Tiny Sports Car, Huge Fun! Smart Roadster (W452) - Real Road Test

I hadn't driven a Smart Roadster since they were current. Would it live up to my expectations? Oh yes! Hearing the turbo flutter on the tiny 698cc engine brought it all back.
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#smartcars #tinycar #roadtest

[@chrispenn715]

Thanks Ian - really enjoyed your views on my little Smart Roadster. If anyone is interested, it's for sale by the way!

[@thisisian62]

If only I had the cash! My first 4-2 was TrueBlue 450 with a silver tridion, & it was the best looking car in the world. .....so a TrueBlue/Silver roadster would probably be my dream car.

[@Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968]

How much? and can a six footer get in and out without looking like a floundering Whale ?

[@deanusrjm]

@@Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968 I’m 6’2 and had plenty of room in mine. I loved it, my wife and daughter hated it 😂

[@chrispenn715]

@@Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968 Hi - Based on what else is for sale and condition, around £4k is a good price - willing to haggle for a serious face to face offer 🙂

[@alzdeane]

@@chrispenn715 Ian should buy it....

[@Candisa]

"Is the gearbox flawed? Yeah, but that doesn't take away from what is an awful........ lot of fun." Loved the delivery there 😀

[@paultasker7788]

Probably one of the most characterfuul cars on the road. Thinking about it you like a bit of charisma don't you! Pretty much all your cars are interesting in some way or another. Not best in class as an all rounder but very interesting

[@EdgyNumber1]

There's a restrictor in a pipe somewhere that links to the gearbox. I remember someone telling me this because he'd tuned his Smart Car to change gear a bit later ans quicker than normal.

[@grumpy2.0]

There were various mods to make it quicker change. But nearly all the mods sacrifice clutch life (as it's a MMT gearbox). The best you can do is regular adjustments. But once you master the delay it's a riot.

[@JillyHargvaoo]

Get the car remapped

[@EdgyNumber1]

@@JillyHargvaoo Doesn't need it. The little hack above speeds up the shift response.

[@jaggass]

It sounds just like a V6 at full rpm. That's what makes 3cyl engines great as you get that sound for much less money.

[@jbg2408]

they actually made v6 biturbo version of this car but sadly it was a one of kind if remeber

[@ericcrama2221]

Isn´t it wonderful, that little bird chirp during gear changes... my (and your!) Fortwo does exactly the same.

[@paultasker7788]

Really I thought that was the turbo of the roadster. Is there a turbo in the little smart?

[@ericcrama2221]

@@paultasker7788 Hi Paul, yes, every 450 (the first generation of the little one) had a turbo. I too think it´s the turbo that makes that sound, but I´m not entirely sure to be honest. Maybe someone knows more about it?

[@gs188]

⁠@@ericcrama2221yes it’s caused by the throttle closing or engine slowing down through an up shift when the turbo is boosting. This creates a pressure spike after the turbo and the cooing pigeon noise (more of a chirping budgie in this example) is the air stalling back through the turbo compressor or maybe escaping through a blowoff valve (these tend to be pritty quiet hiss if plumbed back into the air intake or a very loud pssshhhh if dumped to atmosphere as liked by modded JDM cars). Blow off valves are better for the turbo and keep it spooled up so better for performance too, though I don’t know how the smart is setup. Turbo diesels can make the noise too but they don’t have a throttle plate that could quickly snap shut so they tend not to be factory fitted with a blowoff valve so they tend to only do the cooing pigeon on something that’s been chipped and being driven aggressively (ie a cheep VAG group car covered in soot).

[@ericcrama2221]

@@gs188 Great, thanks for the explanation!

[@kevinnye5132]

Well I am truly SHOCKED Ian 😟 you mean to say you told porky’s to those poor honest hardworking Smart Car Dealership Salesman ☹️ having no intention of buying one ? that’s awful but yeah I kinda understand 👍🏻.

[@hadtopicausername]

That rear luggage compartment is even better than the one in a Fiat 500, as it's perfect for putting the crease back into your trousers.

[@neilfoster814]

"Vrroooom - pew, Vroooooooooom - pew" sounds great.

[@gafrers]

Always loved the Roadster, especially the Coupè

[@johnf5817]

Bizarrely, KZbin just asked me to give feedback on your comment!

