Smart Cars

Tiddlywinks

SailorSam wrote: »

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.

I've got one - you get what you pay for... heated leather seats, flappy paddle gear change, great looking alloys, fabulous Mercedes Benz safety technolgy and lots of fun. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

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.

How does the Smart have a bad rep? Have you owned one? How did you develop such an "informed" position?

In buying a Smart, you need to be realistic of the pros and cons - as there are cheaper cars out there, it depends what you're looking for.

I wanted a car with all the kit you normally get on a larger car (my other car is a Volvo) and needed an auto (dodgy knee) - I bought new (this is my second new Smart) because, frankly, a lot of people don't really take care of them and know how to drive them so I wanted to ensure I knew the history by being the only owner.

With the previous model, the turbos had a habit of dying at around 40k BUT owners that warmed the turbo and then drove away never had the problem (you could hear the engine note change). The turbo also had a "lag" - owners that knew this made allowances at roundabouts and so never had the auto gear change problems that others moaned about.

All cars have their foibles - it's whether, on balance, it's worth it and it was!

In the 8 Years I have owned a Smart I have NEVER broken down in them (touch wood ). But that can be a lot to do with the fact that I get to know my cars, service them at the correct times and don't expect to drive forever without maintenance costs.

The Smart was never intended as a budget car - why do people always think that small means cheap?

poppasmurf_bewdley

To Tiddlywinks.

No, I've not had one but a neighbour had one and sold it after six months because of repeated problems. The knowledge I've got about these vehicles has come from reading motoring magazines and owners reports.

I'm glad you're pleased with your own vehicle but it would seem that you are in a minority.

Let's not forget that it wasn't too long ago that the company nearly went bust because sales slumped because of the quality problems, and had to be bailed out. They actually had to stop production of one model in, I think 2005, because they were receiving so many complaints.

Skulls

I have a Smart 42 and a Citroen C1, the C1 is about 30% cheaper to run and seats 4.

Tiddlywinks

Smart ceased to make ForFours and Roadsters in 2005 because of falling sales figures - their move to try to get into the mainstream with the ForFour (a collaboration with Mitsubishi on the Colt chassis) was ill-conceived as the Smart concept was initially about an eco-friendly city car and not to create a car for the family market.

The changes were a result of refinancing and a move into Daimler Chrysler and were eveything to do with sales figures for the wider range and not about the quality of the ForTwo which continued on.

rodenal

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

With the previous model, the turbos had a habit of dying at around 40k BUT owners that warmed the turbo and then drove away never had the problem (you could hear the engine note change). The turbo also had a "lag" - owners that knew this made allowances at roundabouts and so never had the auto gear change problems that others moaned about.

All cars have their foibles - it's whether, on balance, it's worth it and it was!

In the 8 Years I have owned a Smart I have NEVER broken down in them (touch wood ). But that can be a lot to do with the fact that I get to know my cars, service them at the correct times and don't expect to drive forever without maintenance costs.

The Smart was never intended as a budget car - why do people always think that small means cheap?

The majority of what you say is fair enough and a good response to those who don't like the smart for whatever reason (for the record I don't but I wouldn't still anyone buying one), however "driving round" what sounds like dangerous auto box / off boost takeaway from a standstill is nonsense, that's quite a serious error with the way the car has been set up and considering the premium paid for the car absolutely not what I would call an acceptable quirk.

They are what they are I suppose, the c1 i10 etc are all, imho better modes of transport but if you want a smart as its a mini merc and you're after the badge appeal then you don't really have many options other than the iq....or if you're properly mental the cygnet

Tiddlywinks

rodenal wrote: »

... but if you want a smart as its a mini merc and you're after the badge appeal then you don't really have many options other than the iq....or if you're properly mental the cygnet

I didn't buy the Smart for the badge - I bought it for the spec. There are no other city cars with the trim level I wanted - other than the mini perhaps but I hate them with a passion - so I made a choice based on wants and needs, not badge. If I were interested in "kudos" would I drive a Volvo?

As to the turbo lag on the previous model, it was never dangerous - it just requires an awareness of the car you're driving and its limitations and is not an issue that is unique to the Smart.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Smart ceased to make ForFours and Roadsters in 2005 because of falling sales figures - their move to try to get into the mainstream with the ForFour (a collaboration with Mitsubishi on the Colt chassis) was ill-conceived as the Smart concept was initially about an eco-friendly city car and not to create a car for the family market.

The changes were a result of refinancing and a move into Daimler Chrysler and were eveything to do with sales figures for the wider range and not about the quality of the ForTwo which continued on.

From Wikipedia:

The Smart Roadster is a two-door sports car first introduced in 2003 by Smart GmbH. Sales of the Roadster and Roadster Coup! met expectations, however warranty claims resulted in a halt of production of both models in November 2005 after 43,091 Roadsters were made.

F_T_Buyer

Have a look at this website: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/smart/fortwo/coupe-2007/also-consider/

property.advert

harz99 wrote: »

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.

Have you sat in an i10 ? I have and it is like squeezing yourself into a tin can.

Far better to spend a few grand on a heavily depreciated car like a Focus.

harz99

property.advert wrote: »

Have you sat in an i10 ? I have and it is like squeezing yourself into a tin can.

Far better to spend a few grand on a heavily depreciated car like a Focus.

I own one and am 6 foot 1, 16 stone so yes I have.

Why would someone considering a Smart - the OP - want a Focus which is over twice as big?