMG content)
So, does anyone here drive a Smart car? I'm looking for info on reliability, satisfaction and of course mods 
I had a reservation for a C300 at Hertz, but there was a nice red Smart car next to it, so I swapped out. Let me tell you, this little bugger is fun to drive, and quicker than I thought. My wife wants one to use as a grocery getter, and I'm happy to oblige, if she would make her stop driving the beast
I had a reservation for a C300 at Hertz, but there was a nice red Smart car next to it, so I swapped out. Let me tell you, this little bugger is fun to drive, and quicker than I thought. My wife wants one to use as a grocery getter, and I'm happy to oblige, if she would make her stop driving the beast
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
The SMART car is actually not very smart. You end-up getting an average of 38 to 39 mpg. One can get a corolla with an average of 33 mpg for the same price as the coupe version of SMART, but with more room in the back, more room in the trunk, and all around more safety. Having said that, they are fun to drive for short distances
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
That turbocharged 3 banger is just dying to be modded. Maybe you could be the first to take the stock 71 HP to an over 100 HP beast. I'm thinking a tune and exhaust could get you close.
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
time for the Busa Smart Car Vid.
Turn this classic up and enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Yo6...=youtube_gdata
Turn this classic up and enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Yo6...=youtube_gdata
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Drives Slowly
time for the Busa Smart Car Vid.
Turn this classic up and enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Yo6...=youtube_gdata
Turn this classic up and enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Yo6...=youtube_gdata
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 6
From: S.E. FLA.
05 ML-500 , 03 CLK5.5 AMG has left the Garage
Smart car
I brought a 09 for my Girl friend , She Loves it. Power windows Power steering , heated seats, And I drive it around town myself. Small errands Post office & to the shop. I try not to venture out on I-95. The build quality is pretty good. Easy to get in & out of. The seats are about 8" higher than a small car of similar size. You would think by the looks it should get 50+ MPG, I get 40 - 41 MPG around town , 35 MPH on the highway, That was after the ECU tune, by Veloce. The trans shifts kinda clunky and has a gear rattle / loose lash in the 1st , 2ND and reverse gears . Which is made worse by the 3 Cyl - 999 cc Mitsu.I fixed that by draining out the thin trans axle oil. I used Lubrication Engineers super red Sync oil. The gear whine & Clunk are Gone. Thank GOD. This car has small tires, Small pot holes are a Big Deal!!! The cars seems to hold itself on the road, in strong Cross winds And large truck Traffic 
Everything & the mods , I did , improved it . Plus everybody stares at It and asks questions. They seem to hold their value. There are many low mileage used ones on the market. This car is not for everyone , especially young adults. Cheers _PTEngineering
Everything & the mods , I did , improved it . Plus everybody stares at It and asks questions. They seem to hold their value. There are many low mileage used ones on the market. This car is not for everyone , especially young adults. Cheers _PTEngineering
Last edited by PTE; May 23, 2010 at 09:16 PM.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
You called?
I love my smart. It's a niche car. You either like it or you don't. I don't think one should buy a smart car for fuel economy. You buy it for its novelty. It's not cheap. As others have said, you have a lot of options if you are looking in this price range.
As far as safety, IIRC, side impact crash resulted higher than a BMW 3-series. It was a 5 star. i think front and rear were 3 or 4 stars. The driver's seat is high for a reason....Should you get hit, the impact (engine) is designed to slide under your seat, lessening the impact. The car is built around a roll cage basically.
As far as engine mods, there are a few turbo kits on the market. Stock, it puts about 60-63hp to the wheel. A bolt-on stage 2 SFR turbo will put 115hp to the wheel. It goes up if you go with an air-to-water intercooler. Personally, I bought the car because of the Youtube Busa videos, but quickly learned that motor would be too loud for a daily driver, and now looking to do a car engine swap. I've seen a N/A MR2 engine swap. Fits nicely. Currently following a Honda VTEC build before I decide what route to get.
The rate limiting factor in "speed" is the tranny. Major lag between the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. The 0-60mph inlcludes, literally, 2 seconds worth of shift lag. Dynotronics has a TCM tune that reduces shift lag by 25%, and are working on a tune that reduces by 50%.
You can see my mods in my sig.
www.smartcarofamerica.com if you want to read up more.
I love my smart. It's a niche car. You either like it or you don't. I don't think one should buy a smart car for fuel economy. You buy it for its novelty. It's not cheap. As others have said, you have a lot of options if you are looking in this price range.
As far as safety, IIRC, side impact crash resulted higher than a BMW 3-series. It was a 5 star. i think front and rear were 3 or 4 stars. The driver's seat is high for a reason....Should you get hit, the impact (engine) is designed to slide under your seat, lessening the impact. The car is built around a roll cage basically.
