Does your transmission still bother you after 2,000 miles?

[Bum-bling-B]

I know what you're thinking - OH NO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION THREAD!! It seems to be the flavor of the month for new or soon to be new owners are having second thoughts about getting a Smart due to what they've heard about the transmission.

What we haven't come up with is a percentage of owners who have now broken in their cars and put some miles on it and found out the transmission isn't as bad as the magazines make it out to be.

This is a POLL for owners who have over 2,000 miles on their cars and the question is:

"Does your transmission in your Smart still bother you enough to make you cringe after 2,000 miles?"

For myself, it never bothered me from the get-go. Over time it has smoothed out as I've learned how to drive the car and as far as the question of whether or not the car learns - we'll save that for another thread. As far as complaining how "dumb" the transmission is - once again, there are threads for that. This is a simple YES or NO poll for new owners to understand how well people like their transmission AFTER they put a few miles on their car and have them somewhat broken-in. Yes, the poll could have more answers than a yes or no but I've decided to use the KISS method.

2,000 miles wasn't scientifically decided, it is just a good amount of miles for a driver to get used to their car and understand its quirks.

[NCC1701]

I'm only at 94% of your criteria, close enough I hope. I placed a vote.

[Dave777]

This poll is flawed, but I voted Yes.

More than 4,000 miles.

[Bum-bling-B]

I know I could of placed more than yes or no. I was going to add more but used the KISS method intentionally. I even thought of additional answers like "Yes it bothers me but not enough to sell my car" and so on but it is a simple enough Yes or No question to give prospective buyers an idea how people feel about their car's transmission after they have a few miles on their car without wading through 234 posts as why one thinks the transmission is bad.

[LorbeerTLC]

At almost 10,000 miles, I've adjusted to it. However, I still prefer a good old-fashion manual transmission with a clutch pedal.
Part of the fun in driving a manual transmission is using the clutch. For me, they both compliment each other and enhance the fun factor in driving.
Some people disagree and that's fine. It's a personal choice. As I've said in earlier forums, if I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand.
I still enjoy driving my cabrio and wouldn't consider selling it. It's a fun car.
-Tom L.

[Suze]

Over 6000 miles and it doesn't bother me.

It's "quirky", no doubt. But not enough to be a bother.


Now, I do have a list of things that bother me....

war
poverty
religious fanatics
mean people
earth destroyers
violence
unloved children
hunger
people who complain
the world economy
my health (sometimes)
intolerance
elderly people being discarded
freedoms being stripped
internet dating sites
credit companies and banks
political division to the point of hatred
my cat throwing up in the living room.....


oh, I could go on, but what's the point? Lots of things bother me, but not my transmission. In fact when you look at all the crap going on in the world, my smart is a true bright spot!


Great poll!

[Dunerunner]

Hardly an issue after two 600 mile drives and 4000 miles. I'm past the stage when I feel the need to get second and make the tires bark. It's much better than my 1959 Land Rover that I have to double clutch between every gear!!

[GoMXracing]

works just as it was advertised. ..perfectly .... very glad i have the opportunity to own a F-1 style gearbox for such an affordable price.

people who ***** about it should go buy an American automatic car .(or know what they are buying before they purchase something)

chris

[Bum-bling-B]

So far it looks like I thought. MOST people get used to its quirkiness after driving it for a while. Test drivers really shouldn't completely discredit the car because they drove it 4 miles and it felt weird compared to anything that they've ever owned or ridden in.

Most polls won't ever be completely perfect and this one should be added to that list, but it does give one an idea how a lot of owners feel after driving it for a while.

.....and Suze I love that list of things that bother you - my family feels the same way!! Thanks to ALL that have participated.

[Macaw]

My problem is when in manual mode convincing my brain that even though my left foot is not clutching I am supposed to be shifting! Can't say how many time I drive off in first wondering why it doesn't shift into second and then duh you're in manual mode stipid...LOL