[SkippyThorson]

Good morning all, I’ve been following a used 2008 Smart on the faceplace marketspace for a little while, and the price keeps dropping because few people in Upstate NY want these cars, and even fewer want to open up a can of worms working on them.

I, however, like a challenge if the reward makes sense. It’s a 2008 Cabrio with… 149k miles. In great shape, but the listing states it starts and turns over but doesn’t run because it needs a crankshaft position sensor. “Only $2,000.” Hm…

Everything I’ve seen puts this relatively easy part on the bottom of the engine and it’s almost plug and play. What’s the consensus on whether or not this is an easy fix, worth it, or if the mileage and age means it’s someone else’s headache?

 

[gtdump]

I like a good project, but past experience has been that whatever the owner reports might be valid, but is just as likely to not be. Where money is concerned, trust only what you can prove and assume the worst for everything else. "It ran when I parked it"

IMO, the Smarts are at the point where a non-runner that needs work isn't very valuable unless you intend to strip it or know the repair is inexpensive. A lot of times you're going to pay shipping from the EU for miscellaneous bits and that an drive the cost of repairs up quickly. 150k miles is often not too many, my SL1 I retired when I got my Smart was around 300k and my 2008 Smart has I think 120k? Maybe more?

For me it all boils down to cost. If it's not running and I can't drive it away, that cost is going to be very, very low.

 

[Bob Ricewasser]

Good morning all, I’ve been following a used 2008 Smart on the faceplace marketspace for a little while, and the price keeps dropping because few people in Upstate NY want these cars, and even fewer want to open up a can of worms working on them.

I, however, like a challenge if the reward makes sense. It’s a 2008 Cabrio with… 149k miles. In great shape, but the listing states it starts and turns over but doesn’t run because it needs a crankshaft position sensor. “Only $2,000.” Hm…

Everything I’ve seen puts this relatively easy part on the bottom of the engine and it’s almost plug and play. What’s the consensus on whether or not this is an easy fix, worth it, or if the mileage and age means it’s someone else’s headache?

If the car only needs a crank position sensor, I would think the seller would change this part as it is not too expensive and available at your local auto parts store.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

I saw that listing too and I briefly considered a rescue operation.

It's just...ehhhhhh. I get why someone would just dump the car and move on. I've sold cars and motorcycles with simple to repair issues. In those days, I didn't believe in myself enough to fix even small things. Dark times.

But this? I don't know, it seems too easy. Like, it can't be just a CPS.

 

[SkippyThorson]

I saw that listing too and I briefly considered a rescue operation.

It's just...ehhhhhh. I get why someone would just dump the car and move on. I've sold cars and motorcycles with simple to repair issues. In those days, I didn't believe in myself enough to fix even small things. Dark times.

But this? I don't know, it seems too easy. Like, it can't be just a CPS.

No way, same ad as the one I mentioned!? There’s a little more than meets the eye to this car. Seems too easy, right?! If it’s too good to be true…

One other clue was the bubbling rust on the leading corner of the bar above the driver door. These things are powder coated. They don’t just chip and rust like that. In fact, I’ve never seen a Smart with rust on the Tridion (or those Cabrio bars) - it had to be damaged or just dropped.

I asked about water in the hatch, and the current owner said “probably a little, it’s an old car”… I’ll humor a look and toss out a lowball offer but walk otherwise. This owner indicated she wasn’t bailing out her son in car repair. The previous owner seemed to give up on both the car and replying to me.

Could be easy. Probably isn’t. Haha

 

[Miss Mercedes]

No way, same ad as the one I mentioned!? There’s a little more than meets the eye to this car. Seems too easy, right?! If it’s too good to be true…

One other clue was the bubbling rust on the leading corner of the bar above the driver door. These things are powder coated. They don’t just chip and rust like that. In fact, I’ve never seen a Smart with rust on the Tridion (or those Cabrio bars) - it had to be damaged or just dropped.

I asked about water in the hatch, and the current owner said “probably a little, it’s an old car”… I’ll humor a look and toss out a lowball offer but walk otherwise. This owner indicated she wasn’t bailing out her son in car repair. The previous owner seemed to give up on both the car and replying to me.

Could be easy. Probably isn’t. Haha

Oh yes! I'm always on the search for a special Smart, and lately I've been looking to swap my 2008 coupe for a cabrio. Because I love a good road trip, my search radius is the whole country. The wife sent me the ad, asking me if I would want to save it.

That would be the third cabrio I've seen with rust on the roof bars. One was a 30k mile 2005 that I used to have and the other is a 150k 2013 that just went up for sale locally. Maybe water is somehow collecting in the rails?

 

[vadsoom]

I’m planning to have a look at this one with Xentry to get the scoop.

 

[SkippyThorson]

It did finally sell. I passed on it and found a different project for this year. Anyone here scoop it up?

 

[vadsoom]

I was sold before I could get a look.

Anyone else?