What TOAD do you have

We have a Skoda CityGo - fantastic little run around and TOAD. 5 doors, manual, 60mpg, no road tax.
 
Thanks all there are lots of good answers here. I still really like the idea of the full cabriolet Smart car but I think I may need to get some test drives of other things before I make a decision, I think it may end up as our second car so I need to get it right as I’m selling my actual car I’m not really using it, my wife’s took delivery a couple of months ago of a new fully electric Mini cooperS it fantastic to drive a pocket rocket go cart and a charge works out to around an 80 mpg equivalent. She doesn’t use it much so I just keep pinching it, I have to say it’s so much better then all the big SUV’s she used to have but I do like the new Range Rover, never again though how can a 130k motor be so unreliable.

I know what you mean about the power I usually drive sports or super cars but you just can’t use them anymore, Im going to enjoy a few test drives, I’ll keep you updated and thanks again for all the posts.
 
Cant beat toyota IQ, un beleivable how roomy it is for 2 adults and 2 dogs. 60 miles to gallon filled up ages ago run around town still on full and zero tax cheap insurance.
 
We have a 2006 Smart FourTwo Cabriolet which came with a Tow-A-Car A frame, tows fine and is a favourite with the dogs.
 
jako999 said:
Thanks all there are lots of good answers here. I still really like the idea of the full cabriolet Smart car but I think I may need to get some test drives of other things before I make a decision, I think it may end up as our second car so I need to get it right as I’m selling my actual car I’m not really using it, my wife’s took delivery a couple of months ago of a new fully electric Mini cooperS it fantastic to drive a pocket rocket go cart and a charge works out to around an 80 mpg equivalent. She doesn’t use it much so I just keep pinching it, I have to say it’s so much better then all the big SUV’s she used to have but I do like the new Range Rover, never again though how can a 130k motor be so unreliable.

I know what you mean about the power I usually drive sports or super cars but you just can’t use them anymore, Im going to enjoy a few test drives, I’ll keep you updated and thanks again for all the posts.
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If you want a bit of zip, you have to surely test drive an Abarth……pocket rocket is an understatement and so much fun to drive. Either way, enjoy whatever you get, we nearly went for the VW Up gti.. Here is our set up, A Frame fitted by LNB in Bristol.

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Kia Picanto GT S Line

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I’m seriously looking at a Hyundai I20N 1150kg, 205bhp - think it will be an awesome TOAD.
 
Toyota Aygo auto.

tows very nicely and 5 door so useful car at all times.
 
jako999 said:
Hi all what have people got as a toad?
Im a bit stuck I really wanted a Smart Fortwo because I want an auto and a cabriole, but I’ve been told they don’t tow very well to the point that some companies won’t fit an A frame to the, so who has A Smart Fortwo and how do you find them? I know you can get an auto, large canvas roof 108, C1, aygo but their not what I real want the other one I quit like is the Toyota IQ but it’s going to have to be a manual again and no cabriolet and if that’s the case then there’s an UP or a LUPO and so on.

So what’s everyone got and what do you think of them?

Thanks
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Don't know who gave you the twaddle about a Smart for two not towing well. We have a 2014 Reg (the last one without the funny bulge) and it's auto and a cabriolet. It's been to Italy and Scotland twice and various other places. Our A frame was fitted by Armitage many years ago and apart from greasing has performed faultlessly. The only thing you sometimes have to watch out for is if you are turning sharply at slow speed and you hit a rut the front wheels will get a shimmy wobbl;e on. The only way to stop it is to come to a halt and take off again and it only happens very infrequently. I think it might happen with other tow cars as well. This is our second Smart car with the same A frame and when we swapped it over the local garage did the conversion.
 
Hi we use a 2016 Polo GT 1.4 act 150 bhp
Excellent toad, multiple trouble free trips to France, Germany and Italy, as well as plently of UK excursions.Tow with Kontiki 635 Hi.
Use the Tunnel to cross to Europe with No issues.
 
Be aware Funsters that A frames are illegal in Germany and possibly in other European states. Before the 5th wheeler I towed a small 4 wheeled trailer with a small Fiat.
 
We have just had an A frame fitted to a Street Ka, haven't used it yet though.
 
