I have had dozens of cars over my lifetime but I have never been attached to a car like I have my Smart. I totally love it and I am proud to drive mine down the road.

@AndiCowell

3 жыл бұрын

Same for me.. I adore my little Effie. 451 Passion silver on silver

Never understood why the gearbox got so much hate. Probably because people expect it to behave like an automatic and shift instantly but if you treat it like a manual (which it is), it will shift as fast as you do in a manual car; minus the gear grinding and the missed shifts. I really liked the way my 2004 ForTwo shifted and especially the engine noise coming from the back which I'm glad to see the 2008 model retained. The engine note can be summed up to: RRRRrrr, I'm tiny and I'm angry! If you drive this car hard, it will be very fun and that tiny engine will give you a reason to push it harder and put a smile on your face, especially through the bends. Sadly, you will be disappointed if you expect it to be a miniature Nissan GTR with double-clutch automatic gearbox. It even has a secret on the gearbox: set it to manual and stomp the accelerator pedal. The car will shift then the power runs out but not before the redline runs out so if your tach reads 7,000RPM with the redline starting at 6,000, the car will shift at 6,500. Will burn through your clutch and engine eventually but damn is it fun and loud and fun. Did I mention fun? :) So treat it for what it is: a relatively safe small car, with loads of room inside, a big boot, a manual robotized gearbox and a tiny screamer engine which you will love or hate to hear every time you rev the tits off it

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

the sums the engine note perfectly, but I shift manually was quicker than these!

@UzY3L

4 жыл бұрын

@@furiousdriving Haha, good man! Wasn't expecting a reply. Guess I still need some practice shifting. Really like your videos! Hoping you will do the Multipla and Fiat Marea someday, if you can find them. Cheers and more power to you!

@brianfreeman8290

Жыл бұрын

From experience, you do need to get a lot of miles under your belt before you learn how to use the gearbox. No reviewer ever has the time to do this, so universally criticize it unfairly. Responding to one of your remarks, I remapped to 130bhp and it is huge fun, but you do need top quality tyres ! I absolutely adore mine, and always take the longest route, just for the fun of it.

The first one had so much character. I still have fond memories of mine but sometimes I did need to switch it on and off to get reverse 😁

I had two of these and two roadsters . I never used the auto box on any of them. Loved all of them. Great fun and pretty practical

Had one for 3 years and now just got another, truly wonderful cars, thanks for your video

I bought a 2008 smart car, and when it arrived on the low loader I was sceptical, It's only the wife and me so we don't need any more than two seats. I took it out for a drive and fell in love with it, I have watched all the videos including yours, in fact, I have watched your video over and over because of the things you have said. I also have the canvas roof, no wind noise at 50 m.p.h and my engine does not sound like a wasp trapped in the rear wheels, in fact, my engine is very quiet and the wife and I love it, we went from our home in Taunton to Minehead today with the roof back and the radio on and the trip was fantastic. We are planning a trip to my sisters in September, 219 miles mostly on the motorway, we have tested it going to Exeter, and it is not, as someone said a white knuckle ride, in fact, I found as long as you stick to around 60 m.p.h the ride is perfectly alright. I and my wife are in our late 70s and we are very glad we went for this vehicle, it does what it says on the tin, parks in small places keeps up with other traffic and the boot is just big enough for our shopping and when we go away on holiday large enough for our travel bags, I even keep a wheely walker behind the seats with my wife walking stick. So all in all, we love our Smart car, yes it's old and has over 90000 on the clock, but it suits us fine, and that is all that counts for us. Mike Palmer

It always amuses me when reviewers bemoan the slow gear changes, it's probably the same speed as a manual car without the chance of human error. The more you drive it the more you get in tune with it and like it. For 90% of most peoples trips it's probably the right size.

@furiousdriving

3 жыл бұрын

Its not, its much slower than a manual change

@stpfs9281

2 жыл бұрын

@@furiousdriving The speed can be changed by actuators and re-mapping the gearbox, at a price! My changes seem faster than I can hear on this video, that's awfully slow. You could make a cuppa tea! There is a rumour, in manual, if you floor it, it will eventually change up, at redline!

Great real world test as always. The 'seamless' overdub was classic ;-)

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

You almost can't see it can you! :-)

I have one from 2002 with 40 000 miles on it a garden rescue it used to belong to my mother. The lag on the gearbox is horrendous and it actually slows down when overtaking . It was a free car with a big Tardis-like interior and its reliable. You have drive it alert and on the horn, other drivers cut me up or don't see me!

