Smart Roadster - any experiences?

ACID

any users on here?

unsure whther this may be good for me to drive for at least a year

its economical and will be easier on the funds if i buy this than another car.


how much mpg did you get and did you put in unleaded or super unleaded?

did you get the coupe..is the coupe the troublesome one??
how tall are you..is this ok for a tall person?

servicing costs..will that be reasonable..and the tax?

darich

Check this page for facts and figures on performance, tax, dimensions etc

Normally you'll find tons of info if you simply type your car model into a search engine and add the words review, performance, opinion etc. You'll find dozens of magazines with articles on your car.

And another probably less used method is try you tube - there are videos for everything on there - you'll find either a video from a website or magazine or it'll be someone playing with their new car and camcorder.

You'll find something either way.

Puttytat

Hi,
I was the one who suggested the Roadster in your other thread.

I usually get about 300 - 350 miles for a 30 litre top up of super unleaded, I use an independant Smart mechanic for my servicing who charges £100 for an interim service and £200 for a major service.

I'm only 5'6" so fitting in is no problem for me, but I do regularly pick up my friends husband who is 6'4" and built like a rugby player and he fits in OK. Their son is 6' plus too, and he hasn't had any trouble either.

I've got the coupe with a removable hard top and have had no problems with leaks. The only problem I have had is the door handle has stuck which means I can't open the door from the inside, but this is easily sorted with a touch of superglue!

Insurance is reasonable too considering the car.

I know the figures quoted for performance don't seem that great on paper, but I'm yet to be beaten at the traffic lights grand prix by anything and routinely bob up and down the motorway (slightly) exceeding the speed limit. It will happily cruise at 90 mph (allegedly :rolleyes: !)

Tax wise, currently it's £120 for 12 months but I have been led to believe this is going to go down to £90 next year!!!!

The other things to consider are that it is no longer in production so could possibly hold it's value as it is still reasonably in demand, and that most of the bodywork is plastic so no rust problems.

Feel free to ask me further questions if you like. I'm happy to wax lyrical about my car all day long...


Check out www.theroadster.net for more information including peoples problems.
HTH
Putty

alanrowell

What's the gear change like - everything I read about them says that it's rubbish and I've seen no mention of improvements

Puttytat

In answer to the gear change, I drive it in semi automatic mode using the sequential tiptronic box. It did take some getting used to, but isn't as bad as others would have you believe.
Putty

ACID

without sounding bias

was there any bad points apart from the leaks

woud lyou recommend the coupe or just the standard roadster?

and some sources say to only put in uper unleaded...is this the case.

Puttytat

I really can't think of any negatives with the car - it really is such a fun car to drive. Obviously being a two seater could be seen as a drawback, but then again, it stops you being the taxi service too. The gearbox isn't perfect and would be far better as a manual, but you do get used to it.
The handling is spot on and there is traction control just in case you take that corner a tad too fast....
Reliability doesn't seem to be an issue, I work with 2 others who also have Roadsters - one has the non coupe version, and I far prefer the luggage space in mine compared to his. There is plenty of room under the bonnet for a fair bit of shopping and then you can fit a small suitcase in the back too.
The Smart handbook recommends super unleaded fuel, so that is what I use, although the other chap at work who has the other coupe uses normal unleaded and he doesn't appear to have had any issues so it appears to be down to choice?
Are there any for sale near you that you could arrange to test drive? My brother drives a Nissan 350Z and he loves driving my car just as much. I'm not allowed to drive his, so can't compare them :-(
Seeing as you are only looking at one as a short term car, I would say go for it. Life's too short not to....
HTH
Putty