Finally decided on a Smart Car for my Daughter!

[JandyA]

So... after various posts here and considerations of vehicles.

My daughter has finally decided as a little smart car as her first car to run around town with.

We have found a few models, it is the ForTow, either a 2009/2010 model. We are willing to pay up to around £2000.

She is opting for the automatic model, what I can't understand is the gearbox has a Neutral option, Reverse option and then there is a + and a - symbol. Does this mean its semi automatic ? My daughter is used to just putting an automatic car into D - drive mode and going.

Sorry to sound so dumb, but if someone could help me explain it to her !

[Mo28]

From what I can recall it is a semi-automatic where you have to shift up to change gears

[ZX10R NIN]

If you regard it as a clutchless manual rather (you'll understand this when you test drive one) than an actual auto & you'll be fine look for the 1.0 Passion model as they're the better pick.

[Captain Smerc]

Dont buy the MHD stop/start model , lots of well documented issues !

[jsims1]

I'm pretty sure the gear selector has a button on the side to switch between full auto and manual mode.

[jfdi]

As stated above, it's a clutchless manual which also has full auto mode so you can stick it in "A" and drive like a normal automatic.

Also as stated above avoid the MHD versions!

[rauf786]

I am also looking for a smart as a run around.

looking for a 2005 year as budget is around 1k. Are these reliable?