2001 smart fortwo - city coupe Pulse 0.6

Summary:

Funky pocket rocket

Faults:

Broken light switch.

General Comments:

A brand new two seater turbocharged Mercedes with air conditioning, four airbags, ABS, traction control and lots more for the price of a second hand well used super mini? That will be the Smart.

Incredibly economical and surprisingly roomy for two with excellent all round vision.

Seating is firm and comfortable with good support.

Performance is excellent given the minuscule cubic capacity.

Enthusiastic drivers will not be disappointed and the car will cruise quietly and comfortably at motorway speeds all day without complaint.

Pushing on through twisty roads the car is great fun and very drivable with a minimum of under-steer, but the gearbox does need to be worked.

Faster changes from the clutch-less gear box would be welcome, but this modification is just one of many available from a growing band of performance enhancing specialists.

Don't expect to carry the kitchen sink in the tiny boot, but surprising though it is, the flat and deep load area is very usable and a weeks shopping squeezes in without too much trouble.

Overall, a refreshing and fun change from the usual offerings seen on our roads which look as though they were designed by the same computer program.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th March, 2003

10th Nov 2005, 11:05

Been told brabus do a twin turbo 1600 version, is this true?

2001 smart fortwo - city coupe Pure 0.6

Summary:

A hoot to drive, very economical, fantastic!

Faults:

Loss of compression in 1 of the 3 cylinders at 8500 miles. Engine replaced under warranty.

Clutch contaminated by a faulty seal at 12000 miles. Clutch replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

Apart from the faults listed above, the car has been great. It is so much fun to drive, and always provokes a reaction from pedestrians or other drivers.

Since changing the stock wheels and tyres (145 front and 175 rear) for 6Jx15 Compomotives with 195/50 tyres all round, the handling has improved drastically. No more wandering in crosswinds, and it corners like it's on rails.

The market for add-on or custom components is huge. You can't help but spend money to make the car even more distinctive.

The owners club is great, see www.thesmartclub.co.uk

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2002

16th Jul 2005, 17:04

Very brave putting fat rubber on something with a track this narrow and C of G this high. The reason Smarts suffer low grip and dogged understeer as standard is to stop them from rolling over. Simply put, it cannot generate enough lateral G for stability to be a problem.

I wouldn't want to have to carry out an emergency avoidance manoeuvre at speed in one of these under any circumstances, but least of all one fitted with fatter, grippier tyres. I suspect it would end up "sticky side up" without much provocation at all.

2001 smart fortwo - city coupe Pulse 0.6

Summary:

A very good city car

Faults:

Nothing as yet.

General Comments:

A very good little city car with not much power, but you can get a lot to the gallon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th January, 2002