The Smart Forfour is a city car produced by Daimler AG’s microcar branch, manufactured from 2004 to 2006. It was made in the Netherlands with the help of Mitsubishi Motors, using the same factory that churned out the Volvo 300s and V40s. To save on costs during production, the Forfour shared many of the components of the 2003 Mitsubishi Colt, like the suspension, chassis, and MIVEC petrol engines. A sports version of the Forfour was released in 2005, powered by a supercharged Mitsubishi 4G15 engine that allowed the car to reach maximum speeds of 137mph and accelerate from 0 to 62 mph within 6.9 seconds. Built using a Renault base, the second-generation Forfour is slated to arrive in 2014.
Pros
The Forfour is probably one of the best cars that Smart has ever built. It’s quite practical too compared to other vehicles in Smart’s lineup, what with a four-seat layout that actually offers just two seats. Additionally, it offers the best driving experience out of any smart vehicle, thanks to composed handling, accurate steering, and plenty of grip. Brandishing the style that Smart is known for inside and out adds points in favor of the Forfour, as well as the solid build quality that boasts of sturdiness.
There have been concerns that the Smart Forfour is quite expensive to buy but while that is true it is quite cheap to run. For example, most Forfours can average 50mpg, which is pretty decent considering its performance and power. To save more, you can bring down insurance costs by steering clear of the Brabus-prepared sport version since other versions are rated to fall under groups 4 (1.0 petrol engine options to 7 (the diesel engine options).
Cons
But while the Forfour can be considered the best Smart car out there, it pales in comparison in many areas to its competitors, including being a low-speed ride. Engine performance is good on the overall but a 1.3 is not going to take you to many places. Maybe around the city it will be more than enough but you’ll definitely feel the difference when you step onto the motorway. All that too at a higher price compared to what the Smart Forfour’s competitors are offering.
Speaking of price, resale values are high which is both a good thing and bad thing if you’re selling. It’s a good thing because this means you get to go home with a satisfying profit. It’s a bad thing because it will deter buyers, making it harder for you to sell a used Smart Forfour. The hefty price tag for a used (or brand-new) Forfour cannot be helped because the car hasn’t been in the market for a long time so depreciation does not affect it so much.
And though the Smart Forfour is cheap to run, it is also expensive to take care of, with routine maintenance costing significantly more than what it would take to maintain most of its competitors. If you’re interested in the Brabus-prepared sport version, you’re looking at higher insurance premiums too because it is categorized under group 16.
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