The Oppo brief review of a Smart Roadster

"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
05/02/2018 at 15:26 • Filed to: Smart Roadster

Not this one but just like it.

I’d have preferred the coupé (little hatchback) but they were more expensive new and less common.

The vendor is a retired man of 75, which he didn’t look but that would probably be down to his habit of cycling 20 miles most mornings. Was originally his wife’s, but she now has a bad back (she looks fine but can’t sit, lie or stand for very long and sadly there’s usually nothing the medics can do about this) and it’s barely used. He swears it doesn’t leak (much) and has had it garaged throughout his ownership, even building a shed for the purpose.

What it has: 80 bhp (no, this isn’t a fast car), fancy heated seats, paddle gearchange, fancy leather trim, electric fabric roof.

What it hasn’t: electric mirrors, much luggage space, cupholders, connectivity, touchscreens

What it does: go quite well. You get a little gasp from the turbo during each gearchange and it feels quicker than it actually is. Seems to handle well enough and the ride comfort isn’t that bad. Strange hearing engine noise from astern. Despite the tiny size there’s plenty of room for somebody of 1.90m/6'2" once you’ve got over the hurdle of dropping down into a very low car without bashing your head on the roof. Power steering despite the lack of weight.

What’s better than many expect: automated manual ‘box. The seller didn’t like it in automatic mode and always used the paddles, which produces slow changes. I tried it in automatic and it seemed reasonable enough although it tended to hang onto gears a little longer than you’d expect.

What isn’t so good: wind noise if the wind is in an unfavourable direction. Comes with the fabric roof I’m afraid.

I haven’t actually got it yet but time will tell how it holds up in daily use.

DISCUSSION (13)

Mercedes Streeter > Cé hé sin
05/02/2018 at 15:57

I’m not sure if you’ve ever owned a convertible smart before, but if this one does have the motorized fabric roof, make sure one of the first things you do is lube the tracks the roof travels on with lithium grease. The roof will move faster, hopefully not ever get stuck, and the motor(s) will thank you later.

Ash78, voting early and often > Cé hé sin
05/02/2018 at 16:02

Sweet, I’ve had a “car crush” on this thing since about 2000. We never got them in the US, but it seems like a nice way to get into something like an MR2 for a lot less cash and hassle.

Wacko > Mercedes Streeter
05/02/2018 at 16:03

Lube is your answer for everything.

bob and john > Cé hé sin
05/02/2018 at 16:03

this needs a Motorcycle motor. NOW. Preferably a 1000

Cé hé sin > bob and john
05/02/2018 at 16:05

People do this, but I’d be surprised if they actually used them for everyday driving!

bob and john > Cé hé sin
05/02/2018 at 16:17

why not? reverse would need to be figured out...but a 1000cc motorcycle motor is made to REALLY move something.

hell, look at a goldwing motor in it. then it has Reverse in it AND a sequential 5 speed.

duurtlang > Cé hé sin
05/02/2018 at 16:28

So the FTO has finally succumbed to rust, or is about to when its inspection expires?

BLCKSTRM > Mercedes Streeter
05/02/2018 at 16:40

This is good advice for any car that isn’t brand new.

Clean off the old gray / black gunk, put on new white lithium grease (which will be gray by tomorrow).

I have a 20-year-old, 228k mile car and I open the windows and sun roof almost every time I drive it. If I notice they are slowing down at all, I open it up, clean, and re-grease everything. Never had a problem.

If you keep it properly lubed, the motors won’t burn out, and you’ll avoid having to replace anything (potentially indefinitely).

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > bob and john
05/02/2018 at 16:45

The Honda Today at the Lane has half a Gold Wing engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Today

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_E_engine#EH

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Cé hé sin
05/02/2018 at 16:45

Looks like you’ve found the best possible spec, congratulations!

Cé hé sin > duurtlang
05/02/2018 at 17:12

Not the rust so much, it was tested last year and only failed on CO which was something like 0.4% when the limit is 0.3%. New cat didn’t help.

duurtlang > Cé hé sin
05/03/2018 at 01:47

That sucks. I’m not mechanically inclined enough to understand what would cause this, but I guess it’s very difficult to solve. Otherwise you wouldn’t have retired it.

404 - User No Longer Available > bob and john
05/03/2018 at 15:10

Wasn’t there that 1.2L scaled V8 on FP?

Install that and it’s just a fire away from being a supercar.