2009 smart fortwo passion

Pros

I was surprised at how little I really gave up by getting this car.

Cons

None yet.

Purchased As New

I've gone back and forth on getting this car for 8 months. I am by myself 95% of the time in my car (commuting mostly), so it's really a definition of what do I "need". I've loved it since seeing it the summer of 2002 in Milan, and finally pulled the trigger last month.

The biggest thing I've taken away from owning this car for two weeks is this: I have not had to compromise nearly as much as I was prepared to. Based on all the online reviews, I was prepared to drive a deathtrap/gokart/slow/bumpy/notsmart car. Based on the National Institute of Highway Safety, this car is not a deathtrap. While the drive is a bit louder and little bumpier than my acura tsx, it's better than my old 87 celica. It's got oomph in first and second gear and I have no trouble getting going from a stoplight. I don't get to 70 mph quite as fast as I used to, but once going at that speed, it's just like any other car. I have heated seats, power heated mirrors, a/c, ipod player, so I've given up nothing there. The price is half of my acura, it costs $18 to fill up the gas tank, my insurance bill went down, and I have more money in my bank account because of it. It fits in my garage w/ room to spare. Best of all, it's stopped my aggressive driving.

I guess it comes down to, what do you really need? 30 years of car advertising had me believing that I needed a leather and wood ensconced interior with 12 speakers and 300 horsepower. Turns out, I don't need that at all.