At almost $ 4.00 per gallon, the cost of "petrol" has "grounded" 
many gas guzzlers. At 10 mpg, the Hummer, the quintessential "hungry" one is seen mostly parked these days. The Smart car, at 69 mpg, has made its debut in the US, largely unnoticed. The Europeans have embraced it wholeheartedly; mostly because of its ease of parking (you can "perpendicular" park it, for it's as long as most vehicles' width).
What about you? Do you think twice about taking out buyers, or are you embracing a more "eco-friendly" mode of transportation?
Hummer or Smart Car?
What's your choice?
Which car says: "Smart Realtor Driving"?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Ouch! That hurts Aundrea!
I drive a BMW, and it's middle of the road 26mpg still makes me cringe at the pump...
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
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 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!
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.
One of the funniest things I've ever seen: A Smart Car with a "wind-up" key on the back! I would love to have one as a little "run-around" car.
Here in Philadelphia we have a company called "Philly Car Share." For those who live in downtown/ Center City Philadelphia (where parking is at a space and price premium) or you only need a car occasionally, you pay a $15.00 monthly fee and a $4 - $6 per hour rate to use one of their fleet.
Smart Cars, Minis, Prius, and other makes, with the Philly Car Share logo, are parked around Center City, near train stations or other convenient locations for you to use when you need a car.
Just curious, does any other city or town have a similar system?