51 replies to this topic

[TurboTomato]

I know that one or two people on here have them What are they like to own/run? How often do they need servicing?

[MikeGF]

Cracking little cars, go like stink (no, really!) have launch control, flappy paddles, easy to get the tail out, use virtually no petrol, convertible, decent sized boot in the front, turbo sounds like tweety, they can embaress many cars Roof electrically rolls back into the boot. A real laugh, I had one for 4 Months - I had the Roadster, not the coupe, it was a hoot. I think servicing is every 6k miles.. Very plasticy though, however would recomend one.. Cheers MikeGF

[TurboTomato]

How much for a service? 6k miles is a bit of a pita, I do about 15k a year What are the residuals like? Say if I payed £10k for a 54 plate one how much would it be worth a year later with say 20k on the clock?

[JimH]

Two months ago it was a TVR. Now its a Smart Roadster. Let's take a journey forward in time to answer the next question before it has even been asked. Yes, TT, I think that secondhand Peruda Nippa would be a great car to have. It's done all it's depreciating and it'll give you thousands of miles of great motoring. Oh and don't marry her. You've only just met the girl and I don't think she's right for you.

[TurboTomato]

Oh and don't marry her. You've only just met the girl and I don't think she's right for you.

[MikeGF]

I lost £2k in 4 months, however, they have now stopped making them, so depreciation should level out a bit. Up to 60 they were great fun, over that, well.. It runs out of puff really, 80 was top top wack. I never took it on the motorway as it was too small and the slightes breeze sent you flying across the lanes. Stick with the VX

[TurboTomato]

Two months ago it was a TVR. Now its a Smart Roadster. Let's take a journey forward in time to answer the next question before it has even been asked.

Unfortunately that's the difference between living in a shared house, and living in a nice flat in a nice place on your own....... something has to give

I'm fed up with the turbot loosing money hand over fist at the moment It's got enough miles on it now and I'll be doing more now that I've moved

I'd rather put my money into something that will at least hold it's value not too badly over a year, pay off some debts and then look to get one in a year or so again

So it's not a girl

[ad172]

Paul I feel for you mate. I'm in exactly the same boat as you. Thinking of getting my own place but wondering if I would need to pimp out my A-hole to R1CHY in order to afford the VX!!!

[JG]

I love the smart roadster, the gearbox will irritate you no end when you first have a go, but stick with it and after a while you get used to it ( a slight lift of the throttle when you change will help) . I recon its the closest car to the vx/elise in terms of ideology. The vx is a million times better at most things, but the smart can be rewarding in the same way. If you are worried about resuduals though, i would go for an older (than 54) one, such as an 03 or 52 which will be coming to the end of its depreciation and will probably lose the least amount of cash whether you add 10k to it or not. Actually the best thing you can do, is return to the NA world...

[TurboTomato]

Yeah I've been a friend's standard (for2) smart and the gearchange was really laggy on that Oh I can't decide.....

[JG]

i recon (IMO of course not knowing circumptances etc) that you should hold onto the vx for a little longer, it is possible that residuals will improve or at least level out. if not as i said get an upgrade: na vx

[JG]

oh and roadster gear change is only slightly better than for2.

[robfenn]

You get used to the gearchange. It's not as bad as what the magazines endlessly moan about. My major worry would be that Smart might not be around for much longer limping along with its pruned (not selling Roadster/Coupes anymore are they?), over expensive range. My dad has a normal Smart, its fun and all but for what it is the price is a joke, ultimately you can get better for the money. I think you'd have to like the quirkyness of it to bother. You can spend more money on a Roadster than my Mini Cooper which is about 100 times better. -Rob

[JJEuropa]

I test drove one a few months ago when the wife was looking around but I felt it red lined to quickly. Apart from that I was well impressed. JJ

[NOEXCESSBAGGAGE]

Roadster. Bird at work has one. She's had endless problems with it, it's virtually lived at the dealer's for half of the past six months, and she's not impressed. At present, she's rather angry - so, I'm steering clear of her till she sorts it all out with them.

[Carl220]

Smart Roadster 0-62.5mph 10.9 sec 80 bhp Ok, so they have great fuel consumption and will probably take you to Australia and back on a full tank but these things just don't compare to the VX. I've never driven one of these so my opinion is only based on looks (which I think are awful! Too much plastic!) and technical data, personally the car just doesn't appeal to me? Keep the VX!

[Mike9009]

TT Hopefully try to answer some of your questions. Servicing is every 7500 miles (dependent upon dash lights though) and costs for an 'A' service about £150 from Smart, although SmartArse Design can do it for £120. Regularly get 50+ mpg and never below 40mpg so it is easy on the fuel. Insurance group 9. Handling is fun, although on the limit it can be a little 'snappy' (definitely not VX standards but certainly mk1 MX5s). Just turn off the intrusive traction control. The 'manual' automatic box is not bad ... only thing is when the box is protecting the clutch at launch from standstill. Tends to slow traffic light grand prixs down Once moving it is a surprisingly quick change ... don't know why all the journalists moaned so much??? I moved from an NA VX to the Roadster Coupe. Therefore quoted 0-62 times should be ignored due to the protection of clutch. I have since had the car remapped and new airfilter boosting the power to a mighty 92bhp. Others have remapped to 110bhp but I was a little worried about the longevity of the engine at this level of tune. (Standard is 80bhp) Touch wood, I have had no problems with mine in the first six months. Many stories about leaking roofs (but you bought a VX??), but mine is watertight. Try a test drive. Not sure about the long term residuals of these cars ... but UK was the biggest market for them and all the run-out models are coming this way. Smart reckon they have enough new stocks to meet demand until Spring 2006. Lots of dealers are not good (surprise, surprise !)... search out a good one (or specialist) on funkysmart.co.uk. Mike

[Pidgeon]

all the run-out models are coming this way

And why is that - because only the Brits have been dumb enough to buy them. Smart is in limbo awaiting a German with big enough balls to axe the loss making operation.

The roadster/coupe is drastically overpriced and the main reason Smart have enough stock to last (probably five cars) is very few buyers are gullible enough to pay the asking price.

The cars will only be shifted by heavy discounting which can only lead to poor residuals.

TT, you will have taken the hit on the VX, by the time you factor in the 'cost to change,' I think you need to keep it.

[NOEXCESSBAGGAGE]

CAR magazine.

Pub Fact....
"Brabus version defines poor value for money"

[Mike9009]

all the run-out models are coming this way

The roadster/coupe is drastically overpriced and the main reason Smart have enough stock to last (probably five cars) is very few buyers are gullible enough to pay the asking price.

The cars will only be shifted by heavy discounting which can only lead to poor residuals.

Precisely, if you do buy make sure you get a decent discount. The list price is way too high. What other roadster can you get new for about £11,000( after negotiation ), with electric soft-top, air con, heated leather seats, electric windows etc etc etc....
Brabus editions are a complete joke! (£17,000 iirc)

I seem to remember the N/A VXes being discounted in the end ... new ones for about £19,000???

Long term no one knows what will happen to residuals... but with oil prices going through the roof, a small engined, fuel efficient roadster is not necesarily a bad place to put your money? Does this make me dumb for buying one??

I love a good discussion

Mike