Cute looks, comfortable ride and good grip. You can raise the hood while driving along. Makes far more sense second-hand.
Not quite as much fun as its looks suggest. If you were its first owner, you'll still be smarting from its heavy intial depreciation.
Introduction
It's a gorgeous little toy. The first time I saw a Smart Roadster was at the unveiling in Berlin in Summer 2002, and I couldn't wait to drive one. The low stance, the mid engine, the paddle change gearbox and the huge tyres sticking out of the sides all said "fun, fun fun".
But I had to wait. Until January 2003 when we got to drive pre-production LHD versions on some wonderfully snaky roads in Portugal. Now, finally, at the end of the best summer most of us can remember, RHD Smart Roadsters are here. They seem to have been an awful long time coming.
So were they worth the wait? How would they take to Britain's crowded, speed-limited roads as winter approaches?
As you can see from the photos, the one I got was so black it looked like Darth Vadar's mask. But it does look surprisingly good in black. Much less of a toy and much more of a fashion accessory, whether you're a bloke or a bird.
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