Hummer or Smart Car?

Hmmm I kind of like the Hummer.........lol.......not very politically correct is it?  :-)

Yes, who doesn't?  The question still remains:  even if you can afford to buy it, can you afford to drive it?

By the way, did you click on the Hummer link yet?

hummer.  i don't like 'em, but i wouldn't ride in a msart c ar for fear of being hit by a hummer.

Good point!  I like the way you think Tony!

Hi there,

Good question.

At this point I wouldn't consider a Hummer even if I could afford it. A few years ago, maybe, but not today. While on Realtor caravan this a.m. an agent drove up in her Hummer and truthfully I felt like it was an example in excess. Not with that said, I do drive an SUV myself, sort of a baby one at that, (yes I'm guilty too) yet I doubt I'd ever buy antother one. But the smart car, too small for me.

I would prefer to go with a nice crotchrocket if I can go solo and the weather is nice. It is easily parked as well! Plus way more acceleration than that little pocket car. I can just throw the laptop and some docs into a nice bag and bring them along. Most client drive themselves now around here. So no to the hummer... I would get a crew cab truck instead of that. Then at least it can have a useful function to it.

I wouldnt buy a Hummer if gas was $1.00 per gallon.

Its an underpowered overrated pig.  I have seen a couple of local Realtors® driving them - oh, and they just happen to be ones I detest.

I drove a prius when I bought my FJ Cruiser

and its quite possible that will be our next car.

I have to drive a friends Hummer from time to time while he is away in Korea. Yes the gas is killing me. I drive it a few hours and go back to my Tribute !

Hi Mirela, Right now we have a gas guzzle, Nissan Armanda, because my husband likes spacious SUVs.  I was against it.  We've had it two years and cost $75 to fill up.  I am considering a smaller, more economical car next time.   We have even discussed a hybrid.

Smart car is making a lot of sense!   I used to own VW Diesels that got over 50 MPG!  They were great!

I have a mint condition OJ Bronco.  It's a 96, which is the last year they were made, and I'm sad to say that it is parked in the garage unless it snows really bad.  It only gets about 14pg, yuck!!  So I find myself driving my Grand Prix GT all the time now since it averages about 26mpg between my highway and city time.  So it's not too bad.  But I miss my big truck.....

Hi Mirela, Great blog! I went to the LA autoshow last year before the the Smart debuted. It's actually a very cool lil' transporter. I was able to get in and out of it comfortably and at 6' 2", that's one heck of an accomplishment. It's real roomy, and other than looking funny on the road, it's a smart choice. However, at $17,000 here in Cali, that becomes debatable. Originally I heard it was suppose to price around $10,000. But automakers, as always, are stickin' it to us using gas prices as their leverage. Another stupid decision on their part since those willing to spend that for fuel efficiency would rather buy a Prius. Go figger...

Right now there is a new Dodge Avenger sitting in my driveway....I am test driving it today.  I am looking for a replacement for my beloved Dodge Durango.  Gas mileage is way better but I think I am going to cry when they take my Durango away.  But with gas prices the old Durango depreciates more every day and with 2 out of 4 kids driving I MUST find a way to cut my gas expenses.  BOO HOO

Neither.  Clearly the smart car isn't going to work for Realtors.  Who else is going to fit in there with you?  But the Hummer is out for me also.  Just because I need extra room for passengers doesn't mean I want the most fuel-inefficient car out there.  I just don't get why people drive these things.

We need to be looking at cars that get great gas mileage and have the capacity to fit our clients in there with us.  I chose a Camry Hybrid.  I get about 500 miles to a tank of gas, which usually breaks to 38 mpg.  It's all luxury inside, but sips gas.  I love it.

Mirela,  Was actually behind one a little earlier today and had to actually think about such a prospect.  I'm intrigued.

My friend, Hummers have been nothing more than a status symbol in our area and now they have become a nightmare for those owning them.  I own a Ford Explorer that not only protects me in a potential accident more than a small car but I get a respectable 17-18 miles to the gallon with my daily driving.  Economy is great but my clients comfort is still very important to me.

Have you seen the Smart car in person.  It reminds me of a big trash can on wheels.  If someone hit you, you would never have a chance.  A Hummer is so big, I doubt I could keep it on my side of the road.

I like the Hummer but I have never considered owning one.  I am not too enthused about the smartcar right now.  I've driven two Dodge Durango's Magnum V8 the past eight years and I loved them.  (I totaled my 2004 Durango last July).  Now I'm driving my son's Ford Explorer but will be purchasing a Volvo XC90 this summer. 

Matt:  A crotchrocket sounds like too much of a good time...  Clients driving themselves...  Perfect; why don't you move to Myrtle Beach?  You'll fit right in with the rest of us thrill seeking agents educating their clients on "self service"...

Randy:  That spiffy yellow beast is cool.  What is IT?

Roland:  Oh, the sacrifices we make for our friends...  driving their Hummers, house sitting their mansions, dating their girlfriends...  It's rough, but what are friends for...

