Buying a Smart ForTwo

Buying a Smart ForTwo guarantees you a lot of looks. Part of that stems from the Smart’s 106-inch long diminutive size and gawky cuteness. But another reason is its rarity. Since the car only recently went on sale, there aren’t too many of them on the roads.

Hence, it’s not easy to buy a Smart. There are basically two ways to get one. You can get a $99 reservation online from Smart that holds your place in line. Problem is, lots of people are in line ahead of you. Consider that we made our reservation in October, 2007—and the dealer said we’d probably be waiting until next October to get a car. Don’t expect to make any interest on that $99 either. At least Penske, the mega dealer/rental/racing company that imports the car is trying to get more production to ease the demand.

The other way to get a car is to find an "orphan" that someone ordered but didn’t buy. Our dealer had a less cute name for this situation—a "declined" car. That’s how we wound up with our white Passion coupe. Equipped with the Comfort package (heated seats, power steering, paddle shifters, panorama roof) and some trivial options, our car was $15,355. That’s before all of the dealer profit padding we had to buy on the high-demand car (including $695 for Simoniz protection and $895 for LoJack), pushing the price up to nearly $17,000. Although dealers are strongly encouraged—with threat of losing their franchise—to not mark up the cars over MSRP, Smart enthusiast forums report that ours wasn’t the only case of a dealer padding the "orphan’s" price with such add-ons.

You’re probably doing the math by now. Even the MSRP of $15,355 seems like quite a bit of money for such a small car. (Well-equipped, yes, but still really small.) Only $30 more buys a Honda Fit automatic, a much more versatile car. With its $2,000 incentive here in Connecticut, you could get our Top Pick Hyundai Elantra SE with an automatic for $15,945 before haggling, which is much quieter, rides a lot better, and can comfortably seat four.

Of course, no one gives you a second look in a Fit or an Elantra. And the Smart’s EPA estimated fuel economy of 33/41 beats both of those cars. We’ll put more miles on our Smart and go through our full test program. Then we can figure out just where the Smart’s value equation falls in the world of small cars.

—Tom Mutchler

Discuss Smart cars in our forum.

Comments

[Bernard Siegal]

I reserved my smart back in March 2007 so it arrived on time about year later (April 10th). The Mercedes dealership (Park Place Smart) in Dallas gave excellent service and they didn't add anything we didn't order. We added some rubber floor mats for $49 (list was suppose to be about $79).

We noticed that any orphaned cars had items added which raised the prices about $1200. Given that all the cars are order makes is tough for the dealership to get much of a boost in profits.

I totally agree the price for the Passion is not inexpensive but at this point there is not much to comparison to it (wait about 18 months and there will be) I had a Honda Fit which is an excellent car but had several minor short comings which I hope the new model will solve. Frankly I think a large number of purchasers of the smart car are trying to make a statement similar to the early Prius buyers.

I have found my smart to be a love/hate relationship at first. You really have work with the automated transmission and modulate the gas in either the auto or manual mode. Once you get the hang of it works really well. If the driver does not want any interaction, as far as shifting, the is not the car for them.

[Green Cars]

My family living in the UK have been driving the smart car for seven years now and love the fuel economy this little car provides. I have driven the smart car several times , Its some what stiff as far as the ride goes but not as stiff on your wallet. What bothers me is how come the european smarts get 85mpg and the us is almost half the milelage at 45mpg. I think that's strange...

[Ed]

I would imagine that the difference in fuel consumption is due to the European version using a diesel motor rather than gas. Diesels use less gas and have more low end torque. This is a great combination for such a small motor that needs all the torque it can get! Wish we could buy that version huh!

[Dually Driver]

Imperial gallon versus US gallon??

[everett whitney]

To "Green Cars" -23 May .. " 85 in Europe but half in US..."

Not to either confirm or refute either mpg statement - those we saw in our travels throughout Europe were all turbodiesel models ... none are allowed so-powered in US.

[John Anderson]

A friend let me drive her new Smart ragtop this weekend. Surprisingly roomy (I'm 6'5"). The "automatic" trans is actually
a a manual trans with automated shifting....its like a ghost is doing the shifting! Amazing. i thought it was a cute car. If it was less than $10k, it might be attractive. But at nearly $20k, I'll take a Civic (etc) that gets nearly as good mileage or a Prius (etc) that actually gets better mileage....and get a REAL car in the deal with a LOT more versatility. The Smart reminds me of the old Messerschmidts and Fiats of the 1950s...the ones with the doors on the front! It does seem well-made....maybe for some its a good machine to have due to size...but at nearly $20k, I think there are much better alternatives out there. The Smart also requires premium fuel, BTW.

[John Anderson]

I drove a smart ragtop this W/e.
Amazing roomy inside...I'm 6'5"
But it cost about $20k....and it really does not
get much better mileage than a Civic which
is a LOT more car and much more versatile.
The "automatic" in the smart is actually a
manual box with an electronic Ghost shifting
it...amazing! If this car was $10k, it would be a big hit.
Or if it got 60+ mpg. But it is neither so I think it is but
a novelty.

[Tom Odackal]

I am in the process of buying a new car. The dealer is pushing for a Simoniz System 5 surface protecting sealant. Is this really worh $500? Anybody out there with some knowledge about this product and it's worth?

[Rob Z]

Why does Lojack require a $79.95 maintenance after 2 years? Is this necessary?