[@LivetoDriveUK]

Smarts. They get under your skin and you just end up loving them. That chuckle you did… that’s how my 450 and 451 make me feel. That one looks in particularly nice condition.

[@trevatkin4869]

It does a pitchoo as you go through the gears!

[@dg115]

A friend had a brabus version. He loved it proper little pocket rocket.

[@davewood482]

You have just convinced me to keep mine another year.

[@user-mu1bo9vq4y]

Always drive in Manual.. The auto can be really slow and awkward at junctions. They easily remap to just over 100bhp and that completely transforms the drive on country roads. With serious modding they go much higher than that. When using the footbrake it has a hillstart assist that delays takeoff so if you want a quick get away don't use the footbrake. The steering has electric assist. Dropping the engine for maintenance is a regular experience but easy when you know what your doing. They have 6 spark plugs when you come to service them and are just great fun.

[@DaveAber9999]

God I miss that noise! As I mentioned in previous discussion - we wrote ours off last year. Be aware, these seem to be damn near invisible to other road users!

[@misterthegeoff9767]

Mine got side swiped by a PT Cruiser. Ironic considering the part the PT cruiser played in killing off the Smart Roadster after the ill fated Mercedes/Chrysler merger.

[@koini11]

I've had near misses like that. It's pretty scary how invisible they are in modern traffic.

[@BigMaxTube]

Your approach to Feature Evaluation and Road Testing is by far my favorite part of your channel. Always entertaining, informative and most of all your enthusiasm is what keeps me coming back 🙂

[@philwebb6464]

Used to love driving these. Working on them less so. The water leaks were a never ending job. Great fun to drive though.

[@RaT-pc4vs]

had one from new on a 53 plate from October 2003. Did 73k miles in that one in 2 1/2 years. GREAT fun. Better with paddle-shift. Roof can open and close at motorway speeds. Now years and years later I've got another one on a 55 plate

[@alansmith1770]

Loved the engine noise. Smashing little car.

[@koini11]

Ah yes! Looking forward to how much fun you will have fun. I love driving mine. It's a pain sometimes but the smile it puts on my face is mostly worth it.

[@koini11]

Glad you enjoyed it now I have watched it.

[@Kevin-dp1vy]

I had the Brabus Exclusive Roadster with the glass back and just over 100 bhp. The most fun car I have ever had! It would red line in top which was an indicated 122 mph and the handling was terrific. With the glass back we could fit two carry on flight bags in the rear plus coats in the front. One trip with two of us from Birmingham to Keswick we averaged 80 mph and 40 mpg. The size of it was a major advantage on Lake District roads and I kept up with my cousin in his WRX because he could not fit through gaps as easily as I could. The roof side bars come out and fitted under the bonnet. The reason to take them out was that it reduced wind noise and buffeting when the roof and the windows were down. Best car I have ever had for all round fun.

[@philarmstrong439]

👍 Great video, roadster is huge fun, underrated future classic, have driven over 150000 miles in the ones I have owned, nothing looks like it or goes like it. Always puts a smile on your face. 😀😀😀

[@cdn9134]

You can see you love the smart by the smile on your face. Really like the 3 cylinder turbo sound. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@simonbarnwell7787]

My dear old dad wanted one of those , but like yourself Ian he couldn't have afforded it , i agree with both of you , it looks brilliant fun and sounds really nice .

[@TheOracle65]

Any car that can make you smile and giggle like that is worth every penny! Great video, plus the amazing wiper performance bonus shot at the end too. It would be perfect for the little back roads where I live in Cornwall - sorely tempted to seek one out (and yes, I saw it's for sale!)

[@Brebgon]

I've got an all black one and I love using it everyday

[@darrylwebb3625]

This put a smile on my face. I've had a thing for these for a long time, though I've never experienced one. I love the honesty and simplicity of them. Small silly cars are where's it's at.

[@cbrown182]

I loved my little smart roadster coupé and very much miss it. They're a great fun to drive, very reliable (excluding the leaks) and very tough. I got one in my late 20s after my divorce as a treat to myself (a cliché I know), but it gave me a smile when I needed it the most. I would just go for long drives in the peak district and all my problems would go away for a little while. One day I will get another.