It is NOT an automatic! It's an electronically controlled manual gearbox.

Great review makes a change to the norm. Always fancied one in an oddball kind of way, maybe one day

Switch, paddles, auto, Downhill breaking paddles, hardly touch your brakes. Love these cars.

It is a shame they 'killed' the roadster, and that it was never sold in the USA. I've been driving smarts for 15 years, one of the early adopters here. There was pent up demand, and I placed a $99 deposit 14 months before I took possession of the car in 2008. Watching this video, and others from left hand drive countries, makes me very anxious. I don't know if I could ever adapt to driving on the left hand side of the road. I've rarely driven my smarts in "auto" mode. There's no fun in that. Paddle shifters, baby! So far as body roll in a sharp turn is concerned, bullshit. These cars were born for the twisties. The most nimble car I've ever driven. Although lacking the power of a sports car, the steering has been reasonably compared to that of a Porche 911. "ONLY a two seater", hell, why would I guy like me need to lug around a back seat? When I sold my 1995 Neon for spare parts, the rear seat was immaculate, rarely used. I always wave, beep, or flash my headlights when I see another smart on the road. Here in the USA, that's not every day. Smart EVs became a thing, but they weren't very good, so far as EVs go.

I have a Smart car from 2004 which I bought for a bit of fun, the 2004 car has a bit more character than the one you reviewed, but is similar. My daily car is a pristine example 2009 W204 Mercedes. The Smart has a lot of appeal for me, basically because it dares to be different. It's easy to work on, parts are very cheap, and it does not suffer with corrosion issues typically. Tax & Insurance are very cheap. The engine is very easy to get to for basic stuff like checking oil level, but the rear bumper needs to be removed for many jobs, which is not as hard as it sounds. Gear changes get better when you get used to it and learn to control changes better, but in auto mode it's always slow... Unlike an automatic transmission (it's NOT an auto, its a cluchless manual with "auto" mode, it's a LOT better to switch off the auto mode. If shifts are very slow then maybe service the actuator, which is easy and can make it MUCH faster in manual mode.

Much like Marmite! I shared a driveway with a neighbour who had a few of these. I never quite got them, nor have they registered with me. Interesting review though, as always 👍🏻

Wow, that W123 T-shirt is amazing! That engine is pretty noisy, and I am still undecided as to how ridiculous it looks when driving along the road, but I did appreciate the informative and corrected commentary (courtesy of voiceover) and the fact that I have not seen a decent review of one of these for many years. Thanks again, Matt!

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

I thought you meant the bit where I realised Id said the wrong name for the security cell and had to dub it over (badly)!

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

And thanks, the T shirt is from Redbubble, but sadly not from my store

@lloydvehicleconsulting

5 жыл бұрын

@@furiousdriving, yes, that was the bit that I meant! Impressive dedication to get it right subsequently. The voiceover is excellent, though, and the level of detail is brilliant. Really enjoyed it!

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Ive learnt the hard way its not worth leaving it incorrect!

@lloydvehicleconsulting

5 жыл бұрын

@@furiousdriving, yes, if you don't get it right, then the comments tend to explode, don't they?

I imported one of these to the UK from Holland in 2000, and made it UK road legal (which was easy).I was attracted to the idea of roomy, economical motoring with something a bit fun. TBH, it was great. There were only a few on the UK roads at the time, and we used to all wave frantically at each other if/when we saw another. People would tap me on the shoulder at filling stations and ask me if it was electric :) "Yes, this is electric petrol I'm filling the tank with", I'd respond. Fun to drive, but the gearbox was maddening. At the time it was so rare that no MB-UK dealers would service it, so I ended up ringing European dealers to see if they could help- and then had a great 4 day road trip to Strasbourg where they did the job. (I could have done it myself but wanted to keep the warranty). On the back of that, MB-UK took me under their wing and suddenly got interested- why had I done this? What was attractive about this oddball car to me? They were thinking of the planned RHD rollout, and I hope I helped in some way. Eventually life got in the way, and I sold it to a chap in York 18 months later. The MOT expired in 2014, so I can only assume that the car is no longer.

@ajetshehaj8336

3 жыл бұрын

I need to ask something?

