Used 2009 smart fortwo Consumer Reviews
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2 year old smart passion
Best car I have owned for commuting to work. Fun to drive like a go-cart. My wife loves to drive it on the weekend. Roomy with upright seating like a pickup. Flying rocks will not dent the car. 10,000 miles between oil changes. Gas mileage consistant 42 mpg in Minneapolis. Worst was 38 mpg in the deep slushy snow plus warming up in driveway. My commute is freeway at 80mph to downtown congestion at 60 miles per day. Easy to park and manuever. Some states allow straight into the curb (no parrallel) and sharing of parking spaces with a motorcycle or two smart cars. Plastic panels resist rust and you can change the car's color in about 4 hours. Very tough little car with good acceleration.
What a great little car
I have owned many many vehicles in my 62 years and this is the first car ever that I have kept for over two years. I have enjoyed my smart for almost 4 years now. I have never had a problem with the car. When I bought it I had a Mercedes ML550 and a Toyota truck...I soon found that I didn't enjoy driving either one of those anymore (especially the "repair hungry" Mercedes) and I sold them....the smart has been my only vehicle since and the car has remained solid, reliable, economical and fun. Everyone wants to know about it and you can never get gas without ending up in a conversation about it. The outer finish never gets nicks or stone chips and looks as good as the day I bought it.
- pure 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,99517 mi away
- BRABUS coupe 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,888168 mi away
- pure 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,432312 mi away
Simply a blast to drive!
I bought the 2009 smart passion coupe in September of this year. It drives great on the freeways here in Southern California, including the 10, 605, 57, 60, and 15. It handles great in all lanes and is no problem next to big rigs or in the wind. Also I have never replaced shocks on any car I have ever owned. I have always enjoyed the true feel of the road. This car fits that perfectly. I never drive it in automatic, only in manual mode. It's a heck of a lot of fun to drive, and seats are extremely comfortable. I recently took a bunch of stuff to a local thrift store. The guy unloading it was amazed at how much this little car would hold. I'm 6'5" and I've got plenty of head and leg space.
BB!
I just got this car a few days ago & it was used, with 20,000 miles on it already.It still looks brand new though and works like a charm! I have heated seats with black leather interior and my smart car is yellow with black panels.I absolutely love it! I couldn't think of any other car to satisfy my every need on the road.I have yet to drive it on the highway, but i'm sure that day will come sometime soon! I recommend this car to EVERYONE.Unless driving small, cool, and fun just isn't your style.This car is for someone who isn't much of a business person.But It is overall and amazing car.I'm glad i purchased it.
WORLDS FINEST GO CART WITH AC AND AIR BAGS
I picked it up in Vegas in 2012 with only 6100mi. and went straight to the strip that evening with the top down and the Biggest Smile on my face! This Brabus stole the show from the worlds finest automobiles as everyone was looking and pointing! This car satisfies my desire for a car, a motorcycle, and a Go Cart...The transmission is "different" relax and let it do it's job while you do yours Smiling...Want to go faster then use the paddle shifter! And those who say AC is weak need Freon, it was 113 and I had to turn it down and windows are not tinted! After a year I still haven't hit 7,000mi yet...I love the car so much I can't bare to put miles on it...So I treat myself now and then BRABUS LONGTERM UPDATE: Well I gave up trying to keep the miles low cause I love to drive the car so much! I've had Absolutely ZERO Problems in the last 57,500mi, all I've done is Mobile One 15W50 every 10k, and a set of tires. At 50,000 I started began doing Mobile One Oil Changes every 7,500mi My wife TO THIS DAY will not admit she likes driving it! But she's always behind the wheel for some reason??? She and my 82yr old Mom always come flying down the drive like they are in a Nascar race! And that works for me as it keeps the miles off, and holds the value of our ML350 Bluetec... Our favorite use for "Smarty" is driving her into our 45' 5th Wheel RV Garage and using her like a golf cart when we arrive at the campgrounds! We're always the ONLY "Golf Cart" with AC, and the only one that can "Legally" leave the campgrounds and drive on the main roads! Will never sell or trade as the New Body Style Smart is Larger and in my opinion not as cute... Lastly, I wouldn't like it nearly as much or own it at all if it were not a convertible... There's nothing like crusing on a nice evening with the top down! It gets a pretty consistent 38mpg running 70mph. Never put anything less than 93 Octane or you will be Sorry! 8/13/17 UPDATE: 62,000 and ZERO Problems! I was Listening to the Jerry Reynolds, (whom I normally love) and the "Car Pro Show" last week when a lady on a budget called in with advise on a 40,000mi Smart she had found in A-1 condition for $4,000... I wanted to jump throught the radio when he trashed all Smart Cars and said he could not recommend! Folks, I paid $12,000 for mine when it had 5,100mi and I Still think it was the best money I've ever spent on any car! And as far Jerry's conserns about safety if rear ended? All you have to do is play the "WHAT IF" Game... What if, Jerry's ZO6 Corvette ran underneath a Semi at 55mph because it's so low to the ground? What if, a 9 member family is sitting in a Huge and Safe 22' long Chevy Suburban when it gets rear ended by and 40ton semi driver who's texting at 55mph? Smart Owners can play the "WHAT IF" game all day, but here's my advise to those thinking of purchasing one... Especially if your on a tight budget, and need a dependable car with great gas mileage...Don't let folks who've never owned a Smart influence your decision to purchase one. BTW Don't even ask, my Smart is Still NOT For Sale! ;-)
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Involved in an accident
Ok, I had someone broadside my smartcar! He hit my driver door going 55-60 MPH! If I had been in any other car, I doubt I would be here to talk about it! Totaled my car, but I survived!
