Interested but hesitant (re: transmission lag)

[bikerboy]

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.

[paroyboy]

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.

[SuperGeek]

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.

[jimvw57]

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.

[Karl Roth]

What "lag"
karl

[Macaw]

If you can tolerate being a passenger in a manual transmission car then you will have no problem with the shift "lag".

[rfernatt]

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.

[smark]

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.

[bikerboy]

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?

[mdfortwoguy]

Originally Posted by bikerboy

The engine is just such a POS!

How do you consider the engine to be a POS?