Smart Roadster Coupe (2003 - 2007) Racing Edition 2d Auto (2005/05) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Well it's red and a sports car as have been some of my others so stereo typically, I should be lacking in the family jewels department but I can disprove that as I have 5 wonderful children! I genuinely love red as a colour and through out my life have had the need for speed, competing in hill climbs and sprints in the south west. So the Smart is a frugal extension of my past cars.

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

Well they are all used to me buying unusual cars. I've had a Marcos Mantis, Nova Beetle kit car and a Lotus.Excel amongst others Every one I meet seem to fall in love with the Smart. It is No 44 of a limited edition model and has all the Brabus extras. I was marshalling at a sprint recently and even hardened petrol heads remarked how pretty it was.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Most definitely but unfortunately Mercedes have discontinued this model, it has lived up to all I had hoped. It does over 50mph on long runs, the Honda was just about doing 20 plus and if the V-tec came on song, it dropped well below that. I now pay £105 road tax instead of £450!

What are you likely to buy next?

Having reached 71 years old, I think this will be my last car so won't be buying another.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£9,995

When did you buy the car?

August 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

The Honda was low mileage, 9,000 miles, 2009 model and the Smart was 19,000, 2005 model but it was in such good condition that I was very pleased with the deal.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

When I retired I owned a Honda S2000 and found the running costs far to high for my drop in income as I had to now rely on my small pension. I still wanted a sports car and the Smart appeared to fit the bill.

What was the dealer like?

Brilliant, I bought the car from the Smart Exchange based in Staffordshire. I was. offered £11995 part exchange on the Honda and Mark Jones, the proprietor even offered to drive the Smart down to Cornwall. It was every thing he claimed it to be and in immaculate condition.

What's it like to drive?

Though the top speed isn't that quick, it will just about reach !00mph, it will cruise all day at 80mph. and it handles just as good as my VX220 or even the Lotus 7s I have owned. It's real fun around twisty country roads and because it's fairly narrow it is surprising what small gaps can be negotiated!

What's it like to park?

It's a cinch to park but I have to watch high kerbs don't catch the large Brabus alloys.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The only problem I had was a sticky roof which was fixed by my garage when I had the MOT carried out.

What's most practical about your car?

At 71 because the doors open wide and are on the large side, I can get into it with ease. I had a VX220 and that was a nightmare to get into, though it was very nice to drive!

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The whole concept really. I like the fact that it is snug with the roof up, I can automatically retract the roof at any speed thus becoming a car with a sun roof and then if the weather is really kind, by taking two small side panels off, it becomes a fully open sports car with a very solid roll over bar.