2005 smart roadster from UK and Ireland - Comments

Car suddenly jumped out of gear repeatedly, engine would not rev and you would have to come to a complete stop, switch off engine and take key out and then start over again! Very unfortunate when it happened to me in the middle of the M4!

The roof leaks sporadically, seat-belts are very wet most of the time!

Fabulous handling and fun car, only gripe is that it would be more than perfect with a standard gearbox and not the semi-automatic rubbish that smart insist on!

I have never had so many stares when driving this car! it really stands out in shine yellow!

It's so low than many people have difficulty getting in and out of it!

UPDATE! 29.11.2005 - After 7 months and 6500 Miles the car has started misfiring and only running on 2 of its 3 Cylinders! Booked into local Smart dealer for repairs and service tomorrow.

UPDATE : Engine no longer misfiring, but went in to have all seals replaced early january, the car has started leaking again (08.03.06). Other than that everything is OK so far.

I have had my smart roadster for 5 months, and have had the seals looked at 3 times, as well as paint defects (bubbling). I also can't stand the gearbox (I don't like how it takes a while to change down gears). If anyone can suggest a way to fix the gear problem it would be much appreciated. I do love the car besides all of it's problems, and it is certainly a pleasure to drive... it will definitely take me a while before I get sick of it!

Sadly, there's nothing you can do about the mediocre semi automatic gearbox. The Roadster lacks either a slick automatic or a real manual so we're stuck with a 'light the fuse and wait' box. As the Roadster has now been discontinued (as well as the Smart ForFour) we'll never see an upgrade to this model. Pity.

According to most owners who've had it done, remapping the ECU gives both a healthy boost to the power, and improves the gear shifting. I haven't had my car done yet so cannot confirm the difference exactly.

I find revving the engine after/as you change down, help`s synchronise the gear ratio`s quicker and smooths the change.

Stop making the car out to be so bad! It only seems to be people who've had problems post, but the ones who have endless fun out of it out number them 100 to 1! These people normally don't post, as they haven't got a bad thing to say, so I'll break the trend!

First off for the money you'll not find a more enjoyable/great handling car as the roadster. The engine although 0.7 turbo, sounds amazing! You get 40+ MPG even if you floor it everywhere (steady driving up to 55mpg)! Electric soft-top, so no stopping to manually put down (cough Ford Ka cough)! Most likely the ones who complain about the gear box run it in Auto, if you use manual and plan ahead it's no issue as I find mine fine!

I swear if you test drive one of these, you'll want one on the spot!!

The Roadster is a great car and likely to become a classic. It has the sound and feel of exotica, but at mini metro costs. You can't help but drive it every where at 3000-6000 revs. The gear change is far improved on the later models.

The car does have its faults, but if your someone who appreciates a raw driving experience you will forgive them.

This is more a car for lovers of caterhams, nobles and old 911's (993).

GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN! The smart roadster will always leak. you will have to change the seals and probably the SAM unit once a year, costing around 2000 pounds at smart...

This will never go away.

I was told by smart (after I returned the car) that the roadster wasn't designed for the UK...

I agree that the car drives like no other, I also know that trying to fix one is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands...

Get the new Fiesta ST 150. You will never look back...

Have had a 2003 Roadie for 1/2 year now and I don't get wet...

Had my roadster for 3 years. Plus points are the handling and grip on the road. Major bad point is the leaks it suffers from which are very expensive, causing constant problems. This easily cancels out the cheap insurance and petrol costs. Be warned!

My Smart Roadster leaked firstly through the roof (lots of water!). This was easily fixed. Next it leaked through the wing mirrors (fixed one then the other leaked). Finally, the bulkhead leak started... I tried several times to fix it but failed. After around £1,200 of repairs I gave up and sold it. A real shame... but I needed to spend some time at home and work rather than at the garage. My advice is ... enjoy watching other people drive them!

"Get the new Fiesta ST 150. You will never look back..."

LOL!

Yeah get a bland, uninvolving ford, with naff sounding engine, that'll also get beaten 0 to 60 by the old Daihatsu Sirion Rally 2 I used to own (1.3/108bhp/0-60 7.9s).

I used to love that car, but trading it in for the Roadster I've never looked back!

And yes I did have problems with leaks, but my dealer was on the ball and resolved it, maybe the ones having problems have clueless dealers?

All other cars feel uninvolving compared to the Roadster, but if you're just after straight line speed and poorer handling look elsewhere!

I have left ALL hot hatches in the dust round the twisty A roads!

Had my Roadster for 8 months now and when its rained I get little water running down the passenger door, is this likely to get worse? I love it, I don't care about a little water. The enjoyment I get from this car is beyond my understanding. I totally understand the issues with the gearbox everyone has; and mine at the moment won't even go into semi auto for some reason at the moment just keeps flashing 3 lines on the display instead of A or N or R. does anyone know why?

I am from Belgium. I just bought this car for couples of months, it's true leaking on the passenger window, but it was fixed by my garage.

The only problem I had is the gear shifting; it's a bit crap.. but I always get the eye if I drive on the city. I love it.