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A car that keeps giving!!!
Hello. Sept 2016, My car is a 2009. New in Sept of that year. Now 90k on it and still as good as the day I drove it off the lot. It becomes part of you. No other car in my 50 years of driving had done that!! It is just a fun car to drive in the city or on a long road trip.
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Ex TDI Volkswagen owner
I bought this SmartCar on a whim. I've ALWAYS driven Volkswagens..from GLI VR6's to TDI's to Vanagons. I'd NEVER--read NEVER own a VW Again. the cars are ok but the repairs are pricey. I bought this SmartCar as a toy. It's turned into a great car. It will run 80 flat out, get 40mpg, park on the sidewalk and fits on my patio. I love it. Transmission is funky but gets the job done. I DRIVE BIG RIGS...I know size. This car is built. I feel safer in this car than my Freightliner. I'm buying a new one next year. LOVE IT. LOVE IT.
Love it So Much, I named it Smarty Jones ....
Drive it and then decide for yourself. I did and once driven knew it was the car for me. It can be parked almost anywhere, gets about 40 mpg city/hwy. Fuel efficient and lots of fun to drive! I've been driving "Smarty" since September 2015, and still am in love with it. Folks ask me about it all the time, questions like is it safe? Does it get good mileage, what about highway driving? Of course, being in love with this car, my comments to others include how it's a great little car for doing neighborhood chores but it also does well driving on the Interstate Hwy. in spite of its small stature. I've recommended it to many who are looking for a fuel efficient car that does not cost an outrageous amount of money to keep road ready. I STILL LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Can't Compare - MORE FUN than Disneyland
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!
Better than expected - would buy a Smart again.
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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2009 Smart Passion Convertible
I bought this car because it was so fun to drive and makes me smile every time I get in it. I've found that shifting manually lends to a smoother ride than automatic mode. I've driven the car on highways at 70+ mph speeds with and without tractor trailers and the drafts following the tractor trailers does create an environment that pushes the little car around, but honestly, even my Murano gets pushed around when traveling behind tractor trailers at high speeds. A majority of the driving I intend to use this car for doesn't involve highways anyway so I feel very safe and comfortable.
Honest Car
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.
Run About
Great Car for the West Coast; Never a parking problem. Always able to fit in somewhere. Easy in & out. Non-electric maint., I bought it Nine years ago from the original owner. Love this car. It is a convert. Brabus 2009. UPDATE; 2017, Yes I still have the car. It is not my daily driver. I have a 3/4 ton truck for my daily work. I still enjoy this little guy after all of these years. If I decide to sell it? It's not b/c I don't like it. I might just want to try something else. Going out to dinner downtown. We take the Smart and leave the BMW at home. Why? So easy to PARK and get in & out of. When you are inside, it feels much bigger than it looks like from the outside.Update; 1/7/18 Yes, I still have and am Happy with it. Sorry I don't see more of them around. Much better than an electric or hybrid car. Update: 1/8/20 So, now I here that the Smart car in the US is no longer sold here. Will the value of my Brabus go up? Will M-B still service it? I have only 33,000 miles on it. I just took it into M-B for the 40k service. Cost $500. wow! But, they did find my problem with the OEM alarm going off. It was a bad FOB Battery. I know pretty weird but it work fine now. No problems with the car, interior or convt top. Still Happy 8/15/21 I retired, sold my Smart car and moved out of Calif. I got a good price $6,500 and had a few phone calls about it. Really sorry to let it go, it was a good 10 yrs with it. 1/18/24 I still miss this car. But, now I have an electric C40 volvo so much more fun and great tech
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We own 2!
