When you’re shopping for a used Smart car, the best buy is the 2016 Smart Fortwo. Its redesign fixes some issues found in older model years and gives you more room than ever—plus great fuel economy. It’s available in a manual or automatic transmission.

City-dwellers know how limited parking options are in major metropolitan areas. Who wants to deal with the hassle of parking a giant SUV when your needs end at a weekly trip to the grocery store? Anyone living in a city should seriously consider a Smart car to help save space and find a parking spot with ease.

Smart has released a limited line of cars in the US, and they all seem similar on the surface. That’s why the

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is here to help you navigate the differences between different model years to decide on the best used Smart car for you.

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The best used Smart car to buy: 2016 Smart Fortwo

Smart is known for creating affordable, ultra-compact cars that are great for navigating tight city corners. The 2016 Fortwo model is redesigned and ready to skirt through that rush-hour traffic and into the smallest parking space on the block.

What makes the 2016 Smart Fortwo a good used car?

It’s hard to tell the difference at first glance between Smart car model years. What makes the 2016 Smart Fortwo a great choice?

There are four factors to consider when deciding on a used car: the true cost of ownership, safety features, reliability, and customization. Here’s how the 2016 Smart Fortwo stacks up in those categories:

True cost of ownership: Did you know that Smart is owned by Mercedes? Some people worry that will lead to higher repair costs. The best used Smart car balances reliability against maintenance and repair costs, plus insurance and depreciation.

Safety features: With a car as small as a Smart car, many people worry their safety is compromised. The best used Smart car has excellent safety features.

Reliability: You don’t want to be in and out of the mechanic after buying a used car. Your 2016 Smart Fortwo should stand up to the test of time.

Customization and styling: It’s great to put your personal touch on your ride by customizing its features and trim levels.

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The true cost of owning a 2016 Smart Fortwo

The true cost of ownership includes more than just the purchase price. You’ll need to consider the daily costs of operating the car, maintenance, repairs, insurance costs, and the interest on the loan you take out (if you’re financing the car).

It turns out there are big benefits to owning such a tiny car. Your car insurance premiums will be lower than a larger car’s, even though your little car can take you just as far. Plus, Smart cars are packed with safety features due to their petite size, which can earn you a discount on your premium.

Smart is owned and operated by the parent company of Mercedes, so you can expect the same level of engineering and quality as you would with a luxury car. The car’s modest size can also help you save with low operation costs.

Let’s break down precisely what makes the 2016 Smart Fortwo so affordable.

Purchase price

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for a 2016 Smart Fortwo was $15,000 on average for the base model. Shopping for the same used car today will cost $8,000 on average.

Costs of operation

If you need to finance your car, you’ll want to get low interest and loan payments. To do this, you need good credit and a nice-sized down payment.

You’ll need to think about depreciation costs when purchasing any vehicle. New vehicles can lose as much as 60% of their value in the first five years of ownership. Because the 2016 Smart Fortwo is over five years old, you won’t see a big loss in value.

There are a few trim levels available for the 2016 Smart Fortwo in addition to two body styles: coupe and convertible. You’ll save extra on your car insurance premiums if you opt for the coupe body over the convertible. Convertibles aren’t as safe as cars with hard-tops, and you’ll compensate for that reduction of safety in your insurance premium.

Fuel costs are another major factor in the cost of ownership. Luckily the 2016 Smart Fortwo gets an incredible 36 mpg so you can be sure you won’t be spending top dollar on fuel. Keep in mind, though, that any Smart car requires premium gasoline, so you’ll still be paying a bit more at the pump.

Key Takeaway You can keep your costs low on your 2016 Smart Fortwo thanks to its excellent mileage and by opting for the coupe body style.

Safety features of the 2016 Smart Fortwo

When it comes to safety, most people think bigger means better. The common assumption is that you’re safer in an SUV than you are in a tiny car like the 2016 Smart Fortwo.

Contrary to popular belief, the

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

evaluated the 2016 Smart Fortwo and issued a rating of “Good” across the board. This is a better score than some of those big SUVs on the road, which often receive ratings of “Acceptable” or even “Marginal.”

Some of Smart Fortwo’s safety features include

Seat-mounted side and head airbags

Knee airbags

Anti-lock brakes

Traction and stability control

Crosswind assist

Optional frontal collision warning

Optional rear parking sensors

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the 2016 Smart Fortwo,

previous models

earned four out of five stars for safety.

The optional safety features are available on all trim levels except the basic Pure level trim. If you are interested in these safety features, opt for a higher trim level when searching for your used 2016 Smart Fortwo.

Is the 2016 Smart Fortwo a reliable used car?

The redesigned 2016 Smart Fortwo was created to stand the test of time. Owners of the

2016 Smart Fortwo

report it is highly reliable and stands up well to the usual wear and tear of daily driving.

No car is immune to issues, and if your 2016 Smart Fortwo needs service, you’ll have to go to a Mercedes dealership to get it serviced. That might seem expensive because of its luxury name, but it’s more affordable than you would think.

One way you can keep your 2016 Smart Fortwo running smoothly is with

regular maintenance

. You’ll find regular maintenance is a breeze if you work it into your schedule and develop a good relationship with your technician. Regular maintenance also helps you discover any developing issues, which can be resolved quickly (and inexpensively) the sooner you catch them.

On average, you can get 150,000 miles out of your 2016 Smart Fortwo. However, in milder climates, some have reported 450,000 miles of use.

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Basic car maintenance schedule

Customization and styling

The last element to consider before a 2016 Smart Fortwo purchase is whether or not you can customize it to reflect your personality. Smart might not have the same reputation as a Honda when it comes to customization, but you may be surprised by the number of options available.

The 2016 Smart Fortwo’s redesign means you might not need to touch the interior, which can spare you extra costs. There’s a rich aftermarket industry for Smart customizations, and the options are endless!

If you’re not one for customizing a car in a garage, you’ll still have some options. The 2016 Smart Fortwo was offered in 10 standard colors, so you’ll have a wide selection of colors to choose from while you’re shopping.

How to find affordable insurance for a used Smart car

Perhaps the best part of owning a 2016 Smart Fortwo is that the insurance payments are just as petite as the car itself! The average cost of insurance is $1,500 per year, which is much lower than most other car makes.

If you want to save even more on your car insurance, there’s an app for that. Try downloading the

Jerry

app to find additional savings in less time than it takes to microwave some pizza. All you have to do is answer some questions and choose a custom quote from over 50 top insurance companies!

After you enter your information, you’re done! Jerry handles the paperwork and even helps you cancel your old policy. To make sure you stay on top of your savings, Jerry shops for new policies once yours is up for renewal.

The average Jerry user saves $887 per year on car insurance. Want to find out how? Try Jerry today. It takes less than five minutes!

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