Work-Horse (Smart CDI)

Member Name: Tim Pearce

Product:	Smart CDI
Date:	30/03/01 (558 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Size and Economy

Disadvantages: Cross Winds

I bought my "Hello-Yellow" CDI in October 2000 because I was fed up of filling my V6 ford with £55 worth of fuel two or three times each week. It replaced the Mondeo Ghia X Estate which I had owned for three years and was my work horse. I was a bit of a risk because I regularly travel 25000 miles each year running my own consultancy business but I was impressed by the test drive and my wife thought that the visibilty from the passenger seat was excellent - so I took the plunge. My first comment is about the size inside the vehicle. This truly is a two seater and therefore the manufactureres have not had to squeeze the interior at all. It feels bigger than the Ford and certainly has as much if not more leg room in the passenger seat. The heating is sufficient but does take quite a long time to warm up on a cold winter's morning. Mine is left hand drive (as they all are at the date of this report) but I have found that no disadvantage at all (unless I am speaking to an entry phone in a car park). All my business luggage fits easily in the back (Three flight briefcases and my own personal "suiter") and I recently took my Daughter-in-law to heathrow with Two 22 Kilo cases, all hand baggage (and the two of us as well)all comfortably stacked in the car.
On the road it is quite amazing. I often exceed the national speed limit on british motorways (just to keep up with the rest of the cars)and at 85 mph the engine does not seem under any strai at all. My longest journey (Bristol - Glasgow - Bristol) proved that the economy figures given out by the makers were a bit on the ambitious side but I do get 65-70 MPG all round which can't be bad. If you are thinking of buying one remember that you can't take friends out for the week-end in it so it probably will be a second car but you will be able to park it anywhere you like (legally of course) and it will become the talk of all you friends.
PS - I have just had mine serviced at smart - Bi
rmingham - and they were brilliant - couldn't be more helpful - and serve a mean cup of coffee.
Have Fun

Summary: