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Hummer or Smart Car?

By Mirela Monte

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Buyers' Choice Realty

April 23, 2008 04:45 PM

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"?

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Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

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Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

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

Apr 29, 2008 12:35 AM

Vickie Arcuri

Coldwell Banker Realty - Fort Lauderdale, FL

South Florida Luxury Real Estate

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.

Apr 29, 2008 02:55 AM

Eric Kodner

Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN

Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

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.

Apr 29, 2008 03:57 AM

Christopher Pike, 803.727.7800

Keller Williams® Realty - Columbia, SC

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

May 01, 2008 02:52 PM

Derek Crager

Crager-Bartels Real Estate - Plainfield, IN

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. :(

May 04, 2008 01:39 PM

Mirela Monte

Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach Real Estate

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).

May 15, 2008 11:41 AM

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

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

Jun 01, 2008 02:08 PM

LaNita Cates

REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

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.

Jun 01, 2008 02:36 PM

Sylvie Conde

Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON

Broker, Toronto Real Estate

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.

Jun 01, 2008 02:53 PM

Howard Goff

Keller Williams Realty - Vancouver, WA

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.

Jun 03, 2008 08:31 PM

Dan Woodworth

The Connection - Garden City, ID

Encouraging Communicator

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

Jun 04, 2008 10:27 AM

Mirela Monte

Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach Real Estate

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).

Jun 04, 2008 11:27 AM

Dan Woodworth

The Connection - Garden City, ID

Encouraging Communicator

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!

Jun 04, 2008 12:04 PM

Mirela Monte

Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach Real Estate

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!

Jun 04, 2008 01:48 PM

Tracy Soussi

Charlotte, NC

NC & SC Broker - Large Bank Foreclosures

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

Jul 12, 2008 04:34 PM

Anonymous

superhin

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!

Jul 13, 2008 07:33 AM

#46

Thomas Hargreaves

TriStar Financial Services - Eugene, OR

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..

Jul 13, 2008 07:51 AM

Mirela Monte

Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach Real Estate

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?

Jul 13, 2008 05:56 PM

Robert Rauf

CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

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.

Jul 16, 2008 11:00 AM

Camille J. Robinson

Camille J. Robinson, GRI - Philadelphia Supreme Properties - Philadelphia, PA

GRI, Broker/Owner

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?

Feb 03, 2009 01:29 PM

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