I'm new to this forum, but if you go to CarsForSale.com and search for Smart cars in Ohio, you'll find 3 450's for sale (2001, 2005, 2006). They look to be in pretty good shape. One has a dash photo where you can see "G&K" below the speedometer.
Three 450s for sale in Ohio
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Nice selection! I really dig the interior of that cabrio.
Some notes: The "2001" is actually in Texas, not Ohio.
That "2001" also has incorrect headlights and taillights. That car has peanut headlights and the more transparent taillights. 2001s *should* have this front end:
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The specs on the 2006 are incorrect, the seller is listing the specs for the 451.
The cabrio has silver mirrors when it should have black mirrors. While in impeccable physical condition, I would hope the PO took good care of the engine as 51k is knocking on the door of an engine rebuild.
Some notes: The "2001" is actually in Texas, not Ohio.
That "2001" also has incorrect headlights and taillights. That car has peanut headlights and the more transparent taillights. 2001s *should* have this front end:
The specs on the 2006 are incorrect, the seller is listing the specs for the 451.
The cabrio has silver mirrors when it should have black mirrors. While in impeccable physical condition, I would hope the PO took good care of the engine as 51k is knocking on the door of an engine rebuild.
Now 09 451 Passion Cabriolet Met Blue & Silver First 08 451 Passion Cabriolet Yellow & Black
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51k is Knocking on the Door of an Engine REBUILD.
I know these are early generation smart's, but why such a short engine life?
:smartje.bl.zl:
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It’s generally accepted that most 450s with the petrol engine will need an engine rebuild at least once in its life, usually around or after the 50,000-70,000 mile mark.
You’ll know your engine needs a rebuild because it’ll drink oil like a Mazda rotary then eventually begin misfiring due to low compression.
It seems to be caused by a combination of how sensitive the engine is and poor maintenance. A well maintained 450 engine shouldn’t require a rebuild, though it can still happen.
Whereas a 451 engine *could* be okay going say, 20k between an oil change (don’t ask how I know), a 450 engine will likely wear out much much faster doing something like that.
It seems like the best preventative measure is anal maintenance. Change the oil on time, change the plugs on time, don’t abuse the engine, and so on. Age may also become a factor too as these cars continue to get older. However, when buying secondhand, you don’t really know how well the PO adhered to a maintenance schedule.
You’ll know your engine needs a rebuild because it’ll drink oil like a Mazda rotary then eventually begin misfiring due to low compression.
It seems to be caused by a combination of how sensitive the engine is and poor maintenance. A well maintained 450 engine shouldn’t require a rebuild, though it can still happen.
Whereas a 451 engine *could* be okay going say, 20k between an oil change (don’t ask how I know), a 450 engine will likely wear out much much faster doing something like that.
It seems like the best preventative measure is anal maintenance. Change the oil on time, change the plugs on time, don’t abuse the engine, and so on. Age may also become a factor too as these cars continue to get older. However, when buying secondhand, you don’t really know how well the PO adhered to a maintenance schedule.
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599 cc smart gasoline Suprex gasoline engines were very short lived; however by 2003 the 698 cc gasser was introduced and with normal maintenance and care these should easily see the far side of 100,00 miles without issue. All G&K cars that I have heard of have the 698.
The 799 cc diesels were more "normal" for lifespan, with 150,000 miles + being easily achievable unless you got unlucky with a bad batch of oil pump drive sprockets.
The 799 cc diesels were more "normal" for lifespan, with 150,000 miles + being easily achievable unless you got unlucky with a bad batch of oil pump drive sprockets.
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