In my opinion, smart fixed the gearbox in the US spec car

[tipo158]

Today I got to drive the smart center Seattle demo car on their extended test drive loop. The shifting and operation of the gearbox was a million times better than the Euro-spec car that I drove during the road show. There was still some odd behaviors (like how it reverts to auto mode when using the paddles to downshift at low speeds and not do the downshift), but I could figure out how to work them and have fun with it.

I went there to test drive a power steering car vs. a non-power steering car to see if power steering was necessary. Frankly, I don't see why smart bothered to put P/S in the car. Manuevering around the parking lot at the dealership, the steering effort with the non-P/S car was minimal.

One last thing - I have nothing but good things to say about smart center Seattle. I have been pretty vocal in criticizing smart USA in these forums. In my experience, unlike smart USA, smart center Seattle is walking the walk as far as selling cars in a new way. I will gladly wait for the opportunity to give a dealership like this my business.

[young-nyc]

the only problem is no matter how good the dealership is..
if you're not from that area, your business isn't going to go to them =(
dang online sales ordering.

[stevenvillatoro]

Also loving the new transmission, exactly as it is.

Three ways to shift, and it seems to do all of them in an entertaining and efficient way. The programming logic of "D" is very good... how often have you had an automatic mode bring a smile to your face?

As with just about everything in the smart... it's just quirky enough to be perfect.