Not surprisingly, owners love the fuel consumption of their smarts. Mileage was rated under 3.5L / 100km during highway cruising, depending on the model selected. Many members of the fortwo owner's forum comment about how infrequent and inexpensive visits to the gas station are.
Other strong points are the ease of parking, cleaning, and maneuvering in tight quarters. Some even love the funky looks, and most owners appreciate the build quality, inside and out. Other comments like 'fun to drive', 'eye catching' and 'looks sooo cute at Christmas with antlers and a red nose' came up as well.
The most common owner complaint deals with the transmission-- which can be jerky, awkward and unrefined. Other drivers wished for cruise control, more comfortable arm rests and tilt steering. With 0-60 in about 12 seconds, many wished the fortwo had just a bit more power as well.
On a test drive, ensure proper operation of the air conditioning system, which is identified as a possible problem area on the fortwo.
Ensure the 'check engine' light isn't illuminated, as it could indicate numerous electrical or sensor related problems, or a problem with one of several important valves in the fuel or emissions systems. If the light is on, be sure to have the problem sourced out and remedied.
A rubber seal around the brake pedal could allow water to leak into the passenger compartment. It's easily fixed, but you'll want to check that the footwell carpeting is free of gross mildew and moisture.
Turbochargers and intercoolers aren't known to be entirely trouble free on the fortwo, and several owners have reported failure that was addressed under warranty.
If you're shopping for a used fortwo, you're looking at a vehicle with no direct competition. Though identically mechanically, it's important to bear in mind that not every fortwo was driven and maintained lovingly by its former owner.
All said and done, shopping for a used fortwo is best done at a Mercedes / Smart dealership that's familiar with the car, and has its full service records. It's also important to remember that the shop rate at Mercedes Benz dealerships can exceed $100 / hr-- so the fortwo may be a fantastic candidate for an extended warranty.
Look for a decent and well-priced used example, and you'll be well on your way to the world of frugal motoring.
photo:smart
Other strong points are the ease of parking, cleaning, and maneuvering in tight quarters. Some even love the funky looks, and most owners appreciate the build quality, inside and out. Other comments like 'fun to drive', 'eye catching' and 'looks sooo cute at Christmas with antlers and a red nose' came up as well.
The most common owner complaint deals with the transmission-- which can be jerky, awkward and unrefined. Other drivers wished for cruise control, more comfortable arm rests and tilt steering. With 0-60 in about 12 seconds, many wished the fortwo had just a bit more power as well.
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| 2006 smart fortwo |
On a test drive, ensure proper operation of the air conditioning system, which is identified as a possible problem area on the fortwo.
Ensure the 'check engine' light isn't illuminated, as it could indicate numerous electrical or sensor related problems, or a problem with one of several important valves in the fuel or emissions systems. If the light is on, be sure to have the problem sourced out and remedied.
A rubber seal around the brake pedal could allow water to leak into the passenger compartment. It's easily fixed, but you'll want to check that the footwell carpeting is free of gross mildew and moisture.
Turbochargers and intercoolers aren't known to be entirely trouble free on the fortwo, and several owners have reported failure that was addressed under warranty.
If you're shopping for a used fortwo, you're looking at a vehicle with no direct competition. Though identically mechanically, it's important to bear in mind that not every fortwo was driven and maintained lovingly by its former owner.
All said and done, shopping for a used fortwo is best done at a Mercedes / Smart dealership that's familiar with the car, and has its full service records. It's also important to remember that the shop rate at Mercedes Benz dealerships can exceed $100 / hr-- so the fortwo may be a fantastic candidate for an extended warranty.
Look for a decent and well-priced used example, and you'll be well on your way to the world of frugal motoring.
photo:smart
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