Used smarts v Citroen C2
If you were of the view that all race cars have to be fast then the Celebrity Challenge at the 2008 Australian Formula One Grand Prix probably changed your mind. But the choice made by Ateco Industries, the Australian importer of Fiat, to provide a bevy of Fiat 500s for assorted sporting celebrities to race was an inspired one. What better way could there be to gain exposure for a radical new model? And given the slowness of the cars the watching public got an extended opportunity to admire the cheeky shape of this retro hatch.
On sale for while now, the Fiat joined a small but distinctive group of compact cars that sell mainly on being different, of making a statement on behalf of the driver. Style rather than performance or even functionality is the cars' primary appeal. In addition to the 500 we'd count the second generation smart fortwo (pictured) and the Citroën C2 in what might be called the funky sector of cars selling for $25K or less.
But what about the buyer in search of these qualities in an older used model, with, say, a budget of $10-12K? The answer is that both the first generation smart fortwo and the Citroën are now available in the $8K-$12K range. Indeed, for those willing to spend more (say $10-17K) there is additional choice in the very different and now discontinued smart forfour, a car which had a very short production history (probably because it was just too different for most prospective customers and the brand had little recognition in some markets). Launched in October 2004, it was gone by January 2007.
If sales of the smart forfour were not spectacular in Australia they were at least competitive with the other funkies. All three were available for the whole year of 2005 during which 277 forfours found homes, 229 buyers took custody of the little Cit and 424 smart fortwos joined Australian traffic. Carrying premium prices when new all these cars are extensively equipped with standard air conditioning, alloy wheels, power windows and CD sound systems, and many other features.
One significant difference between this trio of funksters and the Fiat 500 is that there is ne'er a hint of nostalgia on offer. Where the Fiat looks happily back to the mid 1950s, the two smarts and the C2 address themselves squarely at the 21st century with no regrets. And your correspondent, for one, thinks it is sad that the smart forfour does not appear on current new car price lists.
smart forfour
In an era when 'small' cars like the Toyota Corolla and Holden Cruze weigh upwards of 1300kg, the four-door smart is a lightweight at less than 1000kg. Weight is the enemy of both performance and fuel economy, so the smart scores highly in both areas. Even the 1.3-litre model with just 70kW of power can accelerate to 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds and uses just 6L/100km. The optional 1.5 provides another 10kW, takes a second off the sprint to 100 but does not use noticeably more petrol.
The styling itself is radical but the choice of colours makes a big difference to the visual impact. Unfortunately the used car buyer has little say here, especially since comparatively few of these models come up for sale at any given time.
Practicality was not overlooked in the quest for funkiness. The rear seat, for example, can be moved backwards or forwards to favour either passengers or the load-carrying area. The entire split-fold rear seat can be stored vertically behind the front seats to liberate more than 900 litres of space.
The driving experience is generally positive with tight handling. Some drivers might find the electric power steering system rather light in feel but the forfour is agile and feels eager, especially when equipped with the 1.5-litre engine. The ride is rather choppy, even though the car itself feels very solid over bad surfaces with no squeaks or rattles; you sense how rigid the structure is.
Gearbox choice is between a conventional five-speed manual and a 'softouch' sequential clutchless six-speed manual which includes an automatic mode.
Safety levels are high with stability control standard. The rigid safety cell is another trademark smart attribute. Despite the very compact size, the forfour really does provide plenty of car for the money.
Where most discontinued models suffer the ravages of rapid depreciation, the quirky forfour has held up well and should continue to do so thanks to its combination of rarity and stylishness.
And if your budget is a little more robust, check out the 1.5-litre turbo Brabus version. Mmmm tasty!
Search for used smart forfour models here
smart fortwo
Interestingly, it was the popularity of the smart fortwo in Italy that showed Fiat's folly in not having brought a modern Fiat 500 to market. Buyers whose patriotic preference would have been a Cinquecento opted for the smart (originally: Swatch Mercedes Art) car instead.
In terms of look-at-me factor the original two-door smart has few rivals. But before you buy one, make sure that you really will be satisfied with just two seats and that your luggage requirements are minimal. The other negative is that this tiny vehicle is not really happy doing sustained long distances due to modest performance and a propensity to move around in crosswinds. Essentially, it's an urban and outer-urban vehicle, although quite capable of sustaining a 100km/h or even 110km/h cruising speed (sipping remarkably little fuel in the process).
You sit high with a commanding view and the downside of this is that cornering speeds are somewhat reduced. The ride is, well, sharp, although this may be judged to be part of the character of the smart experience.
Performance from the 45kW 0.7-litre engine is better not set against the stopwatch but the fortwo gets around town in a lively enough fashion (if all the looks from other people don't slow you down). The gearbox is a six-speed automated sequential manual, which takes some getting used to but suits the car well. The seats are firm in traditional German style but there is generous space fro both occupants.
Despite its tiny size the smart is very safe, due in part to the rigid safety cell which also provides visual contrast to the painted body panels.
Search for used smart fortwo models here
Citroën C2 VTR
It is quite difficult to imagine a radically styled small car more different in character from either of the smarts than Citroën's C2. The theme is more overtly sporty. There is a rich mix of fabrics with contrasting outer panels on the seats and the centre sections using the same kind of ventilated cloth as some upmarket running shoes. The brightly coloured translucent interior door handles match the gearknob.
Beneath the knob lies Citroën's SensoDrive five-speed sequential manual transmission, which does seem rather out of keeping with the basic concept of the C2. When the VTR was introduced to Australia in 2004, some of us wondered why you couldn't specify a traditional manual gearbox in a car so obviously aimed at keen drivers with a slightly out-there sense of fashion (you can now -- it's called the VTS and has a slightly more powerful version of the 1.6-litre engine which produces 83kW in the VTR). There is a full automatic mode accessible by a button but the gearchanges are rather jerky and enthusiasts might be disappointed. At least there are steering wheel paddles as an alternative means of making gearshifts.
There will be no sense of letdown with the fuel economy though. On an interstate trip, which the C2 relishes, consumption will generally be around 5L/100km and the overall figure is 6.3.
Despite having 3kW more than the 1.5-litre smart forfour, the C2 is a little less accelerative. The secret here is its surprisingly beefy kerb weight of 1425kg, which is a lot for a car measuring just 3.666m in overall length.
Short it is, but a remarkable amount of practicality has been engineered into that small space. The two rear seats slide individually and can be flipped forward via gas struts to take the load space to 879 litres. There is even a radical two-piece hatch configuration, ideal for the congested lanes of Paris.
Handling is as responsive as the car's interior and exterior design suggest. With such a short wheelbase, there is a certain amount of pitch in a ride that can be sharpish around town.
Search for used Citroen C2 models here
THE CARSALES NETWORK VERDICT
The Driver's Choice
The smart forfour, especially in 1.5-litre manual guise is the driver's pick, followed by the C2.
The Sensible Choice
This is a draw between the Citroën and the forfour. Comparing like with like, the smart would get the nod but depreciation has made the French car the better value buy with tidy examples on offer at less than $11K. You'll find small but adequate numbers of forfours at under $15K which also represent excellent buying.
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