Smart Car?

Murphybear

Hi everybody

I am thinking about buying a Smart Car as a second car for lots of short trips. We have a Lexus RX 10 year old for distance driving but it is a bit thirsty for running around town/shopping etc.

I don't know anyone who has one so would be interested in getting views on this.

There are loads on Auto Trader in my budget

Thanks

Wh05apk

Only been in a smart car once, very unrefined and noisy, also seem quite unreliable and quite expensive for what they are, what is your budget?

CKhalvashi

Wh05apk wrote: »

Only been in a smart car once, very unrefined and noisy, also seem quite unreliable and quite expensive for what they are, what is your budget?

I got to drive a Brabus one (although not on the motorway)

I found it fun, easy to drive, it felt bigger than it was etc.

I do agree however, that they're expensive for what they are.

Peater

I owned a Roadster for several years and adored it.

However, they are indeed a bit overpriced and suffer from dreadful build quality. The Mercedes genes didn't trickle down far enough.

Mankysteve

I would take a look at the aygo/c1/106 varents and the hyundai i10 and kia Picanto.

Mr_Mink

I lift shared with a colleague who had a Smart car for a while. I can't say it was especially pleasant. The ride is horrific and he paid a small fortune for it. If your after a decent small car I'd advise you look to the baby Kia/Hyundai or Up/Citigo/Mii triplets (which have a ride that shames the Smart car).

Peater

I would jump aboard the Aygo/C1/106 boat actually. A friend of mine had the Aygo and it was a terrific little car. Proper back to basics motoring.

macman

I can't think of a single good thing to recommend them, other than the ability to (sometimes) park them head on to the kerb.

Bantex_2

I have a Toyota IQ for running around in. Much more refined.

OnanTheBarbarian

If you want a little spunkbox for running about, why drop a load of money on something like a Smart or Aygo etc.

Just buy a VW Lupo for a grand

UsernameAlreadyExists

I had a Passion Cabriolet years ago, it was '02 plated.
The sequential gearbox is truly awful, but you get used to it.
You have to drive them very hard to keep up with the pace of modern traffic so this blows away any fuel economy you 'think' you might get from it. It shocked me how much petrol I managed to get through, but then as I said it needs to be driven with a diving boot on.
The cabin space is very roomy indeed.
The boot space (specifically the cabrio) is awkward as it's accessed through a fold down flap but will take a reasonable load of shopping in bags, but nothing much bigger. I guess the hard topped ones will be a little better.
They are pretty expensive & quirky toys, but I loved it!
There's probably a whole lot better options out there though.


Engine maintenance is probably best left to main dealer specialists because they're tiny little engines in a hard to access location!