About.cars verdict is in

dancote · 12-30-2007, 06:05 PM

And it's fair and balanced. http://cars.about.com/b/2007/12/30/t...rtwo-coupe.htm

**jwight** · 12-30-2007, 06:08 PM

Nice review of the smart but what did he say about the Corvette test?

rerruf · 12-30-2007, 07:32 PM

Interesting article, notice that he calls the red interior, ORANGE! Also note the picture of the open engine compartment cover. It looks as thought the cover is made of a hard foam material and if you look closely it appears as though the cover has a rather large crack in it. That may be one reason for the two year warranty.

spdickey · 12-30-2007, 08:08 PM

The insulating cover is carpet covered foam. That goes on top the metal engine hatch.

24-42 · 12-30-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdickey

The insulating cover is carpet covered foam. That goes on top the metal engine hatch.

I think you'll find that "rerruf" is refering to the underside of the hatch engine cover.

The underside is covered with 'Closed cell', high density, rubber foam. Very sound absorbing. The cover is held closed tightly and securely.

This is not in lieu of, but in addition to, the rubber foam backed carpet on top of the hatch cover, This car is insulated throughout.

Inside the taillight housing, in the tridion... Insulation.
Inside trunk panels to tridion.... Insulation
Underside of froor carpeting..... Foam insulation
Underside of car from front to front of engine..... Bellypan

rerruf · 12-30-2007, 08:40 PM

Look at photo 7 called tiny engine. The lower right of the photo clearly shows what appears to be a crack in the foam underside of the engine cover. Looks like a cheap piece of junk to me.

**jwight** · 12-30-2007, 09:43 PM

Definitely looks cracked:

[Photo from cars.about.com]

spdickey · 12-30-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

Definitely looks cracked:

[Photo from cars.about.com]

The piece that appears cracked is the foam underlayment for the carpet. The actual metal engine cover has been removed and not pictured here. The engine cover is much smaller than the carpet.

SPDYII · 12-31-2007, 04:40 AM

Cracked is cracked. It is clearly cracked. On a new car.

SmartBob · 12-31-2007, 06:15 AM

* Gets blown around like a leaf in strong winds
* Transmission is jerky and slow to respond
* Struggles on hills
* Base model is sparsely equipped

FOR ME!
*Not enuff windy days for that to be important. Use two hands on the wheel.

*All have said just get used to the tranny and it'll be fine.

*My 65 6 cyl Mustang was terrible on hills...needed to downshift.

*That's why they call it a base model. Some of us just want cheap transportation....FUN, cheap transportation.