We ordered one, got an "orphan" 2 days after they came out in Jan 2008. Loved it so much that we kept the one that we ordered also. Drove them both from TX to CA and had no problems with hills, dust storms, rain or gas. Could drive to one pump, fit and fill both with one bill! Can travel easily at 80-85 mph and have had it to 93. Can park anywhere. Problems with speed or hills are the driver-not the car. Great gas mileage, and great safety features. Also love the heated seats. Have taken it to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and love it in traffic. It's a blast!
Worth the wait!
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.
How Telling
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.
Good things come in small packages!
Anaylze the situation: 3 cylinders, 5ft. x 8ft., 2 seats...O.K...now continue: This is the best thing since the telephone!!! The reviews that say no power, or no room, or whatever...GO buy a GAS burning, giant SUV and SHUT UP! This little cutie-pie is great for what you get! I have power steering, leather heated seats, remote keyless entry, alarm, etc. Some of the bigger/money cars don't come with that. Sold by Mercedes Benz, how civilized is that. I drive a Harley Road Glide, as well, and both are a blast! How dare those people to complain! The turning radius and parking ablity cannot be touched by GAS gusslers! Oh, and for the size, it is the safest by far!!
Most fun car ever, take it everywhere
This car is solid, fun to drive and great in the snow - with engine over the driven wheels and traction control. It's so much fun to drive that I have sold my BMW motorcycle in favor of this car. My wife and I take the car everywhere and can ALWAYS find a parking spot that nobody else can get in! The transmission in full auto mode does take a little getting used to, but the paddle shifters are available to give you what you want when you want it if you don't like the auto shift program.
They are so good I purchased another one
Let me be the first to sing praises of the BRABUS model. As a fairly fickle person when it comes to cars, I never had purchased the same make/model of car twice (let alone in a row). It all started with a very early delivery of my 2008 SMART Passion which I enjoyed for 20K miles plus. While debating to extend the warranty or trade to a different vehicle, I decided to take a BRABUS for a spin. The bigger rims, heated leather seats, the well sculpted body and the better suspension made it an easy decision and now my Black BRABUS hatch looks gorgeous in my driveway and it gets a lot of looks. For those who doubt the BRABUS magic need to test drive this car. Its a truly a SMART for the guys.
2009 short hopper delight, sorry it’s discontinued
MBZ sunset the line for USA. Sad to see it go. But little car is a rare gem and is not for everyone. Have original car since 2009. Low maintenance. Plan to keep until service is not provided by dealer. Great car for running short errands and city driving. Parks easily anywhere. 2009 model bought new has had very low maintenance. Had a minor fender bender and the plastic driver door panel was replaced in an hour. Better than new. Sorry to see the gas models discontinued for the USA. Not for everyone. Great for city car. Only downside is not all Mercedes dealers work on the car. They say the do, but expertise varies by mechanics. Lucky she didn’t need much except for oil changes. 2019 update: still in love with this 2009 after all these years. Only way to make short hops less than 5 miles to the store. Reliability has been excellent, cheap to own. Runs like new with only annual services. Fun car with cabriolet top. More of a motorcycle experience with air conditioning and four tires.
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Finally out-grew the mini-van!
After owning a mini-van for 18 years, I finally got to go small! I had my eye on a Smart for over a year and decided to finally go for it. I was a bit nervous at first, thinking I might miss the size of a van. After driving it the Smart for 2 day I am no longer worried! I have so much fun driving my Smart! The more I drive the more I love it. I find any excuse just to go out and drive. Made my first trip to Costco and managed to fit everything. (I still have 2 17 yr olds at home) Love all the attention I get. Trying to convince my husband to get one for his commute to work.
smart choice
Excellent car. Impressive engineering, e. G., abs, electronic stability control, corner braking control, tridion safety cell, etc. Outstanding ergonomics, e. G., comfortable seats w/adjustments, excellent visibility, very fun to drive. Handles very well, and power is sufficient to easily keep up with highway traffic. A manual transmission w/o a clutch, the smart shifts best when you do it yourself, either with paddle shifters or the floor mounted shift lever. In d, the shift points seek the most economical shift point v. More torque, etc. Thus, the engine can lug, e. G., too low rpm. Amazing amount of passenger room, and cargo room in the rear is fine.
