Other sacrifices of owning a smart
Besides having only two seats, strapping my kid on the passenger seat makes me nervous; the right-side airbag deactivates itself automatically, but as in the previous smart, I'd like to have a kill switch as is the case with the BMW Z4 and the Mazda MX-5.
The cargo area has a maximum capacity of 340 litres, about what a compact sedan's trunk can hold, but your stuff must be piled up to the roof. The steering column isn't adjustable.
To add windshield washer fluid, you must detach the hood using two nail-breaking latches. The hood is held on by a strap, and the fluid filler neck is still too small.
Competition
Um, there isn't any. The smart fortwo passion cabriolet retails for $21,250, and the metallic paint is worth $430. The out-the-door price of this test car is $21,680.
For that price, though, it comes with a long list of standard features, including climate control, power locks, mirrors, windows and roof, 6-CD changer, heated seats and a leather-wrapped wheel.
If you're looking for something fashionable at a similar price, you can also check out the Mini Cooper, which starts at $22,800.
Conclusion
Yes, the smart fortwo looks chic, and the new model is much-improved over the first generation car. I talked about sacrifices before, and there are now less of them.
The Canadian government is currently handing out $2,000 tax rebates to everyone who purchases a smart fortwo, including the cabriolet. That also means a base fortwo coupe will end up costing you the equivalent of $13,000, which is good. Some provinces also pitch in and reward you with credits.
My wardrobe is full of gray, blue, black and white clothes, which pretty much sums up how closely I follow current fashion trends; I don't. Thus, I shouldn't like the smart, but I do. I guess there's nothing wrong with wearing a lime-green shirt once in a while.
photo:Philippe Champoux
Besides having only two seats, strapping my kid on the passenger seat makes me nervous; the right-side airbag deactivates itself automatically, but as in the previous smart, I'd like to have a kill switch as is the case with the BMW Z4 and the Mazda MX-5.
The cargo area has a maximum capacity of 340 litres, about what a compact sedan's trunk can hold, but your stuff must be piled up to the roof. The steering column isn't adjustable.
 |
| The cargo area has a maximum capacity of 340 litres. |
To add windshield washer fluid, you must detach the hood using two nail-breaking latches. The hood is held on by a strap, and the fluid filler neck is still too small.
Competition
Um, there isn't any. The smart fortwo passion cabriolet retails for $21,250, and the metallic paint is worth $430. The out-the-door price of this test car is $21,680.
For that price, though, it comes with a long list of standard features, including climate control, power locks, mirrors, windows and roof, 6-CD changer, heated seats and a leather-wrapped wheel.
If you're looking for something fashionable at a similar price, you can also check out the Mini Cooper, which starts at $22,800.
Conclusion
Yes, the smart fortwo looks chic, and the new model is much-improved over the first generation car. I talked about sacrifices before, and there are now less of them.
The Canadian government is currently handing out $2,000 tax rebates to everyone who purchases a smart fortwo, including the cabriolet. That also means a base fortwo coupe will end up costing you the equivalent of $13,000, which is good. Some provinces also pitch in and reward you with credits.
My wardrobe is full of gray, blue, black and white clothes, which pretty much sums up how closely I follow current fashion trends; I don't. Thus, I shouldn't like the smart, but I do. I guess there's nothing wrong with wearing a lime-green shirt once in a while.
 |
| The new model is much-improved over the first generation car. |
photo:Philippe Champoux
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