Living in the south of France I tow a road legal quad on a purpose made trailer . It is illegal to tow a car on an A frame in France & Spain
 
I was drooling over a motorhomer's Fiat Abarth in Scotland earlier this year. I think they are available with a cloth top.
 
jako999 said:
Hi all what have people got as a toad?
Im a bit stuck I really wanted a Smart Fortwo because I want an auto and a cabriole, but I’ve been told they don’t tow very well to the point that some companies won’t fit an A frame to the, so who has A Smart Fortwo and how do you find them? I know you can get an auto, large canvas roof 108, C1, aygo but their not what I real want the other one I quit like is the Toyota IQ but it’s going to have to be a manual again and no cabriolet and if that’s the case then there’s an UP or a LUPO and so on.

So what’s everyone got and what do you think of them?

Thanks
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We have a Hyundai i10, with a "Tow A frame " lightweight A frame with their super electronic braking system. So it has no need for heavy jockey wheels and over ride braking systems.

Tows a treat and gives easy space for four people.
 

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jako999 said:
Hi all what have people got as a toad?
Im a bit stuck I really wanted a Smart Fortwo because I want an auto and a cabriole, but I’ve been told they don’t tow very well to the point that some companies won’t fit an A frame to the, so who has A Smart Fortwo and how do you find them? I know you can get an auto, large canvas roof 108, C1, aygo but their not what I real want the other one I quit like is the Toyota IQ but it’s going to have to be a manual again and no cabriolet and if that’s the case then there’s an UP or a LUPO and so on.

So what’s everyone got and what do you think of them?

Thanks
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Hi Jako. With my last Mo-Ho (Autocruise Sunningdale ) i towed a SmartPure 450 on an 'A ' frame supplied by Car A Tow " in Poole Dorset..They will do the necessary modifications ,ie mounting brackets electrics etc,or you can d.I.Y .Took me four hours to do it. The Smart towed very very well down to the South of France & back many times in neutral (i purchased it in Nice)
As for reversing coupled up YES it can be done quite easily (as Iv'e put on here before) .A pair of expanders/' bungy straps' from the steering wheel ,set straight ,hooked under the seat and the outfit reverses just the same as a caravan & car/horse box/tailer etc.
The DVLA class the Smart as a trailer ,having all wheels and electrics /brakes functioning, BUT but alas this is frowned on in the E.U , as they require the Smart etc to be ON a trailer !! people still do though if you get stopped & you have somebody that can drive the car ,fine ,BUT if like me you're solo it can be a problem .Make sure which car you select can be towed for long mileage in neutral though !!
 
Don Campbell said:
Don't know who gave you the twaddle about a Smart for two not towing well. We have a 2014 Reg (the last one without the funny bulge) and it's auto and a cabriolet. It's been to Italy and Scotland twice and various other places. Our A frame was fitted by Armitage many years ago and apart from greasing has performed faultlessly. The only thing you sometimes have to watch out for is if you are turning sharply at slow speed and you hit a rut the front wheels will get a shimmy wobbl;e on. The only way to stop it is to come to a halt and take off again and it only happens very infrequently. I think it might happen with other tow cars as well. This is our second Smart car with the same A frame and when we swapped it over the local garage did the conversion.
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Interesting you describe reports of Smarts not towing very well as “twaddle”, then go on to describe the exact issue that some people have reported!

In general, it appears to be the 451 that suffers the most as it has no damper on the steering linkage, unlike the later versions.

The wheel shimmy you describe (death wobble, to some) is not exclusive to Smart cars, i’ve heard of it on other vehicles too, including much larger vehicles as towed in The States…

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TonyEmm said:
Interesting you describe reports of Smarts not towing very well as “twaddle”, then go on to describe the exact issue that some people have reported!

In general, it appears to be the 451 that suffers the most as it has no damper on the steering linkage, unlike the later versions.

The wheel shimmy you describe (death wobble, to some) is not exclusive to Smart cars, i’ve heard of it on other vehicles too, including much larger vehicles as towed in The States…
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The wheel shimmy doesn't only happen on The Smart as you say, nor is it confined to earlier models as our 2nd Smart has power steering and it happens exactly the same as the previous one without. The "twaddle" I mentioned is the fact that there are a lot of people around who say you can't even tow a Smart car because it has a semi automatic box. All you have to do is make sure it's in neutral. A good second check if you are not sure what you are doing is to try the ignition as it will only start in neutral.
 

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