81 yr. old Driver LOVES it!!
My 81 yr. old Mom & I bought this used with only 50 miles, so it was basically new. Original owner lived in the city & bought it for his 17 yr. old. After only a few weeks, she didn't feel safe driving it. We feel very safe. We live in a Rural area, & have driven on the Interstates. We LOVE it! As others have said, get use to having people wait outside in the parking lot to see who's driving it & asking questions. The first time driving, Mom got 2 thumbs up from guys working on the road. The automanual shifting is indeed there with the jerking motion, but after driving for awhile now, we hardly notice it anymore. Can't wait to put the top down. Love the heated seats.
Great City Commuter Car
Have owned this car for a little while now and I have to say I love it! I'm averaging 35 mpg using automatic mode and a/c in city traffic. Insurance rates are low and the smart gets a lot of attention. The interior is very roomy and comfortable. Inside it feels like any other car. My last car was a Mazda Miata, so the interior is very comfortable and the ride is very quiet to me. The hatchback trunk is also really great! I too was initially afraid when I first purchased my smart, but this car really grows on you quickly. This is my first European car as I have only owned Japanese brands until now: Mazda, Toyota, and Honda. The Mercedes-Benz service at the dealer has been fantastic!
GOOD THING COME IN SMALL PACKAGES
Wanted one as soon as they hit the US market. This car is the bomb. Shifting a little strange at first, but after a couple says you get in "sync" the car. Nimble, quick as it needs to be, great at highway speeds.
Be Smart
The only thing I do not like is that Mercedes had a good thing going and didn't continue to really improve on the product. VW did a better job of support for the older beetles. The Smart fortwo is a great run around vehicle with lots of room up front. Like the old VW beetle it goes about anywhere with the proper tires on it. As for maintenance, oil changes are easy but the air filter gets a little testy to replace. I have now put a 2" lift on it and 25.5" tires. Still a fun car to drive. Have not had any issues with the 3 cylinder engine yet and I am at 215,000 mile on a 2009. When this one is completely worn out I will consider another one, possibly a 2016+ as they are wider.
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first car I've ever truly loved
The is the first car I've ever truly loved. I had six requirements in buying a car, all of which were satisfied by this car: 1)buy new at less than 12 K, 2)increase in value rather than depreciate, 3)five star safety rating (and I saw the video of them smashing a smartcar into a brick wall at 70mph with virtually no damage to passenger compartment, 4)plenty of room on inside, especially head toom, 5) lots of pep, 6)good in snow, 7) good at high speed, 8)incredibly fun to drive. 9) I have averageed 41 mpg since purchase. Now, why can't we build a car like this in the U.S. so I can buy American?
I love it on the highway!
But it is the most fun in a city. I regularly drive my smart fortwo on the NY thruway, and the garden state parkway, up to the Catskills from Philly. Yes, the handling takes a while to get used too. But for the 2010 review to state it gets tossed around on the highway is ridiculous. Perhaps people need to learn how to drive again? Steering a huge SUV is different than driving a smart. I prefer the smart. Where it excels is when I am in my row home in Philadelphia. I have never had to hunt for a parking spot, maneuverable in the city, and awesome handling makes it easy to get out of tight situations. I save $200 a month on parking. Get smart!
A quick comment about photos
Love, love, love my car! I average about 38 mpg over my 30 mile round- trip commute, and I've gotten 47 on the highway. I feel very safe (drove 80 mph this weekend). I have the upgraded stereo and it is great for me. I drive to work with a smile on my face every day.
Most Fun on 4 Wheels!
I traded a Civic SI for this (hit a deer) and am thrilled with the experience. No it doesn't have the power of the Si or the handling, but it's a ton more fun to drive! Puts a smile on my face everytime I walk up to it. Love opening the top as I approach the car...such a warm welcome! I had navigation and bluetooth installed, except for cruise this is really loaded. Great little run about, even took a refrigerator to work in the back, fit perfectly. It's bigger than you think! Drove to NYC from MD, no issues and 45 mpg in the first 2000 miles. Looking forward to getting over 50 soon!
Upgraded To Cabriolet!
I originally bought a blue with silver tridian coupe back in July... had issues with water retention in rear hatch...was given a cabriolet smart loaner during repairs...fell in love with convertible...immediately upgraded to a red with a black tridian convertible because of 1.2% APR financing promotion, despite $3000 depreciation for trade-in . I have no regrets...LOVE the convertible. Read my other review for coupe, same applies to this car.
