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I think they were wrong about the "sunroof motors".....
The graphic was absolutely for the new fortwo - the 451 at the time. The transmission changes mentioned are improvements over the 450 six speed AMT.![]()
Woulda shoulda coulda. FWIW though, I don't believe it would have made much difference at all, if any. While your point is valid and certainly well taken, smart car critics were going to complain about that transmission regardless. My personal fondness and appreciation for the shifting crispness, directly-controllable gears, meant nothing to far too many folks hellbent on whining. Especially if it was their money potentially being spent.Not that it matters at this point, but part of that criticism was due to smart USA and many dealers referring to the transmission as an "automatic" - so that's what most customers expected it to shift like. Just shows how poor communications can hurt any product.![]()
Moderating the gas pedal helps with shifting. Quickly sprinting from the stop light improves the 1st to 2nd lag. That Mitsubishi engine likes to spin fast.
This is where I jump in to clear the air. The 1-2 shift is not "horrible and poorly timed." If you want a later shift, all you have to do is delay the 1-2 with increasing amounts of throttle pressure. If you want an earlier 1-2 shift, give solid throttle pressure and then begin to decrease pressure. Once you decrease pressure you triggered the 1-2 earlier. YOU are in control of the shift timing.<snip> not having to deal with the horrible and poorly timed 1-2 automated shift
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This is where I jump in to clear the air. The 1-2 shift is not "horrible and poorly timed." If you want a later shift, all you have to do is delay the 1-2 with increasing amounts of throttle pressure. If you want an earlier 1-2 shift, give solid throttle pressure and then begin to decrease pressure. Once you decrease pressure you triggered the 1-2 earlier. YOU are in control of the shift timing.![]()
The 451's transmission isn't a bad transmission, however it definitely is flawed. At least to me (and anyone who has ever driven my 451), having the US version imitate a traditional automatic sets the expectation that the car will drive like a traditional automatic. Then when the car doesn't because it isn't, it freaks people out. To me, the transmission shines when you embrace the fact that it isn't a true automatic. Slide that shifter into Manual and have some fun.
I emphatically disagree! It is horrible and poorly timed! It is also why I never use the auto mode.
The 1-2 shift (in a 451) normally occurs at the absolute worst possible time... pull out from a stop sign, making a left turn onto a busy street... the transmission decides to lazily upshift in the middle of the intersection, temporarily leaving the vehicle powerless during the slow shift and unable to then adequately accelerate in 2nd... all the while traffic bears down upon you.<snip>
~toaster
You completely ignored and disregarded the most important point that I just made. All you paid attention to was when I said "it is not horrible and poorly timed," but then you skipped the rest of what I explained. The transmission doesn't "decide" to shift until the driver commands that shift. If you aren't ready for the 1-2 shift all you have to do is keep your foot down/ __INCREASE__ throttle pressure, and keep strong pressure until you are ready to shift. That shift only occurs once you lighten pressure on the pedal or if you are pretty much at redline. It shifts on command, at your decision communicated with your foot on the gas pedal.
The distinctions are very important here. The shift "decision" is based on foot-pedal input. You just have to trust me next time you make a left turn in traffic. Stop relaxing on the throttle at times you are saying are the worst possible times. Use your calf and ankle muscles and don't relax on the throttle when you are turning in traffic!! :nerd:
OK, Let me start with my automotive experiences... I am close to 60, I have owned 133 cars (not including motorcycles, scooters or off road toys). I REALLY prefer a small car, with a large engine ( V8 57 bug, V8 Corvairs, V8 Vega, V8 Miata, BMW Isetta 300 with a Honda V45 transplant, Berkeley roadster with a 900 Ninja for power etc.)
I have owned one, two, three, four, six and eight cylinder cars, Also, an electric City Car, that barely qualifies as a car (no five cylinders to date, not planning on one either) These cars had automatic or manual shift, even a Pre-select transmission in a Goggomobil.
I really like small cars and I REALLY like fast cars.... :burnout:
BUT...in 2011, I bought a 8,700 mile 2009 Brabus Cabrio. The plan was to drive it for six months, and move on...
This was my ONLY car. ... I instantly LOVED this car.
I owned it for five days, and took it to my first Tail of the Dragon. That is when I learned that that this little car actually handled GREAT !
In the beginning, I was disappointed in the way the car shifts in automatic mode. (It is like riding with your elderly Grandmother in a stick shift car, It shifts VERY slowly, and at odd times). One of the smarties on here had a Daughter that called her smart transmission "Mr.Bucky". What an appropriate nickname ! (I laughed out loud literally when I first read that :rofl![]()
Well, I started using the paddle shifters exclusively, and wow, what a difference ! As much as I was disappointed in the auto mode, I loved manually shifting ! The way the engine rev matches , makes it awesome downshifting into curve and powering through.
I enjoyed driving it so much....I drove it for over SIX YEARS , (NOT Months) and sold it with over 70,000 miles.
As you can imagine, for a muscle car, hot rod kind of guy like me to keep a car that long, I must have enjoyed driving it !
Am I happy with my 2017 Proxy Cabrio with paddle shifters ????
Does a Bear s_ _t in the woods ?![]()