Finally test drove the SMART

[Robbie51]

Originally Posted by avayan

New here from the Dallas TX region. Finally got to drive the SMART and must say it feels harder than I expected. The sales girl was pretty good at driving it and making it feel potent enough for it to be appealing to me, but I was not as successful. Clearly she has had much more experience at the wheel, so am guessing it is a matter of time before I can too.

Anybody has had such a similat first experience?

JIQ

When I drove one, it was exactly what I expected. I recently owned a Honda S2000 and the actual feel of the ride was the same, (tight suspension and lower to the ground). You literally feel the road. I guess it's just something I'm used to so it doesn't bother me.

[avayan]

Now I feel like I need to test drive again. When I went first, I treated the car like any automatic car. After reading this forum it is evident the car is in fact manual with an automatic clutch. In other words, a robotic cluth. The concept is cool, but requires the right mind set. I am not in a hurry as it is still going to take about a year for me to be in line. Perhaps by the time I am getting close, the 2009 models will be available and a true automatic will be an option. Of course, I have no idea of whether that's the plan...

[flywithsean]

Originally Posted by rwj53

How ever the way it shifted was another story. I could not get used to letting up on the pedal to shift.

Why are you letting up to shift?

I leave my foot in the same position and just shift as needed. The car performs a lot better if you dont let off the pedal.

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by flywithsean

Why are you letting up to shift?

I leave my foot in the same position and just shift as needed. The car performs a lot better if you dont let off the pedal.

true, this works well for slower acceleration, but if you're really hitting it it seems to be a little smoother just letting up ever so slightly.

[eqwalker]

I agree. I have found that I have adapted very quickly to the auto mode. When in the city I just let it do the shifting. I have learned how it shifts and make throttle adjustments as necessary to get it to shift as I want it to. I was amazed how quickly I have adjusted to it. I don't really fully understand what others are complaining about.

[Justice]

I have driven a forfour in Holland with the paddle shifters. I got sick of the automatic mode, but in manual it was great. When up shifting just let off a little bit for extra smooth shifting. Worked perfectly, and it was pretty nippy.

I don't know what the fortwo will do as I haven't test driven it yet. But I will soon enough. I doubt it will be any better in auto mode than the forfour was 2 years ago. But if it is, extra points towards getting one.

[vanslam]

I just test drove the Smart 2 days ago and I must say it wasn't too bad. When first looking at it I was surpirsed how small it was. Once I sat inside and was amazed at the room in side. My test drive was about 15 mins long but I was impressed by the end. Heck I even managed to get better with the shifting although the paddles are the way to go. When I finally got out of the car I was amazed at how much space was inside that little car and let go a laugh while shaking my head, once I looked back at the Smart Car.

So it is just what I expected and coming from a US two seater (Corvette) its not bad and performs its mission well. Now I won't be winning any light to light races but I will be saving alot of gas and fitting in spaces that I currently pass by. ;)

Oh yeah I just started the ordering process so I guess I will have to look at getting mine in 2009.

[jediknight36]

Yea, I will put mine in probably in 2 weeks. Think we will get 09 versions?

[avayan]

It appears the right way to drive this car is manual handle through the paddles. Since I have never succesfully driven manual (yes, I am ashamed to admit it), how hard will it be for me to ge taccostume to it? You must be thinking anybody can do it, and that should be true. But like I said "never SUCCESFULLY driven manual"... I am guessing it would be impossible to break the car, right? Hmmm... Interesting concept...

[Ralph Finneren]

Avayan**Having taught several people to drive a stick, I can assure you that you will have no problem with the fortwo. Its the coordination between the throttle and the clutch pedal (as in too much throttle & too fast off the clutch) that flumoxes beginner manual drivers. Since the Smartie has no clutch pedal.....no problemo.