I'm on my sixth smart

I've had 2 four-twos (tho they were called smart citys back then)
A Crossblade (a four-two with no roof, windscreen and doors )
And 3 roadsters.

Smart drivers (well the old school ones at least) are rather prone to 'bombing passed in the outside lane'. It's kind of a 'little car, big attitude' type thing.

All smarts have tiny turbo chargers which means you can take them to a place like Smarts-R-Us in Nottingham and have them chipped to go quicker

Smarts get a lot of bad press from auto journos. The types that use cut and paste journalism to great effect. Suppose it's becuase a Smart does not have a 'menancing stance' or 'purposefull body styling' and is a 'plastic toy car'.

The levels of safety kit on a stardard smart is excellent and it's plastic panels simply ping back into shape should someone gently bump you in the car park. You can take them off and swap colours with other owners or respray them easilly (smart actually has a comprehensive recycling program for them in France)

One suprising aspect of the FourTwo is how easy they are to get in and out of. The seats are high and leg room is excellent. Again Journos will knock the boot space. I had two cabrios. You can drop the roof down and stuff the back full of a weekly shop for two with ease. I have been known to transport large trees in the back of mine !

Then of course there's fuel economy and emmisions. Smart's sip fuel. Take a look at the new diesel coming soon.

Not been able to use the handbrake is not a problem. Smarts have 'Hill Assist'. Basically this momentarilly keeps the foot brake held on until the driver had shifted their foot to the accelerator. (Smarts have had this as standard for ages. Audi have just introduced it as a £50 option !)

Oh heck, I just realised I've written a small essay. Smart Geek or what.
Best advice is to go have a play in one.. you'l rarely see a smart driver that isn't smiling