Worse transmission lag EVER

[Cyalume]

Let me start by saying, I am not trolling, just really disappointed. I have waited well over a year for my car (05/07 - 08/08), and was in shock when when my car finally came in a couple days ago. I had to take my girlfriend with me, to show her how cute it was. I ordered the Passion, in blue and black,. it was so awesome when I saw it.

I followed these little bundles of joy since the beginning, and drove them when the road show came through Saint Louis. I think I would have remembered the lag, because all I remember is I couldn't stop smiling.

So, I decided to take a test drive, started out of the dealership,... And waited, and, oh there's second gear, and waited, and,.. it actually did have all the gears. It was just horrible though, I have never experienced anything this bad. I have read that using the manual shifting helps, but come on, even then it was searching.

If Smart could only fix the transmission,.. otherwise I'm sorry but I feel like I'm riding with someone who doesn't know how to drive a manual.

[Dunerunner]

For some reason, mine has gotten better. At over 4000 miles the trans holds first much longer, second then third and fourth finally, but only when the car is at cruising speed without any extra demand for power, it shifts to fifth gear. I barely notice the noticeable shifting anymore, I'm just having fun!!!

[John_H]

Search for the word "transmission" and you'll find plenty of posts to reassure you and reinforce your woes.

The transmission will get better. You will work better with the transmission. The Smart will disappoint less.

[Smartfor2guy]

This Topic has been beat to death. If you drive it and dont like it, dont buy it

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by Cyalume

....I decided to take a test drive, started out of the dealership,... And waited, and, oh there's second gear, and waited, and,.. it actually did have all the gears. It was just horrible though, I have never experienced anything this bad. I have read that using the manual shifting helps, but come on, even then it was searching.

If Smart could only fix the transmission,.. otherwise I'm sorry but I feel like I'm riding with someone who doesn't know how to drive a manual.

Had you NOT test driven before? Did you NOT know what you were buying? If you had test driven before and followed this board as you said you have, you would have KNOWN what you were purchasing! Come on, it's been here 9 months now, talk of the town and you are only NOW upon delivery "checking it out"

[Dave Van]

After 4000 miles mine is just FINE...in manual mode. When I get busy and throw it into 'Auto/Drive' I am reminded that it is a bit like a old lady shifting....but I drive in manual 99.999% of the time so it's not a issue. Both you and the trans will work better after 1000 miles or so. Like you said...the demo's we drove in the road show were not like that....they had 'learned' like yours will. Relax....it's still more fun than any car in my garage!

[Rmichael1]

The Transmission is half the fun. I drive a mini-van most of the time (I have 4 kids) and its a smooth ride but feels like riding around inside your living room. I hate it. When my mini-van dies I'll get something more fun and hopefully there will be something as cool for 6 as there is fortwo!

[NCC1701]

At 1,800 miles, I can't honestly say I can tell any difference in the transmission from the day I drove it off the lot. I use both auto and paddles. That said, I'm perfectly happy with the way it works!! My other car hasn't moved in 10 days (I need to let it spread its legs this weekend).

Sometimes I think there must be a real difference between individual smarts though. I hated the transmission in the entirely too brief test drive I took two months before I took delivery of my smart.

[smarteepants]

The guy has a right to post a complaint so give him a break. If you don't like it, don't respond.

Personally, I've put 5000 miles on my smart and even though I love the car, I still hate the transmission and I hope smartcar ditches it someday.

As for the transmission getting better over time, I don't believe it. I think you just get use to it as I've gotten use to mine. But as far as transmissions go, I think it's one of worst ideas ever. But that's just my opinion.

[John_H]

Had you NOT test driven before? Did you NOT know what you were buying? If you had test driven before and followed this board as you said you have, you would have KNOWN what you were purchasing!

Dear god, people - the poster states that they "drove them when the road show came through Saint Louis."

If you're going to blast the person for saying anything that doesn't glorify the smart then at least, please, READ THE WHOLE DARNED POSTING!