Anyone got a Smart car?

[boognish76]

I'm thinking of getting a Smart cabrio - drove one on holiday recently and it was more fun than a barrel of monkeys! Does anyone have one and can tell me if they've had any problems with them or things to look out for? No comments on how ugly they are please - I've heard them all already!

[woodpam]

Cute aren't they - and great to drive. I saw one on the A1 a couple of weeks ago get a tap from a lorry and almost go into orbit, so I'd investigate the safety angle a bit. I also saw one doing some very impressive figure skating on the same road in the snow recently and end up in the railings of a bridge. It may well just be coincidence though.

[sft42]

As you say great fun to drive but like mini's the fun disappears on the Motorway if you drive them for any legth of time at speed they become very tiring..cheap insurance and repairs, you can get very funky and replace the body panels very easily...but and it's a big but as woodpam says they just ain't safe....take a look at the front and rear overhang and how close esp. the rear passengers would be to any other vehicles in event of a collision and no matter how safe a driver you are the person behind ain't always looking out for you.

[boognish76]

Thanks for the replies. I've done some research into safety and apparently they are prone to skidding and side winds, although wider wheels can help this. Should I get into an accident in one they score very well on the EruoNCAP crash test - a lot better than many bigger cars. The solid Tridion frame protects the driver and passender and the vinyl panels are designed to crumple to absorb impacts. bearing in mind that you take your live into your (and other drivers) hands every time you get into ANY car, I'm quite happy with the Smart's safety features.