I drive a lot of highway miles and the smart could really benefit from having a sixth gear for highway use. I think that first gear is almost useless and it seems to me that the smart would start off in second without any problems if you could. I do suppose that if you were to be towing something that first gear would be good but other than that...
After 5,000 miles I think the transmission shifts ok, not the greatest but ok and in my opinion it shifts just like a manual transmission would if you were to have a clutch pedal, keeping in mind that this isn't the manual transmission anything like the M-22 "rock crusher". It does it's job well as intended.
it shifts just like a manual transmission would if you were to have a clutch pedal
The difference being that when you are doing it manually, you are also pushing yourself back into the seat, and you know when the next gear is going to engage. That's what makes it feel "spooky" early on, but I'm in the "it seems to have gotten better" camp, even though I know it's just in my mind.
The difference being that when you are doing it manually, you are also pushing yourself back into the seat, and you know when the next gear is going to engage.
Good point, IMO. Perhaps that's why the transmission does not seem to me to have changed over time ... I've rarely driven a standard (normal manual) transmission. I've been a passenger in them more often than I've driven them. As someone else said, to the passenger it feels just like manual transmission. It does to me too, always has.
The only time I've had a problem with the smart is when going around a corner in auto mode. When it takes a second for the car to decide what gear to go to and I'm drifting around the corner powerless. I found a solution that works for me though: when entering the corner, switch to manual and downshift. Then have power through.
Heck no, silly me I'm sure they have their share of hops, yet every response here about the tranny is that someone has a small contribution on its behavior.
It seems to me that all the silly complaints about the transmission are because people in North America expect it to behave like the automatic transmissions they're used to. It is not an automatic transmission -and it was a mistake to allow people in NA to believe it is. Maybe they thought it couldn't be marketed in the U.S. without the PRND label. Pity.
The transmission, used in manual mode, is one of the better features of this car. Shifting is easy, smooth, and reasonably quick. It's a joy to use the sequential shift either by flicking the lever or fingering the paddles. All it takes is an understanding of engine power characteristics, appropriate shift points for various circumstances, and a deft foot on the throttle. With no clutch pedal to operate, anyone should be able to enjoy this form of manual shifting - so why do people insist on using the automated mode?
So, come on folks, if you're not enjoying the automated mode of the shift mechanism, then shift to the manual mode and start enjoying the car.
(and yes, driving does require constant attention and awareness - even some skill)
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.
Ditto, ditto, ditto. And, when I find that dang magic wand, I'll have it add a clutch to the car. Til then, like it the way it is, 3,000 miles.
Love the car. Love the transmission except in creap mode. It seems to get a little weird sometimes. 99.5% of the time it's great though. And I love the gas mileage.
Well, at 16000 miles I guess the tranny has adjusted to me, er, should I say, I've adjusted to it. I don't even notice it anymore. I drive 99% in auto all the time and it almost (heaven forbid to say) seems to be fully automatic to me now. Looking forward to the next 16000 miles.
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smart - aka Smurf
Cabrio
Vette
Today
Linear Mode
