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Thinking about buying a Smart city-coupe (fortwo)? The problem with most magazine reviews is their fixation with irrelevancies (e.g. 0-60 mph performance, "only two seats", etc.). If you want a sports MPV then the Smart won't be on your shortlist: if you want a compact, economical city car it could be. Here are some "real world" considerations, positive and potentially negative...

I've just part-exchanged my four-door salon for an S-Class escape pod, otherwise known as the Smart city-coupe (Silverpulse special edition):

Positives

• Around 40 mpg (UK) real-world fuel consumption (claimed 60 mpg);
• Low insurance group;
• Low road tax;
• Low emissions;
• Plastic body panels won't rust when stone-chipped;
• If you get tired of the colour, you can replace some or all the body panels;
• High driving position;
• Seats have good lumbar support;
• It feels solid; the doors close with a satisfying clunk, control sticks are not flimsy;
• Passenger space is very reasonable—head room is particularly good;
• The boot can hold the weekly groceries for two people;
• You don't have to bend much to get in or out of the car;
• Hill-start assist means there is a 0.7 sec delay when you move your foot from the brake to the accelerator before the car starts to roll backwards;
• You can't stall it (there is no clutch pedal);
• The gear drops down automatically as you slow e.g. for traffic lights;
• Steering-wheel paddles mean you don't need to take your hands off the wheel e.g. to change gear when cornering;
• Engine noise isn't nearly as evident as you might expect (the engine is inside the car after-all);
• You can park in a half-space, or at right-angles to the curb without jutting out;
• You can reverse right up to an obstacle as the car ends with the rear windscreen;
• You can park right up to an obstacle as the car starts (almost) with the front windscreen;
• It can hold it's own on the motorway without being significantly noisier than a Saab 9-3 cabriolet;
• It's the only car I know of where you can get something out of the boot without having to get out of the driver's seat!

Potential negatives

• Dash looks plastic (but the quality is certainly better than the original Mercedes A-Class);
• Rev counter, clock, and display look like they belong on a cheap toy;
• Internal storage space rather limited if you like to keep your glove compartment stuffed;
• Gear change can involve a delayed lurch forward, which can be disconcerting at first;
• It's prone to buffeting in a crosswind;
• Very firm ride, especially over speed-bumps (take them in 1st or 2nd gear; they may activate the electronic stability program!);
• If you are tall the rear view mirror can obstruct forward vision, especially when turning left (mine is right-hand drive);
• The non-retracting aerial sits near the passenger-side wing mirror and is a tempting target for vandals.

Other considerations

Your dealer should be able to advise you on other cost-saving options or advantages. For example, the deal was sweetened for me by:

• 1 years free fully comprehensive insurance (saving 305 pounds as quoted by my current provider)—but beware—Smart Free Insurance have been problematic (delayed approval; not recognizing the Silverpulse SE as covered under the scheme);
• 2 years roadside assistance (saving £160 as quoted by my current provider);
• "Gap insurance" for a one-off 200 pound payment, buying a refund equal to the purchase price (not market value) if the car is totaled or stolen within 3 years.

Update 09.07.04: My smart has been repeatedly plagued by a gear-selection fault. Basically, if it is left parked in reverse sometimes the computer does not recognize that the position of the gear stick has changed (neutral, or drive), and continues to erroneously display "R". Because neutral cannot be engaged, the car cannot be started. Bummer.

Update 26.07.04: (Egg on face) It turns out my gear-selection fault was caused by not reading the manual properly. In there it says "apply the footbrake" before engaging neutral and starting the engine. If you don't do this, you cannot change out of reverse!

Update 05.08.05: Average fuel economy is 41.9 mpg (UK) over 6,262 miles.

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