need some info for purchasing

[smartdustin]

Hey, I'm looking into getting a passion coupe. I've learned from past motorcycle purchases that I should read alot of forums to really learn about a vehicle before I buy one. After reading these like crazy, I've learned a few problems that smarts have come up with.
-having to pump oil out for an oil change (older models, but not sure how much older)
-jerky gear changing, but the software is upgradeable i think (is it free upgrade)
-locks seem to jam. Is this also with older models or random ones just have problems?
-I've seen the model numbers 450 and 451 but cant seem to find the main difference other than tail light and door handle shapes.
-Do smart dealerships haggle their prices?
-smarts don't have power steering without buying the electronic power steering upgrade? it seems obvious, but its 2010. you'd think all vehicles would have it.

Thanks!!

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by smartdustin

Hey, I'm looking into getting a passion coupe. I've learned from past motorcycle purchases that I should read alot of forums to really learn about a vehicle before I buy one. After reading these like crazy, I've learned a few problems that smarts have come up with.
-having to pump oil out for an oil change (older models, but not sure how much older)
-jerky gear changing, but the software is upgradeable i think (is it free upgrade)
-locks seem to jam. Is this also with older models or random ones just have problems?
-I've seen the model numbers 450 and 451 but cant seem to find the main difference other than tail light and door handle shapes.
-Do smart dealerships haggle their prices?
-smarts don't have power steering without buying the electronic power steering upgrade? it seems obvious, but its 2010. you'd think all vehicles would have it.

Thanks!!

First... welcome

1. 99% chance you'll buy a 451.... this is any smart made in 2008 or later. Prior to 2007 you could buy a "grey market" 450 but they weren't common.

2. 451's have an oil pan and a drain plug... just like a normal car... you can even do it yourself in your garage without a jack... it's that easy.

3. The trans is what it is.... that being said, if you drive it properly it's not that big of an issue...

4. Locks... random thing.... don't worry about it.

5. Dealerships.... they range all over the place... some haggle, some don't... there's no logic to it

6. Power Steering.... My car doesn't have it and as long as your over 10mph you really won't notice it... that being said, I'll have it on my next smart.



Just for credibility sake I have over 65k miles on my smart as of today.

[smartdustin]

Perfect. Thats all the info I need!

[John_H]

How many motorcycles in this day and age don't come with power steering?

The only way to get real support for the car is tho get the newer version sold and serviced through US Smart Centers: the 451. You might have troubles registering an older smart; I forget any experience Texans have shared on registering 450s.

Do you know why the transmission is a bit jerky? It's a manual transmission without a user-controlled clutch. It can be driven in automated mode such that it operates like a PRNDL automatic but at its core it's a manual transmission with an electric clutch controlled by the computer. It saves gas and if you know how a manual drives, it's fine.

[smartdustin]

all motorcycles have power steering. My arms are plenty powerful enough!

yeah, Ive had many manual autos and they are all jerky depending how well you change the gears. I thought it might be picky people complaining too much..

[Hedders]

It is!!!

[jimvw57]

I don't have the power steering and I don't have any problems with handling on the highways, or turning in parking lots. The car only weighs 1600 Lbs, you could just pick it up and move it.

The transmission does it's job and you do need to get used to it but it is just fine.

Never had a lock issue, Dealers are now starting to work out deals since it is a buyers market now. When you were on a waiting list to get a smart, you didn't have much of a choice.

I'd stay away from the 450 (pre-2008) as they were a smaller wheelbase, smaller motor (MB motor) vs the larger mitsubishi motor and they have a drain plug.

On my 2nd Pure, a 2008 and a 2009, 16,000 on the first, 15,000 on the second. Loved them both!!

[smartdustin]

a new question has come up.

Why are there so many used smarts with so few miles? it is either people dont think they are worth it, or want to upgrade to something else. It is actually kind of hard to find smart cars with high mileage! i find it kind of weird...but nice for someone looking into buying a used

[MikeB1]

I bought mine with 6,950 on it the day after Thanksgiving 2009. The original owners found out that they were going to have a baby 3 weeks after they took delivery in March 2009. They have a cute kid, and I have their cute car! They replaced it with a Range Rover.

[NeWave]

Originally Posted by MikeB1

They replaced it with a Range Rover.

So they replaced the 2nd most reliable car with the completely least reliable car. Nice.

Dustin, my guess would be that there are so many low mile smarts because people didn't know what they were ordering when they got it... OMG itz not smooth shiftin! I dun't like it!

Seeing that 451 smarts are only a couple years old, you're unlikely to find a high mileage smart for sale to begin with.