[@lmoore5264]

I have a Fortwo Passion and a Fortwo Cabrio. But I still drool over a Roadster. We don't have them here in the States. I have never seen one in person. We can import cars here that are 25 years old and older. So I am waiting on 2028 to possibly import one. It's quite a major ordeal to import one. Import duties and transportation costs and then waiting for a few months for it to arrive. Then it's a trip to the coast to pick it up. Then fighting to get it titled in your individual State. By 2028 I will be so old I can probably fall in the seat to drive it, but I will need a crane to get me up and out of it. I told my wife that I want to be buried in my fortwo. And some days I'm sure she would be quite happy to do just that. Great Video Ian.

[@BelfastMurf]

That’s an endearing sound they make on gear change, unlike those w@&nker whistles that you often hear on lowered VW Jettas & the like!

[@ferrumignis]

_"w@&nker whistles"_ 🤣🤣Very apt description

[@paultasker7788]

Yeah. They sound like the exhaust has fallen off or the engine is back firing!

[@Invisibleman7]

Ian I can see you selling your Smart and buying a Roadster.Thanks Ian and Carly

[@mysilbergsprekken1797]

I think this is a future classic

[@JonCoupland]

Really enjoyed watching this one Ian! Spoke to James a while back with a view of reviewing and driving his Roadster on my channel - Beat me to it!

[@daniellee9015]

Absolutely brilliant video Ian miss hubnut ❤👍what a beautiful car I love that cherping noise from the blow of brilliant

[@rhspek]

I had one for a 24hr test drive, 20 years ago. Loved it1 But I wasn't really nimble enough then and I'm definitely not nimble enough now. Removing the bar connecting A and B pillars did help access a lot though.

[@michaelcliffe562]

It sounds like a V6, awesome! Pocket sized, affordable, mid engined turbo charged sports car, fantastic! There will never be another car like it. Nice to see you having such a blast!

[@persevere777]

Excellent another free smart car !!!! Great job Ian , your on a roll............oh wait........😬

[@MINKIN2]

20 minutes of Ian just grinning. Love it.

[@Grahame59]

It does actually have power steering (electronic), only the early LHD ones had no power steering. Engine is 700cc so 100cc more than a 'normal' Smart. Great little cars. I recently sold my all black Roadster Coupé which I'd owned from new and the long term ownership experience was superb. The Coupé has a far more useable rear load space and was around £1000 more when new. I recall a holiday in Ireland with two people and a tent in the back! Great fun and the economy on that trip was incredible and the quiet Irish roads really suited the car. So many neat touches like it starts off in auto as the default but as soon as you manually change up it realises you want to drive it in manual. I had the paddle shifters which were great. As the paddles are attached to the wheel rather than the column (if you see what I mean) the fact the steering is fairly low geared is not a problem. I always used the paddles rather than the gear lever. Plus I loved that you can open/close the roof at any speed. Removing the door bars does actually make it feel really open though you then lose the ability to close the roof while moving. I used to often just remove the right-hand bar and put it in the passenger footwell as it's a bit of a faff storing it in the font boot. Changing gear manually is way, way better than leaving it in auto. Despite the many criticisms of the slow gearchange when new I found it was fine providing auto was avoided. With superb fuel economy (same as a normal Smart), superb handling, spritely performance (feels faster than it actually is) and great reliability it makes an excellent everyday classic. Mine had 68000 miles when sold and never used any oil or water. It's also a lot less susceptible to side winds on a motorway due to being longer and lower than a normal Smart. I did have to take care when parking as you do need to open the doors fully to get in and out easily but once in the cockpit it is - as you discovered - very comfortable. Sadly warranty claims due to water leaks (which can be cured) led to a premature end to production. Nowadays Smart seem to have lost their 'spark', the cars have got bigger and less interesting. Your comparison to the rear-engined Fiat X1/9 is a good one, much better than the original press releases' comparison to Midgets etc. I can see you are fast catching the Smart bug and can see you swapping your Smart ForTwo for a Roadster, Ian!

[@nigel.w]

IMO, one of these makes for an excellent runabout for congested city traffic. Oh, and an excellent review of what it's like.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Really enjoy the channel with a great mix of content well done 👍👍👍

[@Mr_Reaper]

The smile on your face says it all Ian........ They're great fun. I've never driven one, but was a passenger in one once. What a car!

[@anthonystevens8683]

A really good objective review Ian... spliced with some interesting subjective bits. I remember the first time I saw one on the road, it looked brilliant. I've never driven one (yet) but I'm not sure that I could fold myself into one at my age and health anyway. Many thanks for sharing, it looked like you had some cracking fun making the video..

