|
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm looking at getting a smart car for the price, but like the Fiat 500 better. I hope you can help me decide. I'm thinking of parking the Vision but have grown accustom to the gas mileage, maintenance upkeep and small manueverability, so I want that in a car as well. I know this may be a shocker to some, especially since I have rode a motorcycle for the past 7 years almost daily as a primary mode of transportation . But it is getting too hot out and I'm tired of sweating and trying to decide to AGATT, or go bad boy with just my vest. I'm tired of avoiding all the cagers with their too many other preoccupations besides driving and paying attention to the road. I believe most don't have any concept of what it means to drive a car on public highways. I run the risk of getting a ticket because I constantly try to stay ahead of the traffic, moving down the highway like I'm on a mission. But leave it to one misstep, bam-yow, I'm history. Or I have to stop and get gas often on trips then I have to put up with all the aggrevation of talking with total strangers who are asking about who makes my bike "Harley, Yahama, is that the new Gold Wing?" Then they don't understand what I'm saying because they never heard of Victory. I'm tired of waving at all the wanna-bees or being ignored by the "real bikers", even getting snubbed when I stop to help. Where's the so-called "brotherhood" for crying outloud. I'm on an American bike, they should appreciate that I'm taking time out of my ride to lend them a helping hand. Or then listening to all the wanna-bees who rode a whole hour to get lunch last Saturday. They have no idea what the rising sun looks like or the setting sun on a highway horizon. Besides all that, I'm tired of trying to figure out what to wear when it get's cold too. Long johns, sweat shirts, etc, and I'm too cheap to get any of that cheesy heated snivel vests or other heated wear. If I do that, I might as well get in the car, right?. Also, I'm tired of people asking me, "isn't it too _____ (fill in the blank) to ride? How do you ride in the rain? Doesn't that scare you? No, you scare me because you act stupid in your car when it rains, at least that is what I want to say. I'm tired of my wife being so jealous because all she thinks I think about is "the motorcycle". "If it's not motorcycle this or that, you just don't care!!" is all I hear. I'll prove it to her, I'm done with riding. I'm done with all the debates about what oil to use, what filter to use, what upgrade to get, or the whiney "why does my Vision pop, does yours?" posts. Or my dealer sucks, or is better than yours. Or the debates of how the tire and motorcycles manufactors are on a conspiracy mission to make you believe that a motorcycle tire is the only thing that will work on a motorcycle. I feel so inadequate riding on the OEM recommended equipment and feel sissyfied that I won't go darkside. I could go on and on, but there is no point in doing so. So back to my original question: Smart Car or Fiat 500, which would you choose? Thanks ahead of time for any input! You guys are great!!! |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | Not gonna touch the "rant"... but I would buy the Fiat 500 Abarth, all day. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 94
Las Vegas | roundtwig - 2012-06-21 10:04 AM
Not gonna touch the "rant"... but I would buy the Fiat 500 Abarth, all day.
Same. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Being in the collision industry I will say that the Smart car is built like a fricken tank. Search youtube using "smart collision" and there are some crash test videos that are amazing, one video shows the car smacking the wall at 80 mph and the driver opens the door and the steps out.
Another cool thing is that you can buy all of the painted panels for the car for about $1200 and change all of the painted panels in a few hours, can have a completely different color car in just one afternoon !
The Abarth is just now hitting the market so for at least the next year the dealers are going to get full retail and maybe more.
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | What about a SCION? Toymotor quality and priced about the same. The SMART works until you need to drive one on the Freeway, and the FIAT looks old and dated, not iconic (and I stiil remember the F ix I t A gain T ony of my younger days) there's also the KIA SOUL. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Well, Chris. Speaking from 'experience' - I would go with the SMART. Here's one reason that the 'non-smarties' don't know about: When you go in for 'service' at the Mercedes Dealership - you are treated the same as the guy who spent $550,000 on his 'Merc. Like a GOD ! And I could give ya lots of examples of what that means .... I don't get anywhere NEAR that treatment at my Mazda or Victory dealership! Here's my fleet:
(My Fleet.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 My Fleet.jpg (79KB - 0 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Beauty, The Beast, and the SMART
(Co-Pilots SMART.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
Co-Pilots SMART.jpg (74KB - 0 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | And here is another thing - a parking sign in our nearby shopping area. You'll NEVER see this for a FIAT :
(Smart Car Parking.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
Smart Car Parking.jpg (92KB - 0 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | I'm in the fiat camp 500 abarth all the way... |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Are you serious Varyder? |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I cannot disagree with varyder. All of it is 100% true. However, I cannot image myself parking the bike and opting for a cage. Just can't do it.
