cars.com staffers all get behind the wheel...they don't like it

[rwcmick]

nobody seems to be a fan over there...

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...t-no.html#more

[SmartAzz]

Not surprised to read criticisms about the transmission, it sounds like it takes some learning and getting used to and many people just do not put the effort into things like that (I've had other 'manumatic' type transmissions where I have heard all kinds of whining about it when people don't even want to change what they do or give it a proper chance). I mean literally the one guy said he gave it 15 minutes

Sure its all subjective but I can't get the feel for what they were expecting or holding it up to - what is the context for the criticisms, what car are they comparing it to when they say the " turn signal and wiper stalks feel cheap"? Compared to a Corolla or a 5 series?

I have to say the remark about tossing stuff in the back kind of odd. I am of the female persuasion and when I have had any two seater I usually toss stuff like a purse on the passenger seat - however if it has a hatch (like M Coupe) I don't expect to be able to reach it easily from the driver's seat, I know I'll have to open the hatch to get it. After all it is designed as a two seater so the front seats are not about making rear access easy from there, that is what the hatch is for. If it had rear seats that would be a different story.

Anyway, I don't expect the Smart to be perfect and it is as niche as they come, I just don't get what some reviewer's (or people in general's) expectations are and why it seems they don't seem open to learning the transmission and characteristics of the car a bit and taking the whole car in context.

I'm wondering what I'll think when I take a demo out.. at least I know from experience that it has taken owning some cars for a while before I optimized my use of the transmission.

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by SmartAzz

I have to say the remark about tossing stuff in the back kind of odd. I am of the female persuasion and when I have had any two seater I usually toss stuff like a purse on the passenger seat - however if it has a hatch (like M Coupe) I don't expect to be able to reach it easily from the driver's seat, I know I'll have to open the hatch to get it. After all it is designed as a two seater so the front seats are not about making rear access easy from there, that is what the hatch is for. If it had rear seats that would be a different story.

yea, i didn't understand that statement either. clueless. the only thing i can think of is that the car they received had some of the accessories on it including the divider. i just went and sat in my car and had no problem whatsoever reaching in the back and grabbing anything from the "shelf".

that said, i actually do agree that i would much prefer a true manual transmission, but that's because i prefer to drive the car (my S5 is a manual). i also have an A3 with auto and will go on record as saying the Audi makes the biggest piece of junk auto tranny out there. i am positive the reason that this trans was used as they know that many people, including their perceived demo, do not know how to drive a manual. sad, but true. i would have to guess that they will offer an option for a manual in the future, at least i would hope so.

[Smartdavis]

They made a good point. Why doesn't Smart come with a regular manual transmission as an option? I wonder if the funky transmission and unhappy reports like this are going to take the wind out of sales.

[august8pm]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

I wonder if the funky transmission and unhappy reports like this are going to take the wind out of sales.

Other, far more respected, auto journalists than those at cars[DOT]com said the exact same thing: 800,000+ cars ago.

[Smart_ABQ]

I wonder if the traditional manual transmission was a weight factor. I still believe these people just don't get it. This car will still provide the best non-hybrid mpg in the US. I'm encouraged by some of the posts by others that they are achieving very good mileage.

Not everybody wants to spend a small fortune on a vehicle and what's wrong with having a commuting alternative which doesn't need a back seat? They keep trying to compare this to every other *YAWN* subcompact and they really aren't the same thing.

[Karl Roth]

Freedom is a wonderful thing. Some people Like Chilies some don't, some follow the safety of the herd. Let them go
karl

[GHammerly]

I thought the coments about useless paddle shifters was the most cluless, this is not a formula one car so lock to lock will take some wheel turning, to select the next gear in this situation simply push or pull back at the shift lever, it's there waiting for your right hand. Dum cluless people write about cars.

Gus

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by Smart_ABQ

I wonder if the traditional manual transmission was a weight factor.

no way. i guarantee the reason for the trans is because the new school youth can't drive a manual. and half of the demo has to be women who don't usually pick the manual if they had the choice. they had to go with the "safe" choice. i'm guessing a normal auto trans was much more costly or that would have made much more sense.

[Fredvon4]

Smartdavis

Some, but the demand will still easily outpace product delivery -IMO