I am expecting my Pure in about two weeks. Figuring I should know whether I fit or not (I am 6'2" & 300 lbs), I drove up to my dealership in Lincolnwood, IL. for a test drive.
A couple of tire kickers in the showroom including a European couple who have wanted a Smart since they were announced, but never made a
'reservation' because they didn't understand it. The "brand manager" took the wind right out of their sails when we said they might get one in a year or so.
They had all three versions in the showroom and two sitting out front for test drives. My guy said they have delivered one and expect cars to float in every day or two. He did not know when to expect mine other than in a couple of weeks. He said they only know what they are getting when they are on a truck and get a manifest for the truck shipment.
I drove a Silver Passion. It is VERY SMALL on the outside and looked even smaller as it was parked next to my 07 Chevy Avalanche! It is 3 degrees here in Chicago and when we started it, it was a little slow to fire.
Inside, it is surprisingly spacious! I was not able to adjust my seat perfectly, but I had plenty of room. There is no tilt adjustment to the steering wheel. That would be nice. Getting out was surprisingly easy. You are not sitting nearly as low as you would think. I also have a C5 Corvette that is very low and challenging to get out of. Not the case with the smart.
My biggest comment is regarding the transmission. It is very weird. I was trying to figure out what a "automatic manual" transmission was and now I know. It is not like a typical auto trans but feels like a manual trans without clutching & shifting. The gas lets up, it shifts and then the power comes back on. It took my brain a little to get used to this. It is not bad, just different. It really seems like a manual transmission that has been automated! Power seems ok. It is not quick. It is not smooth like most cars, but feels very primitive. The brakes seemed ok but were very different from my current vehicle. It all took a little getting used to!
What you loose in quickness, you will make up for in manuevarability! I did a couple of quick lane changes and even a U-turn and this car does turn on a dime!
I grey marketed in a Suzuki Samurai from Canada about a year and a half before it was introduced in the US. The two cars are very similar! Functional not luxurious. Utility not sophistication. A honda civic would be much smoother, but I would never want a Honda Civic!
The biggest issue I see if I am going to drive this everyday is the attention it got. Every stoplight, oncoming traffic, pedestrians. Everyone was gawking. I know there will be a lot of interest so be ready.
All and all, it is very cute and a lot of fun. I am looking forward to it.
One question I could not get an answer to was regarding radio install. I ordered a Pure, which does not come with a radio. I do not want the Smart radio and would like to install my own. They did not know about installation kits and a recent email to Crutchfield netted no answer as well.
I may just need to hear the hum of that little 1.0L engine behind my butt for a while!
John
jpkherd
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