So some 3 and a half years ago when I first purchased my Smart car I would post little updates here to discuss what it was like living with a Smart car. The updates tapered off because frankly there was nothing new to tell.
My Smart car adventure is now coming to an end. An E36 M3 has been purchased as her replacement and my daughter will be taking over ownership of the Smart when she gets her license this winter.
So, how was it? Well at 3.5 years she takes the title of longest owned DD by me. Longest owned car in general which was not a DD only lasted 4 years so its quite an acheivement. For my 70 miles each way commute she has been a stellar little commuter appliance returning an overall average of 43mpg, over the last 101,000 miles.
So, 101,000 miles in just over 3 years. Maintenance consisted of the standard LOF every 10,000 miles, engine and cabin air filter changes. 2 new sets of front tires, one new set of rear tires and at 100,000 she got new front brake pads. The only other maintenace issue I've had was the need to remove the heater blower and clean the brushes an commutator last winter. It's was a 10 minute job.
In her tenure with me the "impractical" car has hauled a set of 4 15" wheels with tires on 3 occasions. A 42" flat screen TV, a chevy 350, and 600lbs of tile. It never once left me with an "oh crap I need to go home for the truck" moment although a few times I though I would never make things fit.
I will miss the heated seats, the automatic wipers and headlights, and many of the other features she has. I will not miss the inability to pass someone while cruising at 80mph but at the same time that has probably kept me out of alot of trouble.
