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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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Well I finally did it, after wanting to since they came to Canada I finally broke down and tested a smart car last night, I was hoping to test both a coupe and cab. but really only had time to test the coupe. I only tested the 450 (used diesel) because I would want the max fuel economy (even though they did have a 2008 there). I found the car to be very comfortable, There was more than adequate space inside. The ride was stiff, but not significantly worse that my Mazda (and much better than the protege 5 that we had before the 3's). I found it quite comfortable over some bad roads and did not find it overly harsh at all (perhaps because I am more comfortable with a European ride anyway (from my volvos etc.) (though of course Mike T with his peugeots would disagree on the firmness of European cars, they have a ride quality all their own). I would have to guess that complaints about the ride quality must come from those used to the more american type of ride. I found the power to be adequate and certainly not scary at all (again having started driving in old Volvos (the 140's and 240's might have something to do with that), there was certainly adequate power to at the minimum keep up with traffic (and I feel maybe more I wasn't flooring the throttle by any means). There was enough power to easily merge onto the highway as well. I would have no qualms about driving the car on my commute from St. Catharines to Stoney Creek (on the QEW) every day (and this would one of the reasons why I would purchase one). I found the car handled very well on the highway, it was stable and not overly affected by some gusting wind that was occurring at the time, and it took the off ramp at speeds that I would probably not use all the time. I have had cars that were much worse in cross winds that the smart (having been pushed into another lane by the wind when driving on the highway (the winds were extremely high at that time (and thankfully the roads empty)) I know what it feels like to be pushed around, the smart felt pretty good to me). Again I am not sure where the comments that the car is very nervous on the highway come from, to me it was not a concern at all (able to comfortably drive with on hand on the wheel (and yes I know that isn't how you are supposed to drive, it just happens). I also did not feel unsafe at all in the car, it would take a little getting used to when backing up that the car ends right at the back of the front seats, but that wouldn't take long, and would end up being an asset in my opinion. There was adequate storage and the car was well put together (it had 40,000 km on it and no rattles etc.). As for noise it was fairly loud on the outside, but I did not find it bad at all inside (my partner would disagree found it too loud inside) and if I had used the stereo would have had no problems hearing it and the engine noise would have faded away (to me at least), but since it was a test drive wanted to hear the car, we were able to have a conversation at highway speeds without raising our voices so to me not too loud at all. As for the transmission, I don't know that if it is because I have read so much about it, or because this particular car was really good, but I had absolutely no problems with it, I shifter in manual mode (no paddles unfortunately) and was able to shift smoothly and quickly without and problems from the first (the salesman was a bit surprised by this actually, said it usually takes people a little while to figure it out, maybe I'm just talented ), the only place where it hesitated at all was after I stopped on a hill and started up again, and even there I didn't think it was bad at all. All in all I was very pleased with my test, the only complaint I have is that I didn't do this last year when I bought the Mazda  would have made more sense for me to test it then, now I have to look into my finances and see if it makes any financial sense for me to get one right now, I have a feeling that I will be saving my pennies for a little while though to make it work  Again wish I had tested a smart before buying the Mazda, don't know what I was thinking (actually for some reason we had decided that we needed two cars with seating for four, can't remember the logic behind it now though, oh well, live and learn). I guess I will have to look on the bright side, if I can't buy one now, maybe the 2009's will have the diesel option again and I will be able to by a brand new smart for myself (otherwise it will be an even older by that time 450 diesel). Thanks for reading Scott
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Replying to: scwmcan (Apr 10, 2008 7:12 am) Also, I may be wrong but didn't the one you tested have a 6 speed tranny rather the the 5 speed in the 08. With the extra gear you get a better response when taking off.
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Replying to: subienewbie2 (Apr 10, 2008 8:08 am) Yes it had the 6 speed, it was as I said very good, I haven't compared gear ratios so I don't know if you do get a better takeoff or not, but as I said reports are that the gasser takes off much better. For me the diesel is the way to go for the milage since it is available, but apparently the 2008's have a better ride, more stable and are quieter, so theoretically those who drive the 2008 should be even happier than I was. That said if you expect it to be a luxury car it will disappoint, it is what it is and if you can accept that you should be very happy, otherwise move onto something else. Scott
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Replying to: scwmcan (Apr 10, 2008 8:15 am) Honestly, I don't understand all the bashing the smart gets. No one is making anyone buy it against their will. If you don't want one, you likely have valid reasons. But these same reasons may not apply to someone else's situation. I decided against buying the one I ordered, but I don't feel the need to talk anyone out of a decision to purchase it. We need more choices like the smart, and we need more truly small cars in our midst, so that people are not so freaked out by the small size. (On the other hand, it would be ok if more people begin to be taken aback by how huge so many commuting vehicles are, often with only a driver aboard.)
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Replying to: gregg_vw (Apr 10, 2008 8:58 am)  ). As for the size of the commuter cars, I am almost ashamed to be driving my Mazda 3 to work and back by myself, I can't imagine driving something even larger, mind you I understand that many people can only have one car and it need to do everything, I just think some of these people have them as much for show as anything else. At the very least they have to take responsibility for their decision and stop crying about gas prices, they are just going to have to wait it out till they buy their next car. Scott
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Replying to: scwmcan (Apr 10, 2008 9:20 am) People can and will gladly deal with diesel engine if it gets 50-60mpg. |
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Replying to: ironmike59 (Apr 07, 2008 1:43 pm) |
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Replying to: blackgold85 (Apr 12, 2008 10:36 pm) Except that you most likely paid more for a 6 year old car with a ton on miles on it.
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Replying to: blackgold85 (Apr 12, 2008 10:36 pm)
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Replying to: ironmike59 (Apr 07, 2008 1:43 pm) People complain about the 2008 smart prices, but they are literally many thousands less than the previous model. Mercedes has not made one dime on the smart, regardless of all the previous models they sold at the equivalent of low to mid twenty thousands. These new low prices will be a real test. |
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