Smartfortwo vs MINI a Green Car Comparison

A tight budget means that all costs must be calculated when taking a step such as purchasing a new vehicle.

It is doubly important that a prospective car buyer is concerned about sustainability safety, and the real cost of fuel.

An environmentally minded, frugal, consumer, I did my homework when considering purchasing an automobile. I researched the Smart Car; SmartforTwo, and the MINI Cooper.

After compiling the research, I wanted to share the results with my fellow Earthlings, hoping to make a positive environmental impact, and help consumers make a greener, safer choice.

I have kept up with tax law changes for several decades, and keep up with programs that come along that help others. I enjoy helping others.

When our President, Barack Obama initiated the ARRA (American Revitalization and Reinvestment Act) Programs, it was to save our economy from total collapse.

I am not approaching this topic from a political standpoint, but from and environmental and tax advantages viewpoint.

CARS, Car Allowance Rebate System was approved for go on August 1, 2009 , and ended November 1, 2009.

The program allowed certain vehicles, under specific criteria were able to be traded in, for a Government Rebate of from $3,500.00, to $4,500.00 . This program was monitored by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) . The DOT, created a website where all the information one needed could be linked on the CARS.gov site .

I own a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. My SUV fell into the highest rebate category. If I could find a trade, of vehicles that reduced my emissions, and fuel usage, I could take advantage of the CARS program, or as it has been heralded; the Cash for Clunkers Program .

1. Go to CARS.gov, to find out what vehicles are eligible. What the clunker owner's responsibility is, and what should be expected from the automobile dealer, according to the DOT, and IRS (Internal Revenue Service) http://www.Cars.gov
2. Kelly Blue Book on-line, will let you compare any vehicles.

In a diligent search for an automobile that has a low carbon footprint, while maintaining the highest safety ratings are primary. With the Feb 14, 2013 unveiling of the pure electric® SMARTfortwo, It is easy to see their cute little cars pulling ahead on sales. Check out the Electric Pure SMART for two®

There is also an important thing to consider, that is Automobile Insurance.

The Smart Car® offers payment plans and the low starting price of the more basic Smartfortwo® cars, is a big draw to a consumer who is careful with debt and money. All of that is for nothing if an expensive cost of living; Insurance for the vehicle. The Smart Car does not look like much up against a semi, but Smart is Safe.

When One Barrel of Crude Oil = 42 Gallons of Gas it is past time to re-think using fossil fuels altogether.

As I mentioned before, making a purchase such as a Mini Cooper, or a Smart Car is a big decision. This was a decision based upon a program introduced to:

1. Help our crashing economy
2. Reduce greenhouse gases
3. Get Clunkers off the streets

At this particular time I was working in professional position with a government agency. This was good opportunity to trade in my old Bessie Clunker, the Jeep.

I have always dreamed of having a MINI Cooper, for years, I have played on the website of MINI USA. Every few months I build a new MINI® custom. It is fun. It is easy to connect to the game apps on the MINI® USA website.

The more research I conducted, the closer I got to my dream of owning a MINI Cooper!

Wanting more than ever before to reduce my carbon foot-print on the Earth, I looked seriously toward the Smart Car®, or Smartfortwo®.

• Insurance rates?
• How safe were these little cars?

MINI has an overall 9.1 out of 10 on safety on the 2010 models (the convertible has rear vision issues)

Smart Car has an overall 8.1 for safety.

State Farm Insurance quoted insurance rates on the brand new cars, full coverage. The price for full coverage insurance on the MINI Cooper, or Smart4Two, were the same as the liability I carry on the Jeep Cherokee.

After doing a lot of research I felt the Smart Car would be the most economic decision.

The Smart Car has a short history with consumers, while the MINI Cooper is older than me. When it comes to green choices, Lilly must consider manufacture to final disposal when thinking green.

The MINI is going to stay around for a long time. The structure is built for longevity and lasting quality.

The Smart Car is like the Swatch of cars. In some cases it can be considered for a viable form of transportation around the town, and again, videos prove how tough the Smart Car is. The ability to change the panels, puts Lilly in the mind of high school, and it is a cute idea, but transportation is serious.

I still build MINI's, on the MINI Website, but would take either one, as a viable green option for personal transportation.

cited works:

MINI® USA all rights reserved Smart Car® all rights reserved, Google images®©, clear.bludei.com®©, commons.wickimedia.org ®© www.nitorbahn.com ®© www.ausmotive.com ®©