Summer’s nearly here (allegedly), and sunshine driving couldn’t be more fun than it is in a convertible so, consider your options.  There’s not much if you’re short on cash.  What would you expect to pay for a soft top?  After a quick glance at what’s on offer, £15k looks about the starting price for a new one, but what if you want a rear wheel drive 2-seater with ABS, EBD, an electronic traction and stability control system, airbags all round, leather interior and an electric hood.  You wouldn’t think you could get anything for under ten grand, would you?  Especially not a car that’s engineered by Mercedes-Benz.  Well you can if you splash out on an MCC Smart.

Still interested?  Thought not.  Why would anyone want to drive a silly looking car like that?  Hmm, now let me think.  Well, your bank manager would love you as the prices start at a lowly £5,700 and the car I have described above would cost a mere £9,635 on the road.  Parking in town would be much easier as even the least spatially aware driver could surely legally park 2.5m worth of car somewhere.  Insurance is group 2 (3 for the cabrio). Average fuel consumption is 57mpg.  It has a list of safety features too long for me to even remember, let alone list here, and to top it all off… it’s fun to drive!  Great fun indeed.

My unease about the quirkiness of the whole Smart experience swiftly evaporated once I entered the dealership, as they appear to have taken some tips from Daewoo and made the showroom fun and relaxing with free coffee and friendly staff who make you feel at home.  This is the type of environment that makes me spend more money than I intended without ever realising.  Clever stuff.  Then I was whisked off in a Smart & Passion City-Cabrio which amazed me with its wealth of features and gadgets, meaning we were never stuck for something to talk about on the drive!  I was apprehensive about my first left-hand drive and automatic gearbox experience all being rolled into one, but I needn’t have been as I easily adjusted to being on the ‘wrong’ side of the car while resting my clutch foot letting the car did all the work.  The automatic gear-box was a little bit jerky on the change, but this could easily have been my inexperience, so I was eager to try out the SOFTIP gear change which you engage simply by tapping the lever forward.  Journeys to work would never be the same again.

After proving the car’s credentials on the streets of Manchester, we proceeded to take it for a quick jaunt along the M602 as motorway performance was another of my concerns with such a small car.  The 599cc engine was, however, surprisingly happy at 70 and the wind noise was minimal even with the soft top.  Although acceleration at motorway speeds was sorely lacking, as a Peugeot 106 driver I can’t say I really missed it to be honest.  The car and the engine are both under the impression that they are bigger than they actually are, and you’d almost forget that what you’re driving is so tiny if people weren’t staring at you all the time. 

Overall the Smart far exceeded my expectations and has made it onto my wish list.  The styling and the gadgets will appeal to many, and the performance doesn’t disappoint as long as you’re not expecting 0-60 in less than 17 seconds.  I’d like one, I really would.  I just wish it had 4 seats!