Jade Tomes from Worthing, West Sussex has been a smart fan since the age of 7 and had dreamt about owning a fortwo for 10 years. Well her dream came true on March 1st when Jade collected her new smart fortwo passion Coupe from Jack McHale at smart of Reading.
Says Jade "Ive always loved the smart fortwo! Friends and relatives have known me for my enthusiasm about the quirky and unconventional car. For gifts they have given me remote control smart cars and various toy versions, even a chocolate smart fortwo. I registered online with smart many years ago to obtain the latest brochures and I received telephone calls enquiring when I was thinking about changing my car and buying a smart. We all had a good laugh when I informed them that I was not old enough to drive yet!"
Jade, who works for a leading insurance company, was seventeen in August 2007 and took driving lessons with a local instructor. With her new car on order she took her theory test before Christmas and booked her driving test for February 12th, not leaving much time for a re-take if she were to fail. However, Jade managed to pass first attempt with two minors and, just over 2 weeks later, Jade and her parents drove to smart of Reading to collect "Smartie". John Tomes, Jade's Dad, drew the short straw and travelled back to the south coast with Jade driving. Meanwhile Mum sped off in her Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.
John says, "I was really impressed with Jades driving, she was very confident and liked the tiptronic gear box. I guess the most difficult element in learning to drive is the clutch control, which is of course not a problem with a smart fortwo." Jade commented that she could not understand why all cars were not automatic, as driving the smart was so effortless.
Jade beams, "I love "Smartie" and would definitely recommend buying a smart fortwo to anyone, especially for first time drivers. The insurance and tax is not expensive and they are so economical to run. The service received from smart of Reading was fantastic - they were very friendly and made the change over day so special, I even cried!
"It's great when I drive past another smart car and we wave to each other like we have something special in common. I was completely in my element at this years smart Festival held at Brooklands and loved meeting other smart enthusiasts!!!!