Speeding ticket

[ASmartMan]

Yep That's right, I have a speeding ticket and am still smiling

For those who don't know I have a 450 (G&K gray model) as well as other cars.

Today, Wife and I went out for breakfast in the BMW (2000 Z3 with 22,000 miles (you do the math))

This was the first time I drove it since spring time AND WOW was I surprised, at it's power and how well I could shift it (a monkey could shift the Z3 better than the Smart), as well as HOW HOT the car could get.

I am the ultimate Smart enthusiast and would preach on any corner I was allowed to, Yet, YET. I prepared my Z3 for winter storage, a car where 3rd gear is good from 20 to 70 Mph and got an awakening.

This car (as posted during the spring time) is MUCH larger than the Smart, and if you ONLY drive the Smart for a few months, you will find it difficult to go back to a normal size car (space/size wise).

I've gotten off track, I was here to speak about my speeding ticket I was clocked doing 58 in a 30 MPH zone (yes in 3rd gear), the car was HOT and we had just turned off the seat heaters, and the song (Not ready to make nice) just came up on the CDs play list.

We were FLYING (in more ways than 1) and as I sit here to find words to describe how I can evade this ticket, I accept it, I was flying (cop gave me a gift @58), the main goal of this post was to point out the differences between the Z3 and the 450 (put in that sense, there are miles of difference)

I'll start with something as simple as HEAT, MAN O MAN does it take FOREVER for the Smart (450) to heat up, and it NEVER gets really HOT.

Ability to turn off traction control with the push of a button, My Z3 allows such a thing, so today it was off and the tires were squealing

I had to TURN DOWN the heat.

Our heads NEVER bobed once during the gear shift.

Wife commented about the smile on the face as I powered through a corner.

And to know I went (effortlessly) from about 25 mph to over 60 in 3rd gear with out pushing it, was a pleasure.

So in the end what am I saying??? we drive a Smart car for our OWN reasons, and NONE of us can boast about the Smarts abilities (vs other cars) . but we admit to the LONG/COLD/BUMPY ride

Just a thought

ASM

[Neonspinnazz]

Try a 451, they're nice (obviously)
Check your coolant, there may be something wrong!

VS other cars

-SMART:
A. Great parking skills
B. 0-60, you'll never need that much time.
C. Safe, as compared to other subcompacts and motorcycles
D. Streamline, futuristic looking (come on, is the tank sized Prius the shape of our future?)
E. Give back to the environment (I bet mother nature owns a Smart car )
F. 71hp - times that by 2 (because of size) and you have the power of a Scion tC.

[SuperGeek]

Not to mention, comparing a Smart to a Z3 is... well, no comparison. But the original point is still very valid... if you have more than one vehicle, make sure you drive both every so often even if you love the Smart more. If not, you'll take an SUV into a parking spot a little too wide and...crunch. Or you'll hit the gas on a Z3 and end up doing 58 in a 30.

Always pay attention to speed and what's around you... especially when driving a car you haven't in a while, or if you're young and less experienced than us old fogeys. Treat everything that moves like a threat and always have a way to escape from it. Defensive driving will help keep you safe.

[Fredvon4]

AsmartMan

I can relate...we drive the smart exclusively for long periods but acknowledge that each of our other transports require use and maintenance.

My current rocket ship is the polar opposite of your Z3.

She is a 7800 pound 4 door 4x4 long bed F350. I optioned her with the 6.8L V10 3 valve gas motor mated to the 5R110 Torqshift trans and 4.30:1 gear set. I left the factory tire diameter at 32.6" because I got her to tow very heavy in the tall Colorado, Utah, and Arizona ranges.

This truck, empty, and tranny in Tow Haul mode (holds each gear nearly to red line) will stay side by side with many cars like your Z3 in the first couple of hundred yards of acceleration.

It also has King Ranch interior and is remarkably quieter, heats up or cools down very fast, and infinitely more comfortable then the smart

It is a treat to drive her once every other week

I like the smart for a variety of reasons. (in fact we have two 451s)

I accept the "Long Cold Bumpy" ride with Farnsworth because, in her own way, she elicits the same BSEG* every time I drive her

*Big S... Eating Grin

[Dave Van]

COLD is one thing I'll never have to complain about in a 451......and as far as rough shifting goes....we have two Smart pure at my house. When I drive mine...shifting is smooth and seamless. Ride with my son and you feel the shifting....different types of driving....makes a big difference!

