Is it worth buying a used smartforfour?

[HopeAnn]

Engine oil emulsification, the manufacturer refuses to repair it, so it's not worth buying no matter how cheap the car is. Here are the relevant details about the 2017 Brabus smartforfour: 1. Exterior: The design follows the family style, featuring a dot-matrix front grille. The front fascia hardly uses any lines, appearing very rounded, lively, and somewhat cute. Due to its compact size, the side profile looks tight with only a single waistline, giving a simple and neat appearance. The use of sporty design tires enhances the car's sporty feel. 2. Configuration: Standard equipment includes driver/passenger airbags, front side airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, brake force distribution, traction control, electronic stability program, brake assist, autonomous emergency braking, rear parking radar, start-stop system, hill start assist, cruise control, etc. 3. Powertrain: Equipped with a 0.9T engine paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 0.9T engine delivers a maximum output of 80 kW and peak torque of 170 N·m, with a top speed of 180 km/h. The 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 10.5 seconds, and the official combined fuel consumption is 5.4L/100km as published by MIIT.

[PiperLynn]

I've driven a used smart forfour for three years, and it's perfect for city commuting. Parking is incredibly easy—just two turns and you can squeeze into spots others can't. The 1.0T engine consumes just over 5 liters of fuel, saving hundreds on gas each month. The back seat can fit two adults, and even my 160-pound mom doesn't complain about it being cramped. However, with used cars, watch out for engine vibrations, especially in three-cylinder models over 60,000 km—cold starts feel like a massage chair. Always use full synthetic oil for maintenance, and the transmission fluid must be changed at 60,000 km. Repairs are indeed pricier than regular compact cars—replacing a rearview mirror cost me 800 yuan, but that's the trade-off for Mercedes-Benz technology.

[Sherri]

Recently accompanied a friend to buy a used Smart ForFour, which was surprisingly affordable - a 2016 model could be had for just over 40,000 yuan. The car turned out to be more practical than expected, with a trunk that can fit two carry-on suitcases without issue. The turbo lag is noticeable during acceleration, requiring you to step on the gas pedal earlier when overtaking. I'd recommend opting for the version with built-in parking sensors, as the rear window visibility is genuinely limited. The biggest pitfall of this car lies in its maintenance costs - last time, replacing the clutch three-piece set cost 2,800 yuan, twice as much as a Honda Fit. Be sure to test drive it for at least half an hour before purchasing to assess the transmission jerkiness, which is particularly pronounced in the dual-clutch version. The suspension is excessively stiff, so you'll need to take speed bumps carefully.

[DiGrant]

From a personal car usage perspective, the biggest advantage of a used smart forfour is its agility. Last week I drove it to an exhibition in an old hutong alley - it could even make a U-turn in a five-meter-wide dead end. When purchasing, pay special attention to inspecting the rear seatbelt buckles. The rear seats in this four-seater are rarely used, making them prone to rust and jamming. The most troublesome issue I encountered was the long parts waiting period - I had to wait nine days for a wiper motor. If you mainly drive in second-tier cities, it's absolutely worth buying, but if you frequently drive on highways, you'd better choose a larger car.

[DiEmma]

I just sold my four-year-old used smart forfour last month. The resale value was disappointingly low - I originally bought it new for 160,000 yuan but only got 68,000 yuan after 40,000 km. However, the operating costs were genuinely low, with urban commuting fuel expenses under 400 yuan monthly. Buyers should pay special attention to the engine mounts - when they fail in older cars, the steering wheel vibrates enough to numb your hands. Also thoroughly test the AC cooling performance; it's painfully slow to cool down after summer sun exposure. The tires have special specifications and are ridiculously expensive - replacing all four costs nearly 3,000 yuan.

[JaxsonFitz]

As a second family car, a used Smart Forfour is quite practical. It's especially handy for picking up and dropping off kids at school, easily navigating through narrow roads near the school gate. However, it's advisable to avoid the first 2014 models due to their higher electronic failure rates. My neighbor's car triggers a fault code on average every two months. Opting for a version with a panoramic sunroof is best, as it significantly enhances the open feel in such a small car. For test drives, choose a rainy day to check for leaks around the sunroof and door seals. The modification potential is actually quite substantial. I personally replaced the springs with shorter ones to lower the body and upgraded to 15-inch wheels, which noticeably improved handling.