Ask the Car People.SM


Smart Tour USA Report

42 messages,  Last post on Dec 08, 2007 at 5:03 PM

You are in the Smart Car Forum.

What is this discussion about? smart fortwo, Hatchback

Messages Page 5 of 5

#33 of 42 Re: Seattle test drive impressions [velociraptor] by gregg_vw

Aug 31, 2007 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: velociraptor (Aug 31, 2007 3:10 pm)
Again, it is not an automatic transmission. A robot shifts the clutch in and out for you. That is the lag, and I bet after a few miles behind the wheel, you wouldn't even attend to it, any more than you notice your own lazy shifts when driving a manual normally (not spiritedly). I do see that this will be a problem for smart. Most Americans would rather have an anemic 4 with a slush box than shift for themselves, so they are unlikely to take to a robot doing the clutching either.

#34 of 42 Re: Seattle test drive impressions [gregg_vw] by velociraptor

Sep 01, 2007 (7:37 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 31, 2007 7:33 pm)
What I would really like is to ditch the robot and just let me do the shifting with a clutch. I have owned many cars with automatic transmissions and manual transmissions. Also I have ridden motorcycles for years including riding sport bikes very fast on race tracks where smooth shifting technique is critical. So the shifting on the Smart really surprised me. Maybe I had too high expectations, but I was really excited with the paddle shifters until the first shift. I was expecting a smooth implementation. Honestly my first thought was how that transmission made it out of the design phase of the car! It is easily the worst shifting vehicle I have ever experienced. Maybe there is some technical reason due to engine placement and the car size that requires that particular transmission. I sent an e-mail to Smart asking if they were going to do something about it but have not received a reply yet. This day and age most vehicles work pretty well as the design and engineering have improved over the years and the Smart is no exception except for the transmission. I hope that Smart is reading these forums and doing something about it.

#35 of 42 Re: Seattle test drive impressions [velociraptor] by velociraptor

Sep 11, 2007 (9:48 am)

Replying to: velociraptor (Sep 01, 2007 7:37 am)
I called in this morning and cancelled my reservation. My next car will probably be a Mini Cooper or some as yet unavailable plug-in hybrid. I really liked the Smart Car as a concept but the test drive was an unpleasant surprise for both me and my wife. For those of you who buy the car...all I can say is enjoy it! The Smart Car is a really nice idea and maybe after they fix the problems we had with it we will get one too.

#36 of 42 what probs? by michiv

Sep 13, 2007 (8:36 am)

Hey velociraptor- what problems did you expreience during the test drive, I haven't heard of many negative experiences surrounding the test drives- it usually convinces people that they love smart even more.. I am curious to know why you didn't like it?

#37 of 42 Re: what probs? [michiv] by gregg_vw

Sep 13, 2007 (10:09 am)

Replying to: michiv (Sep 13, 2007 8:36 am)
It's always the shifting. Some people don't like the manual transmission that shifts itself (does its own clutching). It doesn't feel like a smooth shifting automatic...shifts are slower and much more noticable. Doesn't bother me though, it is what it is...which is not an automatic. For that trade-off though, you don't have to do the clutching and you get better mileage than if it were a real automatic.

#38 of 42 Toyota IQ by lostchild

Sep 13, 2007 (1:23 pm)

The transmission was my biggest problem. That was probably the main factor I cancelled my $99 reservation and got a Mini Cooper. On a side note, looks like Toyota is coming out with a Smart copy calls the iQ.
 

#39 of 42 Re: what probs? [michiv] by velociraptor

Sep 14, 2007 (7:06 am)

Replying to: michiv (Sep 13, 2007 8:36 am)
Two things. First was the shifting. Second was that my very short wife did not fit properly in the car. There is nothing wrong with the shifting. It is just very slow and not so smooth. Some people have no problem with that and others like me do not like it. I did not like the shifting after about two gear changes. It is purely a personal preference and nothing more. If the shifting does not bother you and you fit in the car fine then you are going to love the car.

#40 of 42 Ultra slow steering in preview test by joefoto

Oct 25, 2007 (7:09 pm)

All the test models were regular (non-powered) steering. I tried to do a simulated emergency lane change, and gave up after an almost full turn of the wheel. Maybe PS will be quicker steering. And just like my Focus SVT, turning off the A/C made a big difference in initial acceleration; needs a load sensing clutch on A/C compressor. I'm still considering.

#41 of 42 Got some video footage of the SMART on I35 by geekaustin

Nov 06, 2007 (9:17 pm)

Replying to: joefoto (Oct 25, 2007 7:09 pm)
Here's a 9 min review of the SMART on US roads:
http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/2007/10/tsstv-s2e2-smart-car-test-ride.html

#42 of 42 More Road Tour by bumpy

Dec 08, 2007 (5:03 pm)

I went to the final Road Tour today, and this one had USDM models. Pretty much the same as the earlier Euro-spec cars apart from the obvious differences (speedo, the PRND + - markings on the shifter console).
 
The transmission was a LOT nicer than the earlier one. There is still a mild delay and hitch in automatic mode, but it's far more subdued than before. (Maybe a bit like driving a regular automatic with a shift kit to tighten up the gear changes?) If you put it in manual mode using the paddles or bumping the shift lever and lift off the gas for a moment (anti-blip the throttle, as it were), the shifts are as smooth as a baby's bum.

Messages Page 5 of 5

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement