It's not a PT, it's a HHR
Platinum Member
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 16,081
From: SE USA
I had 3 of them, all gone now. first one lasted 7 months and caught on fire. Smart gave me a new one no charge. Second one lasted 235,000 miles and dropped a cylinder. last one was a 2008 and it went 260,000 miles and had massive computer failures, cost more to fix it than it was worth. They all averaged around 42-47 mpg over their lives. They did not like ethanol gas, it would drop MPG quite a bit. they also preferred to be driven around 65 mph. I am 6'4 and lets say maximum density, had no problem driving them anywhere including a few trips around the country. Surprising how much room was inside them.
I still like my HHR more. something about having a back seat and a longer wheelbase...
I still like my HHR more. something about having a back seat and a longer wheelbase...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 11-16-2021
Posts: 622
From: MN
yeah except that picture was not a smart car. the wheels showed 5 lug nuts, smart cars only use 3... I believe it was a ford escape according to snopes.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sa...h-a-small-car/
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sa...h-a-small-car/
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 11-16-2021
Posts: 622
From: MN
they were for a "small' market and not for everyone. kind of like an all weather motorcycle, no back seat and a limited appeal. They were fun to drive and they messed up when they made them electric with a range of 60 miles.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 11-16-2021
Posts: 622
From: MN
At the time, with gas being over$5 a gallon, I was driving my Land Rover getting 16 MPG. a smart would get upwards of 42 mpg so it paid for itself in a short time, and I was driving a car designed by Mercedes. They were selling new for around $12,000. Driving around 30K miles a year, it made sense. and they did have that fun factor... I was doing 98% of my driving to work and back with just me in the car so I didn't need much room. I still like my HHR 100 times better.
But like you say, to each their own.
But like you say, to each their own.
It happens Doc..
Senior Member
Joined: 06-21-2008
Posts: 1,458
From: SE Michigan
I get the occasional 'Nice PT' comments, but Port Huron sees to be HHR heaven as I see dozens of them on the road here every day. I do get a lot of "Did you weld up the windows?' comments as the panel seems to be an unknown to most.
