Smart car as commuter

Moeks · 27 Mar 2009 at 18:29

We need to bring Jeremy Clarkson in on this, see what he has to say about it.

I suppose you are right, when it comes down to it.

But let me say this, if the OP is 'seriously' considering it, then he needs his head examining.

The_Dark_Side · 27 Mar 2009 at 18:32

Janesy B said:
If I HAD to then I'd just put up with it, but why do it out of choice.

Because we're not all cut from the same cloth.....and thank god about that.
The thing the Smart excels at is its size. If you live in a major city the Smart has some serious advantages, but if you're buying from an economy standpoint then the Smart isn't that much better than the competition so it's harder to justify buying one.
Personally, if I were the OP (and he doesn't live somewhere like Tokyo) I'd buy a diesel Clio or Fiesta as they'd be about the same cost to run and would be easier to sell when the time comes. The Smart is a little too specialised to sell as quickly as an offering from a mainstream manufacturer.

Jonnycoupe · 27 Mar 2009 at 18:32

The_Dark_Side said:
'99 model Audi A4 (3* encap for adult passenger occupant) will fair worse in an accident than a 2009 Smart (4* encap for adult passenger occupant)..

Not if the Audi hits the smart car it wont.

The_Dark_Side · 27 Mar 2009 at 18:33

Moeks said:
We need to bring Jeremy Clarkson in on this, see what he has to say about it.

Good plan, he talks enough crap.

The_Dark_Side · 27 Mar 2009 at 18:34

Jonnycoupe said:
Not if the Audi hits the smart car it wont.

Perhaps not, but then if that same Audi hit one of the Smarts competitors like a Corsa for example, the Corsa would fair no better than the Smart and this is the point I'm making.

iraiguana · 27 Mar 2009 at 18:41

As others have suggested, I would also suggest maybe looking at a larger vehicle which would be cheaper/safer/more comfortable for a journey as long as yours.

Try out the focus + others before you commit yourself to a vehicle which compared to its competition seems over priced to say the least.

Moeks · 27 Mar 2009 at 18:42

The_Dark_Side said:
Good plan, he talks enough crap.

I had a feeling you might say that, where as I believe the man can barely be faulted.

But again, he isn't really to be be taken too seriously, although I don't think he usually gets it all that wrong, at least not in my opinion.

It was evident several posts back that we would fall on opposite sides of the fence with regards to many things.

Anyway, I'm going to shut up now, since I've gone somewhat off-topic.

The_Dark_Side · 27 Mar 2009 at 18:45

Moeks said:
I had a feeling you might say that, where as I believe the man can barely be faulted.

But again, he isn't really to be be taken too seriously, although I don't think he usually gets it all that wrong, at least not in my opinion.

It was evident several posts back that we would fall on opposite sides of the fence with regards to many things.

Anyway, I'm going to shut up now, since I've gone somewhat off-topic.

"I don't do facts, I do opinions"

That's a direct quote from a certain Mr. J.Clarkson.

Dogbreath · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:06

Moeks said:
I had a feeling you might say that, where as I believe the man can barely be faulted.

I hope you are joking?

He's certainly entertaining, which is a good thing as that's what his job is. I even agree with some of his less misguided opinions. Apart from that he was clearly off sick the day clues were being handed out. He's not exactly a great driver, he has about the same technical knowledge of cars as my 3 year old daughter and for the most part what he says is designed to attract viewers/readers rather than passing any kind of factual information.

To say he can hardly be faulted on motoring matters, is a bit like saying George Monbiot is really quite a decent bloke.

The_Dark_Side · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:21

Dogbreath said:
I hope you are joking?

He's certainly entertaining, which is a good thing as that's what his job is. I even agree with some of his less misguided opinions. Apart from that he was clearly off sick the day clues were being handed out. He's not exactly a great driver, he has about the same technical knowledge of cars as my 3 year old daughter and for the most part what he says is designed to attract viewers/readers rather than passing any kind of factual information.

To say he can hardly be faulted on motoring matters, is a bit like saying George Monbiot is really quite a decent bloke.

If we keep on agreeing, people will start to talk.

Coffee at my place, 9ish ok with you?

Moeks · 27 Mar 2009 at 19:53

Hehe Clarkson is all about entertainment though, I don't need him to give me facts, if I was looking for real factual information, I would go and find it myself.

He does have a severe lack of technical knowledge I know, although I think he plays it up a bit to be fair, I don't think he is quite as clueless as he makes himself out to be.

Anyway I find him very entertaining and he does actually make a lot of sense much of the time.

Read some of his books, ok so he's no A.A. Gill and surely no Stephen Hawking, but he does usually speak basic common sense. And as for his opinions, I happen to agree with quite a lot of them, not all but many, we have much the same thoughts about quite a few things I would say.

I can't help but feel that there are now two of you missing the point. I don't see how, but it feels like it. Maybe you aren't, maybe you are just looking at it in a totally different way to me.

The_Dark_Side · 27 Mar 2009 at 20:06

Moeks said:
Hehe Clarkson is all about entertainment though, I don't need him to give me facts, if I was looking for real factual information, I would go and find it myself.

He does have a severe lack of technical knowledge I know, although I think he plays it up a bit to be fair, I don't think he is quite as clueless as he makes himself out to be.

Anyway I find him very entertaining and he does actually make a lot of sense much of the time.

Read some of his books, ok so he's no A.A. Gill and surely no Stephen Hawking, but he does usually speak basic common sense. And as for his opinions, I happen to agree with quite a lot of them, not all but many, we have much the same thoughts about quite a few things I would say.

I can't help but feel that there are now two of you missing the point. I don't see how, but it feels like it. Maybe you aren't, maybe you are just looking at it in a totally different way to me.

You said that "he can hardly be faulted", and that you "don't think he usually gets it all that wrong".

Well he can be faulted a great deal of the time (you agree that he's economical with factual information), even though he tends to spout his opinion as if it were fact. The fact that he contradicts himself so often illustrates this.
That said, I think he always makes for an entertaining show.....even those that have nothing to do with cars. Watch the show he made on the first commando raid on the docks at St. Nazaire for example, his style gives things a wider appeal.

However, let's call a spade a spade here. Clarkson is a journo who isn't an especially good driver and he puts his opinion forward as if it were fact set in concrete.

mattyprice4004 · 27 Mar 2009 at 20:15

Bah, get a diesel and be done with it.

Focus TDIs are not bad for the moolah, perhaps an Octy?

I spent £750 on my 400 diesel and it's a cracking cruiser, plenty of overtaking power and did 50mpg on a return trip to London (85mph ish...)

If I'm feeling poor and sit at 65-70 I get around 65mpg, but rarely do, I get bored sitting at the same speed

Janesy B · 27 Mar 2009 at 20:18

You love your little smog monster don't ya?