EXHIBIT 23.1

                             CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
                          CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc.
Titusville, Florida

     We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  Prospectus
constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated March 30,
1998  relating  to  the  consolidated   financial  statements  of  Smart  Choice
Automotive Group, Inc. appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997.

     We also consent to the  reference to us under the caption  "Experts" in the
Prospectus.

                            /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
                            --------------------
                                BDO Seidman, LLP


Orlando, Florida
April 14, 1998