Highlights
• Unique colour via professional wrap
• Low mileage example - Only 24,000 miles
• Just two former keepers
The Appeal
Styled by Michael Mauer before he moved to Saab, the Smart Roadster puts the fun back into driving – and you don’t need to risk your licence to get your kicks. Indeed in 2005, TopGear announced the car as its ‘Fun Car of The Year’. The Roadster swaps the rear glass of its Coupé sibling for a compact boot and convertible roof.
Despite its sporty lines, it’s not actually that quick – but that’s not the appeal. With a three-pot 698cc turbocharged 80bhp Suprex engine, the power-to-weight ratio (or ‘fun-per-ton’) means it’s light, handles superbly and is fun to chuck through your favourite series of B-road twisties. The low-slung driving position gives you a feeling of being in the thick of the action – just like a true sports car should.
The History and Paperwork
• Just two former keepers, garaged when not in use
• Full service history plus an MoT to 1st April, 2023
• V5 certificate in current keeper’s name
According to the data plate, this right-hand drive Smart Roadster concluded its build at the ‘Smartville’ plant in Hambach, eastern France, in early October, 2005. It received its first UK registration on 5th May, 2006. Its third and current keeper acquired the car in March, 2019.
Accompanying the car will be the V5 Certificate in the current keeper’s name, an MoT certificate to 1st April, 2023, an expansive file of recent and past service and maintenance invoices, two sets of keys and a complete owner’s holdall containing the original Owner’s Manual and handbooks.
The Interior
• Fully original and tidy interior.
• Sporty, low-slung driving position
• Electrically operated soft top roof
Inside, the quirky but tidy design presents in exemplary condition. The only minor blemish is the noticeable beginnings of wear to the driver’s right kidney bolster likely as a result of the low down entry and egress required.
Elsewhere, the carpets, door cards, sun visors and other soft furnishings throughout the interior all present in exceptional condition and are commensurate with the car’s low mileage and number of keepers at just three.
For the driver, everything is within easy reach and all feels well engineered, special and sporty. Dash-mounted dials swivel, so you can adjust them to the position you want. There’s a radio/CD player and the pod-like dials ahead of the driver are clear and easy to read.
The Exterior
• Professionally wrapped in striking ‘Racing Green’ in 2021
• Full set of alloys refurbished in 2021
• Exterior is in stunning condition
• Tailor-made, all-weather car cover included
This Smart Roadster is very impressive indeed and its Racing Green wrap has been applied to a very high standard and affords this particular car an air of exclusivity among its peers.
The original factory-fitted alloy wheels were fully refurbished in May 2021 and remain in excellent condition. They are shod with a healthy set of Horizon-82V tyres all round. At the front, the headlight and lower fog light lenses are clear and the indicator/reflector lenses show no hint of fogging sometimes associated with a car of this age. The same may be said for the crystal clear rear light clusters.
The electrically-operated soft top is in very good condition, as are the detachable roof side panels. Accompanying the car will be a tailor-made all-weather cover and carry bag.
A close glance down each flank shows no evidence of structural damage and the front number plate and valance, for all their vulnerability, remains blemish free.
The Mechanics
• Full service history for its 24,000 miles
• Last service at 20,618 miles
• MoT to 1st April, 2023
At the photo location, the Smart Roadster was frequently repositioned to obtain the best of changeable light. The little 80bhp three-pot fired up first and every time and settled into a hearty burble. The six-speed automated manual transmission connected smoothly and Drive engaged with no drama requiring a gentle touch of the accelerator to get underway.
The keeper reports this Smart Roadster to be in excellent mechanical condition with the engine, brakes, steering, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as their respective German engineers intended.
The lower sills and underside of the car appear in very good order with a degree of natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this age.
Summary
Open-tops like the Mazda MX-5 and the MG TF have long enjoyed spells as kings of the affordable convertible market but these little Smarts are well worth a look second time round.
How much would you need to part with to land a car that feels a little exotic? Ten, fifteen thousand pounds? Actually, a good deal less. As unconventional as it is petit, the Smart Roadster offers a hefty dose of fun and a real sense of occasion at an affordable price.
If your budget can’t run to an Elise, here's where the smart money goes.
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