[@plym1969]

I love these car reviews! You can feel rhe fun and joy emanating from the screen.

[@johnwinters4201]

Taking the bars out just makes it feel more open. Always drove mine with the roof of whenever possible.

[@FrankJCarver]

Looks like a giant Airfix model.

[@dustymiller7758]

Great entertainment with your drive around Cardiff and Newport with that lovely car. Could not figure out where you were at the end.

[@1Haloninja]

Dang have Always wanted one of those. Wonderful to see such a grin

[@charliemanson4808]

When is the T-shirt with Is this a Smart move? Picture of a Smart HubNut

[@larrybrown9583]

I own four of these including a Bluewave and a Brabus. Its become something of an addiction. The silver Brabus sits alongside the R33 Skyline in the garage. I love them both equally. My problem is the roads where we live are often too muddy and i refuse to get these two dirty.

[@tonysargent7787]

another great video has always Ian and Carly miss/mrs hubnut and hublets and hubmutt 👍

[@MrTimcoronel]

ah, the wind in your mullet ...

[@LeaBrattle-parker-pp5sf]

Great video as always, fantastic camera action too. I love these roadsters I was unhappy when smart discontinued them

[@colinreid3544]

Great vid - miles of smiles 😁 and great camera work Carly. Ian really should leave it to you full time 👌

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

What a great little car. Love the engine sound too. 👍

[@TheGarnetNugget]

We just picked one of these up last Saturday as a first car for my girlfriend, in the same blue as well! The ride is great and it's incredibly fun while staying far below the speed limit. Although seeing this footage, it seems ours is lacking quite a bit of power, so I'll need to look into that!

[@danielrussell446]

Ian you should have one for the fleet it certainly put a smile on your face and on those Welsh roads would be amazing

[@actuallyusingmyrealnameher5061]

That is a nice example and looks well cared for.

[@markwillmore2466]

Had mine for 7 years, best car I have had, so much fun.

[@HieroOldie]

I had one of these. Lasted about 6 months before the inevitable happened with the gearbox and I lost interest after changing some parts but couldn't fix. Now I want another one. Thanks Ian!

[@BillyNoMates1974]

tune in next week to see hub nut with a new roadster

[@christopherhunter2892]

We had 4 Smarts. We ordered the first one in 1999 in the internet from Smart in Rennes, France. It was in Aqua Orange and boy did it turn heads. Brilliant cars, not without faults but great fun. Mercedes sadly diluted the Smart experience.

[@bryzot7242]

I've got one that is great fun... horrendously slow but fun

[@ianthemonkeyhangerturner]

My mate had one and it was such a fun car to drive I loved it

[@twiggacott]

The Roadster does have electric power steering as standard though some users pull the fuse to give "better" feel. Power steering is speed sensitive so disables once on the move at a reasonable rate.

[@allanmollison6971]

Thanks for sharing Ian. I can imagine that with your recent Smart content, there might be a number of Smart cars attending Rustival 2. 😊👍

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

Always loved these....

[@Jcn-01]

I might have to get one, these are so cool

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

A Brilliant road test Ian, every gear change and a chirp would have me laughing every time 😂😂

[@rosseastman2134]

_aparently_ you can prompt un upchange by reving it up and lifting the accelerator, as if you were going to go for the clutch next in a manual. Untested personally, but i have been told by two separate smart drivers

[@EdgyNumber1]

This was actually on the list of convertibles I wanted some years ago: Smart Roadster, Sport Ka, MX5, that little Renault convertible, and the Vauxhall Tigra. I wanted a hard top convertible, I needed good boot space, I needed a decent turn of speed, nice handling, reasonably good value, access to reasonably priced parts, and comfortable driving position for my 6'2" frame.... guess what I chose?....... and I don't regret, having kept the car for 14 years.....

[@mattballard4804]

The grin on your face says it all. Have always wanted one of these and I've had a 450 and 451 and love the noise, but it's hard to justify at the moment.

[@repairupdaterepeat5815]

Ive been very tempted by the smart roadster......

[@duboisthierry292]

Mr HubNut , the Smart man !

[@IngramCars]

Excellent sports cars, great to drive!

