Community Forums

Midniteoyl · 10-25-2011, 10:35 AM

I would not.. A Smart is not like any other car.. The front quarter IS part of the structure... I would pass..

Tell just 'where' it can be hit in the 'front quarter panel' and not be hosed??

Besides, Smarts arent that 'smart'. There are better cars that get better mileage..

njs42 · 10-25-2011, 10:42 AM

An accident is not an automatic disqualifier---Mekanic describes the reasons well---but I still wonder about the value of a Smart car (or any car) and if making an offer on one that has not had an accident would make sense---to see what the market would bear.

Or for that matter if you have not offer less for the one you are looking at---could it hurt anything? You can always pay what ever you want and feel is good for you.

I don't imagine this accident model is going to jump off the shelf so you may have a few days to test the market---if you have done that to your satisfaction then an inspection by a qualified body repair person, a well thought out test drive and an invoice from the repair would suffice as; as good as it gets---if it passes then---it could very well be a good deal for you. Would I? Probably not---but maybe you would---isn't that the crux of the question?

As a practical mater this thread will probably split 50/50 pro and con.

Cars, (anything) is worth what someone is willing to pay. Negotiate.

Good luck on what ever you decide.

scenic route · 10-25-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl

I would not.. A Smart is not like any other car.. The front quarter IS part of the structure... I would pass..

Tell just 'where' it can be hit in the 'front quarter panel' and not be hosed??

Agree. Although I'm sure the dealership disassembled the CV joints and trans axle/transmission to check for any bearing, bearing race, or bearing boss cracks caused by the impact loads transmitted from that 2 ton sledge hammer that hit it.

Just say'n... Bob

RustyJC · 10-25-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scenic route

Agree. Although I'm sure the dealership disassembled the CV joints and trans axle/transmission to check for any bearing, bearing race, or bearing boss cracks caused by the impact loads transmitted from that 2 ton sledge hammer that hit it.

The Smart car is rear engine/rear wheel drive.

Rusty

Mr_D · 10-25-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

The Smart car is rear engine/rear wheel drive.

Rusty

Beat me to it!!

Perry White · 10-25-2011, 12:44 PM

I have a 2008 Smart and I only paid $12,800 NEW. You should be able to pick up a good no hit for $9500. Hell, I'll sell you mine and it's only got 6,000 on it and never been in the rain. Not really, I'll get a nasty from the Mods again.

Perry White · 10-25-2011, 12:49 PM

Also, you need to check if it was just damaged panels, no structure. They are like a 4 wheeler. all the colored panels are plastic.

scenic route · 10-25-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

The Smart car is rear engine/rear wheel drive.

Rusty

Excuse me while I wipe the egg off. That puts a whole different light on the subject. I was told by a guy that said he 'used' to own one that they were FWD...geez.

Sorry.

At any rate, the point I was trying to make was that sometimes there is often 'hidden damage' that even the pros are not aware of. Bob

bucks2 · 10-25-2011, 07:27 PM

Take the VIN to any Mercedes dealer. If it was indeed repaired by an MB dealer they can tell you what repairs have been done and what parts installed. It's all in the computer every time an MB dealer works on a car. At least with the real MB's, they are tracked that way.

sc3283 · 10-25-2011, 09:53 PM

NO..accident or not...Not for me...I'd feel safer on a motorcycle

Peacekeeper6 · 10-25-2011, 10:06 PM

Buy a Smart car, and you must as well put your Man Card in a blender, hit the "puree" button and then sprinkle the remaining cut up pieces over the campfire.

But seriously, it all depends on the accident. If it was minor, I'd consider it. However, if it was involved in a major hit, I'd pass. That car is WAY too small, and I'm sure there'd be some structural issues that someone would've missed, imo.

Midniteoyl · 10-26-2011, 02:31 AM

Its a matter of physics,,

okmunky · 10-26-2011, 12:32 PM

Thanks everyone for your help. I passed on the 2009 Smart and have purchased a new 2012 Smart Pure from a dealer in Plano, TX. My brother lives near there and he will help me get the tow equipment installed.

The 2012 models have a 4 year warranty and I'm only paying about $1,100 more than most of the used Smarts offered by dealers. For those of you who expressed concerns about safety -- check them out. They are much safer than you would think.

historyljc · 10-26-2011, 08:53 PM

From reading all of the above, I think 6 chose spray and 6 chose stick. Decision made moot with the purchase of a new one. Enjoy and let us know how it serves and how you like it.