Yeah, I just went there said "Smart Car" on a performance-oriented forum. I can't explain how inappropriate this thread is, but I really need some information--shot in the dark, maybe, but oh well. Does anybody know anything about either the Chevrolet Volt or the Smart car...as in, does anybody know anyone that has one? Neither of my trucks get over 15 mpg. I don't give a damn about being called "gay", or trying to pull a chick, because I can't complain with the one I've got. I need something that's brand new and good on gas. I've got my MP, but I'm not getting a bike at the time. I need an alternative, as soon as possible, as I'm about to start building the Colorado back up when I get everything together.

 

Considering the Smart car only gets a 36 combined mpg, holds two people, and has no place for storage it's pretty much useless, Only thing I could see is using it for commuting..

How about a Cruze?

 

Well, I'm pretty much looking for a car just to commute. In all reality, the Smart has more room inside than my Colorado does. I know that the window stickers advertise just short of 40 mpg, but I've talked to two sepearate people, and they've both sworn that they get over 40 mpg, no problem. I've thought about a Cruze, too. Just looking for any solid info. on any really efficient car.

 

If your gas savings every month doesn't pay for the car note and insurance, you aren't saving any money... Just pointing it out because its pretty hard to do.

I do like the Cruze Eco. Good mileage in a usable car.

 

Thank you, Captain Obvious. I spend nearly $400 a month on gas for my Colorado, just making the commute, nothing extra. I can justify the cost, especially on a $90/month lease, with purchase option at the end; purchase, then sell or just keep, so as to avoid paying overage (if any), on miles. I've got all of that beyond worked out. I'm going to check out a Cruze Monday, most likely. I've never driven one, or looked one over well.

 

old geo metros get like 70mpg with a three cylinder engine. or grab a 90 something civic or a miata for like 2000 bucks and get 30-40mpg. less you just really want something new.

I DD a mini cooper, fun very, but expensive when **** breaks

edit: my girlfriends dad had a cruze for a rental once, the interior was allot nicer than i expected

 

What kind of mileage does the Mini get? I haven't looked into them, but that's something I'd consider.

 

the way the mini is geared, your best mileage is at 60mph at 35-40mpg, but im not on the freeways much these days and drive the **** out of it so i average 23-25mpg.
im sure it didnt help when I put a smaller pulley on the SC.

IF you look in to them 05-06 are the best years(least amount of problems and best performance), Never buy one with a CVT auto as that tranny is complete **** and is expensive when it eats itself. the "justa" coopers get better mpg than the cooper S' and are just as good in the corners, just not as much power.
04 and on S' cars come with a getrag 6 speed, some with factory LSD.

01-06 S= R53 has a 1.6 SOHC with a eaton M45( lots of after market like heads, cams, headers, tuning, pulleys, ect)
07-on S=R56 1.6 turbo (basically no aftermarket performance wise)

I never took it to the track because well its a Mini, but my guess would be 13.7-14.4 sec range.

when i was shopping for a car i drove Cobalt SS, Mazda3speed, GTIs. the Mini was the last thing i test drove and i bought it the next day.

 

One of my neighbors has a diesel smart and on a long trip he once got 58 mpg. Then once the rest of your fleet is together you can sway in a Hayabusa engine! Another idea would maybe be a diesel Jetta. Then if you really wanna go ape you have a trunk that can hold a spare fuel tank and convert it to run on vegetable oil! In Georgia it wouldn't turn to lard like it does when people try that here.

 

why hasnt anybody mentioned a VW diesel?
the diesel passat? (cant rem what the smaller car is) but ive seen those getting 45ish if driven right.
I wish more were getting into the diesels in smaller cars, but with all the emmissions its pointless.