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Old 11-14-2008, 10:59 PM   1 links from elsewhere to this Post. Click to view. #1 (permalink)
 
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Interested but hesitant (re: transmission lag)

Hello,
I was interested in purchasing an orphan smart car (will have to wait over a year with my reservation). Anyways I know that the car has a lag between gears and I wanted to know if its possible to eliminate or drastically decrease it by means of driver input or throttle management.

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Old 11-14-2008, 11:22 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
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I bought an orphan since my reserve car wont be here till Dec09. After 900 miles, the only time I really notice the lag is from first to second. For awhile I was trying all the hints and tips to smooth it out. Now, I just drive it and chalk it up to "character". It is what it is. I did three test drives before I decided to jump in. Last test drive was about 20 minutes long and I was hooked.
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Old 11-14-2008, 11:40 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
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The lag is only noticeable because you're not managing the clutch with a pedal, so therefore you're more aware of the time... if you had a clutch, it would still take you longer to get it from 100% in 1st gear to 100% in 2nd gear, because you have to:

1) Disengage clutch
2) RPM Match
3) Shift
4) Engage clutch

In manual mode, I can get this down to about half a second if I use 1/3-1/2 throttle just prior to the shift, and start with RPMs around 3,000. In auto mode, the ECU aims for 2500 RPMs in step 2 above, so it will throttle back until that's reached before re-engaging.
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Old 11-15-2008, 12:29 AM   #4 (permalink)
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I reserved my car in July, Bought a car in Sept. off EvilBay. Best thing I could have done!! I figure by the time my original car arrives, I'll have this one paid off in gas savings. I wouldn't be too concerned about the 'lag' you will get used to it. I do plan ahead to give myself extra time when pulling out into traffic but thats just a good idea anyhow.
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Old 11-15-2008, 07:42 AM   #5 (permalink)
 
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What "lag"
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Old 11-15-2008, 08:47 AM   #6 (permalink)
 
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If you can tolerate being a passenger in a manual transmission car then you will have no problem with the shift "lag".
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Old 11-15-2008, 09:41 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Not a big deal...

Not a problem here... I use the paddle shifters 99% of the time and don't have any trouble with shift lag. It feels as fast or faster than a manual transmission shift, if you're shifting at the right RPMs. It can also be very smooth shifting when you run it like this. I think the auto mode hunts too much on hills, trying to upshift way too soon, so I like to be able to hold gears going up and down the WV hills.
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Old 11-15-2008, 10:17 AM   #8 (permalink)
 
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Bikerboy, Its a smart thing. Had mine since first of August. I've got 4,000 mile on mine now. There is a big lag 1&2 if you leave it in drive mode, and punch it. Playing with the gas pedal, and shifting is boring. Use the paddle shifters, or shift +/-manual. It's shifts smoother and more fun to drive. I had the same feelings about buying the car. It is a big dog off the line, no matter how you shift it. Don't race any cheap Japanese cars with it. A Yaris will eat it. After 2 gear it will run with the big boys.
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Old 11-15-2008, 11:26 AM   #9 (permalink)
 
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Quote:
Use the paddle shifters, or shift +/-manual. It's shifts smoother and more fun to drive. I had the same feelings about buying the car. It is a big dog off the line, no matter how you shift it. Don't race any cheap Japanese cars with it. A Yaris will eat it. After 2 gear it will run with the big boys.
Nope, thats what the Ducati is for. This car is going to be my commuter so I don't really care how fast it is. For the price range nothing comes even close to being as cute. The engine is just such a POS! All the technology is in the frame. So are you saying if you use the paddle shifters it will still lag?
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Old 11-15-2008, 11:28 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerboy View Post
The engine is just such a POS!
How do you consider the engine to be a POS?
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