new smart owner to be :)

[carlsmart]

Hey guys and gals, just a quick hello. Looking to buy a smart car asap, so here to look for advice and tips on buying and meet other smart owners Look forward to getting to know you all

[137699]

Re: new smart owner to be

Welcome. What are you looking for? Fortwo, ForFour, Roadster?
Budget?

[carlsmart]

Re: new smart owner to be

Hey, looking for a Fortwo, sorry I forgot to mention that bit lol. Not a huge budget sadly, looking for an early example, between £1100 to £1500 max. Is it possible to get a good one for that?

Carl

[Mr T]

Re: new smart owner to be

to Maniacs.

Anything is possible, they say.
Buying a Smart is like buying any other car.

[carlsmart]

Re: new smart owner to be

woohoo, looking forward to getting one. Mrs only approved as she has nearly passed her test and wants to use my car so she said I can get one for work, great excuse anyway lol

[137699]

Re: new smart owner to be

I think that's too low a budget if you don't want a lot of trouble.

[MrPoo]

You could be lucky, but non runners can go for £1k. £3k is more of a reasonable minimum budget for a fortwo, unless you're prepared to spend more within the year.


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[carlsmart]

Re: new smart owner to be

Yeah I have been searching eBay and a few are around for around the top of my limit that seem ok on the ad but could be a different story seeing it in the flesh I guess!!

[Kapt. Q]

Re: new smart owner to be

With your budget I would go the spares or repairs blown engine route (assumig you have the mechanical ability) a car could be had for less than 500 leaving you 1000+ for an engine (rebuild or swap), service and snags. Then you end up with quite a fresh car and a good understanding of it right off the bat.

There is such a vehicle around the corner from me, 2001 black pulse, but you are a long way away!

Cheers!

[137699]

Re: new smart owner to be

You have to really understand these cars to find a good one. And good ones will go for £2000 as a minimum.

They AlLL look nice in the flesh as they plastic panels clean up beautifully. You have to be prepared to get underneath them, take off the back panels, check in the engine bay, lift the carpets etc.

I would advise all first time buyers avoid buying off eBay and local garages, but to spend a little more and buy from a forum member or one of the recognised specialists like fudgesmart, mc-smarts, Digitec etc.

And if your budget doesn't stretch that far - night I suggest a Fiesta, Ka, Polo, Corsa or similar all of which will be a much safer bet than a low budget fortwo.

[Kapt. Q]

Re: new smart owner to be

Ps. a lot of low mileage cars have knackered engines, so beware! (compression or leakdown test if you can). The little old lady that only drives it to the shop a mile away once a week does not have a car I'd buy.

[problemchild1976]

Re: new smart owner to be

Buying a Smart is like buying any other car.

Hmmmm - I would disagree

If I went and bought a £500 Nissan micra, I'd expect it to be very tatty but i wouldn't expect the engine to fail in the near future. The worst that normally happens with normal second hand cars is head gaskets - not normally total engine failure.

I personally don't think that's enough money - sorry.

Make sure you have a good read through these forums so you know what you are taking on

JJ

[carlsmart]

Re: new smart owner to be

Thanks for the tips guys sadly not really that great with mechanics, I have a rough idea how it all works but wouldn't have the ability to rebuild or swap an engine but would like to learn I guess. You say lift the carpets, are the floor pans prone to rusting? I have an 09 plate swift at the minute which fits in the garage with a little bit of space to spare hence why I want a smart so I can put it in the garage behind it, plus I have wanted one since yet came out, think I was only 13 lol. As you guys suggest I will keep a close eye on the forum and try and improve my budget to around the £2000 which shouldn't be a problem just have to wait another month I guess Cheers

[137699]

Re: new smart owner to be

Lift the carpets to look for damp. It was just an example of one of the many things you need to look for.

You *might* get a decent one for £2000. I sold our old one for £2200 2 weeks ago which was about £500 less than I personally think it was worth but I needed a quick sale. That one had 85000 miles and had had a full engine rebuild with receipts to prove. And I spent out getting it serviced & wheels refurbished before sale so it was 100%. The buyer got an absolute bargain.

You'll be lucky to find one as well prepared and with such good provenance for the same money.

You might get lucky at £2000 but realistically £2500-£3000 is a more sensible budget.

[bob-in-dav]

Re: new smart owner to be

I'm fairly close to you and have a couple which are close to your budget - both of which have had the engines sorted

The blue and silver one is waiting for me to take for an MOT and put back on the road - needs the front panel to be lacquered properly - colour ok but lacks the sheen - also has fairly minor scuffs on each corner.



The silver and white one is lovely - currently on the road but tax and MOT both due end of Feb beginning of March - which I will be doing as a matter of course.
This one has heated leather seats but no air con - been well looked after by previous lady owner.



Let me know if you're interested - nice easy run down the A5 to Daventry!