Smart Cars

[phylet]

Fiat 500 please.

[Dibble]

I've just had a look in the "Marques" forums for Smarts, but couldn't find any, so I came in here...

And lo and behold, a "Smart" thread. Mrs DIbble is thinking of buying one, and I had a quick trawl in the classifieds - I was surprised how cheap they are (some of them anyway).

[bimsb6]

followed a brabus through some lanes a while back and it seriously shifted ,even with me on a bike it was impressive .the later 700cc smarts are the ones to get apparently .

[PJR]

bimsb6 said:

the later 700cc smarts are the ones to get apparently .

I was about to mention this also. The later 700cc engines appear to be a bit more robust than the older 600cc engines. Plus many of the 700cc models qualify for the £35 road tax. Whereas I don't think any of the 600cc ones do.
I think the 600-700cc changeover was late 2003, early 2004? Something like that..

P,

[R5GTTgaz]

The 600cc is a bit weak, the exhaust manifold broke on ours so we sold it. It was about £500 to sort it.

Gearbox benefits from a remap.

[ol' dirty]

Thanks for the advice, unfortunatly she does not have the luxury of cat/ninja like reactions so i'm hoping she should take it easy.

Most of the driving is the commute through country lanes 44miles/day, then around 5-6miles once in work, so nigh on 50miles/day.
Is that asking too much from the litte engine?!

[kevin63]

I have just sold a 2001 Pulse and loved it, I wanted Air con and I think it could have done with wider front tyres and a lot quicker gear box, anyway I have now bought a 2008 model and all seems to be cured, it seems to have got everything I wanted, it has a quick gear box and paddle shift, it's quieter and comfier, air con which you just set by the temp you want, and loads of electronic goodies, at the moment I can't fault it, brilliant for town work and now good on the motorway too, it was a bit pricier than the competition but it seems to be a lot better car than the competition in my view.

[PJR]

ol' dirty said:

Most of the driving is the commute through country lanes 44miles/day, then around 5-6miles once in work, so nigh on 50miles/day.
Is that asking too much from the litte engine?!

Should be fine if the car is looked after and well serviced (which they need fairly regularly). Don't worry too much about the handling. Its only if you like to push the car hard, or drive it on slippery surfaces that you need to be aware.

P,

[The Black Duke]

I am looking to get one as I am doing a PHD and am a skin flint skint student.

I think the luggage space is awesome for the size just no back seats.

[PPPPPP]

bimsb6 said:

followed a brabus through some lanes a while back and it seriously shifted ,even with me on a bike it was impressive .the later 700cc smarts are the ones to get apparently .

I have the new 451 model (1 litre ) Brabus - it's as quick as you really want it to be on our roads. And it feels like a small car.

Previously I had the 700cc Passion - although less powerful, it provides far more driving pleasure. It feels like a Smart, and all that entails. It also feels more like a bike!!!

[AdamMX-5]

I had the misfortune of having to use one for a weekend once - I was an advertising rep at the time and when we arranged a motor show my boss negotiated with the local Merc stealership that they could have a free stand if the sales team got a car each . . . so she got us all Smarts, great!

My view may be clouded as I worked in Tamworth but live in Redditch. So, it was a shlep up the M42 every day on my time on a glorious weekend. I'm not bitter!

All I remember is an atrocious gear change (so much so that I cottoned on to bouncing off the rev limiter until it changed gear itself. It was just as smooth!) But, it was fairly nippy so would be great in city/town I reckon.

For a country road commute? The Panda 100hp sounds like a better bet to me.

[Fire99]

AdamMX-5 said:

I had the misfortune of having to use one for a weekend once - I was an advertising rep at the time and when we arranged a motor show my boss negotiated with the local Merc stealership that they could have a free stand if the sales team got a car each . . . so she got us all Smarts, great!

My view may be clouded as I worked in Tamworth but live in Redditch. So, it was a shlep up the M42 every day on my time on a glorious weekend. I'm not bitter!

