High Fuel Costs Are Making Me Smarter:

High gas prices are not actually making me smarter but Smart friendly. Yes I am talking about the Mercedes SmartCar. You should have seen one by now, as they have been available in Canada since October 2004. If you are not sure of the car I am speaking of, here is a description: they are those cute little 2 seater cars that looks like it veered off a golf course and is lost on the road. Sound about right? You are now probably thinking of your reaction to that car. My initial reaction was one of amusement and was determined that I would never have need of something so small. Today I have an awfully big foot in my mouth and my words taste just as bad.

I have driven a SmartCar and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. At yourautomarket.com we focus on used vehicles and therefore I chose to test-drive an older SmartCar to see how it handled with some mileage on it. I would recommend this method to anyone who is also considering buying a new vehicle. This particular 2006 had 67,000 kilometres. It was a CDI model, 3-cylinder, .8-litre engine and was a convertible. It was offered for sale by Henley Honda in St.Catharines and was obviously well maintained.

Now onto the test-drive. I had difficulty starting the SmartCar because of a safety feature that I was unaware of. Being a typical male I am not one to ask for directions so I pumped pedals, pushed buttons, and broke a sweat until the camera operator went into Henley Honda and asked. I was a little embarrassed and relieved to finally have been informed about the safety feature. Basically if the car sits for more than 5 minutes you need to put the keys in and press the unlock button. I drove the SmartCar on major highways and city streets and let me just say that I really enjoyed it! On the highway I felt safe although I was fully aware that I was the smallest around. This can be intimidating and something that would require getting used to. The city was where I truly was impressed. Parking was not a problem. In the video I was able to park the SmartCar in a cart return bay at the supermarket. Can you think of a better way of putting the size of the SmartCar into perspective? The downside to the size is the small trunk space but you need to remind yourself of why you drive a SmartCar. Not to be too discouraged, we were able to get 15 bags of soil from a garden centre into the rear compartment, not bad at all. Quick trips to the grocery store would not be a problem at all.

The Team had a really fun day with the SmartCar and it was fun to drive. We put quite a few kilometres on it and the fuel gauge barely moved. It was so easy to manoeuvre with and quite versatile. Overall I think the SmartCar is a very good alternative if fuel consumption is a concern. My "chug a lug" SUV is going to be retired soon and may be replaced by a SmartCar. I wonder if Henley Honda still has it…