Why is the smartcar a big deal when it only gets 41 mpg? My Tercel got that years ago.

Question

And the tercel could seat 4 and had luggage space. Why are people in line for the smart car?

Answer 1

C7S... people DO know it only gets 41 mpg, have you ever looked at a car on a car lot. in big letters it tells you the highway AND city mpg...

anyway, this probably doesn't help much but it's way more popular in europe than america because roads are tiny, parking spots are tiny, etc. most cars are smaller sized in europe.

Answer 2

Your car wouldn't pass modern crash or emissions laws.  None of the little cars in the 90's that got mileage like that would.

Lover - It passes the emissions for a car built in 1994.  It wouldn't pass the emissions for a car built in 2008.  The regulations have been increased a lot over the past 14 years.

Answer 3

It's a fun design and is very easy to park.  If people had the option to buy your Tercel from years ago, perhaps they would do so.  However, most people are limited to what is available right now.  

Answer 4

VW diesels have been getting 40+ MPG for decades.  My 2004 seats four if the two in the back seat are tiny and the luggage fits just fine with the back seat folded away.  Our 1982 Rabbit still gets that kind of mileage and it has over 350,000 miles on it.

I also do not understand the craze for the smart car.  Good mileage has been around for a long time.

Answer 5

In some places of Europe where parking is scarce and roads are tiny, this car has an advantage because of it's small size. Four of them can be parked in a 4 car garage.

As far as the mileage goes, your right. Unless the car has better gas mileage than larger cars then I don't understand the fuss.  

Answer 6

My daugther's Tercel  only lasted 68k miles before throwing a rod.. and never got that kind of mileage..

Answer 7

Yeah, but does George Clooney drive a Tercel??

Nope, therefore the Tercel isn't fit to be driven by the masses... jeez, you know nothing.

Answer 8

People do not know it only gets 41mpg. They think it is much better on gas.

And this is a popular car for girls, who only buy cars that they think are cute.

My 96 Mazda Protege can get 39mpg. It had more power, it is faster, it handled much better, and had lots of room.

Answer 9

You are right.  My 94 civic (that I still own) gets 41 mpg and it also has 4 seats and trunk space.  AND it passes the modern emission.

BUT they don't make 94 civic any more. They do make smart car.

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If Honda was smart, they will just go back to their blue print and start re-making their old cars again.

Good Luck...

Answer 10

They are accessory cars. Pretty much like those little rat dogs that Paris carries in her purse. Cute but totally useless in the real world.