Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look and Drive

65 messages, Last post on Jun 22, 2008 at 7:42 AM

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What is this discussion about? smart fortwo, Hatchback

Article comments for First Look: 2008 Smart Fortwo - Americans' newfound love affair with small cars is about to be tested with the arrival of the 2008 Smart Fortwo. (more)

First Drive: 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion - Once you get some momentum together, it's a pleasure to drive the Smart. Despite its short 73.5-inch wheelbase, the Fortwo absorbs bumps and potholes quite well. The ride quality isn't exactly as supple as a Maybach, but the motions are surprisingly gentle. (more)

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#52 of 65 Sweetness. by bumpy Dec 05, 2007 (1:47 pm)
I'm going to the last of the road tours Saturday, so I'll give it a more involved workout this time around. (The first one I went to, the line was over 2 hours long and it was 90-something degrees out, so I just did the basic around-the-block drive.) Replies to this message: 6sptl (Dec 06, 2007 12:58 pm) plekto (Dec 07, 2007 2:24 pm)
#53 of 65 About shifting by sbonhartwell Dec 06, 2007 (3:37 am)
Does this car have a clutch. I read that you have to change gears and the electronics assist. It appears that a clutch is not necessary. am I correct here? Thanks Replies to this message: bumpy (Dec 06, 2007 7:51 am) plekto (Dec 06, 2007 11:53 am)
#54 of 65 Re: About shifting [sbonhartwell] by bumpy Dec 06, 2007 (7:51 am)
Replying to: sbonhartwell (Dec 06, 2007 3:37 am) The transmission is built exactly a like a conventional manual. The differences are that the throwout bearing for the clutch is operated by a computer-controlled solenoid instead of a cable attached to a clutch pedal; and the shift forks in the gearbox are operated by more solenoids, instead of cables attached to a conventional manual shift lever. Replies to this message: plekto (Dec 06, 2007 11:53 am)
#55 of 65 Re: About shifting [bumpy] by plekto Dec 06, 2007 (11:53 am)
Replying to: bumpy (Dec 06, 2007 7:51 am) Correct. So you need to lift off the gas a tiny bit between shifts or else the computers will jump in to keep you from grinding the clutch between shifts. This also means that automatic is NOT an option driving this if you want any sort of acceleration. You need to use those paddles or shifter and manually shift all the time as there is no torque converter(!). That is, it can't really be driven in automatic mode very well because you can't tell when the thing wants to shift without the computers going into nanny mode, and therefore when to exactly lift off of the gas. You end up with 1 second shifts because you guessed wrong. Running it in manual mode solves this problem. Me? I plan to get those paddles and run it around like a motorcycle.(most motorcycles have the clutch on the handlebars - so you shift with your fingers essentially, not too unlike this) I got used to this, btw, on my old 1967 Mercedes 230S. It was set up for an identical system, believe it or not, so while mine as a manual, the clutch was still all solenoid controlled. I'd press the pedal, which was on a heavy spring, and it would trip a small switch. Very fast and smooth, very hard to burn the clutch as well. But it took a few days to get used to.(4 speed on the column was harder - lol)
#56 of 65 Re: Sweetness. [bumpy] by 6sptl Dec 06, 2007 (12:58 pm)
Replying to: bumpy (Dec 05, 2007 1:47 pm) Although the smart has been around for 10 years it is still to turn a profit. It was originally made in Switzerland and then it moved production god knows where. It has been in the chopping block for MB for years but as the concorde it seems that European manufacturers never know when to kill an unprofitable contraption. The smart looks great but its engineering and performance are more akin to a car designed made in India or the former USSR. I drove a limited edition "Blade" model in France and it was a horrible expirience, weak engine, horrid tranny, limp brakes and steering plus (for its size) mediocre fuel economy. As Consumer Reports has reported it is probably the worst performing car in the last decade. To make matters worse reliability is reported to be truly bad (70's Fiat bad). Again CAVEAT EMPTOR Replies to this message: plekto (Dec 07, 2007 2:24 pm)
#57 of 65 Re: Sweetness. [6sptl] by plekto Dec 07, 2007 (2:24 pm)
Replying to: 6sptl (Dec 06, 2007 12:58 pm) Again, they wasted their profits on failed attempts to make it into a full line company with that oh so cool but underpowered like a lawnmower was under the hood roadster to their 4 door. The electric version going on sale in the U.K. soon is also taking a major hit to their bottom line as well. Add in the old engine's cost and the extra cost for interior parts - as funky as they looked, it cost a lot more... So they are in the red. They are learning though. from now on, it's Smart ForTwo only, with a Mitsubishi engine that's basically similar to Honda in terms of reliability(and parts are easy to get as well), a less expensive dash, more power.. it's a better car with a lower cost to own and buy. It will do just fine. They already have over a years production worth of reservations/deposits. Read; more are going to be produced in 2008 than Honda had with the Fit the first year. And like the Fit, it'll be hard to find one still left on the lot 24 hours after a shipment comes in.
#58 of 65 sbonhartwell by sbonhartwell Dec 08, 2007 (2:10 pm)
What about the road noise level on these cars. Can someone tell me something about this? Thank you
#59 of 65 I don't know specifically... by bumpy Dec 08, 2007 (4:55 pm)
but I didn't notice anything exceptional about the noise inside the cabin. The tires are fairly narrow by modern standards and the exhaust is well-muffled, so that helps to keep the noise down. Replies to this message: sbonhartwell (Dec 08, 2007 6:20 pm)
#60 of 65 Re: I don't know specifically... [bumpy] by sbonhartwell Dec 08, 2007 (6:20 pm)
Replying to: bumpy (Dec 08, 2007 4:55 pm) Thanks for all the responses. I appreciate folks sharing their thoughts on the Smart Car. I am one who paid the $ 99.00 and most likely will get one when it becomes available. The toyota IQ shows promise but more waiting will be required for it. It's like before I bought my Prius and joined the Prius group on Yahoo. I got loads of information and passed much of it on to the dealers' personnel until they became convenienced it was a fine car. Thanks again, Sam