Wannabe Smart

[Wannabesmart]

hi there, looking to get my first smart fortwo, I'm after some tips in what to look for to avoid being caught....always apprehensive when looking for the perfect runaround! Thanks in advance to anyone who can help steer me in the right direction....live in Pembrey SW Wales but can travel to collect for the right little smart *rse,

[Kapt. Q]

Re: Wannabe Smart

It depends what you want, 450 or 451? Soft top or hard top? Petrol or diesel? And of course it depends on your budget? I personally think that a 450 Brabus with around 40-50k can be had at a good price these days and they are pretty reliable.

Cheers!

[137699]

Re: Wannabe Smart

The 450 & 451 are completely different cars so budget has a lot to do with what advice to give.

I'm assuming you don't want a Roadster or ForFour?

Agree with KaptQ - the 450 Brabus at about £2500-£3500 is a particularly sweet spot in the range.

[ColSmart]

Re: Wannabe Smart

I would avoid the pure model and go for either a pulse or a passion. I learned my lesson the hard way.

Reason being, the pure is the cheapest model and comes with rather poorer quality seats (usually grey, which mark badly with rain water drips) and also come with steel wheels, that make the short wheel base far too springy causing a 'tooing and frooing' effect, so you are better with alloy wheels which dampen this out.

I had to change my previous pure model seats and wheels by buying secondhand from Ebay.

I now have a Passion model.

[Thrumbleux]

Re: Wannabe Smart

and also come with steel wheels, that make the short wheel base far too springy causing a 'tooing and frooing' effect, so you are better with alloy wheels which dampen this out.
.

Ehhh? Got some evidence to back that assertion?


Nothing wrong with a Pure BTW. The wheels are detachable and can be replaced with others if required. Nice and simple with a roof that doesn't shatter or demand air-con. Lightest of all the models also.

[ColSmart]

Re: Wannabe Smart

Ehhh? Got some evidence to back that assertion?.

Yes, I had one, and passenger was pure sick of the travel (pardon the pun ). I and my passengers suffered it for three months on springy steel wheels, and once alloys were fitted it was a totally different ride, as they dampen this motion.

Anyway, As you say there is nothing stopping you from buying a pure, and then you can bolt on changes, that's what i did, by fitting Passion seats and shiny alloys as bought from Ebay.

Just though its better to buy a higher range model now and get the best right away. I did this second time around and got a Passion CDi.

[lalli_d1]

Re: Wannabe Smart

I would avoid the pure model and go for either a pulse or a passion.

my first smart and first car was a smart city coupe PURE. i was a lovely car.
nothing wrong in owning a basic car. plus mine had blue seats not grey

[mikejduk]

Re: Wannabe Smart

I would avoid the pure model and go for either a pulse or a passion. I learned my lesson the hard way.

Reason being, the pure is the cheapest model and comes with rather poorer quality seats (usually grey, which mark badly with rain water drips) and also come with steel wheels, that make the short wheel base far too springy causing a 'tooing and frooing' effect, so you are better with alloy wheels which dampen this out.

I had to change my previous pure model seats and wheels by buying secondhand from Ebay.

I now have a Passion model.

My first and only Smart is a 2002 Pure which I have just bought a month ago and it's fine. None of the colly wobbles you speak of and as for seat comfort, well, I'm really not bothered about what colour they are and as I don't intend to travel much longer than Half an hour at a time, I guess I can cope with what's fitted. Aren't there covers available? I'm just enjoying whizzing around town with such economic fuel mileage.

[Thrumbleux]

Re: Wannabe Smart

as for seat comfort, well, I'm really not bothered about what colour they are and as I don't intend to travel much longer than Half an hour at a time, I guess I can cope with what's fitted. .

The seats are one area where MB's input is evident. I can spend all day in mine and it is still comfortable. Plenty other cars I've driven have me squirming within a couple of hours. The Pure seats do stain very easily with rain water though. But for comfort I doubt there's a small car that comes anywhere close, and for most manufacturers you will be well up their range before you encounter comparable.

[ColSmart]

Re: Wannabe Smart

Agree, seat comfort is good.

[fortwo long]

Re: Wannabe Smart

I recently bought a 2006 Passion, the heated leather seats I find very comfy.