Why shouldn't I buy a roadster?

Ok we have one - here's an opportunity to have one - if you got a point of view about something and want to share it - here's where you do it.
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Chas
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Why shouldn't I buy a roadster?

Post by Chas » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:12 pm

No, not that one!

A colleague of mine has just turned up to work today in a Smart Roadster. It's a 54 plate with 48k miles, full history, and he got it for £3500. I just filled the tank in the B10V8 and it almost cost me that much. :shock:

The Smart is rear-wheel-drive, handles like a lotus elise, weighs around half as much as a 3 series, drinks less juice than sick toddler, and can be taxed and insured for buttons. It has an electric folding roof with removable 'targa' side bars, paddle shift semi-automatic gearbox, and you can even get a Brabus version with 25% more power and still average 50mpg.

Some of the reviews bemoan the lack of sophistication and dash quality. It's hardly an alternative to the Alpina Roadster but that's not the point. I'm looking at it as a modern interpretation of the Fiat X1/9. I reckon my colleague will get 50,000 miles of fun commuting over 5 years out of this car and the total cost (including depn) will be just over £2k per annum, or circa 20p per mile. That puts it on a par with my motorbike - but you can drive the Smart without a helmet and talk to the passenger. Not only that, it will keep you dry in the rain and top up your tan in the sunshine.

If most of your mileage is spent commuting or driving congested A-roads, what's not to like?

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Joe
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Post by Joe » Mon Mar 07, 2011 6:06 pm

Not a lot, just avoid the weird coloured ones IMHO
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John_C
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Post by John_C » Mon Mar 07, 2011 6:09 pm

The gearbox is supposed to be very dim witted and slow to change from the reviews I've read but other than that and the eery sensation of being able to look under HGV's I can't think of a downside.
2010 D3 BT #97 - Sold
1998 B10 V8 #71 - Sold

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Bruce M
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Post by Bruce M » Tue Mar 08, 2011 4:03 pm

I've had a quick go in a brabus one and it was okay but the box was slow.

I'd rather have a MR2 but they will be higher insurance, tax, lower mpg, zero boot space, etc so not quite to same bargain.
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neil
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Post by neil » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:35 pm

Yep as above - the gearbox is well know for being slow. I've not driven one - so can't comment directly but if its like the one in the fourtwo I borrowed a while back it's like going back to the first autobox ever made.

I've heard a few Brabus smarts and they sound good.

I'd have a drive in one and make your own mind up though.

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Re: Why shouldn't I buy a roadster?

Post by markbannister » Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:40 pm

Chas wrote:. I'm looking at it as a modern interpretation of the Fiat X1/9.
Chas, the Smarts are as ugly as sin. Just find a decent X1/9, best handling car I've ever driven and fab looking 8) .
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Post by joylove » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:17 am

Gearbox is too dissapointing. One of the best handling cars around ruined. How about a barchetta?
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B10BRW
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Post by B10BRW » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:28 am

There is only one Roadster around worth buying :lol:

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MarkEG
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Post by MarkEG » Mon May 16, 2011 10:44 pm

B10BRW wrote:There is only one Roadster around worth buying :lol:
+1 on that 8)
now gone: Alpina Roadster S, #108

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