I have always loved smart cars. I was really excited to see them come to the states. I thought in 5 or so years, maybe I would get one. Then my car started to break down. I went through 3 starters in 3 years (I did not pay for one of them). But before the 3rd starter, my alternator went out. Then just yesterday, my ignition started failing. It has really started to add up. But I paid my last car loan payment in December. I own my car free and clear now.
And while owning my car is really nice, there are a couple of other problems. First, gas is expensive. A Nissan Maxima gets pretty decent gas millage, but not when you are traveling 60 plus miles a day. Parking. I do not have a parking spot at my apartment and have to find street parking on Capitol Hill. It has not ever been so bad, but I am worried with all the new construction, it is going to really start to suck.
The smart car is quite reasonably priced. With a trade in with my car, I will only have to pay about $14000. And that is with leather seats, and such, and the middle range car. I do not want the top of the line because it is not a hard top convertible, but a soft top. Seems like it is cut and dry. Wait till summer and get a new car. Have some car payments again.
Not so easy. There is a year and a half wait for these cars. You have to pay a $99 reservation fee to get one. So… what happens if my car does not last that long? I have 150000 miles on my car now. What if I have to get a ton of work done to keep it running and then trade it in? So many questions and no clear answers.
I am having dim sum and then going good will shopping with my former teaching partner/mentor tomorrow. She may be able to help clear this stuff up. But it is amazing how much this can stress a person out. It would be so much easier if I could get my new car in a couple months and let that be that.
If worse comes to worse, I can just hold onto my car. The price should come down and a couple years. Or I will earn more… Or maybe I will find a nice rich guy to marry me and he will take care of all that. Yeah right! 
Mel