Smart move?

I have been offered by a Mercedes dealer a July 2006 Smart Forfour 1.5 CDi Passion, 25,600 miles, used as a demonstrator and manager's car by them, for £5,495 including a new "supagard" coating and a one year warranty. It seems to have fairly new tyres. Given that Forfours are no longer made, do you think it is a good buy? The quirky looks and concept appeal to me, but is it likely to become a white elephant, or alternatively, a sought after 'classic' like a Beetle? I enjoyed driving it though it seemed a little noisy (road noise I mean, not any strange engine noises). Do you think it will remain possible to get parts? But maybe that is asking you to crystal ball too much.

Asked on 19 December 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

I had one of these on test years ago and really liked it. Unfortunately it was a car that missed its market by a couple of years, and that's why production had to stop. The problem of buying one is going to be body parts. And, now that Mitsubishi is no longer making the excellent 1.5 litre 3-cylinder diesel engine, parts for that as well.

Tags: buying used cars small cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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