Comments on: 2008 Smart fortwo first steer

By: Grahame Cox

Grahame Cox — Sun, 31 May 2009 07:49:32 +0000

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.

By: MarkT

MarkT — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:47:12 +0000

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…

By: Ed

Ed — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:25:16 +0000

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!

By: Drew Tredrea

Drew Tredrea — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:40:18 +0000

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.

By: jbot

jbot — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:10:14 +0000

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 ;)

By: bitha*

bitha* — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:00:32 +0000

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

By: Duck

Duck — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:29:27 +0000

I dont actually mind its styling.

By: franz chong

franz chong — Sun, 11 May 2008 05:15:39 +0000

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.

By: Hudson

Hudson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:04:33 +0000

The ugliest car that i’ve seen in whole my life… Whose the designer?

By: Hudson

Hudson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:01:45 +0000

Nonsense car…. save the world….

By: Duck

Duck — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:23:22 +0000

Imagine 2, 6 foot guys trying to sit in the car, i dought it! Hehhehehe!

By: jim corbin

jim corbin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:32:52 +0000

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 !

By: Joel

Joel — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:12:57 +0000

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!!!

By: Xavier

Xavier — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:10:44 +0000

I’ve had enough of you, i’m leaving…

By: Kuyria

Kuyria — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:09:50 +0000

Boo hoo for you, its cool so don’t bag it.

By: Xavier

Xavier — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:08:08 +0000

The car might help the earth but it isn’t very cool for guys, its so small and its not very big.

By: Kuyria

Kuyria — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:01:40 +0000

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.

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:58:35 +0000

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.

By: Dean

Dean — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:17:54 +0000

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.

By: Minnow

Minnow — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:58:12 +0000

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.