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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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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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Just for fun, the first one the snow is like our unplowed roads up here where I am but with hills. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ87pJpz4Ik&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HMmixk35kg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8POixMxNVdU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCiSSuqSgb8&feature=related Oh and whatever you do, don't try a J-Turn in a SmartQ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uOoMVlTd1g&feature=related
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