hello and thanks for your comments - i have many pictures which I can upload - i can see how to do that - just new to your site. To answer the question regarding performance between the CDi and gas engine - truly there is little that can be compared ... the CDi is full of torque but is very slow, quite loud, in the outgoing model, rough, and somewhat unrefined. I had a blast for three years, dont get me wrong. I enjoyed my 2005 cabrio model very much but there simply is no comparsion. I liken it to a rough-tough kid with scrapped knees vs his older more educated brother in a three piece suit. In a few sentences - the CDi was slow - but tons of torque, great fuel economy, extremely slow to heat in the winter - I installed heated seats. It also felt like a microcar - a legal dune buggy and was far more fun to drive then you can imagine - always a good time. The new car is slick, smooth, very well put together (superior fit and finish) very fast in comparision, a smooth transmission (my friend didn't nickname is older smart - nosedive for nothing) ... the new smarts cabrio top is FANTASTIC - the old was was not - it was plastic - yes - that means easily scratched - the new GLASS roof is terrific - can go up and down at 160 km, I've done it ... If I could go for a CDi if both were available in our dealerships, I would have to say I would go gas again. A few things got tiresome ... if our climate was warm - I live in Ontario Canada - i might consider it but little to no heat after 10-15 minutes on my way to work in a cabrio model was just no way to start the day. The gas model has heat in seconds. The CDi shaking did seem to cause some issues with the cars - the AC had a terrible time and many many CDN cars simply would loose their coolent - calked up to leaking joints due to the constant shake of the engine on its mounts. If mileage is really important and the climate is warmer than mine - sure a CDi is probably a fair option but not again for me. In terms of the mileage - I can tell you that I filled up for 33.00 CDN dollars and I drove just over 600 KM ... that means about 4.4L per 100 km or 4.72 cents per 100 km which to me seems pretty good.
Hope this helps
James
Linear Mode
