Most worthless features! Smart Made it!!

[gstreetcomic]

As it has been said, the Smart is not everbodys cup of tea, so with that one and ther hideous review written by Consumer reports, id say they were based on ones personal opinions. However, there are many who read all the posts who don't have their Smart yet, and who go to the meets, and will have enough exposure to the car gving them a clear picture of what to expect. That was the case with me before my taking adpotion of "Mr Blue", i had been in two different Smarts belonging to somebody else, had the pleasure of driving both of them and doing some test drives at two different dealers so i knew full and well that i really wanted the Smart, and more so what i was getting into. So far all the asking around and being a really paitent sole paid off.

[Yellowcarsrock]

I read the CR article last night. Said some pretty hurtful things in my opinion. It is in the Nov '08 issue if you want to get a copy or just copy the one page article at the public library, so you don't support the magizine by buying one..... They do not like the SMART and don't mind saying it.

Vicki from Dallas

[exipnaki]

Originally Posted by rwjrn

How has most people's experience been with the rain sensing wipers on the smart? I don't have them now, but my next one will and I"m a little leery. I wish that one didn't have to come with the comfort package.

I like the wipers, discovered them by accident in fact. One day I didn't realize I had them on "auto" and I passed a semi which threw water on my windshield. Before I could reach for the knob, the wipers came out, wiped once and stopped. I was sold on them after that

[Cruising n Coasting]

I love optimists, they balance my pesimistic side.

[Cruising n Coasting]

Originally Posted by gstreetcomic

However, there are many who read all the posts who don't have their Smart yet, and who go to the meets, and will have enough exposure to the car gving them a clear picture of what to expect. That was the case with me

I did not have the oppurtunity you had, just a 1/2 mile test drive on a perfect road below 30mph.

Overall, the driving experience is good and for me the only major drawback is the transmission. The ride is stiff, but someone (popular) in here is working on a solution for that too.

I wonder if someone is working on the tranny by either tuning the ECU or using different lubricants to attack this problem. Anybody?!?

If it wasn't my bread and butter, I would try working with Mercedes and a TUNER to resovle it.

[Neonspinnazz]

I test drove a Smartie and I loved it. It felt like a manual but had the convenience of an automatic. Pickup speed comparably better than family SUV!
The GMC I drive now has the rain sensing wipers. Loved them. Just about everything on that SUV is automated. Sorry mom, but that Envoy has horrible MPG.
** it's onboard computer says it gets 17mpg, sad. **

[NCC1701]

RE: the expert review displayed by jwight: This reviewer is in the 'lift to shift' camp. I find the best solution is steady accelerator, allowing the car's computer to shift. That is, while in automatic mode.

[UAV-1]

Regarding transmission shifting... I have a lead foot and paddle shift like crazy. When I took delivery of my wife's Smart, the transmission did shift as the reviewer described. However, the car only had ~10 miles on it and after a couple hundred miles, the ECU smoothed out the shifting in anticipation of my driving style. Same thing occurred with the delivery of my Smart, though the ECU is still 'learning' on the 2nd vehicle, it seems to be learning faster. That aspect could just be my perception though; being more used to the car. I see this as a non-issue after a reasonable break-in period.
Cheers,
Jeff