Smart Engine?

[Spinal]

I've been looking at an older smart to get to work... I'm putting way too many miles on my other cars (and I don't trust my probe enough).

My requirements are cheap (so in 12 months I can scrap it an buy another one when I've put a few k miles on it), high mpg and cruise control.

The smart seems to fit the bill, and was looking at a 53 plate one which looked good. That said, based on my research so far, the engines seem to implode at 60k miles or so. Is that a fair assumption?

Secondly, would you touch a smart with 140k miles on the clock, but with an engine rebuild less than 5k miles ago? To me it's a bit odd that they would sell it so soon after, but maybe I'm being paranoid?

M.

 

[wemorgan]

My father is selling his smart, formerly mine. Let me know if you're interested.

2003, 700cc, 45k. £1500 (i will confirm price)

 

[Bellow]

Spinal - re 5k post rebuild - it depends who rebuilt it and the extent of the rebuild. (Some just replace an exhaust valve and ignore the cause ie gummed/worn piston rings).
Re 140k - what's been done enroute? Eg clutch, etc. Could be good or bad!

Will's one sounds a much safer bet. I'd only recommend you buy from an indy with a reputation to preserve or someone you know and trust. Give Will's some consideration.

 

[BlackC55]

Smarts are not cheap to own and maintain. There are much better cars out there that will be more comfortable and economical. I have owned one and for a city car is was great.

Have you driven one?

 

[Spinal]

I have driven one - from Rome to Naples and back... cracking car at the time, even though it was a poverty spec rental. A bit light at speed, but seems like a safe bet for a £1.5k car. What would you suggest in that price/mpg range?

Engine was rebuilt by fudgesmart - which seem to have a good reputation from what I can tell.

Will, yhpm as you know

M.

 

[BlackC55]

I have driven one - from Rome to Naples and back... cracking car at the time, even though it was a poverty spec rental. A bit light at speed, but seems like a safe bet for a £1.5k car. What would you suggest in that price/mpg range?

Engine was rebuilt by fudgesmart - which seem to have a good reputation from what I can tell.

Will, yhpm as you know

M.

A diesel fiesta.

 

[damian9128]

I had a 2005 ForTwo Brabus a few years ago.

Headgasket went at 50,000 odd miles. (cost more than a grand to fix)


Exhaust was on its way out (I think it was approx £1000 for genuine Brabus one, seemed to be low quality compared to aftermarket options)


Transmission sometimes played up.


Needed a new battery (this was cheap but a pain to fit in passenger footwell)


Needed a new Steering wheel (800 quid iirc)


Both doors seized up. (NOT AT THE SAME TIME LOL!)


New rear tyres (Can't remember how much but iirc it was expensive for a small car due to low-profile and wide wheels)


Headgasket went a second time, and I was so p**sed off I part ex'd it.


And all that was all in the space of 18 months!


I loved the car but I wouldn't buy another one.

 

[damian9128]

*Also its was a magnet for vandals!

My girlfriend's neighbour threw a huge plant pot at it at 3am on a Saturday night when he was arguing with his missus outside! The car's made of plastic so it doesn't hold up well to a giant plant pot, cost me loads to repair. Back window, boot lid and rear bumper all damaged.

Also the Brabus badges got nicked twice outside my parent's house!

 

[Bellow]

Engine was rebuilt by fudgesmart - which seem to have a good reputation from what I can tell.

Fudge has an excellent reputation. So good a reputation I'd want to see the receipt....

 

[damian9128]

Fudge has an excellent reputation. So good a reputation I'd want to see the receipt....

+1

 

[V12]

£1500? There are stacks of better cars.

Quick 2 seconds shows me this.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302205425239

 

[wemorgan]

IMHO £1500 isn't an uncompetitive price for a 2003 Smart. There always seems to be a better car whenever Smarts are discussed. Sometimes people just want one and that's good enough reason.

 

[haggis2768]

Horses for courses IMHO. I ran a smart roadster for three years,bought new from Newcastle. Had a guy run into the back of it in a Vectra, result, win for Smart. The 'plastic' bodywork had a small crack around the no.plate
The vectra was written off,bent chassis leg,smashed h/lamps,twisted front panel and bonnet.only reason I sold it was down to the leaky roof. Was so impressed that I got my(elderly) parents to buy a for four( they are quite keen on attacking the fenceposts in their driveway) in 7 years of ownership the for four still looks great,flies through MOT's
I know a fortwo may be different.but as a whole I think the Smarts are bloody good wee cars,granted when the local dealer drops one off as a courtesy car i don't use it( I'm a snob )

 

[Spinal]

Fiesta - no character!

Polo - Interesting, but a smart just has that je ne sais quoi...

I quite like to looks, and character of the car. It's really down to finding the right one now!

Good point on the receipt...
M.

 

[Sp!ke]

£1500 with a view to scrapping it at the end of the year and getting another one?

You know you can get a new one on PCP for £99 a month with zero road tax and £150 a year insurance?

 

[Spinal]

£1500 with a view to scrapping it at the end of the year and getting another one?

You know you can get a new one on PCP for £99 a month with zero road tax and £150 a year insurance?

Scrapping - no, definitely not... but if after a year it doesn't meet my needs (or if it decides to stop working) I don't want to be financially tied down...

Insurance isn't an issue - I have primo, can add cars without worries... didn't consider buying new tbh... will need to look into that!

M.

 

[Peter DLM]

Smarts have Cruise Control? That'll be a rare option.

 

[Spinal]

Smarts have Cruise Control? That'll be a rare option.

£55 for a cruise control stick from a dealership, £15 for the wiring loom (sometimes not needed), £60 for MB/fudgesmart to hook the car up to STAR and code it in

 

[Spinal]

Just saw this and couldn't help but post it!

[youtube]ni60TBeuF_k[/youtube]

On a side note, I've agreed to buy Will's old car

M

 

[Spinal]

A quick update as I'm cooking - got home earlier today after spending a most pleasant hour or so with Will's father.

Will's old smart is now on my driveway, and i love it! (I must admit, my dog isn't so impressed with the boot, and tried to clamber into the front seat He does fit in the boot though; it looks built perfectly sized for him)

I have a few mods planned (nothing strange, just adding some options - like cruise control, smart/grundig cd player with an omnifi, keyless go, mini aerial... and I'll come up with more as time progresses) and will post updates/pics in due course

M.