@itstheterranaut

3 жыл бұрын

@@ajetshehaj8336 Sure, go ahead.

@ajetshehaj8336

3 жыл бұрын

@@itstheterranaut i heard that usually this car (usually 700cc are addictive/ cause problems. Also herd (in general) that after (around) 100 000 km need to change the engine(how true is this?). so buying a used one, around how many km is in good condition? And also, how ecconomic is this car at city ride? Thank you for your time

@itstheterranaut

3 жыл бұрын

@@ajetshehaj8336 I can only comment on the model and year (99 to 2003 I think) that I had. They are addictive. They do a lot in a small package. The engines and electrics in the long-term proved to be unreliable-rebuilds are common. The later ones may be better, I'm not sure. However, the auto gearbox was terrible- very jerky. It was though very economical- mine managed about 50mpg overall.

@ajetshehaj8336

3 жыл бұрын

@@itstheterranaut so you dont suggest the model until 2003? Good to know bro. Do you have any suggestion about this car for those who look to buy like this? Also, i am looking for a ecconomic one because i have alrady another car, do you suggest another small /ecconomic car?

I bought one of these new in 2008, I loved my smart, in all the years I owned it never a single issue with it , I wish I would have kept it

I love this car! I have been thinking bying one. I dont have children and no mother in law... 🤣. I am very interested in a smart fortwo!

Plus our shifter looks like an automatic (P-R-N-D) with a separate gate to the left for manual up and down shifts. A later upgrade lets you go directly to manual mode by using the paddles on the steering wheel, which is useful to hold a lower gear for overtaking or accelerating onto a highway. If the right paddle is held for a couple seconds it goes back to automatic mode. So I never use the manual gate any more.

excellent, interesting, and knowledge packed review.

I have an American 2008 ForTwo and the gauges are different: Odometer is on the left with a trip odometer, on the right is clock and outside temp, the fuel gauge is a horizontal line of boxes under the speedometer, there is no temperature gauge. I had thought the only difference was whether the gauges and steering wheel were on the right or left; interesting to see there are more differences.

You need to release the gas pedal slightly and then push it in again when your drive is on tiptronic, for it to shift it up automatically. Get a real feel to this mechanic and it won't be boring to drive.

I have one 2013 model great car I travel to west London three times a week good on fuel no tax cheap insurance don’t rust just need to use the gearbox properly and Quick

my brother has an early left hooker Smart,,i wasnt that keen on them until he took me hooning around his local Welsh a-roads (single track lanes if im really being honest !!). What an absolute giggle it was ! completely changed my view of them. im with you on the gearchanges though, woeful at best.

@ferrumignis

4 жыл бұрын

You get used to using the gearbox after a while and they really aren't so bad (but full auto mode is garbage).

I would advise against trying to drift the rear end, I found to my cost that it goes from gripping nicely to spinning like a top in an instant, I went off the road and down a mountainside backwards.

@brianfreeman8290

Жыл бұрын

I must admit, I've always been a bit of a hooligan, but I don't dare corner too hard in this.

The 451 with the Getrag in the states is not an auto. Its a manual 5speed with a servo acuated clutch and computer controlled gear changes.

Turn ignition to "I", wait for some dashboard lights to go out (airbags on), turn key to "II" and release, don't hold it! Run out of fuel, cold? Delay on mine is about half that time.

Ive owned 2 Cabrios ! Both Wonderful cars! I miss Smart here in the USA I loved the paddle shifters in both of them. Way Better performance

I love mine, i also have a 2002 Jag. XK-R Concvetable.

I have drove one it was like driving go kart... you can also can also get a diesel on the four two on that 2nd generation 😃

It's funny, I don't like these, I'd rather walk than drive a 52 plate Mini, but I love a bug-eyed Fiat Multipla. There's a Marmite car if there ever was one.

Does the Passion kit have power steering in the 2008 model?

What is important to remember IS this car is merely to get your arse from A to B,,, it’s not your Sunday drive,,and it’s brilliant for town parking,,,👏👏🇬🇧. PS, and it only costs 2 Bob to buy,😀😀😀😀👍

All Porsche drivers know how good floor mounted pedals are, it's why ankles articulate the way they do. Can't you blip the throttle or brake during the gear change? I remember having to double-declutch on old cars and they never changed very fast. The electric 451s (ED)don't have a gearbox to worry about.

