[mnsamson]

Hello SCOA!

I'm currently shopping for a "C" car and I've come across a 2013 ForTwo Pure (gas engine) with AC, Electric Windows and Doors and only 33k KM. The price seems right at 7990 CDN if I compare to other offerings in my area.

My main concerns are:
- Reliability: What can I expect from this car? What are known, recurring issues?
- Winter driving: We're talking about Montreal, Canada winter driving here. How does it handle? My 16 year old inexperienced son will be driving it as well.
- Maintenance: How much does a typical brake job cost, oil change..? I would assume that synthetic oil is preferred? Does Premium gas make a difference in this car?

Any thing else I should know?

Otherwise, I really like this car and would vary much like to have it in my driveway if it makes sense.

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

 

[Niteshooter]

Hello SCOA!

I'm currently shopping for a "C" car and I've come across a 2013 ForTwo Pure (gas engine) with AC, Electric Windows and Doors and only 33k KM. The price seems right at 7990 CDN if I compare to other offerings in my area.

My main concerns are:
- Reliability: What can I expect from this car? What are known, recurring issues?
- Winter driving: We're talking about Montreal, Canada winter driving here. How does it handle? My 16 year old inexperienced son will be driving it as well.
- Maintenance: How much does a typical brake job cost, oil change..? I would assume that synthetic oil is preferred? Does Premium gas make a difference in this car?

Any thing else I should know?

Otherwise, I really like this car and would vary much like to have it in my driveway if it makes sense.

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

I'm new to owning a smart but from my research I would say if you can do some of your own work and not have to go through the dealer cost wise is pretty much on par with most cars. Parts can be slightly higher depending on where you shop. For example I just purchased new pads and rotors for mine, priced out the parts through NAPA, Canadian Tire and germanparts.ca which is a mail order and retail store down here in Toronto. The online parts were on par cost wise and of better quality than what I could buy from the other two. Since I do my own repairs such as brakes not sure of the cost but in terms of the actual labour there are no special issues with smarts vs any other car brakes from what I can see so my local shop would likely charge the same as what they do for our other cars.

Oh and the air and cabin air filters were a lot cheaper through germanparts.ca plus they do a flat rate shipping charge so if you are buying heavy stuff like rotors or drums this is a good deal.

Oil, I picked up from Parts Source (Canadian Tire) as the recommended oil is 0w 40 Mobile 1 and it was on sale. Oil filter was just a Fram from CT on sale. I have a local garage that does all the work on our cars including my 'new' smart, I have not had to do anything computer related and perhaps that might be where things get expensive if you have to go to a dealer. The oil change with my parts supplied was $20 for the labour.

It is recommended to run premium, so far that is the only thing I have used.

I have a Brabus which I haven't considered winter driving but with good snow tires and with all the weight of the motor over the rear wheels I don't think it would be much of a problem. You folks do get more snow then we do, I suppose if you do get stuck the car is a lot lighter to push!

 

[jimvw57]

Take a look at the clearance under the car. If you get a foot of snow, plan on staying home until the roads get cleared. Owned my smart for 9 years and only got stuck twice, both times were due to ice, but I am realistic about snow depth. If it is as high as the bumper I drive something else or stay home. otherwise I park outside, on the street, and drive every day 4+ miles each way to work and back.No more problems than any other car or truck I have owned. It is mostly what kind of fun you want to have when you drive.

You will want to use premium fuel for best performance and economy, and change to wider front rims with same size tires front and rear. Handles better and less wind buffeting.

 

[BMercer94]

I'm just through the majority of my first Canadian winter with my Smart. I got stuck once. Slush on a steep hill. Other than that it was no different than my Hyundai accent. Definitely a rough ride if the plows don't clear the road. In Newfoundland there's typically a lovely washboard surface over the road. Combining that with the short wheelbase made for a hellish ride. It got where I wanted it to, just not smoothly.

For my winter tires, I'm running stock sizes, champiro winterpro. They work.

I haven't had the pleasure of trying my 17" yet.

The car runs better and more economically on 91OCT or higher.

The vehicle also has synthetic oil direct from manufacturer(1yr/15,000km service). Personally I'll be keeping it that way.

Sent from my STV100-1 using Tapatalk

 

[Niteshooter]

I'm just through the majority of my first Canadian winter with my Smart. I got stuck once. Slush on a steep hill. Other than that it was no different than my Hyundai accent. Definitely a rough ride if the plows don't clear the road. In Newfoundland there's typically a lovely washboard surface over the road. Combining that with the short wheelbase made for a hellish ride. It got where I wanted it to, just not smoothly.

For my winter tires, I'm running stock sizes, champiro winterpro. They work.

I haven't had the pleasure of trying my 17" yet.

The car runs better and more economically on 91OCT or higher.

The vehicle also has synthetic oil direct from manufacturer(1yr/15,000km service). Personally I'll be keeping it that way.

Sent from my STV100-1 using Tapatalk

Hi, Glenn from clubsmartcar is down your end of the world for the curling tournament. Not sure what part of Newfoundland you are in but if you are around St John's he's zipping around in his diesel smart.

The trip to Newfoundland! - Page 2 - General Discussions - Club smart Car

 

[BMercer94]

Hi, Glenn from clubsmartcar is down your end of the world for the curling tournament. Not sure what part of Newfoundland you are in but if you are around St John's he's zipping around in his diesel smart.

The trip to Newfoundland! - Page 2 - General Discussions - Club smart Car

I'm not in the city, although that is where I got stuck

Sent from my STV100-1 using Tapatalk

 

[Niteshooter]

I'm not in the city, although that is where I got stuck

Sent from my STV100-1 using Tapatalk

Figures eh! Have friends who lived down on the Avalon around Fermuse.

 

[BUBBIE]

SNOW... ? ? ?

On Gas:
I would Not run Less than 91 octane in my 2010 for two pure. ALSO I keep the rpm's up a little as I like to shift the car... Keeping in D, my thinking it Lugs the engine more than I Like to Hear... Shifting to a lower gear at times make Me feel good Too...

Snow is a Novelty Down here, maybe a Skiff in the winter lasting a few hours...

I am in SE corner of AZ. USA...

I have A couple of Canucks coming down from Manitoba as I write this... Wed shows a good weather day for their driving here... Taking their time, arrival plan sunday... Staying a full month in a rented condo, our Warmth Does Spoil Them...

Ron n Kim have two 09 Harley softails that they tow behind a 4 wheel truck. Spacious Deluxe MC trailer with room for Lots more than he brings... LOL.... he does Load up on things while Down Here tho.. eh
I Did tell him, a Smart Car would fit Nicely with the bikes in that trailer Too... He's Thinking...

This being their 3 year visit from that Frozen North...

Calling me one day, saying "I see your weather is 60*.
Are you going for a ride on your Harley today?"

Nope I replied, Tomorrow shows 70* then I'll go out...

Ron says, You know it is 60* here TOO... That is 60* Below "0"... Lol...

Good people and Canadians To-Boot...eh

Good luck on your Smart Cars I DO love mine and drive it Often... Well, Not as often as the Harley...

signed....BUBBIE

 

[mnsamson]

Well... after all this...

I'm getting it... Very much looking forward to go-karting around in the Smart!
Thank you all very much for your input!!

But please don't stop if you have more to say!!