2008 Smart fortwo review
February 21, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
2008 Smart fortwo first steer
A touch of “blasphemy” ensures Smart’s second coming
Say what you like about Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. But the book and later movie did have one good effect. By introducing the world’s largest car market, the US, to the Smart car it did its bit to keep Smart, DaimlerChrysler’s bold experiment in alternative urban motoring alive at a time when the pressures to wind the whole thing down were strong.
In the book and movie a pretty hokey plot about the descendents of Christ jousting with sinister ecclesiastical forces is given much-needed European flair by a Smart fortwo that leads its priestly pursuers on a merry chase through Paris.
Nice touch, because the French capital is full of Smarts.
US audiences, many of whom must have mistaken the urban runabout for some sort of hot-rodded golf cart, were intrigued. In September 2006, at the height of Da Vinci Code movie madness, DaimlerChrylser announced the Smart fortwo would be sold in the US from January 2008. Coincidence? Or conspiracy?
But seriously, the second generation Smart fortwo, launched yesterday in Sydney is Smart US-style. Not surprisingly it’s bigger all round than the original version which began its conceptual existence in the early 1990s as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and watch-maker Swatch.
The new fortwo is 19.5cm longer, 4.3cm wider and 1.9cm higher than the car it replaces. It has a larger boot, with 70 litres more space for 220 litres in total.
There are four variants, with coupe and cabrio body styles powered by either a rear-mounted naturally aspirated 999cc in-line three-cylinder (52 kW, 92Nm) or a turbocharged version of the same engine (62kW, 120Nm). It’s quite a jump on the 699cc 45kW, 95Nm engine of the previous model. Top speed for all variants is 145km/h. Stated fuel consumption is 4.7 litres per 100km for the base engine and 4.9l/100km for the turbo.
I’m sorry Smart but why on the earth would spend money like that on a silly unpractical car like that. $20K mad. but some trendy St Kilderite will buy it.
Got ther before you Frugal One. Is this just your sort of car?
I think its ok if your looking for a premium city car.
Nah try a 1 series. are they available in Aus?
a smart fortwo is heaps smaller then a 1 series
It’s not a bang-for-buck proposition.
It’s a car for the image conscious, despite being hideously ugly!
With obesity what it is in the States, half the population wouldn’t be able to fit in it!
Mitch. In length yes but not height…ha ha
For a start this is a premium city car not an image conscious car. And also don’t forget that for $19,990 your basically getting a mini mercedes and a 1 series is 2 classes bigger technically falling under small family car and starts at $34,990 or 41,990 if you want an automatic. The Smart looks alot better in the flesh to – I was going to get one until I remembered there was no space for my dog so I ordered a Fiat 500. Also, you may think that the coupe is bad value – I might even agree – but you’d have to admit that $22,990 for a convertible is excellent value! Seeing as there are very few practicle convertibles around in thhe first place.
My impressions of the Smart have always been ‘yuck’ – also, anybody noticed how these things look humorously out of place driving over 60km/h? They seem to make sense when parked in a CBD somewhere, but the shape and size of them makes them look hilarious when moving at reasonable speeds on the open road…and really, it’s a kind of pointless exercise since for $25k you can buy a real car, like an XR4, or for a few ks more a Polo Gti…
America’s smart buy of the year.
How much is it over there?
I reckon a used Mazda MX-5 would be better value than the convertible version of this. You’d pickup a low kms one in excellent nick for $22990.
It’s just too expensive for what it is. They won’t have any trouble shifting the 300 that they have allotted for this year I’m sure, and I can understand that some people want an ultrasmall car, but it should cost a lot less than this.
What is its overall length?
i Agree they look really funny driving at normal speeds, i passed one on the freeway! doing a 100.. ha! and strangely enough i get some pleasure passing it and hope it gets buffeted off the road from my falcon for some reason… of course it will never happen, one of my evil thoughts of ridding ugly cars off the road. It looks as though if they braked hard it would topple forward and roll along like a potato.
