2012 smart fortwo User Reviews

Pros

Great fuel mileage.

Cons

Has a mind of its own

Purchased As New

Thought I would like having this car, well I actually LOVE it.
Fun to drive, I never have to stop and get gas like I use to, and with the top down the air feels great. I love saving money on fuel....

Pros

It's a Mercedes . . . and everything that comes with their reputation.

Cons

The rear license plate mount could be better.

Purchased As New

Car critics don't spend much time with cars. So they have no idea how much this car will continue to impress you. The critics review it as if it's a sports car. It was not designed for speed or high-speed cornering. It was not designed to be a family car or an SUV either.

This car appeals to me because it has a back-to-basics design without a hundred buttons, dials and switches all over the dashboard. Yet it is packed with safety technology, ironically. But this should be no surprise in a Mercedes.

I wanted a fuel-efficient car that was NOT a hybrid. The alternatives that the critics prefer are style-less, hybrids, four-seaters, none of which appealed to me.

One perk that I liked about the car was the replaceable body panels. If you get in a fender-bender, just replace the panel. You don't have to live with shoddy body work.

The car has plenty of trunk space. Realize that you can stack your luggage to the roof. And if need be, you can fold the passenger seat down.

Practice driving the car in manual mode. I have mastered it and find the transmission as smooth as any other car.

I have owned a Honda Prelude, Honda CRX, Mercedes 560 SEL and find my Smart Car to be the most fun driving (and parking) experience ever....read morehide

Pros

Fun to throw around curves, roomy interior, economical, easy parking, quick washing

Cons

short wheelbase, lousy support, radio is fair, Mercedes parts prices, no spare

Purchased As New

Ordered in 2008 online.
Have issues with a few items where support seems to lack, but give me a dealer who is eager to listen to you on an inexpensive car anyway.
It is not the car as much as it is the help from a dealer. Early smart cars had a 2 year warranty and now they have 4 year like others.
Plenty of pep for my needs, gives one a little cocoon type surrounding yet not an enclosed feeling
Car has been trouble free with almost 38,000 miles on it.
I have changed panels out to get another color.
Highly will recommend it for two people.
Great when one can't afford that Vette as a fun car. Wished I would have bought the convertible though...read morehide

Pros

fuel economy and parking

Cons

rough shifting and NO DEALERSHIP

Purchased As New

I had one of the first Smart's in Minnesota. Now driving my second one. Unfortunately, after selling tons of these for a few years, Smart abandoned their Minnesota customers and closed down their dealership and kept their customers in the dark. The nearest dealership is on the other side of Wisconsin!

Prior to them moving their dealership they moved the dealership three times and the service suffered horribly. At the last service call to fix an airbag malfunction they kept my car for over a month. Now there is no where to take my Smart for warranty repair rendering the warranty worthless.

Could be a great car, but when the dealerships ditch their customers and provide zero communication, that tells me that their pledge to customer service comes second. They've upset a lot of people in Minnesota and I'm starting to think they should take their cars back to Europe or invest in a major customer service campaign.

Don't buy one unless you don't care about warranty work....read morehide

Pros

I PUT 10.00 A WEEK IN GAS AND ALWAYS ON FULL

Cons

WISH IT HAD CRUISE CONTROLL AND CD PLAYER

Purchased As New

LOVVVVVVEEEEEE IT. HAD IT 4 MONTHS NOW. DROVE IT FROM ALABAMA TO CALIFORNIA AND BACK.....LESS THAN 500.00 IN GAS ,,,,,COOL. PUT A LUGGAGE RACK ON TOP AND 2 LARGE SUITCASES FIT GREAT. CAN'T WAIT TILL WARANTEE EXPIRES IN A LIL OVER 3 YEARS, GONNA GET ME ANOTHER ONE 2016 HERE I COME.

Pros

Fun to drive, gas mileage, reliability, surprising storage capacity.

Cons

Transmission can be jerky, the visor is way too small to be effective, no full size spare tire

Purchased As New

Before I bought the Smart, I considered the Fiat 500. I happen to detest black interiors and that is all that they offered. I called my insurance company to compare rates for the two cars. Smart won, but they recommended that I add daytime running lights (they add to the uniqueness of the look). I also added cruise control as I like it. I have driven this vehicle extensively in the local area and taken long trips. The car performs excellently in all situations. There was some wind issues, but my other cars seem to have that also (Ford SUV and Hyundai). Overall, a great car and I am thrilled with it....read morehide

Pros

Excellent Fuel economy, Head turner.

Cons

Rough Ride, Jerky Transmission.

Purchased As New

I got this car almost two months ago, this car deliver excellent fuel economy, I have been getting 42 mpg avg. It also a head turner. But the ride is rough, jerky transmission, feel like a old transmission. Not good for windy or snowy situation.

Pros

fun to drive, excellent fuel economy, great service

Cons

stiff suspension, no cruise control

Purchased As New

Bought a new 2008, sight unseen. Reliable as can be. Nice head and leg room. May not be fast, but it will park ANYWHERE. And sitting in traffic, I am as fast as the pickup next to me. ;-)

Pros

gas mileage, headroom, legroom, maneuverability

Cons

hard ride. blind spots, avoid those potholes, dearie.

Purchased As Used

Once I accepted the strengths and limitations of this car I realized I had made a wise choice, although it took a while to get used to. With gas around $4/gal I have no regrets. And I don't have to play taxi for all my friends.

Purchased As Not Purchased

a smart car is small and is fuel efficient. This make it perfect for going and coming back from work