Smart roadster/ roadster coupe?
Discussion
tell me about them?
At the moment got an mx5 50/50 share with my dad as a fun car, but for some reason i have an itch for one of these fellas. I also gather they will be great on fuel and easy to park as im loosing my work space and dont really fancy parking the scirocco in the streets near my work place.
so
What they like to drive?
What are the typical running costs? tax band, servicing, fuel?
What are the issues with them?
What can be done with a remap?
Are the gearboxes really slow and jerky?
would they be usable on a 15 mile each way commute?
There seems to be more roadsters around than coupes with prices around 4.5 to 6 k, are they likely to go bang and result in big bills?
At the moment got an mx5 50/50 share with my dad as a fun car, but for some reason i have an itch for one of these fellas. I also gather they will be great on fuel and easy to park as im loosing my work space and dont really fancy parking the scirocco in the streets near my work place.
so
What they like to drive?
What are the typical running costs? tax band, servicing, fuel?
What are the issues with them?
What can be done with a remap?
Are the gearboxes really slow and jerky?
would they be usable on a 15 mile each way commute?
There seems to be more roadsters around than coupes with prices around 4.5 to 6 k, are they likely to go bang and result in big bills?
I loved my coupe. Great fun and a bit different.
I had the standard 80bhp version but added the Brabus exhaust for the nice sound and better looks (Im shallow).
Some cars are good, others are terrible. My advice would be to find one with as few owners as possible and sensible mileage - I did 12k a year for five years in mine with no problems.
Biggest issues are leaks - again I never had a problem, even in yorkshire's finest weather but I know lots of people who did have problems. If the electrics get wet it is expensive.
I averaged 40mpg but managed to get 68 once. Cheap to tax but insurance is still a bit much for a 700cc car. Main dealer servicing can be expensive but plenty of indies around.
Check out www.theroadster.net as there is a good community on there.
In many ways I miss it, but it could get a bit tiresome on long journeys. That said I did Le Mans each year and a fortnight camping in the south of France in mine so can't have been that bad.
Get one - but make sure you get a good one.
I had the standard 80bhp version but added the Brabus exhaust for the nice sound and better looks (Im shallow).
Some cars are good, others are terrible. My advice would be to find one with as few owners as possible and sensible mileage - I did 12k a year for five years in mine with no problems.
Biggest issues are leaks - again I never had a problem, even in yorkshire's finest weather but I know lots of people who did have problems. If the electrics get wet it is expensive.
I averaged 40mpg but managed to get 68 once. Cheap to tax but insurance is still a bit much for a 700cc car. Main dealer servicing can be expensive but plenty of indies around.
Check out www.theroadster.net as there is a good community on there.
In many ways I miss it, but it could get a bit tiresome on long journeys. That said I did Le Mans each year and a fortnight camping in the south of France in mine so can't have been that bad.
Get one - but make sure you get a good one.
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