View Full Version : New Ride
weezer2282
05-11-2008, 12:35 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2483303944_3d5a4fa321_o.jpg
Greg is this in addition to the MINI or is the Cooper gone? :(
weezer2282
05-17-2008, 01:15 PM
I still have the MINI. :thumbsup
tdm156
05-17-2008, 04:13 PM
Nice! How do you like it so far?
weezer2282
05-17-2008, 07:29 PM
I like it a lot. It has its strengths and weaknesses. I've had it for a week now and use it mostly for commuting to/from work. It does that fairly well and gets great gas mileage...my first tank was about 36mpg. I have about 500 miles on it now. The seats are very comfy. It does get blown around quite a bit from wind gusts at 70-75mph on the highway. The MINI has much better handling, performance, and highway manners, but the Smart never was designed for that. Smart is a lot quieter than my MINI.
You can't drive the Smart anywhere without someone asking about it. Popular questions are "Is it electric?" "How good is it on gas?" "How much does it cost?" and "Can a small person fit in the back?" I used to get these questions when I first got my MINI in 2005, but now that doesn't happen as much cause they are more common.
justintime
05-18-2008, 02:17 PM
ya the smart even turns my head when I see them sometimes cause they are such an odd sight to see haha
nice new car man
whats the fuel capacity on that thing?
I'm surprised that it only gets 36 mpg. I had a corolla that got that good of mileage.
What was the attraction? Not trying to cause an issue, just am curious (as I'm starting to see these around town).
weezer2282
05-21-2008, 02:05 AM
whats the fuel capacity on that thing?
The manual says about 10 gallons. I filled up a couple days ago when it said I had a gallon left and it only took 7.6 gallons. Second tank I got 40mpg. :dancing
The attraction was for better fuel mileage, less maintenance than my Cooper S hopefully, fairly inexpensive, and it is different than anything else out there. The only other cars currently on sale that I can think of that get better gas mileage are hybrids or diesels, which cost quite a bit more and are more complex.
justintime
05-21-2008, 04:33 PM
honda crx :D I got around 48 with it lol.
SoldierNurse
11-28-2008, 10:31 PM
The manual says about 10 gallons. I filled up a couple days ago when it said I had a gallon left and it only took 7.6 gallons. Second tank I got 40mpg. :dancing
The attraction was for better fuel mileage, less maintenance than my Cooper S hopefully, fairly inexpensive, and it is different than anything else out there. The only other cars currently on sale that I can think of that get better gas mileage are hybrids or diesels, which cost quite a bit more and are more complex.
It is my understanding the Mini gets over 35mpg hwy, and what type of maintenance does your Mini require?
weezer2282
11-29-2008, 06:50 PM
It is my understanding the Mini gets over 35mpg hwy, and what type of maintenance does your Mini require?
The older MINI's don't get as good gas mileage, especially the supercharged S's. Normally it probably averages out to around 25-27mpg. I have a long daily commute, so my '05 was getting 21k miles a year or so put on it. Parts for it are somewhat expensive because it is close to BMW. With a smaller supercharger pulley the belt has to be changed quite often too. It's been nice not having to put so many miles on it as I had been. It was really nice having the Smart last summer when gas was over $4 a gallon for premium. Right now it is only like $16 to fill up the Smart and not too much more for the MINI cause prices have dropped so much. I've got 8500 miles on the Smart and almost 62k on the MINI.
My '05 MINI Cooper S on the old EPA rating system was rated at 25City/32Highway. On the newer system it would be a little lower than that.
SoldierNurse
11-29-2008, 09:02 PM
The older MINI's don't get as good gas mileage, especially the supercharged S's. Normally it probably averages out to around 25-27mpg. I have a long daily commute, so my '05 was getting 21k miles a year or so put on it. Parts for it are somewhat expensive because it is close to BMW. With a smaller supercharger pulley the belt has to be changed quite often too. It's been nice not having to put so many miles on it as I had been. It was really nice having the Smart last summer when gas was over $4 a gallon for premium. Right now it is only like $16 to fill up the Smart and not too much more for the MINI cause prices have dropped so much. I've got 8500 miles on the Smart and almost 62k on the MINI.
My '05 MINI Cooper S on the old EPA rating system was rated at 25City/32Highway. On the newer system it would be a little lower than that.
Thanks for the clarification. I'm ignorant when it comes to these Mini's but intend to learn fast. Glad my 09 Cooper S is 37mpg hwy & 29mpg city. After much research, I was surprised to learn the JCW Tuning Kit does not deviate the mpgs much. Of, course the motoring factor will come into play. :o
mdbsat
12-02-2008, 05:32 PM
The motoring factor WILL come into play for sure. I had a chance to drive an 09 JCW this past weekend(thanks Lens) and let me tell you I am jealous indeed! I likey the turbo!!! :dancing
Can't wait to see yours before and after the JCW upgrade :thumbsup
SoldierNurse
12-02-2008, 07:49 PM
The motoring factor WILL come into play for sure. I had a chance to drive an 09 JCW this past weekend(thanks Lens) and let me tell you I am jealous indeed! I likey the turbo!!! :dancing
Can't wait to see yours before and after the JCW upgrade :thumbsup
Let me know when ya'll are going to go on the next cruise.
:thumbsup
mdbsat
12-04-2008, 12:32 AM
Let me know when ya'll are going to go on the next cruise.
:thumbsup
you got it! :)
weezer2282
09-13-2010, 02:06 AM
An update. I now have over 30k miles on my Smartie. It has been great on gas and reliable. I've just had only a couple minor issues with it. The biggest annoyance as most of the reviews point out is the transmission. If they continue to sell it in the US in the future and put a dual clutch transmission in it then it would be a great little car. With the current direct injection and turbo technology they probably could put a little more powerful and more efficient engine in it and get better fuel economy than with the current motor. A lot of the newer cars like the Chevy Cruze are larger and achieve similar fuel economy. The Smart is fun to drive in its own way too, but I'm very glad I kept my MINI. :thumbsup
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