cookstar

iTrader: (6)

I have never driven one of these, I might hire one for a couple of days, but that wont give me a fair comparison of the older versions, (which would be the type I went for)

What different models/engines were there please,

MPG/performance (or lack of)


This will be used as a daily work hack, 50 mile round trip.

What do you reckon?

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

had a test drive in one of the older models but when they first came out, it was ok actually, obviously they are only 599cc? but they are turbo. found the gear change a little awkward and not quick, but it really made me smile.

iirc they return around 60 - 70 mpg, apparantly they can be modified quite easily, but I also read that th engines on the older ones are not very reliable.

bike engine conversion

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

surely the engines can be had for cheap and easily swopped, do you know what tax you would pay on it etc.

Henrik

iTrader: (5)

We used to have one Seriously, it was the most "fun" car I've had to date. Don't be fooled, it's utter ****e at almost everything, but because it's a smart, it still puts a smile on your face Also, it's one of those cars you either love or hate. I loved it, swmbo hated it, hence we haven't got it any more

We had the 600cc version (53 plate), and never had any problems with it (only kept it for about 5-6000 miles).

As the engine was so small, I found myself ragging it everywhere when I drove it on larger roads, so realistically on the motorway / a-roads I only got about 40 miles per gallon. It's also limited to 84 mph, which it will get to no problem. It's actually surprisingly quick to nip around town in, and it has a turbo and you can hear it flutter when you change gears, even as standard However, as it's an auto (or semi, depending on what you get), it's not very good at take-offs. The auto is also quite slow sometimes to engage, so you'll find yourself sitting at a round-about waiting for a gap, gap comes, you floor it, car does nothing until gap almost closes and then shoots out in front of an articulated lorry I found it best to start rolling slowly when there was a gap "approaching", so that the car was in first gear for a take-off.

It's quite tall as well, so side wind is a problem. Going past lorries on the motorway is fun (if you like sideways action).

As it's so short, you will feel any bumps a lot more than in a larger car. The suspension travel is limited as well, so it crashes about a fair bit on rough roads.

The cabin is actually surprisingly spacious, and the boot takes a surprising amount of stuff. I always liked sitting in it, and the view out is excellent.

I wasn't particularly impressed with the handling either.

... and last point, IMO they are quite expensive for what they are.


So in summary: It's a rubbish car when it comes to comfort and not particularly good at motorway driving (IMO). However, it will put a smile on your face unless you're a smart hater.

Would I have one again? Yes, if I was doing mainly town driving. It's too expensive for what it is, though. You can get a remap for them as well, and that's probably a very worthwhile mod.

Volks

We`ve had one in the family for around four years now.

Ours is a 698cc mk7 putting out a gargantuan 61bhp!

My wife used to use it but I`ve been running it for the past year or so to commute to work, a trip of 20 miles each way.

To be honest ours has been faultless. We get it serviced at a specialist (it`s out of warranty and it`s a lot cheaper than Smart dealers).

They obviously aren`t fast but I can keep up with traffic on my commute (a mixture of dual carriageway and single lane A road) and there is a strange satisfaction to be gained from driving it smoothly, the gearchange isn`t fantastic but with a bit of practice it isn`t too bad. Handling is interesting, understeer is rife but again, a bit of practice and a realisation that the car wasn`t designed to be driven with masses of enthusiasm, you can make decent progress.

Running costs are, as you`d expect, cheap. Ours costs £35 a year to tax, insurance is £160 a year fully comp and it gets serviced once a year at a specialist for around £150-200 depending on the servicing required. Fuel consumption is around 50mpg. They do use a bit of oil though and it`s best to use a good quality synthetic such as Mobil 1.

The later 698cc cars are the ones to go for, the earlier 599cc cars tend to be a bit less reliable.

If you accept them for what they are they are great.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

great report there, sounds like it could be a goer, I have seen them around the £2k mark, one on ebay with panel damage for £700 atm .

billythekid

I got a 999cc Passion (84bhp turbo) in December. Overall I am very happy.

However, I only do 4 miles a day in it. I tested the 74hp one and found it a bit flat. Not much midrange. The turbo has a bit more grunt and was more to my liking. Makes a better sound too

The ride is ok, bit stiff for some but I think its ok. Steering is good, bit heavy at low speeds (No PAS) and considering the size of the front tyres it handles very well. My main niggle is the TC cuts in very early, I would like a bit more slip first, but thats me and I think most owners wont ever get the TC to cut in! I hear the new engines (mitsubishi) are a lot more reliable than the old units.

I find the gear box (which some complain about) fine. Changes are not fast but they are not slow either. In auto mode is smooth. My only moan is that at about 15mph it sometimes changes down from 2nd to 1st which can be a bit anoying just as traffic is speeding up. There is no way to over ride this btw even in manual mode it will do it.

