If you could do it all over again... (Re: on buying)

[roamerdomer]

I am seriously considering reserving or purchasing a smart fortwo. This is my first time buying a new car, so I thought I would pick the brains of you cooler, more experienced car buyers. Are there any questions that you wished you had asked the dealer before you bought your car? Is there anything about your car that you would change if you could? What do you think I HAVE to know before making this decision?

Thanks!

[forestacademy]

Down south.
Get a Cabrio or a Solid roof. Not the clear Acrilic. It gets to hot.

[Smartfor2guy]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Down south.
Get a Cabrio or a Solid roof. Not the clear Acrilic. It gets to hot.

Just get the insulating roof panel from smart madness. Problem solved for summer. Winter time, take it out

[fpage77]

I regret not waiting 3 more months for my configured vehicle but my orphan is fine. I just would say if you may want to think real hard about buying a orphan if you come across one. I was mesmerized when I got to dealer and they had so many. I took the base passion because it was in Rally Red and do to some degree feel I am missing out on power steering, premium stereo, and security system like I had configured. I did get the car 3 months early though maybe my list of regrets will help you deciding what to configure. The security system can't be added by the smart center FYI.

[mvaldes]

Be sure to get all the options you even vaguely think you want. They're really pretty inexpensive when ordered with the car and are considerably more expensive to add later. IMHO, I don't think there's an option offered that isn't worth ordering.

[gbryers]

I agree - the panorama roof does not necessarily equate to living in a greenhouse - the shade has proven to be adequate (with the A/C on), and if we get another record-setter this summer, I will probably put an insulating panel in place.

Things you need to do or consider before buying a smart:

1. How often do you NEED to carry more than one additional person?
2. How often do you NEED to carry large amounts of packages/luggage?
3. (Assuming you are a relatively young male) How secure are you in your manhood? (I have heard a LOT of young guys express doubt about being able to show their faces around their friends - they think the smart two whimpy or something. Trust me, it isn't)
4. How big a budget do you have? They start in-expensive, and even the fully-loaded Cabrio isn't all THAT expensive, compared to the starting point of a lot of cars.
5. How interested are you in "improving" your car? (Like, do you want to make this a project, or just drive it as-is?)
6. Do you like to talk to strangers (perfect or otherwise)?
7. Can you answer perfectly inane questions with a straight face, when necessary? (Like, as you are filling the tank at the gas station, someone walks up and asks if it is electric)
8. Does the thought of being able to do a u-turn instead of a k-turn excite you?


If you like it, and can afford it, IMHO buy it.

[burtandnancy]

On my '08 the solid roof wasn't offered, so I need to use the shield. I wish I had ordered the fog lights, only for their look, power seats, cruise control, the 115 hp gas motor and train horn...

[mfoster]

There are times when you wished you had room for one more. We have two loaded Passion coupes. My wife goes off to work one way and I go another. We do have to take care of the grand kids from time to time and we have a CRV to do that. I did enough research on this forum to probably satisfy any question I could think of.

[theguywiththelongestname]

be sure you ask about and understand the details of the extended warranty before you sign up for it. it's not for everyone. i bought it, i thought it seemed like a good deal for my situation.

some things you might want to consider as options:

1. heated leather seats
2. clock/ tach pods
3. fog lights
4. smart radio/cd 10 with the extra speakers
5. a/c

i have the sun/moon/panoramic roof. it gets a little toasty out here in the Mojave Desert, but I think the smart a/c works admirably.
so far, heat from the panoramic roof has been no problem for me.

[dingos]

Heated leather seat's are the best I have ever had in a car! All 65plus I have owned over the years! (I trade often, I'm in the auto industry so I alway's come across a deal.) Clock Tach, spend the money, the tach is worth it. The Green house SUCKS! Smart madness and get the insulator, problem solved.
A/C is a must for resale alone! You will recoup the investment, trust me on that one!
Fog light's for styl'n other than that, you can get a functional set-up aftermarket and a little DIY.
Power steering is nice
Padal shifter's I could careless, it's cool and all, but I only use them when the fog of red comes over my eye's with people hovering in the fast lane and swerv'n at me so they can Paparat'z my arse drive'n down the interstate...Sorry about that I was just thinking about the drive today.....well every freak'n day!!LOL