Michael:  You're 6'2"?  Crotchrocket?  Yes!  Harley?  Yes!  BMW?  Yes!  Smart car?  Not so much...                  By the way:  I wish I lived in California!  Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Westside...  somewhere in there...

Kathy:  With 2 out of 4 kids driving, I'd get a tank.  That's the only one safe enough for my 15 year old daughter who just got her permit... ouch!  Me so worried!!!

Karen:  Yes, maybe...  but it smells a lot better and it's a bit faster...

Sonya:  Considering your prior history, it's a GOOD thing you are buying a Volvo!  How is your son taking it (you driving his car, I mean)? 

Marc:  the Smart car seems like a better idea in Europe, where it's competing on the road with the likes of Opels and Fiats (petite vehicles), not the HUGErs, I mean Hummers...

I would not buy a Hummer at any price if gas was FREE! They are ugly and environmental disasters!

As for a Smart Car, how would you cram clients into it? I think they want a certain amount of comfort! I have a VW Jetta, get great gas mileage and with all leather interior, it is still a comfortable car to drive clients around!

Personally, I would pick neither of those two choices.  There are many vehicles that get decent mileage but still provide comfort.  I couldn't imagine taking someone out in a Smart Car but would love one as an extra around town vehicle.

Inever have wanted a Hummer, so I guess I would hve to do the Smart car if I had to decide between the two.  I also think the Mini is cute. However for clients comfort mayube something in the middle_ a hybrid maybe

Living in Massachusetts, I do not think the smart car would be very 'smart' in the winter months. The Hummer is nice, but it is too masculine of a ride for me to drive. Gas guzzler too.  Now that I think about it, is it possible to for a 4WD to be feminine? Maybe if it was pink, I suppose....

I have a friend in Norway with a Smart Car.  Her family loves it and she highly recommends it.  

If I had to pick between only those two, it would definitely be the Smart Car.

I drive a prius...not exactly a smart car, but 50 mpg isn't so bad!  I would rather spend my money on things other than the gas tank :)

With gas prices rising I would have to go with the smart car...I drive a durango and getting 12 miles to the gallon is ridiculous  

Ouch!  That hurts Aundrea! 

I drive a BMW, and it's middle of the road 26mpg still makes me cringe at the pump...

Such a tough choice. Can't stand the Hummers, but the little smart cars scare the dickens outa me. However .... I drive a Navigator. AWFUL mileage at around 12-13. $80 a fill. Ugh. But, you know ... it's paid for and I just keep thinking how much gas I have save to justify a new anything with better mileage.

I love the Hummer, for safety purposes, smartcar is cute, but not safe.

From what a client tells me, the Hummer does not get 10 miles per gallon.  The figures aren't quite that rosy.

To hear him complain, it's more like ten gallons to the mile..

Hi Mirela...A Prius for me.  That's my baby.  I also have a Toyota Sienna mini-van.  I switch back and forth as needed.  Most of the time I'm taking out one couple and the Prius is perfect.  The Prius averages 50 and the Sienna almost 25.

A trip to Antarctica gets you really thinking not just about gas mileage but emissions.

Cheers,

Kathleen

Nah, I wouldn't pick either one.  I prefer to drive something larger than the Smart Car, but still fairly fuel efficient.  Here in S. FL, LOTS of people drive Hummers.  I see them everyday and cringe at the thought of their current gas bill !!!  To drive a vehicle that gets so few MPG is just mind blowing to me.  I'm planning to buy another car within the next year or so and I might consider the Prius.

Kathleen (and others), one thing that concerns me about hybrid cars is the fact that we're led to believe they're "green" and good for the environment.  They probably are, but one of their key components is an environmental nightmare. 

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH) involve, of course, the mining of nickel.  You may want to read this about the impact of nickel mining on the environment.

Tesla motors manufactures an electric car that uses Lithium battery technology instead, which is apparently far less dangerous and toxic to the environment.

I can see us ,Realtors, taking our clients to see houses in the Smart Car.

I wanted to get one of these cars since I found out about them around 2000.

Today's USA model is actually about 6" longer than the European model, see how even the auto makers bend to the will of our socio-economic requirements? 

A friend of mine here in Indianapolis has the original model if anyone cares to take a look, give me a call and I can set you up. 

Regarding pricing, these things are priced to accommodate demand.  Remember the price of the PT Cruisers when they debuted?  $30k.  Today they are half that.  Same will happen with the SMART car.

I never did get a SMART.  I wanted to buy one through the gray market but didn't have enough money or clout. :( 

Derek:  I had no idea!  Wow, that's amazing! 

I made my acquaintance with the mini in Europe.  It was, I thought, part of the Mercedes label at the time. 

Too small for me, but I would get one just for downtown driving and parking, since you can just pull in face first (perpendicular parking, instead of parallel parking).