All I remember is an atrocious gear change (so much so that I cottoned on to bouncing off the rev limiter until it changed gear itself. It was just as smooth!) But, it was fairly nippy so would be great in city/town I reckon.

For a country road commute? The Panda 100hp sounds like a better bet to me.

Looking at your profile, what about (now for the most used car name on PH) an MX5? Small, economical, reliable...

[ol' dirty]

So if I'm looking for a 451 model- how do you distingush between the newer & older versions.

Is it a facelift or just under the tin differences?

[Luca1973]

ol' dirty said:

So if I'm looking for a 451 model- how do you distingush between the newer & older versions.

Is it a facelift or just under the tin differences?

It the new shape from Sept 2007 onwards. Different body, dash, 999cc engines...

[RB Will]

Having worked in a Merc/ Smart Stealership for over 2 years I will say In general they are reliable and fun. Big piece of advice though. Buy one from an enthusiast, ones that people use as commuter cars or for work are seriously abused! carpets are a royal bh to keep clean too.

[ol' dirty]

Right, I doubt the budget will stretching to an 07 model, It's going to be the older version then.

Around an 03-04 model, so with the newer version being much better, am I better off just stumping up the cash or just living with the faults of the older version?

How bad is the older version? Is it just the gearbox that causes the irritation- as it would seem that a re-map can cure that...?


ETA One like this...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/557432.htm

Edited by ol' dirty on Wednesday 11th June 11:16

[Luca1973]

PPPPPP said:

bimsb6 said:

followed a brabus through some lanes a while back and it seriously shifted ,even with me on a bike it was impressive .the later 700cc smarts are the ones to get apparently .

I have the new 451 model (1 litre ) Brabus - it's as quick as you really want it to be on our roads. And it feels like a small car.

Previously I had the 700cc Passion - although less powerful, it provides far more driving pleasure. It feels like a Smart, and all that entails. It also feels more like a bike!!!

Is the new 451 really not as much fun?

[PPPPPP]

Luca1973 said:

PPPPPP said:

bimsb6 said:

followed a brabus through some lanes a while back and it seriously shifted ,even with me on a bike it was impressive .the later 700cc smarts are the ones to get apparently .

I have the new 451 model (1 litre ) Brabus - it's as quick as you really want it to be on our roads. And it feels like a small car.

Previously I had the 700cc Passion - although less powerful, it provides far more driving pleasure. It feels like a Smart, and all that entails. It also feels more like a bike!!!

Is the new 451 really not as much fun?

For me the change was from a 700cc 61ps car to slightly wider, slightly longer, more advanced chassis and a 1 litre engine with 98ps.

The Smart car has really grown up, and the new one is still fun, but it's just not as much.I did more of the work in the old car - driving it flat out, braking very late and really testing the handling limits. The tyres on the new Brabus are 225/35 at the rear - nearly twice as wide as those on my old 2003 61ps Passion. I suppose a bit like the original Mini (or fiat 500, Beetle, E30M3 etc) & the new one

I do not regret buying the new car for it suits my purpose better now - basically increases the range I travel away from home.

It is horses for courses - I would recommend the 700 cc Passion 61ps for someone who wants cheap motoring & does not do a lot of motorway driving.

Edited by PPPPPP on Wednesday 11th June 14:25

[mcflurry]

ol' dirty said:

ETA One like this...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/557432.htm

If financially possible, stretching to an 03 model would be a huge step up.
They will have 698cc engines instead of 599cc, the larger 33litre fuel tank, better build quality on manifolds and turbos, and with tyres and a remap will be a more rounded car IMHO

[chazzer]

mcflurry said:

ol' dirty said:

ETA One like this...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/557432.htm

If financially possible, stretching to an 03 model would be a huge step up.
They will have 698cc engines instead of 599cc, the larger 33litre fuel tank, better build quality on manifolds and turbos, and with tyres and a remap will be a more rounded car IMHO