So we've had our little adoptee for a week now, and we're on our second tank of gas - I guess it's time I put some of my impressions out there for the world to see...
Let me preface by saying that for me the major factor in the appeal of this car is possibly something that only we baby boomers can fully appreciate. You young whippersnappers
can't relate to this, but we old farts can remember waiting impatiently for September to roll around every year so we could see what the car companies had done for the new models. Back in the '50's and into the early '60's car models had a major makeover EVERY YEAR! We could glance at a car and tell you what year model it was ... each car had its own personality if you will.
In the mid '60's the manufacturers were starting to find out that shutting down the factory for a month every year to re-tool, and having a myriad of unique models, was an expensive proposition, so we started seeing multiple models being built on common platforms, and yearly changes were limited to a few chrome pieces or color choices. It got to the point that unless you were really observant you couldn't tell a Chevy from a Buick from an Olds and trying to figure out which year it was became almost impossible. Along the way the cars lost their personality and now we are at the point that it doesn't really matter what car you buy - it looks the same on the inside and the outside.
Along comes our smartie - once again we can buy a car with personality; a car that you can throw a simple glance at and recognize; a car that is once again fun to drive and affordable at the same time!
Many here have complained about the transmission performance - even after reading all the comments here before we picked up our car the first time behind the wheel I had a moment of concern when the computer de-clutched for that 1-2 shift; I was almost convinced that I had done something wrong and the car had stalled. But within a mile I was comfortable with the shifting, and now see it as part of this car's personality. I can control the shifting by working the go-pedal, the shift lever, and/or the paddles. I find I usually don't even notice the shifts anymore - the little car just gets up and goes.
We've had people take pictures of us, we've had people stop to talk to us, we've had over $200 worth of groceries from Costco in the back
and we've had people beg us for a ride! I think the last new car we bought that came anywhere close to the fun we're having with our smart was our '88 Jeep Wrangler ... Jeep drivers have a cameraderie that I think we smart drivers are going to have.
Sorry for the length of this - I'm having a ball driving this thing; I'm almost going to feel sad when I get back on my motorcycle! But then the wife will get to enjoy the smart all summer long!
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