Debate Yaris vs. Smart Car Please help!

[UTVitz]

Though I own a yaris HB I've been thinking about and test driving any smart I can find on lots. They are cute, they get mostly favorable attention, and are different from conventional transportation-kind of like a motorcycle. However, that said I have noticed any wind on the highway including big semis will cause them to buck around-nothing scary, but it is tiring none the less. The yaris is a much more stable wider tracked vehicle which is important on the freeway. The yaris is also quieter on the highway as the plastic body panels let more road noise thorough on freeways. Four cylinders idle much smoother than three, you'll find the smart shakes quite a bit at stop lights once it's warmed up. The a/c does not stay very cool at idle and when the engines cooling fan is running you hear it clearly inside the car. Being a mostly plastic car the panels have large gaps and they tend to creak and rattle depending on the weather that day. I could go on and on about what I've found and if a smart cost 5-7 thousand dollars it would make since. But you can buy a yaris or fit or any number of other cars for what a smart costs it just makes no sense unless-you have parking issues and only stay in the city. It really is just a city car if you can handle the bumpy ride and weird transmission shifting. In 22k miles my yaris has yet to see and dealer for anything-I do my own oil/filter changes. smarts are not so trouble free I read and numerous owners have had to get their cars towed to a dealer because the funky transmission locks up and won't come out of park. ahh, yes, don't forget smarts get a 2 year 24k warranty period. All other cars have 3/36 and toyotas/hondas have a 5/60 on the powertrain. Hope this makes you feel better about going with the yaris. I would still like a smart some day as a second vehicle, but only when I can buy one for under 10 grand.