As far as engine mods, there are a few turbo kits on the market. Stock, it puts about 60-63hp to the wheel. A bolt-on stage 2 SFR turbo will put 115hp to the wheel. It goes up if you go with an air-to-water intercooler. Personally, I bought the car because of the Youtube Busa videos, but quickly learned that motor would be too loud for a daily driver, and now looking to do a car engine swap. I've seen a N/A MR2 engine swap. Fits nicely. Currently following a Honda VTEC build before I decide what route to get.
The rate limiting factor in "speed" is the tranny. Major lag between the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. The 0-60mph inlcludes, literally, 2 seconds worth of shift lag. Dynotronics has a TCM tune that reduces shift lag by 25%, and are working on a tune that reduces by 50%.
You can see my mods in my sig.
www.smartcarofamerica.com if you want to read up more.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 697
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From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
TBone: Thanks for the the feedback. I'm not worried too much about the safety aspect, since I'm at greater risk when I ride my motorcycle. The tranny could really use a good tweak, even when using the paddles, the 1-2, 2-3 shifts are way too slow, if they could get it to shift like the SLS, it would be a great little runabout. I may pick one up, despite the price or just get another Cooper S, even though the MINI has attained "chick car" status, not like in '02 when I got car #237 and it was a car guy's & gal's hot little hatch.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 569
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From: Brisbane, Aust
2005 e55 amg
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Posts: 1,907
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
TBone: Thanks for the the feedback. I'm not worried too much about the safety aspect, since I'm at greater risk when I ride my motorcycle. The tranny could really use a good tweak, even when using the paddles, the 1-2, 2-3 shifts are way too slow, if they could get it to shift like the SLS, it would be a great little runabout. I may pick one up, despite the price or just get another Cooper S, even though the MINI has attained "chick car" status, not like in '02 when I got car #237 and it was a car guy's & gal's hot little hatch.
Check out these custom wheels made for a classic mini:
http://www.mymbonline.com/forum/view...910&highlight=
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
What needs to be considered is how the occupants end up after the crash, and less on the visual damage. Here are a couplecrashes:
Head on by Ford Mustang:
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...d-crash-31141/
Rear ended by Lexus:
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...s-430-a-30578/
Head on by Ford Mustang:
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...d-crash-31141/
Rear ended by Lexus:
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...s-430-a-30578/
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 697
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From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
Dude,
I ride motorcycles, and fly helicopters, so that picture does not bother me in the least. When the reaper comes my way, I'll be laughing in his face. I saw both of my parents waste away from cancer in the prime of their lives, and I'd rather go out like the picture above, if I have a choice.
The earlier in life that you realize you aren't going to live forever, the more time you will have to enjoy life for what it is.
Marlon
I ride motorcycles, and fly helicopters, so that picture does not bother me in the least. When the reaper comes my way, I'll be laughing in his face. I saw both of my parents waste away from cancer in the prime of their lives, and I'd rather go out like the picture above, if I have a choice.
The earlier in life that you realize you aren't going to live forever, the more time you will have to enjoy life for what it is.
Marlon
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 569
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane, Aust
2005 e55 amg
Dude,
I ride motorcycles, and fly helicopters, so that picture does not bother me in the least. When the reaper comes my way, I'll be laughing in his face. I saw both of my parents waste away from cancer in the prime of their lives, and I'd rather go out like the picture above, if I have a choice.
The earlier in life that you realize you aren't going to live forever, the more time you will have to enjoy life for what it is.
Marlon
I ride motorcycles, and fly helicopters, so that picture does not bother me in the least. When the reaper comes my way, I'll be laughing in his face. I saw both of my parents waste away from cancer in the prime of their lives, and I'd rather go out like the picture above, if I have a choice.
The earlier in life that you realize you aren't going to live forever, the more time you will have to enjoy life for what it is.
Marlon
Oh, (from one of the links above), if this is a 60mph head on with a mustang then Im buying a Camry...
Last edited by acb; May 24, 2010 at 07:44 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4
From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
Smart Car Crash Test
SMART Car Vs S-Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02eghIfyHP0
SMART Car Vs C-Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4k0FWvGoSM
SMART Car Vs Road Block
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwk8f_5Yw00
SMART Car Vs S-Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02eghIfyHP0
SMART Car Vs C-Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4k0FWvGoSM
SMART Car Vs Road Block
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwk8f_5Yw00
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
I used to feel like this before having kids, rode insane bikes (eg turbo busa) like there aint no tomorrow and generally disregarded personal safety with a passion and loved every minute of it. Whether for good or bad, Mr Responsible smacked me out of that pretty quick. If only I could give up the ciggs...
Cotidie damnatur qui semper timet
