Old timer says hello

[Mike T]

I am Mike T, maybe you've seen me at clubsmartcar, and at the now-defunct MBCanada before that.....

We pre-ordered our smart in 2002 after test driving a European model 54 HP 599 cc gas turbo numeric blue cabrio model in Victoria BC back in July of that year. Despite promises that Canada would be getting the smart in "a few more months", the months turned into years and eventually the official announcement was made in February 2004 - Canada was getting the diesel! We were pretty close to bailing at that point.

The wait was worth it!

But, then my wife said "we're not getting a diesel, they stink" and after test driving one (again, a European model) she changed her mind. We ordered our definitive car in August 2004 and delivery was delayed by the Xmas break, with us finally getting the car on January 8, 2005.


It is the pulse model. Ours has the following equipment and options:

• heated seats
• luggage cover
• electrically adjustable headlight elevation
• underseat drawer
• front OEM fog lights (which I added)
• air conditioning
• heated and electric side mirrors
• stream green panels/black tridion/twister bluegrey upholstery
• paddle shifters
• softouch driver-selectable automatic mode (not the default)
• pollen filter
• premium sound system
• OEM TAN code cruise control (added in Vancouver by Flying Tiger)
• OEM wide strikeline three spoke wheels with 175/195 section tires
• tachometer and clock (redline: 4500 RPM!)

I got rid of the hideously modified-for-Canada front and rear fenders, replacing them with the clean European versions, without side marker lights. I kept the old ones, just in case....

Since then we have driven 100,000 kilometres (62,000 miles), with an average fuel consumption of 60.1 US MPG. That is remarkable because I don't make any special effort to get great fuel economy, for example, having added the wider wheels and tires in early 2006. I love it a lot and will keep it forever.

I would like to be able to buy a BRABUS 451 to complement my cdi pulse cabriolet. I have had the pleasure of driving two turbocharged 451s, one in Canada (an EU-spec passion model at the Victoria smart Centre) and another all black pulse cabrio 451 in Würzburg Germany. The latter was fantastic, and handled as well as my own car on the wide 6 spoke wheels. With only 84 HP on tap, I can only imagine what the BRABUS feels like, at 98 HP!

Our other daily use car is a 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200, which is not sold in the USA, you can see it in the avatar, behind the smart. We did a 3600 mile trip into the USA in that car this August. Very good car.

Anyway, hi to all those smart fans out there in cyber-land. Hope to see you on the road someday!

[Dunerunner]

Mike T..Welcome!! Wow, What a great write up on your cars. I'll have to put one of those 98HP Brabus 451's on my Christmas list!!!

[mdfortwoguy]

As I said in the PM, welcome over here, Mike!

Good thing you mentioned flying tiger... I could not remember where the source was for the Pulse 6 spoke wheels... I'm still thinking about swapping my 9 spokes for some 6 spokes assuming I can find them without costing me an arm and a leg.

[Mike T]

Check with your dealer: the Canadian smart dealers show the 6 spoke wide wheels as an accessory in the catalog now and they are also selling the 175/195 tire combination that goes with it. Failing that, yeah, FastEddy!

[Mike T]

January 8th is the fifth anniversary of smart ownership for us. It's been 90,000 miles of unadulterated joy! The car has never refused to start or broken down which is what I would expect, it's a blast to drive, especially with the top down, and the diesel running costs have been very low despite the high maintenance costs (compared to the gasoline 451). I will be behind the wheel for as long as the bodyshell hangs together. Just loving it!

The lifetime fuel consumption of 59.7 US MPG is not bad either. That's "without even trying" as they say, and with wider rubber in the summer.

[Neonspinnazz]

Cool!

Lucky Canada, you have the best of everything.

Healthcare, forests, smarts, syrup, wom...we won't go there

[GeekGirl]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

Cool!

Lucky Canada, you have the best of everything.

Healthcare, forests, smarts, syrup, wom...we won't go there

and clean streets

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

Cool!

Lucky Canada, you have the best of everything.

Healthcare, forests, smarts, syrup, wom...we won't go there

Hey I'm right here

Way to dig up an old thread Neon. What are you going to do with the rest of your three day weekend

[Kermit]

Wow Mike, you've resurrected an old thread.

We've talked for quite a while, back in the old Gassavers days. Some of my cars I had, green Honda Insight, red Geo Metro (w racing discs), white Toyota Matrix, silver Toyota Corolla (w/ racing discs), Veggie powered Jetta, Ecodiesel Jetta, Civic Hybrid and a few others I have been through while I was a member there.

[Mike T]

Yes I remember you! Well it's been a while eh? I still go to Gas Savers occasionally, People Powered sub-forum mostly.