Used 2009 smart fortwo Consumer Reviews
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Better than expected - would buy a Smart again.
R.B., 02/03/2017
updated 08/03/2017
2009 smart fortwo passion coupe 2dr Hatchback (1.0L 3cyl 5AM)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
The good: • A breeze to park. I actually LOVE when it's time to find a parking space, since it can fit in leftover 1/2 spaces where other cars can't fit. If I ever switch to a full sized car, this is the #1 thing I will miss. • Great gas mileage. Driving around town and running errands, I can usually go 2+ weeks on a tank. • Gas fill-ups are quick and CHEAP. • Can go longer between oil changes. Manual advises to use synthetic and go up to a year between changes. • Great acceleration from complete stop. • Surprisingly good handling in snow. Its rear wheel drive and the engine is in the rear, so that is good for traction in the snow. There have been a few occasions where I've driven to work in several inches of snow. I've never been stuck (knock on wood) or felt like my Smart was out of control. • The car doesn’t use much electricity. I've left the headlights and dome lights on overnight and it has always started. • No one volunteers me to be a taxi, or to use my vehicle to help them move. The not so swell: • There is a perception of Smart cars not being real safe for regular freeway commutes. It doesn't 'feel' unsafe when I drive on freeways. It just doesn't give me the confidence and safe feeling I might have in a larger vehicle. • It doesn't recover its speed once you're slowed down on steep uphill roads. Once you slow down on a hill, that is as fast as you're going. • On uninterrupted driving over say, 60 miles, the engine gives off a slight burning smell. I don't know if mine has an issue or this is normal. It doesn’t seem to be a problem, but I try to avoid taking it on long trips often. • It could use a 'wall' between the rear cargo area and seat backs. Unsecured items slide forward and fall under the seats. • No spare tire/donut. The upside is that the tires are so small that I just carry a high psi hand pump (looks like a bicycle pump) in the cargo, which is sufficient to put enough air in the tire to drive it to a repair place. • Its skinny-ness is great for parking, but when I take it through the automatic wash, only the driver side tires get washed. The tire wash on the passenger side misses the tires. • National service franchises don't work with Smarts enough. There is usually confusion over where the engine is, and how to get to it. This resulted in one of them breaking the thumb lever off the rear cargo hatch. • Not a huge selection of tires for this car. I found 2 brands, and only limited tire stores carry them.
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Can't Compare - MORE FUN than Disneyland
DP of Palmdale, 05/22/2010
2009 smart fortwo passion coupe 2dr Hatchback (1.0L 3cyl 5AM)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
The dealer went over every page in manual and every detail with me. Disregard reviewer that says it doesn't come with a manual. Transmission is very fun, but like no other - if you try to drive this car like any other car you will either hate it or become frustrated - key is to understand this car is special, but it is very reliable!! I commute 45 miles each way to work, driving through the Angeles Forest Highway - a two lane highway that has many hills and curves. I average 37-38 MPG driving in automatic mode without using the paddles. What I LOVE most - how it waits patiently in the parking lot for me to take it home at the end of each day, makes me giggle every time!
2009 smart fortwo for sale near you
Showing 3 of 27 listings
- pure 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,99987 mi away
- passion cabriolet ConvertibleMSRP: $6,695100 mi away
- pure 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $3,999176 mi away
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Honest Car
Greg, 11/16/2010
2009 smart fortwo passion cabriolet 2dr Convertible (1.0L 3cyl 5AM)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I own a red and black '09 Cabriolet with nearly 30,000 miles on the engine. Overall, I like the car very much. It is an honest car; honest in what it is designed to do and honest in its appeal to drivers who want sensible fun. Granted, it is not a fast car and I usually take my time to get up to highway speed. That being said, most of the lag is in the transmission so once in 5th gear the car easily dominates in traffic. The ride is stiff, not unlike a MINI Cooper and handling is crisp with perhaps a hint of its weight in the steering. The interior is brightly decorated but feels cheap for its price class. Even so, the car is very sturdy on the road, the important parts being solid as rocks.
How Telling
BREUZR, 05/27/2009
2009 smart fortwo passion cabriolet 2dr Convertible (1.0L 3cyl 5AM)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I had to laugh at the disparity between expert reviews and consumer reviews. Also at the comment "unsuitable for highway use." Ask the semi drivers on IH-20 how "unsuitable" it is. As they pass, they check their rear view mirror to see how their vortex has affected the smart. They have to be amazed by the stability. Drivers are also surprised that the smart can be issued a ticket for speeding. lol Is the smart easy to drive? Not at first, but with practice it becomes an extension of the driver, and is a pure joy. Jaws gape at the tight u-turns and how easy it is to park in lot spaces approached from the wrong direction. As the reviews show, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Worth the wait!
murphysullivan, 01/26/2009
2009 smart fortwo passion coupe 2dr Hatchback (1.0L 3cyl 5AM)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
We had to wait a very long year after placing our reservation for our smart - her name is Daphne. The only way you know you're driving a tiny car is when you get ready to park it. It has wonderful pep; great head-turning quotient - makes everybody smile; and is such fun to drive. We got caught in a heavy snow squall about a week ago and in no time we were driving in a couple of inches of snow (no snow tires) on curvy, hilly country roads. The car performed beautifully. We have ordered the aftermarket exhaust system and are considering replacing the red body panels with yellow ones. Guess we could sell the red ones on eBay.