WHEN ECONOMY MEETS FUN!
This car is amazing, it is fun to drive. I feel very safe when I am in this car, also the acceleration is better than you think. The quality for a car of this price is EXCELLENT, it feels rock solid and has go-kart-like steering. I can do 60mph and turn hard, feels like BMW designed the steering. This car is put together well for it's price it does not feel cheap at all. It does not roll or tilt when driven hard, makes me feel good and excited to drive this baby!!!
PAINT IS COMING OFF MY ENTIRE CAR CLEAR COAT
2008 and 2009 smart cars have had many issues with the paint peeling off their cars within a few years in spite of impeccable care. I saved 3 years to purchase my car. I'm a senior and the paint is peeling off like crazy. It looks like a car someone got off a wrecking sight. I have taken impeccable care of my car, garage kept, washed with water only, no accident. I brought this to the attention of Mercedes and the smart headquarters to apply for their "goodwill out of warranty process." that's a joke. I was denied twice. I did nothing to cause the paint to peel off and they have denied my requests for them to paint the car or replace the panels as was recommended by their approved place to obtain an estimate to fix the problem. I am heartbroken about this. Yes, it's just a car, but as mentioned i saved a long time to get my car new, and in no way should the clear coat be peeling off the whole car. I have contacted Mercedes and smart and they clearly will not do what is ethical and right and that is to take care of the deficient paint job that was initially put on the car. So, i am using my first amendment rights and i have posted 2 signs on my smart "buy a smart and watch the paint peel off in front of your eyes. smart/Mercedes will not fix this." these people know darn well that the paint job on those cars were crappy at best, and i don't know how they can sleep knowing that the ethical and morale things to do is make it right. Paint my car. I am heart broken. A car i wanted so badly and saved so long for and it looks like crap. People who see my car are appalled but mostly shocked that smart/Mercedes won't make it right. Be careful when buying these cars. Maybe you'll be lucky with a good paint job. I woudln't risk it. It will cost $2800 to fix my car. I'm a senior on social security and i can't afford this, nor can i sell the car the way it looks. Be careful, and don't waste your time dealing with the dealership or headquarters. They just don't give a rat's behind. Their pat answer is, "i'm sorry. The team has denied your request." the goodwill out of warrant process is a joke. So, my only way to get people to be careful when purchasing their smarts is for me to ride around with my signs and get the word out there. Don't know how these people sleep at night. They need to do what is right! As of 2019, I have gotten rid of the car. Mercedes never would back their car up, and the transmission failed on me for the 3rd time. It got to a point where I could not rely on the car. For a car I loved so much initially, I couldn't wait to get rid of it. I had it auctioned with proceeds to go to wheels for wishes. I would never deal with mercedes again, and initially I loved that little car but grew to hate it. The convertible top started to be temperamental in putting it up and down. I just left it shut as was afraid I would not be able to get it back up, kept getting caught up com where.
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Can't get out of its own way !
Has no power. Has a hard time getting up a hill. If you live in an area with hills and mountains don't even think about this car .
The Corvette of economy cars
Old people have discovered this car, so it is not sold to youngsters only...People ask me if it gets 60 miles per gallon, and I respond it gets the best gas mileage of any non-hybrid sold in America...You can do a u-turn on a narrow 2 lane street,but don't try going fast over speed bumps...The Passion is loaded with standard equipment, including panorama roof,paddle shifters,auto air,electric windows/locks,and ABS/ stability control... The Smart is Amazingly roomy for two...It has enough space in back for a week's groceries...It has style,which is lacking in other economy cars... It is a Mercedes on a beer budget...Resale value will likely challenge Corvette and most Japanese imports...
What do you expect?
I have heard some complaints that the Smart is slow, or doesn't shift like an automatic. The purpose of the ForTwo and the same reason I bought it was economy, not speed. But it is NO slug! Wind it up and it will go great! 75mph on the freeway is comfortable. Every day I am more impressed with my Smart. Remember, the transmission is a manual that is automated. It shifts exactly how I would expect it to, not an automatic. It takes a little getting used to, but once you understand it, it's fun! I am impressed with the ride for a 1800lb car! I am also 6'1" and have plenty of room! I like the simplicity offering comfort in terms of reliability and longevity. I purchased as a commuter, perfect!
