Smart City Coupe (2000 - 2004) Passion 2d Auto (2003/03) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Not bothered what it says about me really. It's is cheap to insure (c£150 Fully Comp); cheap Road Fund Tax (£68); frugal (70mpg on motorway trips, 55mpg in run around mode) and non too expensive for servicing.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

No idea & not bothered anyway.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Definitely. I'd buy secondhand too.

What are you likely to buy next?

If, as & when, the engine is clapped-out on this '99 model, I'd be tempted to have a replacement engine (c£800) rather than buy a newer but unknown secondhand unit. There are two options I would hope Smart introduce in due course and both which could be fitted retrospectively ... Cruise-control and a central arm-rest.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£4,000

When did you buy the car?

May 2002

Did you get a good deal and why?

I think £4000 for a three year old car with around 23k was very reasonable.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Firstly, my car is a 1999 (T-reg) Passion Auto, petrol, with 23k on the clock when bought. Originally seeking a small, economical, two-person runabout, suitable for town use. It has now become the primary 'every day' vehicle I use.

What was the dealer like?

A bit too over-zealous in customer service for my liking ... but then it's better that way I suppose, than the usual couldn't-care-less attitudes I've experienced with other marques.

What's it like to drive?

A short-wheelbase vehicle is never going to give a sedan-like ride quality. Accepting that it will be a choppy ride has meant I have become more aware of road conditions and therefore am able to avoid the worst pot-holes, manhole-covers & drainage-grating. Visibility is good, although as mine is a l/h drive, the standard driving mirror does impede centre of the road vision quite noticeably. Fortunately, there's an easy fix for this too.

What's it like to park?

Dead-easy. Who needs power-steering? Light & precise maneuverability. Under-steer can be an issue at higher speeds but I've found that replacing the front Continental Eco tyres with box-standard Remoulds, has largely eliminated this.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Air-con sensor has failed, but it's an easy fix. Handbrake seized on the disks, whilst parked-up over one winter. Nothing mechanically has ever failed and servicing costs are small for A & B services. The major C, is more expensive but again in comparison to other brands, reasonable enough.

What's most practical about your car?

It does what is expected of it, cheaply. It's brilliant around towns for parking and there's plenty of room inside the cabin with boot space sufficient for a generous, two-person weekly shop.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Air-con. The panoramic glass roof has an internal sliding blind to shield & prevent the blazing sunshine from warming up the cabin too quickly, in the summer. However, at speed, it's still refreshing to have the air-con keep things comfortable without the rush of noise as with a window open.