Interested, but put off by trans

fizbiz · 07-02-2009, 12:15 PM

I have a long history with sports and performance cars and have been a car guy my whole life. Fond memories of mega-fun with tiny British cars in the 60s sparked my interest in the SMART.
The SMART is a novel concept stunningly executed, it's true. I love that it is rear drive and so comfy. The handling and driving experience is great.-- except for the transmission.
Surely, the finest minds at Mercedes/Daimler can design a fun, paddle shifted automatic like the MINI has.
It would transform the SMART into a Frugal Fun Machine!

Thoughts? Any word on when we'll get a decent tranny?

Padawan · 07-02-2009, 12:28 PM

I doubt we'll see any significant changes to the transmission in the near future. The automated manual transmission has been part of the smart fortwo since the original 450 model. It is efficient, and has several advantages over both traditional automatics and traditional manual transmissions.

You can't compare the MINI's automatic with "manual" paddles, because it isn't actually a manual transmission.

If you absolutely don't like the transmission, then the smart unfortunately might not be for you, but I strongly encourage you to give it a chance to grow on you. Once you get a feel for how it operates, it can really be lots of fun.

forestacademy · 07-02-2009, 12:47 PM

Take one out again for a test drive.

Drive it like a Rental with the Paddles (like you stole it), and then drive it like a Grandma. with just auto. You may find that it does quite qell trying to live in two worlds. It's just not a sports car, or a luxury cruzer but it can be fun and it can be somthing you can forget about or have fun with.

kurt013 · 07-02-2009, 12:54 PM

This is my first car without a clutch since 1977. The tranny was my main objection to the car. I got mine a year ago and got used to it immediately. I always shift the gears manually, using the shifter, not the paddles on the steering wheel. You have all the control over the engine a full manual gives you. You can wind it out in any gear if you want. The major difference I see is you don't have to step on a clutch or put it in neutral at stop lights. My car still shifts awfully in drive mode, but it doesn't concern me.

Macaw · 07-02-2009, 01:48 PM

Well it is significantly better than the auto-stick I had on my '73 Beetle!

But seriously, in manual mode with a bit a practice you you can make very smooth shifts. But i usually I putt in auto as I get much better mpg's that way....

John_H · 07-02-2009, 02:05 PM

If you weren't aware the smart has a manual mode, that's the first thing to learn.

If you test drove a 2008, there's a chance the software hasn't been upgraded yet resulting in typically poorer transmission "feel."

If you know how to use the Smart paddles, are test driving a 2009, and are still not happy, the transmission won't change.

This is a 71hp car, not 110hp.

jimvw57 · 07-02-2009, 03:45 PM

OK, first off, Smart cars are not for everybody. There are a number of people who bought Smart cars expecting a high speed nitro car and were upset with what they got, and blamed it on the CAR. The car is what it is. If it is not what you want, you could spend a bunch of money and it still may not live up to your expectations.

The best thing would be to rent one for a week or two and see what you think. There is only one transmission and motor combination in the USA for that car. If it is not what you want, then don't buy one. simple as that! sorry to be so abrupt but I hear so many people that want a Viper in a Smart body and it just is not going to happen.

In my opinion, the trany works fine for what it was designed for, As a city car. It works fine as a commuter vehicle, and I bought it as an all weather replacement for my motorcycle. See!! no bugs in my teeth!!

gstreetcomic · 07-02-2009, 04:00 PM

The transmission is like a vodka martini. It may seem strong and very odd at first, but after you been exposed to it, it becomes something you get used to.
I drive in auto mode most of the time, and in manual mode sometimes. I don't have a real problem with it myself, only because the good things about the car really outweighed that little thing.
The thing you should do is take not just one test drive, but two, and get to know other Smart car owners and ask questions. I as well had the pleasure of riding in other Smart cars and the both times i did it the owners were willing to let me take their Smarts for a spin ( I done the same in return for others). in my area i am near two Smart centers, one was a legit drive never seen the car, and the other i put on a good poker face. The first dealer i spoke to is a Smart car owner himself and i was given the full show of the car including his own.
By the time i took delivery of my own car, i knew what i was getting into, and had no buyers remorse, unlike the POJ chevy it replaced, never again on GM.
I think once you look into the car greatly, you will really love it.

NCC1701 · 07-02-2009, 04:56 PM

You say you're a car guy. Cool, but I really haven't been for most of my life, and I really am not all that knowledgeable. So, this forum has been a gold mine for me more often than once.

My experience: Two months before I took delivery, I took a ridiculously brief test drive ... a mile, maybe less, in city traffic. I hated the transmission! My first impulse was to cancel my reservation as soon as I got home. But, I didn't. I was convinced to take delivery mainly by reading the experiences of current owners who mostly seemed thrilled with this quirky smart. It didn't hurt that (at that time) there was a good chance I could unload it without a loss. By the end of week one of ownership, I couldn't believe what a negative impression I had from that farce of a test drive. I never got to check out the paddles, or much of anything else. Still pisses me off to think I made a 600 mile round trip to be treated that way!!

Make sure they give you a real test drive ... or better yet, a couple of them under different conditions/roads.

As you know, it's not a sports car. BUT, it does have enough pep to be fun to drive! I've got a lead foot myself and since I'm not super obsessed with MPGs, I frequently leave the behemoths way behind when leaving a traffic light. That's a kick, but it's also a defensive move! LOL, get away from them.

Well, July 12th is my 1st anniversary!

I'm 99% paddles and am very glad I didn't cancel. Now I find it a kick to drive! I started out mostly in "D" because most of my cars have had automatic transmissions. It didn't take long for me to realize though that the paddles were SO much more fun!

**rfernatt** · 07-02-2009, 06:00 PM

I second everyone's comments here and agree that manual mode is the way to go for shift quality. I drive manual 99% of the time and relish the challenge of getting the best shifts out of it. When you learn the transmission and execute a double down shift with two flicks of the paddle and hit the RPMs just right coming out of a curve, it's a beautiful thing!

The big thing about fast, smooth shifts is engine RPM. The computer won't shift until RPMs are right, so if you up/down shift at the right points, it will reward you with fast, smooth shifts. But, if you ask for a gear change at the wrong time you'll be waiting...

IMO, auto mode is best left for those rare times when it's essential. I get good mileage in manual mode, so economy isn't really an issue for me. The unexpected shifts are what bug me about auto mode. I want to know when the shift is coming. I'm sure if you used auto enough you'd get better with it, but I'll stick with manual.