I drive a Hummer, all my clients  are safe. . just. . let's not meet by accident

Hummer without a doubt! Can't imagine driving around in one of those little cars! Don't seem too safe with children or hitting something! I go for safety OVER gas prices.

I must admit, although I drive a small car (not quite a smart car, though); I'm really concerned about how safe they are.  I've watched one almost flip over.  I also worry about being with clients in such a small car - if we were to be hit by a larger car, I fear my clients would be hurt.  It's a very difficult decision.  I do try to be 'green' wherever I can, and I do make an effort, but as far as the car; or rather, as far as client safety is concerned, I'm not sure I'd buy a smart car.  Now, when I'm on my own, with no clients to drive around, I don't take out the car at all.... and if I must, then I try to run all my errands on the same day, so I don't take the car out unnecessarily.

No Hummer for me, ever, even if gas was cheaper.

I live in an area where being kind to the environment was a social value way before $3.00 gas.  No Hummer for me even if fuel was free.

Hi Mirela, A Hummer reminds me of a Mercedes.  Is it functional or is it a statement of fashion?

Dan:  Neither!

To me they are outlandish trophies of conspicuous consumption, neither practical, nor attractive.  You could probably feed an entire village in Guatemala with the money it takes to run one for a year.  I'm sorry; I just don't see the value of waste! 

I just don't want to collide with one, that's all! 

The smart car is a good one to have ONLY for inner city driving.  I can't even fathom the idea of a collision between a Hummer and a Smart car!  It would be like swatting a fly (the Smart car being the fly).

I am a Beamer girl and always have been.  I go for performance and to me, nothing else drives like a Beamer!  To the Hummer & Smart cars:  Just get out of my way, while I zoom by (I have my radar detector on board).

Hi Mirela,

I understand your points.  My question, "Is it functional or is it a statement of fashion?" had a probing meaning.  Many people feel insecure so they try to cover their inadequacy by driving a Hummer (off road four wheel drive on paved streets and highways).  

Their fashion statement is:  "I have the fanciest and most expensive car.  Look at me and see how cool I am!"  This is not true for every Hummer owner.  

We do have a materialistic culture that says:  The Richest, the Smartest and the Strongest People are the Best!  He who has the most expensive toys Wins!

The outward appearance can be deceiving!

People who are searching for real meaning in life look deeper.  They look into the hearts of people!

Hi Mirela, it looks as if by the end of the year this will all be moot.

Excerpts from today's AP story:

"On the Hummer, Wagoner said GM is "undertaking a strategic review of the Hummer brand, to determine its fit with GM's evolving product portfolio" in light of changing market conditions.

"At this point, we are considering all options for the Hummer brand... everything from a complete revamp of the product lineup to partial or complete sale of the brand," he said.

Also...

"The actions add to a string of plant closures by the Big Three in the last several years. GM, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC have announced the shutdown of 35 plants since 2005, according to Sean McAlinden, chief economist with the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. Along with 35 additional closures at GM and Ford's chief suppliers, Delphi Corp. and Automotive Components Holdings LLC, he said the total hourly and salaried jobs eliminated comes to 149,000.

Hummer?...what Hummer?

Michael, you should post your comments as a blog titled:  "Hummer?  ...What Hummer?"

I bet the Beamer numbers look a wee bit better...  I was reading in the WSJ that Deimler Benz and BMW will manufacture certain parts together.  Now, that's cooperation!

Love your post.  I drive a H2 Hummer....my second one....I love them.  Mine is new so it gets 12 miles per gallon...I know it sucks but it is what it is.  You can't trade them in right now and honestly, I only spend an additional $25 on gas per week.  I sell land as well as high end homes so It is a great option for me.  www.tracysoussi.com

I am never ceased to be amazed the price people put on LIFE!! Would you really want a family member to be in an accident with it?? just weld the doors shut and bury them in it.

I drive a hummer h3 the smaller 5 (FIVE) cylinder and I get 16-18 mpg in PERMENENT 4 (FOUR) wheel drive at speed limit or above(which is better than most suv's)

So when you said 10mpg that was with research that you had done to be able TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT right? hope you don't conduct your career that way!

I would have to go with an SUV Hybrid, and a small economical car.   I could have my SUV satisfactions as well as another efficient vehicle for all of my long driving needs..

Superhin:  The Hummer is not the safest vehicle.  Please do your research!  Bigger is not necessarily safer...  There are plenty of other more eco friendly choices of "safety" than the Hummer.  I drive one myself and so do both of my kids: BMW.

You are right:  I only did "perfunctory" research on the gas milage and somehow I missed the 6 extra miles YOU get per gallon in a more eco-friendly Hummer.  My mistake; I stand corrected.  But wait, superhin!  Are you equally safe in a 5 cylinder Hummer?

The smart car actually does really well in crash tests, but no back seat and no real trunk, dont think it would work unless it is just a commuter car and you had an alternative.

The Mini... that gets the same MPG's and similar price and drives like a much bigger car. for something small and economical and fun I would consider that... but I still need a truck at the same time.