billythekid

Right then, we are in the market for a small second car. Will be doing max 5 miles a day in it so anything more than a go kart with seats is not really needed. It will only ever be used to get me from my house to my office when our main car is in use - probably only 2 or 3 days a week.

Needs to be able to seat 2 adults and take a few bags, the odd small box of paperwork etc.

What are the opinions on either the Smart or the A2.

Any other options that are cheap to run and insure? Looking to spend 3k.

I hear of quite a few smarts with engine / turbo failure?

Ta!

Nigel H

We had a Smart for 3 years and did 30,000 miles in it as a second car. It was bought for the school run and excels at parking in tight spots. Other than a leaky air con, we had no problems with it. It averaged 45mpg and car tax was £35 last time we renewed it. It was a hoot round town.

TBH I wouldn't recommend them, they're very expensive to service, the ride is harsh, they're noisy and severely limited on a motorway (for those odd times you may need to go on a motorway). The lack of 3/4 seats can be a pain at times too. And then there's the gearbox, which can be good fun, but at other times is a real PITA.

They are quite tunable and that's where most of the turbofailures come from IMHO. There's also an issue getting the 6th plug out which can mean they get left in at services and then engines let go later on.

If it were me I'd go for a Ka as a cheap runabout. You may want something less main stream, but if its cheap motoring you want then these have got to be one of the cheapest things out there.

Have a look here

Smart Mania - Powered by vBulletin and here

smartarse design.

billythekid

Thanks, having looked around a bit at the used market it seems a good one is going to be 4 - 5 k. Its looking like a new one might be a better move as the 999cc engine is meant to be a lot better and the gear change a bit better too??

Its never going to see a motorway and will be lucky if we do more than 5000 miles a year, probably more like 3000, so it will just need a service every year (I assume they are annual intervals?) and tax and a bit of petrol.

I tried to talk the Mrs into getting an XJR jag but she would have none of it.

Reffro

Have a look at the Seat Arosa/ VW Lupo also. Both excellent city cars, particularly with the 1.4tdi engines.

billythekid

Hmm, Lupo GTi....

Nigel H

Servicing is on a service interval thingy. Costs are not cheap

Smartarse Design

what would scooby do

I'd be in a 100% reliable Toyota MR2, perfect 2nd car

billythekid

Had a look around, and I think its looking like my best option is a new 999cc turbo. Local dealer has offered me a good deal, better spec and chassis than the older smart and also got a fair bit more power and torque..

dpb

A2 for 3k -

a better choice for my money ! -

matchmaker

Beast in sheep's clothing

satancom

Drove an A2 a lot in work (pool car) What a hatefull little car for the money..

noobyscooby

No to A2 - they are problem children after 3 years and expensive to fix.

Hmm, 3,000 miles per year, 5 miles max journies so no time for the exhaust/engine to heat up properly spells trouble unless you give it a thrashing at least once a week to get the car properly hot and the cat cleaned up.

The oil won't be very nice on such short journies so service it annually regardless.

Short journies probably means low speeds too so at an average of 20 mph you will spend no more that 150 hours a year in the car = 3 hours week max.

I reckon a Ford Ka or Fiesta or FIAT Panda is your best bet - simple, cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to insure

Get a petrol engine too as it is not worth paying the premium for a diesel engined car for such a low mileage

billythekid

update.. 84hp Passion arrives on Saturday. Test drove the 72hp and was quite happy with the peformance - but for the little bit extra I decided on the full monty (well before the Brabus!). Only snag is it will take me about 3 months to run the bl00dy thing in!!

nooobyscooby

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, take the car out for a 20 mile fast trip once a week so it gets properly warmed up, the discs cleaned up from some heavier braking, etc - it will pay dividends!

R 14NS R

Only just seen this post.

I work for Mercedes in Hertford and also look after smart there.

The new car is in a different league to the previous model, faster, safer a little bigger too. the turbo model really loosens up aswell after 1500 miles.

If you need anything else or help/advice/parts etc just let me know.

Ian

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Buy a Colt, Smart Car (think A3/Golf) but with a different frock on and far far cheaper but more reliable. CZT oooooooooooooooh yeah.

Also second the Lupo/Arosa 1.4tdi, 60+mpg easy.

johnnyroper

if i remember correctly the new one has got a mitsubishi lump fitted as opposed to the old merc engineered lump.
so reliability should be a lot better,sholud see the end of cracking exhaust manifolds and oil scraper rings fecking up meaning a recon is needed.
my missus got the passion cab and it has been a bit of a money pit to be honest.
still just sold it and in the market for a decent a class now

billythekid

The sales man did mention the engine is made by mitsi.

We looked at a couple of used older 42s and the extra boot room and improved interior were big selling points for the new model which is why we went for that in the end.

Matteeboy

Spend £80 on some decent trainers and walk.


Or get a Lupo.
Or an Ibiza.

billythekid

Walk!! I live in Manchester, there is a reason no one walks around here!

noobyscooby

Have you got the new motor?

Let us know how you get on.

billythekid

Got it yesterday, very happy with it so far! Still very much in the running in phase but did an hour or so in it yesterday and was pleased with the decision to go for the 84hp version.