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Hatchbacks Smart Car Smart Fortwo
491 messages, Last post on Oct 07, 2009 at 6:46 AM
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Here is what everyone is waiting for, feedback from an owner of a USA delivered, 2008 Smart Passion. Like many, I have been impressed with the Smart Car after seeing it in Europe on business trips. But my reasons are different then a lot of the arguments that are made in so many postings. I am not looking to validate any ones position just provide some information. First and for most I am 6’-4” tall. Every car dealer says, “That is no problem you will fit.” Yet the problem is my legs are short and my body is long. For instance most people that are 6’-4” have a pant inseam of 34-36” I have 32”. So for me head room is always a problem. While in Europe on multiple occasions, I always sat in a Smart Car at the dealer across the street from my hotel, and always head room, and this is true in our new Passion. With this personal requirement here is a short list of cars I can never own due to head clearance, BMW (all), Porsche (all), Mini, Toyoda (Yarus, Prius), Honda (Civic, Fit), Subaru, and Suzuki. The other factor is that my wife works nights and I work days. So 90% of our trips require no more than one passenger. Now, when you declare you can get another car with a back seat I have to agree. The question I have is how valuable is that back seat. In my case, with the seat fully back and reclined to even get in there is no value of the back seat since no one could ever sit there, don’t want it. Now for my personnel impressions of the car after the first week of ownership: 1. The car has more performance then I expected. With my first ride at the dealer I was a little worried about overall performance. But the real definition of how to drive it is, “Drive it like a motorcycle.” I did not order the tachometer option, but have ordered the kit and will install next week. When you drive a motorcycle you rev the engine up let off the gas and shift, accelerating again. Do this in the Smart car and you will have a blast, still not a Ferrari, but enough. In reality it is still over powered. 2. So far fuel mileage has been around 38mpg, probably due to the fact I am having fun driving it like a motorcycle. I am sure my wife is getting the advertised 40+. 3. The ride is better than expected although windy conditions will buffet the car heavily. From inside you think you’re all over the road. But, while viewing from behind when my wife was driving the car appears stable. This was experienced on my trip home from Omaha, NE. Cruised home at 70-75mph, with a short dash at 80 without problem. 4. Stereo system is below average and will require some additions to overcome the road noise and all the music pointed at my legs. Road noise is louder than expected. 5. The see through roof is spectacular. 6. The headlights are excellent are the best I have ever experienced. 7. The key is as big as the car, still haven’t figured out how I am going to get on a key ring. 8. Warranty is to short, but I fit in the car, extended warranty. Since, they were coming to a US market they should have meet customer expectations. This is typical German, overly proud and missing the key points. To back up this point, “Mercedes says they are the best built car, but Chrysler has the life time power train warranty.” 9. They will need to establish more dealers. 10. I order the comfort package upgrade and the leather seat. Wanted the heated seats for cold Iowa winters. Will be interested on what it handles like on snow. 11. Controls are located well. 12. 10k between service. 13. Things I will be looking for on aftermarket. a. Arm rest b. Addition stereo speakers c. Snow tires d. A Ipod mount Finally, I am glad I have waited for this car. Is it a good decision? Only time will tell! Will it be like my Chrysler Town & Country, 167,000 miles with no problems and after a fresh detailing feels and runs like new; or like my worst car ever a Mercedes S420 that dropped a transmission at 67,000 miles and long with a long list of repairs? With that I conclude my review; I am not a critic, just hopeful new car owner that expects fuel price to exceed $4/gal and believes there is no reason to have a commuter car that is 4WD, V8, V6, seats four theoretically, and get 20 mpg.
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Replying to: paecific (Mar 22, 2008 7:05 am) It handles terrible in the snow! Our neighbors to the North have had the Smart car for a while and did a test of it in the snow along with many other cars. Here is the link. The Smart Car is in there and there is a video on the page as well I think. http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter/traction2006.htm Here is the quote. Our smart fortwo had all the bells and whistles: traction control, stability control, ABS, and winter tires. But none of it helped much. The smart's rear wheel drive configuration (even though the engine is over the driven wheels) coupled with its super-short wheelbase made this vehicle a major challenge on the slippery surfaces used for our exercises. smart fortwo. Acceleration from a standstill or occasionally when moving was difficult. When cornering on icy surfaces, the smart wanted to rotate on its axis. Even when stopping the smart wanted to rotate, although it did stop, ah-hem, smartly. Although everybody wanted to drive the smart, the experience didn't meet expectations. Canadian winters can be pretty brutal. But they do love small cars and the Smart wasn't one of them. I will be test driving a Smart next week.
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Replying to: paecific (Mar 22, 2008 7:05 am) |
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Replying to: tiff_c (Mar 22, 2008 1:35 pm) Scott
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Replying to: scwmcan (Mar 23, 2008 5:46 am) I have no idea, I posted the link after I read that article. That site is very reliable and realistic. They don't drive their cars in sunny california and Florida. They drive them in the snow and ice and slush. No idea how good a smart would be in snow until i drive it myself. I'm 4 hours drive from Montreal. We get awful weather here as well. I love seeing the pics of the cars as they truly are in the winter covered with salt and road grime and reviewing the cars based on real world for the snow belt versus 75 degrees and sunny with occasional rain. 
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Replying to: stanwict (Mar 19, 2008 6:44 am) I drove the car a few weeks ago, and the transmission is what caused me to cancel my reservation. I'm not sure that I can describe it that well, but basically it is like having a manual transmission (without the clutch) as you still have to still take your foot off the gas when the transmission is upshifting. So, it is easier to work than a manual transmission, but it seemed odd to take your foot off the gas without needing to depress a clutch. I also drove the car in the paddle shifter mode, and you still have to take your foot off the gas when shifting. The salesman said "shift and lift", it sounded like they made up that catchy phrase to make it sound a little more fun. Bottom line was that it was not bad to drive, it was roomy, but I didn't see myself in the car. I think a lot of potential owners will be surprised by the feel of the transmission. |
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Replying to: tiff_c (Mar 23, 2008 6:04 am) Scott
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Replying to: scwmcan (Mar 24, 2008 5:25 am) I think the comment made does sum it all up. The problem is lack of weight and there is a limit to what snow tires can do. Imagine driving a motorcycle in the snow. Yes it can be done with super studded tires or spikes but not what you'd want for your daily commute. The Smart would need really good studded tires for starters and how well it would be, i can't say but if the Canadians don't think much of it in the snow (and they have the diesel version) then how good can it really be? I thought their test was very fairly done. If you do get one and drive it in the snow I would be very interested to see how you make out with it. 
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Replying to: tiff_c (Mar 24, 2008 6:19 am) (BTW the link worked for me, but not until I hit the back button on the browser, don't know why just letting you know) link title Scott
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Replying to: scwmcan (Mar 24, 2008 6:27 am) Good link, They did in fact mention the 2006 Traction test that I linked to and I believe it's the same one. I was unaware that it failed the Moose test, so much for autocross. Also they didn't spend much time discussing how good it was in the snow, not considering the articles title. I figure it this way, if it was good in the snow they'd be very happy to discuss it at length and not just a few lines. Overall they panned the car and while it might actually be a good little car. I think until owners are posting about their own experiences in the snow there isn't any way to be certain if it's good or not. I hope if you get one it's good in the snow.
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