My initial misgivings were unfounded (might not be perky enough for comfortable interstate highway speeds, not high enough for practical sight-lines--both completely unfounded). It's cute and very economical to operate and because it's pretty much entirely white and shaped as it is, it resembles an enormous Storm Trooper's Helmet.
It's fun but not a car. It would definitely depend on the friend. Again - the Smart is NOT a car. Many people who've been disappointed with the Smart are comparing it to a car and I've decided that that is not what the Smart actually is. It's actually a go-cart. Gas mileage, performance, handling, comfort are equivalent to a go-cart with a nice interior and a surprising amount of clever storage space. So if you think it might be fun to drive a go-cart daily, the Smart is for you. I personally love it. I grocery shop, take long-ish trips in it, take my dogs too and from the park in it, etc etc. It's my daily driver.
Looking for economy car for my part time job which involves alot of driving. Also needed a small car to tow behind my RV. The Smart car was the perfect fit. Not only does it get great gas mileage (close to 40 miles/gal), but is also the perfect size to tow behind RV. I've had the car close to 6 months and couldn't be happier. No problems with the car since I purchased it. My p/t job requires a lot of highway driving and the car handles like a charm. The down side is it doesn't have cruise control. It would be ideal if it had that. One other drawback is the suspension. The shocks offer little help with bumps. Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase.
This price does not include tax, title, and tags. Additional fees may also apply depending on the state of purchase.