General Panda's Got a Friend
- Thread starter samol
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General Panda's Got a Friend
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Cool! I realy like small cars and that's one I was also rather interested in back in the day when they came out (just like the Ford Street Ka).
When they came out I thought they where way to expensive for what they where but now on the used market they are starting to look very interesting again (same goes for the Ford Street Ka).
I hope you will enjoy your new ride and have lots of fun with it. Hope you'll keep us posted on it every now and again.
When they came out I thought they where way to expensive for what they where but now on the used market they are starting to look very interesting again (same goes for the Ford Street Ka).
I hope you will enjoy your new ride and have lots of fun with it. Hope you'll keep us posted on it every now and again.
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I'll bite. What is it? 
I'll bite. What is it?
"Smart Roadster.." IIRC ,
they've done a 2 seater and a 2+2.. part of Daimler group - built in France ( from recycled chewing gum wrappers - or is that Citroen..???
)looks "Fun" but if i wanted something AHEM - different I'd go for a
"deep breath" - Diahatsu Copen / Suzuki Cappucino ( I HATE Japanese junk..)
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"Smart Roadster.." IIRC ,
part of Daimler group - built in France ( from recycled chewing gum wrappers - or is that Citroen..???
looks "Fun" but if i wanted something AHEM - different I'd go for a
"deep breath" - Diahatsu Copen / Suzuki Cappucino ( I HATE Japanese junk..)
What?
And you admit to it?
I only admit to owning a Panda on here
Interesting. That's the same company that makes the cars that look like they got caught in a crusher isn't it. Nothing conservative about their styling is there.
gar074
Prominent member
Mmmmm, tasty! I test-drove a Smart Roadster three times when they first came out, and came within a whisker of buying one, but I was put off by the sluggish auto box and the grisly tales from early-adopter-owners of incompetent/uncaring dealers and unfixable water leaks. So I bought a sensible hatchback instead, and a few years later I scratched my 'small convertible' itch and bought a Barchetta. I get a pang of regret whenever I see a Smart Roadster though (so thanks for that!!). I still remember vividly a half-day unaccompanied blast around the minor roads of Cambridgeshire, which was terrific fun. Did you find it difficult to locate a good one?
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samol
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Yes it took some finding & I saw some right sheds in my search.
This one is actually water tight & as it's going to reside in my garage it should stay that way. As for the gear change, I too, was apprehensive but Smart offered a free ECU update a few years back which has much improved it. It's still not a quick as a fast manual change but you get used to it and defiantly doesn't spoil the drive as the motoring press suggested at the time. It's not that fast but being low gives the impression that you are hustling along quicker that you think. I does however handle extremely well. I certainly brings a smile to my face.
They are pretty cheap to buy at the moment (I've got more expensive bicycles!) and I think if looked after may be a future classic.
I've been toying with getting one for a couple of years now for the same reasons - new they were too expensive but are becoming increasingly affordable with age and definitely a future classic. What's the mileage on yours and how is the engine bearing up?
gar074
Prominent member
I really liked the Speedsilver version. You didn't get the colour contrast with the tridion, but I reckon it looked fantastic! You've got me looking at the classifieds again, samol. I've been mulling over what to buy myself as a 60th birthday present (I got the B on my 50th) and the Smart could hit the spot (my No 1 target is a Matra Murena, but good ones are rarer than rocking-horse you-know-what!)
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samol
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Mine has got 70k on the clock, A lot of them are pushing 100k now but there are still a few low millage ones to be found.
The previous owner had it for 10 years but only put about 12k on it.
Engine seems good, no smoke, pulls well etc.
As with Fiats there are a few forums you can gather information for buying advice and maintaining, there are a few out there that have done 150k on original engines.
The parts are quite cheap so if you are happy to tinker and not rely on it as an everyday car there no reason why it shouldn't last a while.
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samol
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Go for it, either a Roadster or a Matra would be nice. Would you keep the B?
gar074
Prominent member
Oh yes! It doesn't owe me anything, and it never fails to put a smile on my face, even when standing still. My head tells me to get something that will double up as an all-weather daily driver (so not a Murena), but I guess we all feel a tug from those cars that we lusted after when we were young (and I can't afford an Alfa Junior or a Fulvia).