[@brianwillis9673]

My first experience of Smart was a Fortwo. It was awful - sitting virtually on top of the rear axle meant a bumpy ride and that dreadful auto box left me hating them with a vengeance. I then drove a Forfour - not a lot better. Then I drove a Smart Roadster ... I could not wipe the smile of my face. OK, it was a Brabus with those trick doors, but it reminded me what a "sports car" was all about. Great fun, small and nimble, feels faster than it is and that wind in the hair feeling. Honestly, I'd choose a Smart Roadster over any of those overweight monstrosities that call themselves "sports cars" today.

[@2tone209]

AY UP MR HUBNUT AND GLAMOROUS CAMERA LADY

[@JakobKsGarage]

It's a bit fun, that you have adopted Vice Grip Derek's "that's fine" 😆

[@pabbeb4144]

nice cart 😊👍🏻 I have always laughed at the smart cars, and always said you wouldn't want to be caught dead in them. until 2 years ago I took a test drive in a 1999 city coupe for fun at a smart specialist. I loved it, and bought the test car the same afternoon. Our Volvo V40 is hardly used anymore, because when my wife and I go somewhere together, I absolutely want to drive my smart. this is how a train of thought can change. I also find the roadsters very funny, but for me the fortwo is the most fun because they seem so small and short. greetings from the Netherlands.

[@julesradford5452]

Most fun cars ever... I'm on my 3rd !! Every time I decided to be practical and sold mine I regretted it and I'm hoping to keep my current Roadster for as long as it lasts! I've had an MX5, a StreetKA and others, but the Smart wins every time!

[@sexytasmin]

Thanks Ian excellent review as always. You and Mathew (From “Furious Driving”) are two of my favourite car reviewers. We need more small cars!

[@leeopenshaw9302]

I’ve got a bluewave version love it

[@tommyolsen8224]

Love the Roadster ❤

[@Andyc18]

That turbo flutter! 😍

[@jonzaremba]

Love it!!!!

[@StreakyP]

When you drop the sub-frame in yours Ian it may be worth stripping & greasing you clutch actuator mechanism whilst you have easy access.

[@petercraig9197]

Swatch Mercedes Art working well.

[@mattw8332]

A shame that these Roadsters were discontinued. Always thought they complimented the FourFour and FourTwo very well in the range.

[@johnbee7729]

One of my top 3 dream cars. Thanks for doing this. The roadster was never offered in Canada so likely it will always remain a dream - unless someone knows of a nice LHD example

[@tivvy-xf4kz]

The gearbox isn't flawed most people forget it's actually a manual car so you need to give it time to change gear as you would in a car with a clutch. Yes they have a few sensors etc which slows that process down and they can go wrong or out of adjustment. If anyone asks me about the gearchange I tell them to gently put your foot down when starting off then keep the revs at app 3000/3500 and do not move the throttle and let the car change up and you should find it will change very smoothly. Your speed should then be fine for urban use. Of course it tends to hold onto gears if you put your foot down so all you do when you want to change up is lightly lift your foot(as you would do on a manual car) and it should change up. It's not an auto box with a torque converter nor is it a cvt box so you can't floor it and expect smooth changes. If test driving one and it still lurches on gear changes it might need some attention.

[@paultasker7788]

I loved the diversity of cars we used to have. I can imagine a smart being in many a car collection.

[@Ascania]

Should have tried it out on a winding little country lane. They are proper fun on those.

[@Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968]

Popular and still fetching a high price when available. Just a great pity that nobody is still building something as nice as this.

[@murrieteacher]

What a great little car. Not to many of them here in Oz. I like the turbo flutter. I would not swap it in place of my MGTF though.

[@user-gu9si7bj9q]

What a cracking little car . for a day out to the beach.still looks cool.🤩🤗😎🤟🍄

[@itstheterranaut]

Great vid. I still want one- badly.

[@SmallBlogV8]

Always fancied the idea of one of these. I remember almost convincing my mum to buy one once! But not quite...

[@misterchippie]

I was beginning to think "no wiper test??!!" - How could I ever have doubted!

[@jaggass]

It looks like a Kei version of a Honda S2000 and a TVR Tuscan. Smart stopped building it because it wasn't selling.

[@Stephenb033]

2:25 a beautiful edit Sir.

[@twocvbloke]

It's probably a good thing Swatch backed out of the Smart car enterprise, it'd be really difficult to wear one on your wrist... :P