1 yr evaluation long

[donnyonee]

ive had mine for about a year now and im mostly happy with the little car.
we towed our trailer up to big bear and back last weekend, again and had a nice camping holiday. we filled up right when we left the house. drove up to camp, around a little bit and home again (3 days) and on my way to work the next day, im still on half a tank. this is crazy. i only wish it had the ride and shift like a big car instead of the go kart effect. but it was at least 200 miles and towing, on half a tank. towing i do 4th gear on anything other than down hill, which is 5th. and try to keep it about 60 mph on the scan gauge. i can hang in 3rd going up the hill, 7-8000 ft which works pretty good. anything faster and the sunglasses on the dash are sliding, which is faster than i care to tow. i do get passed in the passing areas and even use a turn out or 2. which i think is pretty normal.
my 1 paddle shifter doesnt always down shift, but if i hit the up side then down again quickly it will go down, maybe the upgrade would help. ive had the shifter, radio and clutch actuator issues but was taken care of excellently by west covina. i think overall id give it a 9-9.5 out of 10. and yes i do enjoy my bolt covers, ;-). before this car i had a 06 mustang, 565 motor hp, what a difference.

just venting a little.

[theguywiththelongestname]

...get the 2.0 upgrade, you'll be glad you did!

[burtandnancy]

The nicest thing you said was that you pulled over in the turn-outs. That has got to be a first, I've never actually seen anyone do it, including very slow drivers up in the Redwoods with a mile of cars stacked up behind...

[donnyonee]

usually everyone is in a rush to get there and stand in line.
im trying to slow down and enjoy life.
i havent camped for 30 years, this is fantastic. got down down to 34 in the tenttrailer. bottled gas ran out and "wife" got up and took care of it.
turnouts are good.

[Bum-bling-B]

Donny,

Have you got a chance to throw your trailer on a set of scales yet? I know some here would be ready to burn you at the stake if you publicly posted the results so I understand if you wouldn't want to disclose that info.

[donnyonee]

mfg claims 345 lbs, maybe 100-150 lbs all the gear and food. its pretty light weight. im a "larger girth" type and im careful when i move around inside, the main section of floor is pretty good but the rest does flex.
my mom always bought me "huskies" size as a child. :-)
and another camp trip 19-21, green valley. a few miles across from big bear. are there any other smart owner campers?

[Pops900]

Originally Posted by donnyonee

are there any other smart owner campers?

Not yet, but after reading thru your camping posts and experiences, I am getting the itch to dust off the gear and head back out. I sent my wife a link to your camper pictures in hopes she will get the itch also

Let's be careful out there,
Pops & Car-lito

[JD10367]

My 6-1/2-month evaluation, short: love everything about my '09 Passion except for the suspension and the wind blowing it around on the highway. ) Those two drawbacks are well worth the perks (cute as hell, easy to park and drive and turn, sits nice and high, has nice safety features, has a light airy cabin with the big windows and skylight).

[slyck14]

Originally Posted by JD10367

My 6-1/2-month evaluation, short: love everything about my '09 Passion except for the suspension and the wind blowing it around on the highway. ) Those two drawbacks are well worth the perks (cute as hell, easy to park and drive and turn, sits nice and high, has nice safety features, has a light airy cabin with the big windows and skylight).

If you can afford, try going to the 17" Genius wheels. They are at SmartMadness (forum vendor). Significantly improves the wind/truck wind instability factor. This is a real car, and you have to drive it, but I LOVE it. Who wouldn't love a bit more power, and I'll eventually chip and do intake and exhaust. The insane could go for the Turbo for $3400!!!