4 Star Reviews for 2008 Smart Fortwo

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.53/5 Average
181 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

The Smart Fortwo is an all-new brand and model in the United States for 2008, sold at a select number of United Auto Group and Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country.

Pros:
  • Sips fuel, can be parked almost anywhere, zippy around-town handling, surprisingly accommodating interior, attention-getting styling.
Cons:
  • Herky-jerky automanual transmission, pricey compared to larger subcompact cars, awkward floor-mounted brake pedal, not suited for highway travel.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 181.00
  • Two Year Update - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    After two years, the honeymoon is over, but the marriage is still good. I adapted to the fussy transmission. A relaxed driving style works wonders. The ride actually improved with time. Winter driving is okay, but winter parking after a snowstorm is painful because the smart is so light. In the Summer, the AC occasionally blows hot air or the fan stops, and this is after the fan was replaced, a popular warranty fix, Ive been told. The driver side airbag cover popped a bit. Unsightly. But thats the extent of the bad stuff. Overall, the smart is still mostly a pleasure. Im 59" weigh in the high 200s and the car is comfortable and easy to enter and exit. The ragtop of choice.

  • They almost got it perfect - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Had this been a 10,000 car it would have been perfect, but not at 15 grand. Reliability = 1 star for obvious reasons - anybody who sells a car with the worst waranty in America (2 years) doesnt trust their own product. Performance is fine if you dont mind accelerating from 0-60 in 14 - 15 seconds. Certainly something Id deal with for 100 mpg (not even near what this car gets) Gas Mileage - were talking about pushing around a golf cart with a 1 liter engine, and 30-40 mpg on premium gas is all it gets? If this were a 10 grand car, and averaged 80 mpg Id have 2.

  • Fun, but weak in power - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    I have owned this for 2+ months, 2,300 miles. Take the reviews that are from new owners or "100 miles, just picked it up last week" with a grain of salt. Its a new car; of course they are going to love it. I am 64", #225. I have driven with a 66", #260 passenger. TONS of room. It has pep and we even climbed hills with it. You will not see acceleration records with it. But then again, it is not touted as a sports care. Contrary to what it was built for (city), I live in the country and really do like it. I have parked the Tahoe & use this for work: 30-50 mi round trip/day. Very comfortable for a little car. It gets you from pt A to pt B economically & relatively comfortably.

  • 2009 Finally - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Well after 18 months I finally received my Fortwo the day before Christmas. Although I have only been driving it a few days, and the weather here in Chicago has been, shall we say, rotten, I find myself smiling and waving to all my fellow motorists. On my trip to the local mall for post-holiday shopping I encountered my first triumph when it came to parking. I found a "space" that no other car would ever fit into.

  • Cant be shy if you own a Smart Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    I awaited my Smart car with great anticipation. Ordered it online in late April of 2007 and took ownership May 1 2008. The room inside is amazing. This summer I drove all over Boston, usually 40-60 miles a day. I had a minimum of 5 full conversations with strangers about this cute little car. When in stop in go traffic I realized that using the car in manual provided a much smoother ride. I now prefer to drive that way and I find I get 10 more miles per gallon. Having the option of shifting on the stick or on the steering wheel is a great choice. Beware of potholes, railroad tracks and road work going over these too fast- scares the wits out of you. Easily driven at 70 mph with no problem.

  • Fun, but be careful - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    I drove the Smart for 14 miles each way to and from work for 6 months, enjoying the good mileage and fun handling. Parking was easy and it was a comfortable ride. The problem I ran into was a lack of stability in windy settings. I had a scary incident when I was blown into the lane next to me as a result of driving on a windy day and having a truck drive past me, which moved me over to the next lane. Thankfully there was no one in that lane, but it could have been a real problem. As a result I sold the car the next day. I dont think this is a typical situation and in no way blame the design. Its something to keep in mind when you are considering the Smart.

  • 2008 Smart hatch - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    My wife and I purchased our smart in 2008, paid way to much. The original dealer dropped it,(like no one knew that was coming) and then went to Mercedes. Other then being treated like a red headed step child by the dealer, probably because this thing is so cheap the car is not bad. It took me a while to get the hang of the herky jerky response, and the A/C stop when you really stomp on the accelerator, which other cars I have had did, so no big deal. I now have 25K miles on it and drive it like you beat a rented mule. No real problems to speak of. I use Royal Purple in it and find that seems to work best for oil. I run with the big dogs on the highway and like it a lot.

  • Weekend transportation - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    It has been almost 2 weeks since I picked up the beast. Got about 42 MPG on the 1st tank, while showing a drop for the 2nd tank. Semi-auto tranny is somewhat abrupt. Engine is a bit noisy. Great highway stability at 50-65 MPH - did not feel any drift. Lots of questions about the make (manufacturer) from curiosity seekers. Wish I had handfuls of brochures to use as promotional tools.

  • new type of car - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Midsized car seating is comfortable , visibility to front and sides is good to the rear it is poor . the interior layout is good as are the basic cd and A/C . Steering and handling are responsive and with a small turning circle as you would expect. Corners well . Winds of 50 mph will nudge the car but you still have control. Engine is minimally audible from inside even at high rpm . The transmission I would compare to a motorcycle being shifted without the clutch but in an excellently smooth manner . so that eventually you basically shift with the accelerator . actually fun and smooth no complaints. Power delivery depends on the drivers ability to master shifting. Can be driven on highways .

  • More smiles than even miles to the gallon - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    It just makes you laugh at yourself. What a pleasant feeling. I live in a town where my immediate neighbors drive Bentleys, Mercedes, Porsches and Ford GTs (and one old Ferrari). BMWs and Audis are banned because they stink of the middle class, (but I did see a democrat once driving a Saab before they ran her out of town). And yet I must get more waves, thumbs-up and smiles from the Cougars (35-40- something divorcees) than when I drove my v12 Benz convertible. Too funny. This thing drives like a go cart, feels remarkably stable, sips fuel, makes me feel like I am at least trying to save our planet (all the body panels are recycled milk bottles).

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