Great Car Price & Economy
I have driven the car 80 miles each day and I love it. I drive in auto mode most days and average 39 MPG. I have driven it almost 5000 miles in 2- 1/2 months. There have been no problems or glitches at all. I am a big guy and I have plenty of interior room. I love the auto wipers and the safety in such a small car. Cold air and good heater. Great car.
Meets and surpasses all expectations
This is not a sports sedan. It is a small, efficient urban two passenger transport that has a small footprint but a spacious interior. Being a Daimler product it has the safety and quality expected. Having a small Mitsubishi engine, it is no surprise the performance and reliability it has. Being a European design, it has character and head turning style. Over all this little car has fulfilled and surpassed every design objective and it is fun to drive around town. It is priced well for the market.
More attention than a cute puppy
This car is great. I just bought it and the transmission must be shifted by hand. In the automatic mode feels sluggish. But I never have bought an automatic in my life. I have ridden a motorcycle my for most of my life and driven everything including tractor trailers. The entire roll cage cabin makes you feel safer than a NASCAR. When gas hits 5 bucks a gallon (and it will) the salesmen will have to hold buyers off with a whip and a chair. Forget those stupid electric cars for now. They are 10 years away. We plan a country wide, east of the Mississippi trip this summer. I will write a Smart car blog...warts and all.:>)
Fun, Fun, Fun
This car is fun and versatile to drive. You can drive it in the automated (transmission) or the manual mode. It drives much better in the manual mode and you have more control over the acceleration level and shifting into gears. You cant compare this car to a traditional sedan, which is what many reviewers try to do. This car is in a league by itself. There is plenty of room for 2 average size people and it makes getting around and parking in an urban area much easier than any other car.
One Happy Camper
I thoroughly researched before purchase. Agonized between the Suzuki SX4, Toyota Prius & the smart. The smart won in the end because of its uniqueness, "star power," and somewhat because it is a Mercedes. I was concerned about it's performance in the snow but felt reassured by a few other smart owners that it is effective getting around even in a blizzard with a foot of snow. I'll need to wait until winter to test its ability to climb grades in the snow. I'm sure the SX4 would have excelled in the snow but according to consumer reports only avg. satisfaction was achieved by Suzuki owners, whereas smart owners overwhelmingly loved their smart as do I. The Prius is just too expensive.
LOVE my Smart red convertible!
I have owned CRX's, Miatas, Mini Coopers, and other comparable cars. They've all been great, but there's just something about the Smart! Let's face it, it's not a car for everyone - but if you do most of your driving by yourself (or with one other person), it's a complete joy to own! I chuckle when people ask me, "So, can you take it on the freeway?" To set the record straight, YES you can - and not only does it drive like any other car, it's a LOT more fun!
Great city cAr
Great city car
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Smart all around
I love my Smart Passion. I traded my BMW 5 series in for a Smart car friends and family all called me crazy but I turned 18 and had to start paying for things on my own. This is my only car and I do a lot of driving City, Highway and suburbs daily. I love my Smart and love driving it. I do wish it did a little better on gas but compared to the BMW it rocks. Having a two seater really is not a big deal and there is plenty of storage space. The car handles great and parking is never a problem. I love all the looks and comments I get and I love the design of the car. Overall I would recommend it to any one!
the best vehicle i have ever BOUGHT
I am 6 ft 4 inches tall and 290 lbs and the room in the car is fabulous the handling is fantastic in ten days I have had about 30 people stop and ask to sit or see the inside they can not beleive it is so comfortable thank you George brown
Great Car
I have more fun in this car then in any I have owned. It's responsive, comfortable and a joy. It is amazing to me how something that is so small can feel so big when you're in it. The transmission takes a bit to get used to, but as soon as you do, it works great. If you're looking for a race car, this ain't it, but if you want something to get you where you're going with a smile I'd say you don't have to look further. :-)
It's ok
It drives like a jeep (hard and stiff) and is slow to accelerate. The brake pedal is uncomfortable. I use it to go to work where parking is an issue. This is the only reason I bought the car. In this respect it's great. I now compete with motorcycles. But in all other respects it is disappointing. Transmission is slow to shift, a/c not cold enough. Would I buy it again? Yes. Because of the parking issue I have no choice. If I didn't have to go to work and park I would not buy this car.
Just good to say
This car is really good to show off how big it is inside. People I know can't believe how big it is and feels when it drives. The only thing I would change or add is Cruise control. I had it added, that makes it complete for me. I have nothing but fun when I drive it.
not so smart
The transmission slipps, only one year warranty,very uneven ride, no handbook for the car, car makes a lot of noise,car is not good on Gas