The way forward (Smart & Passion)

Member Name: Mike&Dani

Product:	Smart & Passion
Date:	29/03/01 (219 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb value and running costs

Disadvantages: Small fuel tank; if commuting

We were amongst the first buyers of a Smart Car officially imported by Smart Car UK through the Birmingham dealership. Though many people have either imported privately or bought through a dealer who has privately imported. See www.thesmartclub.co.uk for a map of ownership (registered owners).
We have a 2001 Passion model purchased just before Christmas 2000.
It was purchased as a second car, primarily for my partner (Dani) to use for travelling to and from work. A perfect 'city' of course, but don't discount it for that, if like us you are not city people. I love to use it whenever I can especially for local runs, preferring it to my Volvo V40, this car is relagated to runs to the tip or DIY stores. Dani has recently taken a job 45 miles from home and commutes each way daily. She would have been the first one to say commuting was not for her, and that she wouldn't be able to cope with left-hand drive, but she has no issue with either point now, thanks to the Smart and has clocked up 7,000 miles already (March 2001).

These cars are unbelievable value-for-money, starting at £5,400.00 and when they finally are avai;able in right-hand drive they will sell like hot cakes, I'm sure of it. But don't let left-hand drive put you off trying one, nip down to a showroom and test drive one; but don't go if you don't really want to buy one, because I'll bet you will if you do!
N.B. Cross the Channel by Hoverspeed for the same price as a motorbike and two people i.e. as much as half price. This has officially been negociated by Smart.

LATEST - We had to phone SmartMove Assist (Breakdown Service). We didn't actually breakdown but the 'Check Engine' warning light came on, in the dashboard. So we called SmartMove, they sent out a recovery vehicle, took our car to the Birmingham Smart dealer (120 miles away), sent us a hire car, a Vauxhall Corsa :( , fixed the problem and returned our car by transporter. r>The only downer was it took from Thursday morning until Tuesday night, but all at Smart's expense. This was due only to the fact that the dealer was so busy and could not get to look at our car until the Tuesday.

LATEST - Same problem re-occured, the car was with them for 10 days as they had difficulty tracing the fault, then getting the new part (computer stuff)??

LATEST - The problem was rectified with a new Engine Management 'thingy' chip. Ran beautifully ever since. 10,000 miles done since Christmas 2000. My faith restored - Go and buy one now, you won't regret it!