[Eljay]

After some searching for a new-ish 451 w/ low miles, I picked up a 2014 Cabriolet in really good condition with 23K miles for well below my max budget, so happy and felt like I got a killer deal. However, this is my first Smart so I really don't know much them, and going in my only real deal-breaker requirement was that it didn't have a ton of miles and it was a 451 so I could install a hitch bike rack.

I wasn't overly concerned with all the features it didn't have, so when looking at it I was paying so much attention to things like the good condition of the engine, tires, body, upholstery, clean title and maintenance record, leather heated seats, nice aftermarket stereo w/ BT, etc. that I didn't even notice until after I bought it that it doesn't have a glovebox. I was sure that other models I had looked at had one, so I started searching on this forum and discovered that I probably bought a Car2Go model. I am still happy with what I got, but I will admit it is strange to not have a glovebox - just somewhere to store registration, insurance, maintenance records, tire gauge, etc.

I also realize that I am so used to backup cameras that not having one even in such a small and easy to maneuver car feels strange. I'll see if I get used to that after driving w/out for a while. It also doesn't have cruise control, sunroof or convertible roof, but to me those are only a minor drawback as I don't think I'd use them that much with this car. I'm also not too concerned about the ugly rims.

I would be curious if anybody has a creative solution for something that could function like a glove box in the empty cavity where the glove box usually is? It is about 13"W x 6"H x 5"D but of course a curved, not square shape so a bit awkward to just stick a box in there. Thanks!

 

[smark]

You can buy, the glove box door, on eBay. Do a search on line, lots of them for sale too.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

After some searching for a new-ish 451 w/ low miles, I picked up a 2014 Cabriolet in really good condition with 23K miles for well below my max budget, so happy and felt like I got a killer deal. However, this is my first Smart so I really don't know much them, and going in my only real deal-breaker requirement was that it didn't have a ton of miles and it was a 451 so I could install a hitch bike rack.

I wasn't overly concerned with all the features it didn't have, so when looking at it I was paying so much attention to things like the good condition of the engine, tires, body, upholstery, clean title and maintenance record, leather heated seats, nice aftermarket stereo w/ BT, etc. that I didn't even notice until after I bought it that it doesn't have a glovebox. I was sure that other models I had looked at had one, so I started searching on this forum and discovered that I probably bought a Car2Go model. I am still happy with what I got, but I will admit it is strange to not have a glovebox - just somewhere to store registration, insurance, maintenance records, tire gauge, etc.

I also realize that I am so used to backup cameras that not having one even in such a small and easy to maneuver car feels strange. I'll see if I get used to that after driving w/out for a while. It also doesn't have cruise control, sunroof or convertible roof, but to me those are only a minor drawback as I don't think I'd use them that much with this car. I'm also not too concerned about the ugly rims.

I would be curious if anybody has a creative solution for something that could function like a glove box in the empty cavity where the glove box usually is? It is about 13"W x 6"H x 5"D but of course a curved, not square shape so a bit awkward to just stick a box in there. Thanks!

You confused me when you posted that you bought a '2014 cabriolet" which is a convertible. Then you go on to say 'also doesn't have cruise control, sunroof or convertible roof' hmmm.
Then I see you bought car to go 451.

 

[ca smartone]

Coupe, not a Cabrio...

 

[smark]

To the Op, you must have bought a 451 smart car Pure, with no options on it. Does it have crank windows, no radio, any wheel covers, and minus a glove box door. The very basic smart car. Your car does have heated seats, and a aftermarket radio.

If you change out your radio, to a touch screen double din. You could install a reverse camera. Gain Apple car play and Android auto.

I’ve seen 2 basic cars similar like that. Our large shopping mall had 2 of them, to patrol the mall parking lot. The only option on them, were a yellow flashing light on the roof.

I wonder, if the blue Tridon, was a wrap on the car 2 go, vehicles.

 

[Eljay]

Thanks for correcting me about the model - as I said I don't know much about these cars - the guy listed it as cabriolet so that's where I got that from, but clearly he was wrong - I will look up the exact model via the VIN but sounds like a version of the Pure? It does have power windows, heated leather seats, and aftermarket stereo. The guy said it had power steering and it is easy to steer, but I'm questioning that now because he was wrong about the cabriolet part. Either way, I'm pretty happy with how it drives.

 

[Eljay]

You can buy, the glove box door, on eBay. Do a search on line, lots of them for sale too.

View attachment 68214

This would be great if all I need to do is buy this and pop it in, but there was another thread where somebody said it would not fit and the entire dash would need to be changed out? Post #9 here:

No Glove Compartment

I just sold my 2009 Smart and bought a 2015 model. It's great, but I noticed that in place of the glove compartment, there is just an open cavity. I used the glove box for registration, phone cables, tire gauges, earphones, and a variety of other things. Has this bothered anyone else and what...

www.smartcarofamerica.com

 

[Eljay]

If you change out your radio, to a touch screen double din. You could install a reverse camera. Gain Apple car play and Android auto.

This would be really nice and would love to do this. I started looking at doing this and instantly got overwhelmed with information overflow from the internet rabbit hole (some contradictory) and I am pretty handy with stuff like this since I have installed many car stereos a long time ago and have built out a camper van.

I was even having a hard time figuring out which model would fit since the dashboards seem to look very different on different models.

