Smart Car Reliability

[EddieAnton]

Can't wait to get my Smart Passion four two. I test drove it and am an love with this car, not because it's good on gas or not to expensive, just because it is a cool fun to drive car.

Does anyone know how reliable the smart is after 50 60, 70k miles.
Does anyone have a smart with high mileage on this forum? If so has the car been good to you? have you needed major repairs? Has the Smart ever left you stranded?

Thanks
Eddie

[rawlus®]

it's a first-year model so reliability will be a bit of a question-mark. as will long term mileage reports. until parts become widely available beyond just smart dealers, who themselves are having parts issues, the possibility exists for being "stranded" as well as needing major repairs. that is part of the risk that should be considered and assumed if you want to be an early adopter.

those looking for the ultimate reliability should be looking towards years-proven platforms with long-standing reliability, support, etc.

[EddieAnton]

How about the people in Canada and Europe who have been driving the Smart for a fews years, How is the reliability of your Smart?

[WickedMessenger]

Unfortunately, the US model is not the same. It has a different engine, more horsepower, worse fuel economy, and a longer body. They redesigned the car, although it looks much the same as the European and canadian smarts. There is no comparison with what's already out there.

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by EddieAnton

How about the people in Canada and Europe who have been driving the Smart for a fews years, How is the reliability of your Smart?

Defining reliability in the Smart car is a mater of how little you can live with for the adventure of owning such an unusual, attention grabbing car.

There are not many dealers yet and if you break down you may wait hours to be towed in, only to find the dealer must order the parts.

Most of the cars out in Europe and Canada were CDIs. The Gas MB model was prone to failure. Our NA 451 is a much different car so no track record as yet.

That all said, we have just rolled up 10.2k on the ode, and can easily live with the problems we have encountered. A2Jack.

[JPaul]

Reminder: according to a Daimler press release dated April 3, 2008, 100.000 451 have been delivered so far. Granted, not all of them with the same engine, nor with the same shifter box... Nonetheless, it has been in production for a while!

[letsgoskatepool]

The car has been fairly good to me, but yes it has left me stranded. That said, it was handled quite well by Penske and I was home safe with no problem.

[EddieAnton]

Originally Posted by letsgoskatepool

The car has been fairly good to me, but yes it has left me stranded. That said, it was handled quite well by Penske and I was home safe with no problem.

How did it leave you stranded??

Eddie

[letsgoskatepool]

something in the shifter went out. Its my only major gripe with the smart, the lameness of the transmission. They should have stuck with the tried and true stick shift.

[EddieAnton]

Originally Posted by letsgoskatepool

something in the shifter went out. Its my only major gripe with the smart, the lameness of the transmission. They should have stuck with the tried and true stick shift.

Was it repaired under warranty in a timely manor