The trans doesn't get happier with mileage, and the driver doesn't adapt. The clutch wears in a bit, gets smoother, and the whole car seems to settle down. It is what it is...... a manual with an automatic clutch. It's never gonna be a straight manual, and it's never gonna be a silky smooth 6 spd automatic. So what?
The transmission is horrible on day one, with under 10 miles driven. It throws a tantrum that would make a two year old blush. But after 50 miles it was bearable, after 500 miles it smoothed out a LOT, and after 2000 miles of mostly city driving it's improving more. It took a major leap of faith for me to trust everyone here, previous owners, that this critter would improve over time. Whatever mechanisms, programming or neurological breakdowns are involved, it's better now than before.
The reason the OP didn't notice the problem on the test drive is likely because those drivetrains were already well broken in. If the transmission's still wonky after 500 miles, talk to the dealer... or earlier if you have a major concern. You could have one in a bad batch, who knows? The dealer tech should test drive it and determine if it's normal behavior, and not just assure you blindly that it's ok. Blind assurance is our job.
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.
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.
Whaaa?
I think you meant "stretch its legs".
I hope.
After waiting 13 months, I got my smart this Wednesday! Only had time to put on my first 125 miles so far. After reading all the posts over the past few months, I didn't start out expecting the smoothness of my Grand Marquis. My first trip was out into the boon-docks to show the 'cute' (her words) little guy to my daughter. The trip involved 20 miles of Interstate and 40 miles of two-lane country roads. All I can say is that I was greatly impressed with how the smart handled and drove. I couldn't believe how stable it felt on the curvy country roads. I would glance down and find myself at 65 without feeling it. Merging with traffic on the Interstate was a snap. As I merged with traffic at 70 miles an hour it moved and shifted fantastically. I waited for the disturbance from the 18 wheelers, which never happened. If this is how the Smart handles during my first week, I can't wait for next week.
From your test drive/s, you should have known exactly what the car's driving capabilities were before you bought one.
I've said it elsewhere, and I'll say it again here. If I had not taken my test drive with a grain of salt I would not have taken delivery. The test drive gave me an extremely negative impression of the transmission and the brakes. But, I researched it further, primarily from reading owner's opinions both here and in other forums. I came to the conclusion I hold to this day, the test drive is not an end all in evaluating a car. Perhaps the test vehicle had problems ... I couldn't say. But, I'm very glad I didn't let the test drive be the deciding factor.
6,600 miles and if I use the throttle exactly right auto-shifts silky smooth otherwise shifts like a beginner.... but it does so what it was made to do just not as smart as a human brain. On the other hand shift it in manual mode in the torque band and shifts as well as I could do it with a clutch pedal. And it does improve with age that 1-2 upshift straight out of the dealer lot in auto was a real eye-opener 6,000 miles later not a problem.
I picked my little nugget up last night at about 8:15 pm. It has 200 miles on the odo right now, and I can already tell a difference.
I think much of it is me adapting to it, but it does seem to be holding gears longer.
I have been wearing sandals the past few days when I am not at work, so I have been driving barefoot... it's helped me get a better feel for the car. I definitely notice it feels better if I put my whole foot on the accelerator rather than using my toe. I've probably driven 50/50 in D and +/-.
I've been behaving for the most part... on the way up to my dealer this morning to pick up my floormats and cargo cover I had to stomp it on the beltway to get around an awry moving van, and I got out of the pedal as soon as I could. It really wanted to hang on to the lower gear though, until I moved the lever to +/- and back, at which point it went into 5th.
I like the transmission. I have the VUE for those times that I want a clutch pedal, but I would not have bought the smart had they put a traditional automatic or a CVT in it.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
smart - aka Smurf
Today
Linear Mode