There is enough room for a weeks shopping for 2 people, or a weekend bags etc.

The longest trip I have done in it was about 90 miles, and TBH it was fine. Not something I would use it for every day though.

I looked at used cars, but they are not that much cheaper. I got mine for £8999 and got a few extras thrown in. I have never purchased a new car before and dont ever intend on buying another but at £9k for a brand new car I am not that bothered. A BMW or something would lose £9k in 12 months at the moment!

I think your main problem is distance, you want a bit more comfort, IMHO. There are quite a few cars that will do 50mpg + and cheap and will be a bit more comfortable.

I got mine as I can park it easily in the town, and I only do about 4000 miles a year tops. I also have a big 4x4 (boooo) for longer trips etc.

lozgti

Like the little roadster.Looks like go kart fun

Or are you thinking the egg one?

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

the "egg" I suppose, its the shape you see all the time, not sure what its called though???

billythekid

For Two, or sometimes people say 4-2.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

I see, meaning for two people right?, and the four four - four seats/people.

lozgti

I only think of 'egg' after that car program showed the safety cell of a smart car and it could withstand crashes at incredible speeds.

Unfortunately though,apparantly your vital organs would be ripped from their mountings so you wouldn't really survive anyway (which i presume would be the case with most cars however safe they are?!)

Sorry,slightly OT

Shark Man

Aye that would be 5th gear (clip easily found on You tube). Probably one of the most impressive displays of structural rigidity I have ever seen; big issue though is its so rigid, it doesn't deform. So instead, the impact forces are transferred to the passengers.

So with a G-wizz, Metro, Fiat Seicento or City Rover, you'll get crushed to death, with a Smart the force just splatters your brain into the front of your head - nice


I've had a spin in a few; Well, I tried, but they don't do doughnuts (RWD) Fun being the operative word here, rubbish, but fun. Its on par with the Daihatsui Cuore we once had as a loan car (don't knock it till you tharsh it ). Felt fast and nippy, but at the same time slow and didn't really handle that well either. Gearbox is just an ****, can drive round it by doing things in advance (like start to pull away a second before you need to), as the time lag will catch you out every now and again

And if anyone complains that the steering is too heavy - shoot them (or just a slap will suffice if its a woman ). They are the limp wristed foo's that have caused modern cars to have such numb and detached over-assisted power steering as standard fit, when they don't need it.

billythekid

I said "Steering is good, bit heavy at low speeds" not too heavy, and secondly, I would shoot you first.

subevo

i had a 2001 passion model on a y plate.left hand drive. brand new.supposed to do 60mpg but in reality its about 50mpg.must say i loved it.used to be £70 in road tax then dropped to £35 emmisions were 119 co2 but watch others were 121 which made it dearer to tax.plastic flexible doors so no parking dents.6 speed sequential box with auto mode .i left it in auto mode.used to be group 2 insurance but now moved to group 1.anyway i wish i still had it one of the cheapest cars to own and real fun to drive.may buy another and convert to electric.new right hand diesel out in october 90mpg and zero road tax.followed by an electric version next year.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I drove one once as a courtesy car as my father in law refused to drive it, though he had no qualms about poncing about in a bright purple A class.

I hasve to say it stands out in my memory as a complete joy to drive, as said fairly crap by most measures but it felt great and not as slow as I was expecting, certainly around town it was probably quicker than many bigger cars just for the gaps it could get through.

I must say that I would be tempted, a neighbour of mine had one and loved it but he has also had a Beetle Convertible and a Bright Yellow Mini, and yet claims to be heterosexual.

It would feel very comfy, fast and safe compared to my psuh bike so it depends where you are coming from.

51st state

we had a diesel smart !!!
yes , not many about , 800cc 3 cylinder turbo pulse model
i found it best to drive in auto,
i used to nail it everywhere and it still returned 75MPG
was capable of 90mph on a motorway and got there quite easily,!!
most of what "henrik" says about other aspects are true
i would have one again, great little car loads of room inside, infact you forget how small it is , parking head on to the kerb gets you some strange looks
before using one i couldn't see the point of them, once you used one commuting you understand what the concept is all about and using a bigger car seems stupid ,

RallyInfo

I've covered 10,000 miles in my Smart (4 years old, 700cc) over the last 12 months and it hasn't missed a beat. Sure, ride quality over bumpy roads isn't wonderful, but it's a great wee car. Believe it or not I seem to have more leg room in the Smart than I do in the Subaru (although if the Smart had a clutch pedal it might be a slightly different story)...plus £35 road tax and cheap insurance. Great fun car to have that's easy on the wallet!