451 cabrió

[SmartCard]

I just can't imagine Smart building something that would seem so flimsy or suspect....something must not be right here*- I know....he got one of those knockoffs from China!

(this post brings to mind one of late Craig Ferguson's favorite lines (late, late show) - "If its on the internet, it must be true!")

[SmartCard]

After thinking about this long enough beyond by the first smug remark off the top of my head....I got to thinking about the mechanism that the roof must use - presumably it slides in a track and relies on tension to make a water tight seal. Well duh.....

the roof is open in the first picture (and presumably in the second?)
therefore NO TENSION! Let me see him stick he hand through there with the ROOF CLOSED!!!

[Old smart]

The part of the roof in the first picture does not move with the roof; it is fixed and is always that way.

I have followed the comments** appearing after the original posting on the Spanish forum, and others there have the same concerns, especially the sides of the rear window. Also the bulging, flapping, and loosening of the top.

**My command of the language has now fallen to rudimentary at best, and many of the comments contain unfamiliar coloquilisms; they often don't speak with Rey (King) Juan Carlos' Castillano correctness. It has been arduous, but if I don't try to mentally translate word-for-word, I can get the gist of it.

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by jwight

You guys are going to have to visit Mr_Cash in the hospital:

Serious deal breaking cabrio flaw? call co asap

Mr Cash may be a bit of an alarmist, but the execution of that cabrio design is a bit suspect. I didn't pay attention during the demos since I had no interest in the cabrio anyway.

I'm certain that a caulking gun full of silicone adhesive can solve any chronic problems .

[Old smart]

The sinuious, opening roof design (can be opened at any speed) seems a little reminiscent of the 2CV's (subject to opening at any speed!).

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

The sinuious, opening roof design (can be opened at any speed) seems a little reminiscent of the 2CV's (subject to opening at any speed!).

Yes, but hopefully the difference is intentional rather than unintentional.

[2micro4u]

Well Im not worried about it if water leaks once my arrives it will be either under warranty or SMART may do a recall to satisfy this delema.

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

The part of the roof in the first picture does not move with the roof; it is fixed and is always that way.

No, the rear portion DOES drop after the top comes fully back. That's how the rear window folds and is stowed away. So the portion with his hand in it is not fixed to the frame either.

[Old smart]

Maybe. But, personally I don't care about cabriós, and don't care to beat the drum. I only brought back an issue that some who have now have 451 cabs are looking at. For further developments, just go to: http://www.forosmart.com/

[spdickey]

I got some shots of a US spec smart cabio at the smart house today. You can mash your hand up to about your wrist between the tridion and the top. There is a rubber gasket (like the seal around a car door) at that point. Nothing "zips" it to the tridion. Also you can stick your fingers between the glass window and the rag top. It has to swivel when folded closed. See the pictures at