For me, it took me all of a a day to get used to and accept this transmission. Could it be better . . . . sure, but for all of the advantages and pleasure you will get from your smart in the days to come, the transmission issue will fade away.
I don't know how legitimate the better with age issue is, but for me - after 3K my smart is noticeably quicker and smoother. When I am more aggressive with the throttle rather than starting off gently, the car has been responding surprisingly quicker than I recall it doing initially .
Honestly, I wish this car had a CVT. I also wish it had an all electric motor that goes 400 miles on a 1 hour charge. Neither of those are true, and I STILL love this car. It's built solid. has better materials than a similarly priced Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla (recently test drove both with a friend who's looking and they felt like junk!), and has MUCH better driving dynamics than the Yaris. Sure they were bigger (to me that's a downfall actually), and probably were a bit faster, but didn't FEEL faster than my little Ike. Plus, it's just simply more interesting and fun! so, sure.... when I'm in a hurry, the tranny can cause a bit of an eye roll, but when driven normally, it works just fine, sometimes even unnoticeable.
Come on' smart EV!
PS... 8000 miles, and it does seem smoother than original.
Last edited by MinnySmart; 08-30-2008 at 02:22 PM.
Reason: add text
Different doesn't always equal bad.... I have no problems with the shifting. I can see why maybe some type "A" people might have a problem, but otherwise, just relax and enjoy it for what it is... an economical, fun, inexpensive, little car. just putt putt putting along!
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.
I felt exactly the same way as you after my test drive. I even took it out for a second time, and it was still pretty bad! I ALMOST made the decision NOT to buy my car when it came in, and almost canceled my reservation. Then I thought.........what the hell.....it's only $99. I'll just wait until it comes in and make my decision. Well.....when it came in, I wanted it....regardless!! The first 850 miles or so I was beginning to wonder if I'd made the right decision or not! I now have almost 4000 miles on my car and I wouldn't give it up for NOTHING!! The transmission in manual is a smooth as silk, and in automatic it's slightly slower, but still smooth! Honestly, the only time when I get upset with the transmission is in stop-&-go traffic. That's when it feels like a temperamental teenager learning to drive a stick! DON'T base your decision on the cars that they allow you to test drive at the smartcenter. Those transmissions are just plain CONFUSED!!
Everybody's treating this guy like he's some kind of whiney hypochondriac or something. Maybe there's actually something wrong with his transmission, not just the typical reaction of a new owner. As odd as I thought the transmission was when I first drove it I never had such a strong complaint. I would recommend having it checked out by the dealer. Not that they know everything. My salesman told me I had to lift my foot when it shifted -- the worst advice EVER! Just drive it like an automatic. Put your foot on the pedal and leave it there. I was driving today as a matter of fact and thinking "If this were a manual transmission would my shifts be better or worse than what they are?" The answer is that in no way, after having driven standard shift cars for over 25 years, could I shift as well as the transmission does automatically. But to hold it to automatic transmission standards is unrealistic.
Last edited by WickedMessenger; 08-30-2008 at 02:32 PM.
My assessment is exactly the same as Bigcritter's. The only time I don't like the gear box is in traffic jams because it can't figure out the shift points in automode. The ForTwo isn't for everyone, you either love it our it just doesn't suit your personality or needs. I think most who can't adjust to the transmission would be better off waiting for an alternative like the Toyota IQ which will be more conventional. smarts are odd and it's OK not to like the way they drive, it doesn't serve any purpose telling those it doesn't suit there is something wrong with them.
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.
bull****! on not responding if i don't like the thread.. are you whaked>?
cant even believe people still complain about it.(gearbox)..it does EXACTLY what it was supposed to do...(do your research, before you purchase something)
Having taken delivery of my car in mid-July, I am still in the break in period due to my car going back to the dealer after a week and staying there for 4 weeks. I got it back on Tuesday. Today I have about 550 miles on it, and honestly the shifting is already a lot better. And I drive in automatic all of the time. At this point I am thinking I will continue to drive it in automatic most of the time because I like how it's doing now, and I know it will get even better with more miles on it. People are certainly entitled to their own opinion, but honestly, I don't get what all the complaining is about. The car is what it is, and it's pretty damn good at what it is...
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just putt putt putting along!
I felt exactly the same way as you after my test drive. I even took it out for a second time, and it was still pretty bad! I ALMOST made the decision NOT to buy my car when it came in, and almost canceled my reservation. Then I thought.........what the hell.....it's only $99. I'll just wait until it comes in and make my decision. Well.....when it came in, I wanted it....regardless!! The first 850 miles or so I was beginning to wonder if I'd made the right decision or not! I now have almost 4000 miles on my car and I wouldn't give it up for NOTHING!! 
DON'T base your decision on the cars that they allow you to test drive at the smartcenter. Those transmissions are just plain CONFUSED!! 
smart - aka Smurf
Today
Linear Mode