Mercedes + Swatch = Smart

@ChicagolandTube

3 жыл бұрын

It actually is Swatch + Mercedes + ART = SMART

900 kg plus kerbweight for the latest model, which is a lot.

I had a 2009 smart car Passion model for 5 1/2 years with not one problem. Just oil change with new oil filter. Tires needed changing by then but not one problem. When a tire specialist tells you that nitrogen in tires are stupid since nitrogen is already in the air...no dummy it worked for me for 5 1/2 years w/out having to add air all the times & paying for it...the tireman is stupid (most likely because it takes business away from him on the long run) LOL

I have a 2008 convertible and I love it

I did consider buying a Smart at one time but was put off by several adverts saying that the car had a new engine or some other major work. I wondered if the mechanical bits are fragile?

@brianfreeman8290

Жыл бұрын

The Mitsubishi engines are very reliable.

The transmission is programmed to shift for economy, so if you use the plus minus (+ -) quick stick lever you can actually rev the motor out and it is much more lively and palatable for keeping up with traffic. The performance is actually quite adequate, but you’re going to have to participate by shifting it yourself. I know that’s going to be hard for millennials but you can learn to like the transmission.

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

I don't know, Ive tried manual shifting these and still feels a bit slow

Great video as always. I have a friend who has one and although I've not driven it, as a passenger, I hate it. Because it is marketed as an upmarket small car and quite pricey for what it is , I was surprised by the cheapness of the interior finish (it's the basic model but still expensive ). It feels like being driven along in a motorised wheelie bin. I am also aware of the body roll as a passenger along with the bucking sensation over large bumps due to its short wheelbase and inadequate suspension. I also think the so called Tridion safety cell is marketing gobbledegook. What gives that away is that they use the term for the current ForFour too despite it beng identical to the Renault Twingo bar a few cosmetic tweaks. Yes, it has a steel skeleton but it's no stronger than any other steel car. As for noise, engine, road and wind noise are all excessive. Unless you live in a Southern European city where parking in the street is normal, I can't see the point; get a normal hatchback instead.

@rickrutherford8560

3 жыл бұрын

S

First gens (for the size and the design) and third gens (for the driving and the gearbox) are where it's at for me. 2nd gens are... weird.

I have a 2013 and I love it only problem my phone when I’m on the highway at a high speed in this wind then it might sway a little bit that makes me nervous but other than that I love my little car it’s very roomy inside and I don’t have an issue with it I just love it I’d like to buy a few but I only need one

@shannonternovetsky3947

3 жыл бұрын

And I didn’t mean the only problem is my phone I don’t know where that came from what I meant to say only problem is it sways a little bit when you’re going at a certain speed on the highway if there’s wind makes me nervous but other than that I just love it

A Smart Fortwo would find it self sitting in a ditch with one wheel comically spinning as the owner is wearing like a hat before ever even considering the word "drift".

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

It might be fun trying. Briefly. Very briefly

I just want a smart fortwo for its lightweight aspect. A turbocharged Kawasaki engine in this would be a BLAST! Greetings from the U.S.

@StreakyP

2 жыл бұрын

you mean like kzread.info/dash/bejne/Zparwburic7adqQ.html

@stpfs9281

2 жыл бұрын

@@StreakyP Also this! kzread.info/dash/bejne/fmuFr8OInq-rlbA.html

How to fix the plus cable

Great car! I love mine! I use it for long distance driving and it never let me down!

@julienbee3467

4 жыл бұрын

Do you feel safe with this car ?

@nikolanikola8543

4 жыл бұрын

@@julienbee3467 Yes I do. It's very stable and strong. If you are planing to buy one, get a model that was made after 2010 and make sure to buy a gasoline naturally aspirated 1.0 engine because those are Mitsubishi engines, very good tiny engine! Avoid diesels and gasoline ones with a turbo.

@julienbee3467

4 жыл бұрын

@@nikolanikola8543 thanks Nikola

I’ve had both the 450 and 451 model and enjoyed the video. They’re fun cars, particularly the 84bhp turbo which seems to work better with the gearbox. They clearly have their limitations but are well worth considering if you want a small, economical car with some personality.

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

I do think it would be an excellent platform for a town EV

@mrbenn747

5 жыл бұрын

furiousdriving The Smart 451 ED (electric drive) does indeed make an excellent city car! They’re quite rare and seem to hold their value well.

