and I have done a pretty extensive review here:
http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?showtopic=12784
but here are some highlights:
I purchased a new "red" 2008 smart cabrio model with leather interior, Rev and Clock, Alarm, Fogs, and whatever other options that were available ... might have been one more thing? I have already added new logo's and a mini ariel (the stubby ones) and two sets of CD cartridges but in the next week will have the brabus spoiler/ground effects kit for the exterior (front and sides) plus brabus handbrake, gas and brake pedals, varioius rubber trays and things, mp3 cable, chrome surrounds for the fogs and tinted windows. I am looking at a couple options for wheels but will probably go with summer tires riding on 17" rears and 16" fronts and a REMAP!
Its been 24 hours now with smartboy2 ... and I am grinning from ear to ear. It continues to be above freezing and the roads are dry. What do I like most about the new smart in no particular order ;
1. Pick Up (Speed) - this things runs effortlessly Faaaast
2. Gearbox - the 08 smart makes fast and very smooth gear changes compared to the outgoing model.
3. Silence - that is what the sound of the interior cabin sounds like.
4. Stereo - at least on the Passion model the system is great - the six in-dash CD player is slick, moves through the various CD's quickly, sound both clarity and base is perfect - no need for anything else IMO.
5. Leather seats - nicely padded, heat up really quickly and visually the interior is classy and looks well heeled with the combinations of silver/black rubber, black fabrics and leather. The fit and finish is perfect.
6. Handling - this new power assisted steering - wow - great in parking lots with a tiny turning circle but racer-like on the hwy as it tightens up - no moving from road ridge to road ridge, very stable and secure .
7. Interior room - as in there is much more of it both leg room, especially the passenger, cargo space - feels much bigger and maybe its me but the headliner seems higher?
8. New convertable power top and glass folding rear window - worth the price of admission - LOVE IT.
9. Switchgear - great and i mean great steering wheel, paddle shifters, radio/heating controls - great design with good feeling of quality. The rotating switchgear is smooth, and the heater pumps out the heat like crazy.
10. Window Wipers and aerodynamic's of the wind shield - there is a cowl at the leading edge of the windshield and the window sprayer sits above it, wipers below it so guess what - the wiper spray actually mists the window and the wipers dont vibrate on the hwy as they are "tucked down". The water channels actually work carrying the water up and over the wind screen rather than accross and down the side windows - finally a design that works.
11. Fog lights - surprise, these ones aren't for looks they actually light up the road at the front of the car and stretch out 25+ feet in front - nice
12. Door handles - feel more secure and are more "hardy" (durable) in use I suspect.
13. Cabrio tailgate ... it appears either weighted or balanced as it takes no real effort to close it, almost counter balanced?
14. The cabrio top is very speedy with openning - I would guess 2X faster than the outgoing model and of course the rear back glass defogger window is just slick.
15. Gas milage, I have 8/9 gas "squares" and just got 207 km on my first top "square" (formerly blobs) ... so that is encouraging - I have a bunch more "squares" formerly blobs to go before my first fill up.
So, what dont' I like about the car - just about nothing, I probably perfer the 2005+ peanut headlamps but love the rear of the new car so its a bit of a wash ... thats it ... Love'n the new smart passion ... 2008 ... my brother also an owner of a 2005 passion cabrio model just got the call from St Catherines (Ryan - who seems to be selling multiples a day) that he will be getting his new 2008 cabrio metal flake-blue smart fully optioned out this coming Thursday so we can compare notes.
a few more thoughts on 2008 smart details:
- the steering wheel (in the passion at least) if a very small diameter and thickly wrapped with leather and large stitching - feels good in the hands and very sporty.
- the seats which i loved in the outgoing model sit taller (off the floor) in this model which give you (a good amount of room under the seat on the passenger side / less on the driver side due to the sub. I didnt think I was going to like the new seats but do, very much at least in the leather hides.
-The sub however isn't the same as the outgoing brabus woofer. Where the OG model was a press particle board sub box with exposed speaker sitting just under the seat (and when the base was turned up you could feel it on your backside) the new one is enclosed in plastic casing - more professional and less apt to damage due to having a sealed "top piece" . The sound on the current model seems to come from the sides of the woofer and gives a more surround sound feeling. Speaking of speakers, the in-door speakers that sit in front of the handy and deep molded map pockets give a lot of bass off - i can feel my pant leg vibrating (maybe i should turn it down?)
- CD cartridges are cool - each holds more CD disc than before - no more plastic bolts to strip. Instead the cartridges fit into a groove in the lower cowl with a slide/tab design - very easy to install and remove in seconds
- the cabrio has no "key" slot incase the keyfob battery fails in the drunk lid- its been moved to the drivers door but is covered to provide a smoother look - theft deterrant ?
-duel window controls on the drivers side / single control on passengers - nice feature.
-notice that the gas/brake pedals are repositioned and although still attached at the floor as before the gas pedal doesn't put your foot at an "odd" angle as the OG making it less tiresome to drive longer distance I suspect?
-cabrio roof no longer has that plastic grey stripe with ill fitting grey fabric top as in the OG. The new top runs to the leeding edge of the roof with a better fit and finish all the way round.
- speaking of fit and finish there is no metal exposed on the interior with the safety case all but covered in nicely molded and grained light grey / sound deading filled plastic ... even at the rear (behind the seats) where the seat belt pretensioners are located has plastic housing/cowl in dark greys.
- in terms of driving, you have to get used to the "pull feature" when removing your foot off the brake - the car sits for a split second and then pulls slowly forward (i have already gotten used to it and like it) it makes accelerations far smoother than the OG with slick gear changes either in manual or auto mode.
- the sound - push the engine and the engine/muffler note is like a little race car - great tweaking by MB there
- due to the redesign i dont think we will have paint chipping issues/wear and tear over the back front fenders. The body panels continue to "stick out" but its now a horizontal line (matching the Nike Swoosh as I call) it rather than a vertical like as in the OG l.
- there is now a fuctional map pocket light "above the seats / proper location IMO
- radio seems to work very well holding stations and doesn't "blank out" for a split second as in the OG - nice
- new mitsu powerplant loves to rev high up in the power band and not too buzzy , must less so than both the Euro models i drove extensively (turbo) and the regular Euro gasser I spent a day driving.
- for the cabrio owners of the OG model - rear visability is far superior with the top up, rear window is big, crystal clear with no deforming out outside images and seems to give a wider view of what is behind?
First tank of gas looks like high 570 km with another 3.0 litres showing available on my in-dash computer so ... its going to get low/mid 600 km out of the first tank, mostly hwy driving, not bad at all. I have pushed the thing from time to time marvelling at the 160 km per hour down the 407 (briefly of course)
As for the modifications, I have just posted pictures at the above link - see pages 3 and 4 of the following installed on my car.
brabus pedal pads
brabus brake lever
chrome fog rings
2008 rubber floor mats
iPod mp3 cable
gas tank brabus logo
two cd storage box
glove oddments tray mat
indash glasses holder
James
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