Autocar New V. Old Test
- Thread starter Skipton01
- Start date
J
jp.oog
Guest
Was a great article. I feel they left an open verdict but I know which I'd choose!
With the A2 3L not being available in the UK I think mention would have been a bit irrelevant. However having just caught up on the mag on return from holiday it was also interesting reading the brief write up on the Smart Brabus. having just spent 2 weeks driving a basic brand new petrol Smart hire car in Italy for 2 weeks i simply don't see the point of them. Awful gearchange, rubbish ride, numb steering, poor economy, expensive, underpowered (flat out at 130km/h or 80 mph on the autostrada with 2 adults and 2 cases on board). Good bits 
...... er powerful aircon.....
I do hope Audi have taken note of all the recent press coverage of the benefits of buying a used A2 and growing awareness of the many positive attributes of the 'old' A2 when developing the new car and make it a true successor.....
...... er powerful aircon..... I do hope Audi have taken note of all the recent press coverage of the benefits of buying a used A2 and growing awareness of the many positive attributes of the 'old' A2 when developing the new car and make it a true successor.....
Craig Pulsar
Member
If anyone wants the magazine with the article, I haven't got round to throwing it out yet, send me a PM with your address and first one in I'll post it on.
What I don't 'get' about the Smart is all those shortcomings and with a price tag that buys a decent new small hatch that seats 4 and drives well, has power, rides well, better realworld economy, cheaper servicing, etc etc..... and I don't mean an A2. i10, Pixo, even a Polo/Fabia/Ibiza/Corsa/Panda?Punto/Corsa/Fiesta etc etc when discounted. I wouldn't mind so much if a Smart only cost 5 grand or so, personally I think the price they charge is taking the micheal.
That more or less sums up the opinions of many friends and work collegues when I paid over £18 grand for an A2 nearly 10 years ago, when a top spec Polo was significantly cheaper and a well specced Golf was similar money. Shame more people did not 'get' the A2 when it was in production.
Cheers Spike
In the world of new cars I agree with the above. But the Smart, especially the 450 makes great sense as a second-hand car.
My 2003 Smart cost me £3k 2 years ago, gives 40-50mpg around town and 60-70mpg on motorways. Costs me £50/yr to self-service, £30 tax and has depreciated by £300/yr. Bargain motoring in my view.
I find the semi-auto box easy to use now, but agree it's not easy at first. Around town having a clutchless car makes for relaxing driving.
But I'm beginning to sound evangelical, so I'll stop now
Brabazon
Member
As a previous Smart owner I have to agree with the comments about depreciation. I got a 12 month old Pulse in 2005 for £4995, which was a bargain at the time I thought - kept it for 2 and a half years, got £4000 as a trade in on my current A2 and the dealer had it on his forecourt a week later for £4950! Unbelievable.
Meanwhile there's so many brand new i10's on the road at the minute because of the scrappage scheme they'll be giving 2nd hand ones away in a couple of years...
Meanwhile there's so many brand new i10's on the road at the minute because of the scrappage scheme they'll be giving 2nd hand ones away in a couple of years...
My final comment on this thread drift is the A2 was built as a luxury proper small car with almost the space of a Focus, the Smart isn't and as Autocar have said repeatedly since the iQ came out Toyota have at least made their car decent to drive and in effect improved on just about every aspect of the smart (if still way overpriced). The Smart I did reasonably enjoy was a basic Roadster I nearly bought through a trade contact a few years ago when theyw ere selling off pre-reg stock when production was ending (offered it for £7k with only delivery mileage). That was quite good fun and is the only Smart I would ever consider (providing the leaky roof has been fixed.......)
Craig Pulsar
Member
Magazine gone to a good home!
i agree, I wouldn't touch an iQ either especially when there is no diesel in the UK (although I understand a diesel is available elsewhere in the EU). Not sure much in the way of Toyotas current range appeals. Personally I would go for the C1 in diesel spec if I had to go for something that small. I need to get my retreiver and holiday luggage in as the starting point with any car for me!
Cptsideways
Member
Interestingly I've been involved with the Launches of many of these new eco cars & own/ed an A2 Tdi. Curremtly have a Seat Arosa Tdi.
Nearest car yet to the A2 by far is the Hyundai 1X20 & Kia Venga which share the same platform. I beleive the A2 was the benchmark for the Korean offerings & they certainly trumps the "old" A2 in many respects.
Nearest car yet to the A2 by far is the Hyundai 1X20 & Kia Venga which share the same platform. I beleive the A2 was the benchmark for the Korean offerings & they certainly trumps the "old" A2 in many respects.