I test drove a Smart early in 2007. My wife thought the design was cute and just right for her odd-ball sense of the world and I expected a very economical and fun car to drive. Put simply: it was awful. The weird transmission didn’t feel right. The interior looked like cheap plastic. There was just enough power, though, and the turning circle and visibility was good. The worst news was the price, nearly $30,000 when it was finally on the road, fully fitted out. That killed our interest. The idea behind the car is good and a few changes would help a great deal, but unless the price is about a third of what is currently charged, forget it, there are many far better value-for-money cars out there. She ended up buying a Suzuki SX-4 wagon for slighly less.
I think that No name is crazy; think about the Earth. They are great for the environment and they are pretty stylish too. I like them, but you\’re right. The price is high but that\’s only because not many people are buying them yet. I reakon that in a few years time they will become really popular. But not only that they are mainly only used for going around cities. Not used for long journeys.
I agree with Emily. It sounds to me like this car is the future and I think that that should be the only the car in the world, think of how good it would be for the environment. Sure other cars may be cheaper at first but later on it becomes cheaper to run anyway, like I like the look of the Suzuki Swift and even though it is small it will cost dearly in the end. I already have a car, the Nissan Micra but I think I’m going to have to convert.
The car might help the earth but it isn’t very cool for guys, its so small and its not very big.
Boo hoo for you, its cool so don’t bag it.
I’ve had enough of you, i’m leaving…
What is with everybody today, hah Dean?
Now I have no one to talk 2 bout the car.
Well its cool, i guess. WTF!!! What am I saying?!
Its awsome!!!
I own outright a 1994 Jeep cherokee limited with dual fuel , so for the enviroment im doing my bit, but this is now fast becoming my weekend vehicle
looking at the smart car as it is stronger than your flagon oops falcon minnow in a smash ( see the programme on bbc 5th gear )and will get me to the train station on -40 dollars a month.thats wth the odd trip to the mall btw.
try doing that with the drunkards thirst your ford has!
but the goof balls @ smart canned the four four which is better looking and fits five with a MMC sourced motor from the lancer , just on the small car / petrol crisis of 07
this is what im going for as there are a few BRABUS versions getting about for 28 k which will not only be as economical and allow room for the dog ( i have a goldy )
.
but will show a working set of taillights fully laden to any holden , falcon, specialvehicle product.AND keep resale value!these were last sold in dec 06-jan 07 so ther are a few still out there new at the dealers i have found as word of mouth only got as far as the areas of society who kept the secret to themselves
this is why i only found out by coming on to the internet after seeing one parked on the street
look it up guys it is worth considering !
Imagine 2, 6 foot guys trying to sit in the car, i dought it! Hehhehehe!
Nonsense car…. save the world….
The ugliest car that i’ve seen in whole my life… Whose the designer?
Poor Value for money.I am presently driving a Nissan Tiida 2006 I bought brand new for 25 Thousand having traded out of a 2002 Mazda Astina and with that I got 1.8 Litre Power,Power Windows and Mirrors and Alloy Wheels which was part of a Special Promotion Nissan Australia was having at the time and looks way better than the smartcar.I often drive by the dealership that sells the smarts and think to myself for the same money one can buy a Proper Size Japanese/Korean/Malaysian or Other European Cars or if they live close to town the same money buys close to 20 years of Bus Tickets.Will I Buy one to replace the Tiida when the time comes in three years(I have a five year warranty on my Nissan)Not Likely If Anything I will buy a new generation Micra or something like that and feel safer.
I dont actually mind its styling.
all i want to do is buy my first car and i want a 2008 Smart fortwo first steer but i cant seem to find any for sale sombody help me please
They aren’t called a “2008 Smart fortwo first steer”. The first steer is just the type of review done here, as in a quick test drive… Looking for a “2008 Smart fortwo) may be easier ;)
Just returned from a trip to Europe – these things are literally EVERYWHERE you look in Rome and Paris. Styling is a subjective thing…some will like it, some will hate it and some will be ambivalent. The price however is just plain silly and almost twice the price of what they are selling for in Euripe – unless they drop the price to around the $15K mark in Australia I just don’t see them selling too many of these here, which is a real shame as they are a great little nimble commuter car.
