Just cancelled my Smart FourTwo convertible order...

[Hulababy]

After the past month of messing about and the Smart garage not having a clue, they have now decided that it is not possible to turn the air bag off using the car seat. It only works for the first stage car seat, and not the next stage up. Dh has told them this is not acceptable for us and we believe there recommendation is not safe enough.

So it is cancelled

However, for just £200 more I am now going to, hopefully, get a FourFour Passion - the four seater Smart car. Not convertible though, but still pretty cool, and definitely more economical than my Beetle. Dh is going to speak to them and see which ones they have in stock. I am happy to compromise on colours

Don't have to spend £190 on their car seat either now. Can just get a normal one. No isofix sadly (I don't think anyway - best check!) but PILs have just got DD a Britax Hiliner seat, reduced to £40 on Toys R Us which did really well in the Which report, so may get that one.

So, fingers crossed this one goes well.

Also thinking of e-mailing Smart to explain all this car seat stuff and why we feel it is not safe.

thats annoying but good!

I know. Still won't be able to fit all of you lots in - will still have to borrow DH's car for that

Just hope it won't take long to come.

Glad you're getting it sorted now though. I would defo email/write to smart about the safety issue though

Are the beetles particulary uneconomical then? I am thinking about getting one.

my ds's car seats wouldn't fit in the back of a beetle as the back curves too much ( had one as a courtesy car a couple of months ago) - -had to use the emergency backless booster.

For those who don't know the car, it will look like this . Not chosen colour yet though.

BTW the ds's car seats are Britax Hiliners

We used an Isofix Britax Duo in the Beetle and that fit okay, although you couldn't recline it.

I drive 80 mile round trip to work and it used more petrol than our new Golf GTi.

My Beetle is not that old either - only about 2 or 3 years max.

Oh, that is a cool car.
But have my heart set on a convertible.

Have to say I don't see the point of a Smart for four people - the tiny one OK, it's unique (albeit completely crammed), but there are so many other cars which do the four job better than that - why not get a Jazz?

I like something a bit different. The Jazz looks a bit...well...mainstream too me. Not very funky or exciting.

Get a Jazz and add some funky stripes with a pot of enamel

No, have to have funky!!!

Failing that fast and classic - our other car is the new Golf GTI, which is lovely. All the prison officer stop me to talk abbreviations about that one when I take it to work. No idea what they are on about; LOL!

janh, I agree. They are vastly overpriced, IMO. But hey-ho, Hula clearly has a soft spot for Smarts . I agree that they are cute though

My ForFour is now ordered and should arrive by the end of next week. there was ONE ForFour Passion with Isofix in the whole of the UK It is silver, and fingers crossed this one goes well.

But wasn't the point of Smart cars that they could be parked nose to kerb? I am, of course, not jealous

I just wish they'd do an electric version - it'd be the ideal car to use electric fuel-cell technology with. And proper electric too, like you can get in the US - 70mph top speed and around 200 miles on a single charge would do nicely.

Message withdrawn

can't wait to see it

Still think you'd be much better buying a Jazz...

Katz - I have got a 3rd seatbelt int he back too - so maybe you might all still fit in - just!!!

Cod - not sure, I suppose I am most of the time, but can let the rela eme out in things like my cars

Jazz is too boring for me sorry Next you'll be suggested an MPV or something

oo we'll have to try!

Well MPVs are particularly fab for packing people in to - esp little ones - go on, get a nice new Zafira, you know you want to.

Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have ONE child!!!!
We no longer use a buggy!
We have a second car!

I don't need an MPV!

To be honest even if I had 4 kids I don't think I could buy one! Think DH would rather walk. LOL!