my comments after two weeks with my new smart are very similar to what rwjrn wrote. The tranny 'lug' is obvious, but not overly obnoxious (I read a review of on critic who said you could have lunch waiting for it to change gears - cracked me up). You get used to it fairly quickly. The two issues for me are the ride (stiff, bumpy at times), and the lack of storage - cargo isn't an issue, but something more than a glove box would be appreciated. I really like much about this car and, in time, the things I don't like are probably just a matter of getting used to. Immediately I find it more comfortable than my other car, and you can't beat how easy it is to park. If you can take one out for a test drive, do! But also know its foibles are also part of it's quirky uniqueness.
Mish
Would appreciate any comments pro or con re; the Consumer Reports early impression report, especially as i relates to the transmission shift response.
Quite a few of us have noted that the transmission learns how we drive after 800-1000 miles and starts shifting better. I'm not quite convinced that it is the transmission that does the learning...
It's a manual transmission and it acts like a manual transmission. Don't let the fact that it will shift itself when left in drive fool you. Once you get past that fact, it is a blast to drive, especially around town.
I've had mine three months now and just rolled 4000 miles. I have three vehicles to pick from to drive each morning. The Trans-Am is on life support (trickle charger) and for sale because I hardly drive it, the Silverado gets used a couple of times a week to haul stuff, and the fortwo goes everywhere else. Once my bike rack arrives, I may have to get a second trickle charger for the Silverado...
The biggest problem I've had with my fortwo in three months is that I've had to report the stop light going out of my neighborhood because it isn't sensitive enough to notice when I drive up. Fortunately, the city manager has noted the same problem when driving his motorcycle, so we ought to get some relief soon...
Hi, I'm new to the forum and have enjoyed the reading. NOT new however, to odd, quirky cars in my history. Re: NSU Prinz, Subaru 360, Citroen DS, Simca, Renault, Subaru Justy CVT, Geo Metro. Where I'm going with this is I find two issues of engineering with the smart that are hard to understand given its being promoted as a "Premium" car. 1) The automated manual transmission is reminiscent of the electric shifting system of a Renault Dauphine from 1960. Upgrade from 3 to 5 speeds and add a computer, but it's basically the same deal. This BEGS the question, why not a CVT? 2) Valve maintenance: I think this would be a deal breaker for me. I've researched smart info for a week and finally found in this forum that there is a valve inspection required at 60k miles...with the possibility of total engine removal (not confirmed) for access, should a bucket or shim need replacement. Folks, if the Geo Metro 1L, 3cyl motor from 18 years ago has maintenance-free lifters there's no excuse for the 2008 smart engine of same size not to be as convenient for the user. Again, one must ask WHY?
With no disrespect intended, Consumer Reports tends to go for the lowest common denominator - niche products do not do well with them - and for their audience, it's the right approach.
I've wanted a Smart since I first saw one in 2001, and after 6 months with the beast (taking my minivan out for a drive once a week to keep the battery charged) I am quite happy with the car.
It is what it is - a small car aimed at congested traffic/parking situations and as such is perfect for 99% of my driving - to and from work and grocery store runs.
It is NOT a car for the timid - I've had more impromptu parking lot conversations in the past 6 months than I've had in the 30 years before that. Doesn't bother me and I'm rarely in that much of a hurry that I can't take 5 minutes or so to chat about the car.
I'm getting about 36MPG (tracked faithfully on a spreadsheet), but then my throttle application mode tends to be binary - full throttle until I hit my desired cruising speed. The puppy is a go kart, and I tend to drive it as such I could probably do MUCH better (but with WAY less fun).
The Smart is primarily a statement and secondarily a mode of transportation.
I just reserved one today. The sales girl at the local dealer said there is a 12 to 16 month delivery time... what i've read on this forum indicates it could be much longer than that. Any comments from anyone?
I just reserved one today. The sales girl at the local dealer said there is a 12 to 16 month delivery time... what i've read on this forum indicates it could be much longer than that. Any comments from anyone?
If you're in Dallas I say it's probably closer to 16-18 months. But you could get on their orphan list if you need to get one sooner.
I have just joined, as I have made a reservation and have looked at the display in Seattle. Consumer Reports is pretty negative about the Smart. I Will need to drive one now to see if their report is true.
My use would be primarily on Whidbey Island where I live The Smart sounds reasonable to me, but my wife now must be convinced.
Would appreciate any comments pro or con re; the Consumer Reports early impression report, especially as i relates to the transmission shift response.
I live in Olympia, and I get up to Whidbey fairly often. I have a cousin that's stationed there in the Navy, and lives in Oak Harbor. IMHO, a smart would be absolutely PERFECT for Whidbey Island, and I would think that, after break-in, you could expect mid-40s for mileage if you're driving it easy........high 30s-low40s if you're not. The tranny IS different....there's NO denying that, but it actually adapts to your driving style, and smooths out a LOT once you have some mileage on it. Right now mine has 2900 miles on it, and it's pretty smooth! I LOVE my smart, and I wouldn't even THINK about selling it or trading it! This car was DESIGNED for driving in an environment like Whidbey Island! I haven't had the opportunity to get up there yet in my smart, but my cousin is being medically chaptered out of the Navy, and will be leaving the state in a couple of months, so I'm planning on getting up there sometime within the next month or so to see her before she goes! I would be more than happy to show off my car.....take you for a drive and show you how the tranny works! I might even let you drive it! I think that you'd really like it, and probably your wife too. MY wife didn't like it at first.......said it was too JERKY! So I said, "WOW, that's great! Then you won't be wanting to drive it anymore!" She said, "HEY......I didn't say THAT!" She enjoys driving it too. I think that the more the transmission smooths out and adapts to your driving style, the better it becomes, and it's a LOT of fun!!! More smiles per mile!! If you'd like to PM me and let me know where you're at on Whidbey, I'll be glad to let you know when we're going to be up there, and maybe we can get together for a "look-see!"
re: consumer reports- the consumer reports review left me scratching my head. i realise that CR utilizes their own formula and criteria to rate autos; however, it doesn't seem that they really did their homework with the smart.
their assumptions that the smart is a "city car" is way off base. i use my smart on the highway and in the middle of the mojave desert in a 100+ square mile tri-city suburban environment...think Phoenix or Tucson or even Las Vegas...the car is ideal for suburban driving in harsh conditions. i have been to the local mountains several times, and the car performs admirably. as a commuter freeway vehicle, the smart shines. for it's size and price, it is actually a quite luxurious ride.
re: the smart transmission. i drive my smart in "manual mode" about 98% of the time, and the car performs flawlessly. i only enter "full-auto" mode in parking lots...or on 25 mph residential streets...or 15 mph college campus streets...or when drinking coffee. in other words, i occassionally go "full-auto", but the car really shines in "manual" mode.
so my advice?
be sure to get the tachometer pod option, you'll use it and you'll be glad you have one when your smart arrives.
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1 - Cabrio
I could probably do MUCH better (but with WAY less fun).
This car was DESIGNED for driving in an environment like Whidbey Island! I haven't had the opportunity to get up there yet in my smart, but my cousin is being medically chaptered out of the Navy, and will be leaving the state in a couple of months, so I'm planning on getting up there sometime within the next month or so to see her before she goes! I would be more than happy to show off my car.....take you for a drive and show you how the tranny works! I might even let you drive it! 
I think that you'd really like it, and probably your wife too. MY wife didn't like it at first.......said it was too JERKY! So I said, "WOW, that's great! Then you won't be wanting to drive it anymore!" 
Today
Linear Mode
