Leg Room, Operation at high altitude

[Sierra Shark]

Hello fellow members. "Nicky New Guy" here. Please forgive me if my questions have been addressed before.

How's the leg room and seat comfort for those of us that are over six feet tall? Also, does anybody know how these cars do at high altitude? Say over 9,000 feet. I live in a mountainous area with a nearby ski resort and plenty of mountain grades to pull. I don't expect to zoom up any grades but I don't want to get out and push either. Like most people I will be using it to commute to work. However, I am toying with idea of doing a road trip. Perhaps Los Angeles to Seatlle just to say I did it. Thanks in advance for your replys.;)

[Lewis]

I drove a 450 rental over the Alps and did just fine.

[Old smart]

This past summer I followed a 450 cdi diesel up and over Kicking Horse Pass on Trans-Canada 1, between Alberta and BC. The 450 was doing as well as I was in a low-end, rental PT Cruiser. The cdi diesel doesn’t have a lot of horsepower (40), but it does have gobs of torque (74 ft-lbs), and a 6-speed manual transmission to work with (I only had a 3-speed slushbox). The new NA 451 will have 68 ft-lbs of torque and a 5-speed manual; you should do OK. It remains to be seen about engine temperature though.

[Gortok]

So, you're from LA? Do you have a smart reserved?

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

This past summer I followed a 450 cdi diesel up and over Kicking Horse Pass on Trans-Canada 1, between Alberta and BC. The 450 was doing as well as I was in a low-end, rental PT Cruiser. The cdi diesel doesn’t have a lot of horsepower (40), but it does have gobs of torque (74 ft-lbs), and a 6-speed transmission to work with (I only had a 3). The new NA 451 will have 68 ft-lbs of torque and a 5-speed; you should do OK. It remains to be seen about engine temperature though.

Do you think when it's worked it's inclined to run hotter than normal due to the rear engine and chassis shadowing the air flow to the engine compartment in the rear?

[Gortok]

I thought the radiator was up front. Is that not correct?

[Sierra Shark]

Originally Posted by Gortok

So, you're from LA? Do you have a smart reserved?

I'm not from La La land. About 300 miles north east along the eastern side of the state near the Nevada border. 40 miles south of Mammoth Mountain ski resort in Bishop. I haven't reserved yet but I have made up my mind to purchase. I waiting to see how the feeding frenzy goes. If it's like when I bought my Saturn Sky Redline I'll just wait until it calms down then cash one out. I don't mind the wait. I collect cars so I always have a fun ride t pick from.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by jonnysan

Do you think when it's worked it's inclined to run hotter than normal due to the rear engine and chassis shadowing the air flow to the engine compartment in the rear?

Dunno. It has been noted on some of the overseas fora that the engine gets hot in traffic, requiring that the A/C be shut off and the heater (an addditional heat-exchanger) run on high. Once traffic begins to move the heat comes down. Something to watch.

Some things that may help: a finned oil filter heat sink, shielding the oil filter if it subject to radiant heat from the exhaust system, using a deeper oil filter to give more cooling surface and more oil in the system. Obviously, an oil radiator would be the "pro" way to do it.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Gortok

I thought the radiator was up front. Is that not correct?

Yup, it is in the front. But I don't know if it has a thermostatically switched electric fan behind it. Hope so.

[CruisingAZ]

Originally Posted by Sierra Shark

I'm not from La La land. About 300 miles north east along the eastern side of the state near the Nevada border. 40 miles south of Mammoth Mountain ski resort in Bishop. I haven't reserved yet but I have made up my mind to purchase. I waiting to see how the feeding frenzy goes. If it's like when I bought my Saturn Sky Redline I'll just wait until it calms down then cash one out. I don't mind the wait. I collect cars so I always have a fun ride t pick from.

I used to vacation at Mammoth Mountain every summer, it is a beautiful location.