Author Topic: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....  (Read 2914 times)

CROSSBOLT

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Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« on: February 20, 2015, 10:43:30 PM »
Yep! Dear wife has had the "hots" for one since when one went by us on I-10 west of Phoenix in about 2009 like we were standin' still. The Smart is like two scooters welded together with a radio and a heater. Gets about 44 mpg which is about what we get when we both ride our 300 cc scoots. Here is the rest of the story: there is a great forum called, Smart Car Forum, what else. It is populated by folks like here, upbeat and spring loaded to help anyone. The POINT is the GPS in the Smart sux. Since about year before last the members have been trying to get "updates" without success. This car is made by Mercedes-Benz and is sold/serviced out of Smart Centers around the country. So far, NONE of the dealers know anything about the "update", how to get it, how to install it or that it even exists! I have contacted two dealers near here ( in the "sticks") and one does not do Smarts and the one that does knows nothing, like Schultz! Kind of like Kymco dealers dontcha think? Maybe this kind of thing is another reason why America is destined to fail.

The solution to this is get an aftermarket GPS, stick it on the windscreen and get on with it which is what we will eventually do. Radio sux, too. Car works pretty well. They got that part right....so far.

Karl
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kingkymco125

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2015, 11:45:15 PM »
No offense, but I look at those cars and just think they are too small for me. I need my space. I current drive a 2005 Saturn Ion which I like because it does not free crammed. There is plenty of run for the bodies. These cars remind me of the old Ford Fiat cars of the 1980s. I felt safer on my 10speed bike instead of in one of those.
David M.  Las Vegas, Nevada
New 2012 Kymco Agility 125cc bike

zombie

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2015, 12:40:40 AM »
My buddy owns an RV park here, and I have seen several of these cars come in either in tow or actually stored inside some of the larger RV's with the tailgate ramp deals.

I'd guess they are fine around town.
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

slug50

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2015, 03:21:09 PM »
I test drove one of these a couple yrs ago and we stopped for lunch at a great little taco truck. On the return trip I farted, when I came around the car was in the ditch and it was an hour later!

zombie

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2015, 05:01:06 PM »
My car is soooo small...

How small is it?
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

TLRam1

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2015, 07:19:08 AM »
Photos Karl and of the inside I have never seen.

Does it have a M. Benz motor?

Auto/std?

Give us a few specs.
Terry
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de dee

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2015, 05:02:02 PM »
you can look it up on line    smart fortwo cabrolet,     it was made for ease to park ,not for gas milage,  But I overheard some Dot mechanics talking when it was coming to canada ,  and he said he was getting up to 100 MPG  imp. gal.  thats 80 MPG usa  on the highway,  they were hooked up with dials and test dohickys,      23 below today I dont think I will go for a ride today,   to much snow ????     out for a ride on the tractor again,  keep the drivway clean just in case it clears up   going for my over 80 driving test wednesday,    82  on Mar. 15

TroutBum

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2015, 05:28:00 PM »
Lots of people have them in San Francisco where parking is a premium and spaces are small like enough space to put you garbage cans out curbside. They take on the hills no problem and zip up and down the highways like bees.

Jeopardy4100

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2015, 03:41:51 AM »
You might contact the Louisville, KY Smartcenter and inquire to the update.   Not a lot of dealers in the south, nor here in Alaska.  But I do see them around Anchorage.  And no the M-B dealer here does not service them.  They were suppose to be sold throught Chrysler, when M-B owned them.

TLRam1

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2015, 06:25:25 AM »
What is a over 80 driving test, never heard of one and congrats on the up coming birthday.
Terry
10 Kymco People S 250
87 Yamaha Riva 200 (Sold)
Allen TX (Dallas)
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de dee

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2015, 06:42:51 AM »
  when you are over 80 in ontario canada they test you for sight, and road rules, to see if you still remember them, and dexterity there is a 3 hour class,   then the test, 

CROSSBOLT

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2015, 03:42:57 PM »
And I will bet De-dee will pass with flying colors!

Karl
Karl

Three motorcycles 1960-1977 (restored a 1955 BSA)
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Yager 200i
Downtown 300i
Navy tech, Ships Engineer, pilot and aircraft mechanic

zombie

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Re: Just got a 2013 SmartCar! More to it than that.....
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2015, 03:51:37 PM »
Either that or shoot someone in the foot for asking him to try that one more time.   8)

Those Canadians don't mess aboot, Ay!
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

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