evotell

Great story, great looking car. You are right about the motor, they are a sweet as a nut.

nice, photos please

Are they doing the 453 as an electric model

I have driven both at the track, cars were owned by 2 of my students. Your choice of either Fiat or Mini indicates that your looking at a quirky car. The Cooper S is a good car, NOT a great car, it has some major bad points, expensive, heavy, and very little driver feed back. The Fiat is top of the quirky list, cute, expensive and also underpowered, and has the magic Abarth name, except in my opinion it isn't radical enough to wear the name. As a Smart owner you already have the ultimate quirky car, buy the Fiesta ST

Dont talk him out of it, its a doodle LOL

The door latch isn't the problem, its the hinges

The front panel does need to be removed to do this job, it isn't difficult.

It was 12 years ago that I did mine, sorry cant remember what tools were required, good luck. Terry

I had the problem on our UK Passion, took the front panel off and adjusted the hinge, no more problem.

I would agree, 5000 km on synthetic oil is ridiculous, I wait till the 15,000 service. Thanks for your reply.

They are available in Canadian Tire $159.00. I'm not usually into buying stuff like this and Im not someone who is impressed by gadgets, but this really is a piece of kit. Yes it can charge a phone and has a great led flash light. This is another great video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnMPhgbEhNQ

1380cc, Cooper S, 148 BHP, 9800 rpm, 0-60 4.1 seconds. Jack Knight Straight Cut dog box, 1310 pounds, outer panels carbon fibre, holds 6 lap records for its class in north America, Mini Miglia Championship winning car in the UK. On a short 1.4 mile 9 turn track it will lap a ZO6 in 15 laps. Its a piece of kit.

Mini all loaded in the trailer ready for 2 days of action this weekend.

We bought our 2011 Passion in June 2013 with 7,000 km. When we got it we took it to a local garage who does Smart service, looked it over changed the oil, clean bill of health. Its not been used over the winter months, and we were wondering when it needs attention again or what we need to look out for. . Its now done 12k, and as far as Im aware there are no issues.

I guess its fun, but all that work on a car that wont ever handle seems pointless to me. Now I could sell him a Hayabusa powered Caterham and that is a serious car.