I’m 6″4 and I fit into the smart with room to spare. I wanted a small fuel efficient city car for getting around and to be honest the smart was the only car that fit. Doors that open wide and a spacious interior, it really was the only choice!
Every time you read comments on Smart car reviews you get the usual “it has no space” and “must be rubbish on the freeway” comments. Inevitably from people who have never even sat in one (very knowledgeable then…!) As an owner in Europe of the previous shape (2004) model and someone who has driven the current one, here’s some facts. If you are 6 foot you will find the Smart plenty roomy. In you are 6′5″ you’ll get in the current model and not feel cramped. On the freeway the old-model Smart will cruise happily at 120kmh due to the overdrive 6th gear (turning over at about 2750rpm). That’s with the standard motor which is restricted power – for about $150 you can get it software derestricted which means an easy 130kmh. Due to the high driving position you never feel intimidated by other road users.
There are some things with the previous model that were rubbish. The gearchange was slow in tiptronic and even slower in full auto mode. The ride was choppy (but sort of in character with the car) compensated for by the excellent seats. The high speed handling was not great. In strong cross winds it was buffeted about on the highway above 100kmh. The dashboard plastics weren’t very high quality finish. The a/c was not the strongest. The new one addresses all of these issues especially the interior and gearbox.
We used the Smart for commuting 20km each way (with 2 occupants) and for all short trips including the supermarket. For longer runs we took our Audi A4 wagon (which was superb). We ended up using the Smart about 90% of the time as it was so nippy and convenient. Used hardly any fuel (about 4l/100), was fully loaded, electric everything, cruise, a/c, leather heated seats, etc, sounds different due to the 3cyl turbo engine, and brilliant fun to drive. We absolutely loved it!! A pity they are so expensive in Aus though…
My favourite comment about the smart car was: “You don’t look manly driving it”! This from a guy who owned a Porsche and remains totally ticked off because my smart keeps getting the looks he wants. I have owned two Smart convertibles: only way to go. The new Smart is totally car and a big improvement over its predecessor. Great fun to drive, feels fast, stingey on petrol, and out of the box in looks. That’s the rub: it looks acts and drives like nothing else on the road. if you live in a densely built-up part of the city, you want a car that you can park easy and manouvre through side streets as well as the highway Cost? Compare it to the Mini Cooper convertible with options: ouch! Other comparisons also fall short: Nissan Micra to the new Smart is like a Hummer to a Holden. Take a test drive.
I currently own a pair of Porsches, a 2009 911 and a Boxster S.
I drive a Smart ForTwo 1.0 Brabus on a daily basis, because it’s fun, and easy to park in tiny spaces.
I had some fun listening to the general ignoramus bragging about their pathetically dated Ford Falcons, and other idiots thinking a Nissan Micra is as safe inside as the Smart, but seriously guys, get a grip on reality!
The Smart ForTwo isn’t about trying to make your male appendage larger, it’s for already-well-endowed guys to enjoy.
The exterior is unique, a Steel frame clothed in Plastic panels, shorter than any other production car, yet offering vast space for Two, hence the name.
The car is a Mercedes product, so it’s made well, and lasts! They have ESP, just like larger Mercedes, along with Aircon, PAS, Heated Leather seats, and all manner of godies, if thats what you want.
They crash very very well indeed, watch the Youtube video, where they crash a Smart to destruction, on a 70mph offset into a 20 tonne Concrete block. The little cars door still opens perfectly, and interior space mostly intact. Astonishing…
They are fun to drive. A bit rorty, and you’ll feel the bumps though, but you’ll also laugh, and feel younger.
As I said, I have two Porsches, so I’m not impressed by cockwaving, but will vouch for the Smart.
This is my second one, by the way. I sold the first, and wished I hadn’t!