 

[1983JZR3W]

Turn your key on, but do not start. If you have electronic power steering, a steering wheel icon will appear on the right side of the speedometer. Do you have the box for the glove compartment in place? I thought the basic Pure had the glovebox, but not the door. I could easily be wrong, though. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[1983JZR3W]

You have the updated 451. You can easily tell by the round A/C vents on the ends of the dash.

 

[Eljay]

You have the updated 451. You can easily tell by the round A/C vents on the ends of the dash.

Thanks for the info - are you aware a resource that details what distinguishes the "updated 451" - maybe that will help me figure this out - I did a search and all I found was info about the 453. Thanks!

 

[1983JZR3W]

The updated 451 has a protruding surround around the grille. The lower front valance is slightly different than the earlier model. The a/c vents are round on the ends of the dash, and I think the rear valance is slightly different in design. My car is a 2009 (early 451), so I am not sure of any other changes. I am sure a later model 451 owner will chime in soon to offer better info.

 

[Jossejagguar]

Hi there. My car is an ex-Car2go 2013 pure, also came w/o glove box door. Mine didn't come with heated seats, I don't know why some cars came with it and others didn't. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Welcome! To clear up some confusion here.

Your car is a former Car2Go rental. These cars weren't quite Passions nor were they truly Pures, either. They had Pure features like steel wheels, gray lower valences and the textured solid roof, but Passion options like leather seats and a touchscreen headunit. Car2Go must have determined leather to be better for rental service. Unique to the Car2Go units is the lack of a glovebox.

2008 - 2015 is the model year range for the second-generation gas-powered Fortwo in America.

They received their first facelift in 2011 with new colors, a new interior, and the addition of four airbags for a total of eight (six for convertibles). A second facelift came in 2012 with those new colors getting painted on the lower valences for Passion models. The 2012 model year also saw the factory warranty get doubled. The third facelift came in 2013 and it gave the Fortwo a new face, new bumpers and the formula for the Passion's panoramic roof was supposedly improved to reduce crazing. Jossejagguar's car above is what the 2013 facelift looks like. Here's what they were like in 2012:

Good news is that installing an OEM glovebox door isn't nearly as hard as it sounds. Someone discovered that you can simply bolt the new door in place without taking apart the dashboard. I'll see if I can find that post somewhere. You'll have unsightly self-tapping screws in your glovebox, but way easier than taking the dash apart.

 

[Eljay]

Welcome! To clear up some confusion here.

Your car is a former Car2Go rental. These cars weren't quite Passions nor were they truly Pures, either. They had Pure features like steel wheels, gray lower valences and the textured solid roof, but Passion options like leather seats and a touchscreen headunit. Car2Go must have determined leather to be better for rental service. Unique to the Car2Go units is the lack of a glovebox.

Good news is that installing an OEM glovebox door isn't nearly as hard as it sounds. Someone discovered that you can simply bolt the new door in place without taking apart the dashboard. I'll see if I can find that post somewhere. You'll have unsightly self-tapping screws in your glovebox, but way easier than taking the dash apart.

Great info and very informative thank you! If you could find the post for the easy-ish glovebox install that would be greatly appreciated! I will try to hunt it down as well. The self-tapping screws don't bother me as long as they will hold. Thanks again!

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Here you go! I swear the post had pictures before, but they aren't showing for me.

Dealer trying to screw me over a Glove Box

I have an ex car2go without a glove box and thought it was a major job to remove the dash to get one in. Am I wrong in that thinking? I would think the OP's dealer found out that it isn't as easy to install as they thought.... Where'd you end up picking up an ex c2go car? I've scoured around...

www.smartcarofamerica.com

 

[colin25]

In the UK lower models, Pure and some Passions, came without glove box (450 and 451), I had to buy mine on Ebay and fit it. No big deal as it only takes a few minutes to fit. Also for your interest, here in the UK most 451's came without power steering, as it was a cost option on all models, so we think roughly only 5% of 451's here had power steering.

 

[Jossejagguar]

In the UK lower models, Pure and some Passions, came without glove box (450 and 451), I had to buy mine on Ebay and fit it. No big deal as it only takes a few minutes to fit. Also for your interest, here in the UK most 451's came without power steering, as it was a cost option on all models, so we think roughly only 5% of 451's here had power steering.

Then I was lucky my smartie came with power steering and power windows. I remember seeing three pures that were offered with heated seats at Chicago in 2018, but when I got to the dealer one person already bought 2 and another got the last one. Never felt so disappointed, i watched the 3 cars being cleaned up for their new owners. I was drooling because I never got that close to a smartie and there were 3 😭. Next day I found my Mouse, he had less miles than the others, but he was 2 years older than the three from Chicago, and didn't come with heated seats. I called a Lift and headed to that dealer before someone else got him first. He may not have heated seats but I love my little car, he's awesome. 😀🙂

 

[Eljay]

Here you go! I swear the post had pictures before, but they aren't showing for me.

Dealer trying to screw me over a Glove Box

I have an ex car2go without a glove box and thought it was a major job to remove the dash to get one in. Am I wrong in that thinking? I would think the OP's dealer found out that it isn't as easy to install as they thought.... Where'd you end up picking up an ex c2go car? I've scoured around...

www.smartcarofamerica.com

Thank you!

 

[skitime2]

Just to chime in one the car2go thing. We got a 2015 and using it behind the RV, it’s a great tow car! I’m wondering if I can just cut the wire to the gps round thing under the rear view mirror?