Moving on from a 2007 Smart ForTwo. What next?

[Doodles19]

Evening Pistonheads,

I'm after some of your expertise please to help me with my dilemma.

I'm currently using a 2007 Smart ForTwo 451 (the 999cc with the ropey semi-auto Getrag gearbox), as a daily driver / commuter car. Unfortunately, I'm quite fond of the little thing now. It's so useful around town and I love how tiny it is. I've also grown to like an automatic gearbox now. So the replacement HAS to be an auto.

However, I'm growing tired of the dreadful semi auto gearbox fitted these, and it's woeful heating / air con. So it's time for an upgrade.

Here's where my dilemma begins.

I'd love one of the new 453 0.9 90bhp automatic ForTwos. But their used values seem to be incredibly strong (8-9k+) and ideally I don't want to finance a new one.

I've looked at a Toyota IQ, but there don't seem to be many autos, plus it appears to be a CVT box. Which I've always been wary of.

Are there any other tiny city automatics anyone can think of that foot the bill?

Or am I going to have to buy a newer used 451 or bite the bullet and finance a 453?

Cheers in advance!!

[ZX10R NIN]

I feel your pain I loved my diesel Smart Fortwo passion oh how I remember od a crisp autumn morning I'd get dripped on from the condensation from the Panoramic roof, my brother still has his Brabus one which is a good bit of fun.

I say buy as new a 451 as you can or bite the bullet & get the newer model.

[baliongo]

I recently bought the wife a Toyota Aygo auto after testing a few other small city cars incl Vauxhall Viva,Skoda Citygo and Citroen c1 (similar to the Aygo) as she didnt want another Smart Fortwo.

Toyota gave us £2.5k off the 12.5k rrp,0% finance and some freebies incl gap insurance for the next 3 yrs and the wife loves the car.
Far more stable at motorway speeds than the Smart and averaging 58mpg is decent too and being top spec it has many creature comforts and i often use it for work when she doesnt need it as my car averages 18mpg.

2-3 yr old Aygos seem good value ..

Edited by baliongo on Sunday 19th August 09:14

[Doodles19]

ZX10R NIN said:

I feel your pain I loved my diesel Smart Fortwo passion oh how I remember od a crisp autumn morning I'd get dripped on from the condensation from the Panoramic roof, my brother still has his Brabus one which is a good bit of fun.

I say buy as new a 451 as you can or bite the bullet & get the newer model.

They're quite obviously flawed cars. Gearbox, climate control and high speed stability etc. But nothing else comes close to the convenience and ease with which the car handles the city. It's a shame there's such limited options for other vehicles of this size. I can only dream of other kei sized cars!

baliongo said:

I recently bought the wife a Toyota Aygo auto after testing a few other small city cars incl Vauxhall Viva,Skoda Citygo and Citroen c1 (similar to the Aygo) as she didnt want another Smart Fortwo.

Toyota gave us £2.5k off the 12.5k rrp,0% finance and some freebies incl gap insurance for the next 3 yrs and the wife loves the car.
Far more stable at motorway speeds than the Smart and averaging 58mpg is decent too and being top spec it has many creature comforts and i often use it for work when she doesnt need it as my car averages 18mpg.

2-3 yr old Aygos seem good value ..

Edited by baliongo on Sunday 19th August 09:14

Ideally I want something as small as possible. Sounds silly, but where I live a tiny automatic makes life so much easier than a traditional 4 seater. You'd be surprised at the number of tiny parking spaces only a Smart car can fit into that even stuff like an Aygo / Up wouldn't be able to.