Best Smart Car Dealers:  Boston

This is a very cute car. Thus, if you like its looks you should consider buying one. Does it make sense from the standpoint of logic? Well, if you live in a congested area where parking and maneuverability are important and getting about 34 mpg is a plus this is a worthy vehicle to consider. If you want attention and a good driving position with excellent visibility the Smart is worth considering. If you want to drive one of the world’s least expensive convertibles that lowers its top electronically, the Smart is worth considering.

That sums up the Smart ForTwo. It is not a car for those who are logical and need to haul a lot of people and equipment. It is not a car that can get you impressive fuel mileage. It is not a car that can disguise its short wheelbase on rough roads.

In our extended weekend with the ForTwo we couldn’t help but smile every time we looked at it. Here is a vehicle that is almost cuddly. Inside there is plenty of room for two and enough cargo space to haul at least six grocery sacks or a set of golf clubs. The Smart is very easy to enter and exit and the controls are easy to master.

The newest version that we tested was much improved over previous generations. The ride was smoother and the transmission not as jerky. The dash is colorful and the optional tachometer and clock pods are a must order, although the readouts are a bit small. The high seating position and large window areas make driving in traffic easy and the overall fit and finish must improved. There is even more cargo room in this model, although the convertible top does take up some room. By the way, to lower the top only requires a touch of a button, but it is a cabriolet and so the metal side beams of the top remain in place.

Recent crash tests have shown that the Smart does well, but it is a small car. On the other hand, if you are worried about safety the best vehicles are always large sedans and not large SUVs. With this in mind the question is whether I would own one and the answer is in the affirmative. The Smart does not mind keeping up with traffic that is going well over the posted highway speed limit and the brakes and handling are acceptable. The cost is somewhat a concern with our test vehicle coming in around $18,000 dollars. However, being practical has nothing to do with

The Smart Fortwo comes as a hatchback coupe or cabriolet and you can order them in three flavors with the base, Pure model only available for the coupe. The next level is the Passion, which we tested, and the most expensive is the dolled-up Brabus.

As for the stereo it is barely average. I would replace it with an aftermarket model that fills the interior with more sound. In other words, this is an interesting vehicle and one that you don’t have to be afraid to drive as some automobile reviewers feel. The real question is whether it is smart to buy a Smart. The answer is in your heart, not your head.

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