Item: Used Smart Roadster 2003 - 2006
Rating: 2
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

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Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.

It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.

Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.

SMART

ROADSTER

It's a fun car to own, but you'll lose out when you come to sell it

Used Smart Roadster 2003 - 2006

These cars were quite pricey when new, and Smart stopped selling the Roadster in 2007, so there aren't that many available. All in all, it adds up to a fairly expensive purchase.

This car is extremely frugal though. The basic model will give you 55mpg and the Brabus just 2mpg less. Insurance starts in group 10 and the Brabus is in group 14. The lower-specification model is the Light and is marginally cheaper to run, but you are talking about pennies rather than pounds, so really, it's better to get more bang for your bucks and opt for the Brabus.

These cars only had a two-year warranty from new, and servicing at Mercedes workshops (which often happens as Smart is part of the same group and Smart dealers are often tagged on to Mercedes outlets) is not going to be cheap. Especially as service intervals are every 9000 miles.

It's a fun car to own, but you'll lose out when you come to sell it

It's a false economy to opt for a left-hand-drive model, so give these versions a wide berth, especially early models with the 61bhp engine, which are positively gutless.

The Brabus-tuned version, with leather trim and body kit, is the smart option. This model was launched in 2004, and with the extra upgrade, you get a top speed of 119mph - and it'll take you to 60mph in 9.5s.

There is also the lesser Sport model, which has the same power output, but you get 3mph more than the base model at the top end. With that, you get wider alloys and a three-spoke steering wheel. The basic model is available in left-hand and right-hand-drive.

All models have twin airbags, a CD player, air-con, electric windows, stability control and a sequential gearbox, but side airbags are standard on the Brabus. The gearboxes on later models are more responsive, so it's worth getting as new a model as possible.

Some have leather-heated seats, which were optional - in cold British winters this could be a wise choice.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> Practicality is not essential but nice to have </li></ul>

Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.

The Mazda MX-5 embodies sports-car spirit without wearing an exotic price tag, and has deservedly gained a strong following over the years. Much newer to the scene is the mid-engined Alpine A110. It may carry a name from the past, but this potent, mid-engined sports car was designed with the very latest lightweight thinking.&nbsp;

Rounding off our shortlist, though, is a name that'll be familiar to even those to whom sports cars hold little interest. The Porsche 911 was born an icon in 1964, and the latest generation bridges the gap between sports car and supercar. Yet, somehow, it manages to preserve a distinctly civilised character.

On the body there have been some panel problems and owners have reported leaks on the driver's door, so watch out for any dampness on the carpet at the base of the door.

On your test drive, you should let the car idle for a while because there have been reports of overheating when the car is at a standstill.

Servicing on these cars is vital, too, so make sure that any potential buy has a full service history, and consider having an HPI check done.

It's a light car with a rigid chassis, but anything involved in a serious shunt could present problems later on. Steer clear of anything that has a history of electrical dramas.

The basic models have 698cc turbocharged engines that produce 80bhp. That doesn't sound much, but when you consider that this Smart weighs less than 800kg, the power-to-weight ratio points to an energetic little roadster.

Indeed, even the basic model is no slouch, but the ride is a little crunchy at higher speeds. The taut and well balanced handling, on the other hand, is the Roadster's ace card. It's grippy and precise, and the rigid chassis gives a positive feel when cornering. Models with the extra sport pack offer wider wheels and more front-end grip, and the only complaint is that the electrical steering is a little woolly. The wind noise is not hugely problematic, and there is a satisfying engine note - surprising for such a small powerplant.

Inside, it's not a big car, but the low seating position means that you can get two adults in without feeling cramped. The controls are easy to use and attractive, but boot space is minimal.

Used Smart Roadster 2003 - 2006 review

Every 2021 Electric and Hybrid Car Awards winner

Used Smart Roadster 2003 - 2006 review

Ownership cost

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