Some friends asked if the gf and I wanted to go mountain biking with them. The destination was 2 hrs away. The gf didn't feel like riding in a car for 2 hrs. I suggested we take the Vision. Her attitude instanty changed. So, we loaded up the mountain bikes on the Vision and off we went. We had a great time riding in the woods with our friends and also had a wonderful ride to and from the trail on scenic state roads. All that fun for only $17 in gas and no boring highway driving. Plus she hugged me all the waay home because she was having such a good time enjoying the day. I don't get that kind of enjoyment out of a car. I'm guessing most of you feel the same way I do and that's the reason you chose a Vision. Even with all of varyder's comments taken into consideration, the Vision is still a better means of transportation for me.
Ride on, varyder. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 188
| ? When you go in for 'service' at the Mercedes Dealership - you are treated the same as the guy who spent $550,000 on his 'Merc. Like a GOD ?
When you in as often and pay as much as a Harley owner does to keep is bike on the road, I would hope your treated well regardless of brand. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 500
| I don't know where Lotzafun got his data..but all I have read and according to Consumer Reports, the Smart car folds up like a pop-can when hit...The guy that owns the collision shop in my area claims he would never buy one cause they are dangerous??? I really quess it is up to what fits your needs and what price you are willing to pay.......I have not been in either so my opinion is just that....Good Luck on your choice.... |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | opas ride - 2012-06-21 2:26 PM - all I have read and according to Consumer Reports, the Smart car folds up like a pop-can when hit...The guy that owns the collision shop in my area claims he would never buy one cause they are dangerous???... Pile of Poop. They are built like a race-car - and yes, if a race-car gets hit by a Semi, it will fold up. So will a Cadillac or a Land Rover. And with Lightside Tires - no one could get near a SMART to cause any damage ... |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 188
|
And with Lightside Tires - no one could get near a SMART to cause any damage ...?
Awesome! |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | donetracey - 2012-06-21 1:49 PM
Well, Chris. Speaking from 'experience' - I would go with the SMART. Here's one reason that the 'non-smarties' don't know about:? When you go in for 'service' at the Mercedes Dealership - you are treated the same as the guy who spent $550,000 on his 'Merc. Like a GOD ! And I could give ya lots of examples of what that means .... I don't get anywhere NEAR that treatment at my Mazda or Victory dealership! Here's my fleet: ?
And charged an outrageous amount, just like the guys that spend $550,000 on there Merc!! And after the fold up comment I'm getting a Peterbilt!
Edited by MaddMAx2u 2012-06-21 5:49 PM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | MaddMAx2u - 2012-06-21 3:47 PM And charged an outrageous amount, just like the guys that spend $550,000 on there Merc!! And after the fold up comment I'm getting a Peterbilt! George, they charge WAY LESS than my VICTORY dealer !!! And the SMART actually IS in with the HIGHEST SAFETY RATED CARS - believe it or not. It IS !!!! The smallest car for sale in the U.S. market has earned the highest rating in front-end and side-impact testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2008 Smart Fortwo's seat and head restraints also earned the second highest rating of "acceptable" for protection against whiplash in rear impacts.
Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Autos/20080514/smart_car_080514/#ixzz1yTIEt75W
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | My wife owns a Mini Cooper. It is fun to drive. The Smart car got bad reviews in Consumer Report for reliability issues. The Mini was rate high and gets great gas mileage. I wouldn't get the turbo engine. They are faster but come with more problems. The standard is pretty zippy and fun to ride....for a cage  |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Buy another Vision Varyder... You ahve a legend to live up to.
Btw... Dontracey looks fat. Dude... get on a treadmill or something; quit making your Vision work so damned hard hauling around that extra "baggage".... |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | ...just joking Don. 
Edited by willtill 2012-06-21 7:40 PM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Don't be jealous, Will - not all of us can be as good looking as me. Or as muscular at my age. My Co-Pilot makes up for my extra bulk by being only 92lbs. And you 'Mercans - remember - mostly you have read stuff about the 'old' SMART - the diesel version. While we in Kanada have had the advantage of getting the new one. And when I put my Hyabusa Engine in the Co-Pilot's SMART - it will WHOP a Turbo-Mini ....
Remember - it is SMART
..... and I am LOVING the idea of going to the LIGHTSIDE
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Cute! Sounds like you're trying to answer your trailer question. The Vision would have no trouble pulling either (I would pick the Smart) and you can fill the cage with whatever you want to take along as you pass the 200k mark. Ride-on!
Edited by lennyb 2012-06-21 7:51 PM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | I remember reading last year that the Smart car was plaqued with a Bad transmission. Im sure you can google this.
Transmission http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/2007/11/2008-smart-fortwo-smart-carst... |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 108
Conneaut, OH | Fiat FTW |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | OLD - OLD - OLD STUFF from 2008 - WHOLE DIFFERENT CAR !!! Americans have not even SEEN the new SMART until lately - wasn't SOLD in the U.S. because it was DIESEL and not 'clean' enough. And remember FIAT??? BOY - did it ever have a great reputation ! Wasn't sold outside of ITALY it was such a dog .... While we're at it - remember VICTORY ??? The 'other' American Motorcycle? oops ... |
|
| |
Smart Car or Fiat 500