[DowneasTTer]

Have been driving the smart most of the time since picking up last May. Even missed the summer months driving one of my other soft tops. But, because of where I live (the woods in Maine) the smart will be placed in the garage and one of my all wheel drive beasts will be placed into service. Put the snows on the audi TT quattro roadster the other day. Been driving standards now for other 40 years and I stalled it out a couple of times..... forgetting there is a clutch pedal Next to put into service for those really bad days.. the rover. Looking forward to spring...

[jonnysan]

Asmartman...
I had the same experience last Spring when I got my S-2000 out (year 2000 model with 50K miles) Pretty similar car and boy was I ever spoiled by the smart insofar as getting into and out of her as compared to the Honda.

Having that power to feel the rush sure is nice once in awhile...for sure!
The Honda is stored now for the Winter so once again next Spring I can look forward to the same experience when I get it out.

Hanging the shifts out to redline once in awhile (9000 rpm) keeps all that Vtec stuff moving correctly, too, I feel.

Oh what a feeling!

[SmartAzz]

lol, its funny w go from the 71hp to a car with about 500hp, and to be honest I think I am less careful and probably speed more in the Smart simply because it just feels better going relatively quickly, in 3-4k revs. Going up hills around here it just works best to really gas it vs driving a car with loads of torque and subtle throttle power. I'll admit though, driving a car that can hit warp speed in a blink has its moments ;)

Sorry to hear about your cold little guy, our 451 has no prob getting hot or cold as needed.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by ASmartMan

Yep That's right, I have a speeding ticket and am still smiling

For those who don't know I have a 450 (G&K gray model) as well as other cars.

Today, Wife and I went out for breakfast in the BMW (2000 Z3 with 22,000 miles (you do the math))

This was the first time I drove it since spring time AND WOW was I surprised, at it's power and how well I could shift it (a monkey could shift the Z3 better than the Smart), as well as HOW HOT the car could get.

I am the ultimate Smart enthusiast and would preach on any corner I was allowed to, Yet, YET. I prepared my Z3 for winter storage, a car where 3rd gear is good from 20 to 70 Mph and got an awakening.

This car (as posted during the spring time) is MUCH larger than the Smart, and if you ONLY drive the Smart for a few months, you will find it difficult to go back to a normal size car (space/size wise).

I've gotten off track, I was here to speak about my speeding ticket I was clocked doing 58 in a 30 MPH zone (yes in 3rd gear), the car was HOT and we had just turned off the seat heaters, and the song (Not ready to make nice) just came up on the CDs play list.

We were FLYING (in more ways than 1) and as I sit here to find words to describe how I can evade this ticket, I accept it, I was flying (cop gave me a gift @58), the main goal of this post was to point out the differences between the Z3 and the 450 (put in that sense, there are miles of difference)

I'll start with something as simple as HEAT, MAN O MAN does it take FOREVER for the Smart (450) to heat up, and it NEVER gets really HOT.

Ability to turn off traction control with the push of a button, My Z3 allows such a thing, so today it was off and the tires were squealing

I had to TURN DOWN the heat.

Our heads NEVER bobed once during the gear shift.

Wife commented about the smile on the face as I powered through a corner.

And to know I went (effortlessly) from about 25 mph to over 60 in 3rd gear with out pushing it, was a pleasure.

So in the end what am I saying??? we drive a Smart car for our OWN reasons, and NONE of us can boast about the Smarts abilities (vs other cars) . but we admit to the LONG/COLD/BUMPY ride

Just a thought

ASM

Don't take this the wrong way, but... I'm not really sure what the point of this is.

The blue-book current value of a used 2000 Z3 is around $10,000-13,000... right around the price of a brand-new Pure.

In 1996, the new price was close to $30,000.

A Lear jet is better than a biplane. Is this supposed to be a surprise?

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by JD10367

A Lear jet is better than a biplane. Is this supposed to be a surprise?

Yep, but you can't wing walk or crop dust with a Lear jet.

Everything has some sort of advantage.