Smart Cars

Hoopie1

I'm a complete ingoramus when it comes to cars, however at some point in the near future we may well get another car which would be to drive me to and from the station. Obviously something small would be an advantage and I have seen quite a few smart cars driving around - are there any alternatives or competitors to it, and does anyone have any advice/recommendations?

Any advice gratefully received.

SailorSam

I can't understand why anyone would pay somewhere between £10k-£15k on Smart car when there are so many other small cars on the market for half that price.

rdwarr

My daughter bought a new Smart Car last year. To be honest she's finding it a bit small and it's broken down on three occasions. I got a Citroen C1 at roughly the same time. It was about half the price, more economical and has been faultless. Sure, it's not quite as posh but I have another car for that - it's just a runaround. It's the same car as the Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo. It's built in the Czech Republic (before everybody jumps in and says not to buy French-made cars).

If you're only doing short journeys don't get a diesel - you'll clog it up.

almillar

You wouldn't catch me spending £15k on a Smart (that must be a really high spec) but then OP never said about buying new. My mum had one and it was excellent. I'd say that they are commuting cars, ie, not something you want to do lots of long runs in, and, say, you'd want to be doing fewer than 10,000 miles per year. Very economical, great fun. Very practical too - I'm 6'2" and there's plenty of space for me to drive, plus a passenger, plus some shopping, no problem. Competitor? Only one really is Toyota iQ, but it's more expensive, and not as many second hand ones around. 3 seater though, rather than 2.

harz99

Best small city car around when prices are considered is the Hyundai i10, with the Chevrolet Spark pretty close behind.

Go look at Honest John's website and read his and owners reviews.

daveyjp

We had our first smart 10 years ago, we then traded it for a cabrio. Since then the C1, Aygo, 107, i10 have all come along which offer more for less if all you want is a tool for commuting. We now have an Aygo and it is cheaper to run than the smart was.

Hoopie1

Thanks for all the input - I hadn't even looked at prices, I'm amazed at the prices for a smart car quoted above.

poppasmurf_bewdley

The so called 'Smart' car has a very bad reputation for build quality and reliability. I would also imagine it offers very little protection in the event of a frontal smash.

I don't think it is a vehicle I would like to travel in. I value my safety too much.

DarkHorse

I have a Toyota IQ.....its the best small car that I have ever had. Also service from Toyota has been first class.

interstellaflyer

Don't even go there, I used to drive a Smart car as a delivery vehicle round Oxford, ideal for squeezing into small gaps but on the whole a load of carp and not that economical either, the autobox was useless, kept having to remember to switch to manual when aproaching roundabouts because unless you came to a complete stop it would select a completely inappropriate gear (like 4th) to pull of with. Apart from the cheap tax I can't see any reason for buying one of these cars.

fivetide

The Smart has a four star N-Cap Rating (not so high for hitting pedestrians but hey ho).

US did similar tests and gave good ratings but it doesn't look like it will do as well if the impact is 50/50 (corner to corner). I wouldn't have one, too bouncy, lass at work does and there has been nothing wrong with it although she admits not being a fan on the motorway.


5t.