@bogdanbackup

Жыл бұрын

is there a big gap between 450 and 451 in terms of driving and overall feel?

@mrbenn747

Жыл бұрын

@@bogdanbackup Yes, a huge difference. That said, my 450 was a 44bhp Pure with steel wheels whereas my 451 was an 81bhp Passion with alloys. The 450 was fairly slow but comfortable and rode reasonably well. Also mpg was excellent. The ride on my 451 was terrible, harsh and crashy. But it was very nippy and had no trouble keeping up with traffic. Mpg was ok but dropped sharply once going above 60mph to the point that it was barely any better than my 1.6 Focus. 451 felt better built and higher quality but lacking in character compared to the earlier model.

@bogdanbackup

Жыл бұрын

I have recently purchased a 451 cabriolet 84 bhp and it's getting serviced as we speak. But from the short ride I found it so much fun to drive and did not mind the gearbox which was just fine, as opposed to what I occasionally read online... I don't know if the 84 bhp is turbo or not, but it is quite lively:)

Put tea bag in pot, pour boiling water in. Put milk in cup, leave to come up to room temperature whilst tea mashes, 5 minutes. Pour tea in cup. If you mean, milk in cup then tea bag, pour boiling water in, then yes, heathen. If you make tea in a cup, then you yourself are a heathen🧐 Tea pots rule😄 Great video, can't stand the car, drove one, terrible thing. Cheers

It’s only to get your Arse from A to B, that’s what you have to remember folks,,👌🇬🇧

Film references? How about Steve Martin in the Pink Panther live action film? :)

I wish they made the front longer because that's how Mercedes are

i have a 2011 smart fortwo 1.0, great on fuel but terrible gearbox

Hmmmmm ok, I have a question... Do you think that the newer Smart ForTwo was less quirky because we had seen it all before in the old one, or it was just genuinely less quirky?

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

Good question, and Id have to say a little of both. The original was very different from anything else so was always going to be considered odd, and by the time the mk2 came along the shock of the new had worn off, but I do think they dialled it down a lot on this gen. The Mk3 has more daring stying again, even if it is just a Renault Twiingo underneath (I think)

Any vids on the merc coming?

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

I cant afford a £180 relay this week but theres plenty to do on it so there will be some bits done over the weekend

Lovely Jubbly.

now i know why MB does not advertise the fact they are responsible for this..ah..vehicle..

People say that after some km have to change the engine? How true is this?

@duncanidaho7494

2 жыл бұрын

False.

I had one of these brand new in 2009. I’m afraid to say I hated it and it was the worst car I ever had. By around 40,000 miles it just kept breaking down. It didn’t even last three years. My next car was the Merc C-Class estate - similar to yours but custom made - but it was very scary going from the Smart to a car almost three times the length!

@stpfs9281

2 жыл бұрын

Why, oh why, did you keep it so long? 40,000 miles, masochist!

They are no longer for sale in the US, making it impossible to get parts.

Sounds like it has alot of cabin noise??

Not enough people warn about the wind noise on these. It's Horrific! Road noise and wind noise are so disappointing on this car.

Weirdly I really like them, too pricey new though.

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

A great used bargain though

Think your roof is faulty, no noise from ours

Didn't know the engine was a Mitsubishi unit, atleast it should be reliable but a bitch to work on location wise.

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, the ForFour was even based on the Colt. I wouldn't fancy doing much on this ones motor

Poor man's MR2

I had one as a courtesy car once. The ride was awful, the paddle change horrible. Put me off ever wanting one

Why aren't Yu driving in town , not hwyawy

I hope you gave your wife back her sunglasses 😃

If you use the gearbox correctly its a master piece of engineering if one lifts tje right foot slightly the gearbox changes smoothly,you as a reviewer have not done your homework on the car before taking to the road and engaging your mouth

@furiousdriving

6 ай бұрын

dont apologise for poor technology. Even lifting the foot its slow and jerky, and even at its best its painfully slow

Horrible car. Too short, crap engine and especially the gearbox.

@nikolanikola8543

4 жыл бұрын

Your lack of knowlegde is horrible. It has a good engine, 1.0 MHD and a very durable gearbox, it is just a bit slow.

Tis a woman's car m'lord!!!😃😃😃

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

Ill wager etc etc

@Lincolnator721

4 жыл бұрын

Cars have a gender??? Oh my.

not a durable car, not good for every day