[Underrated]

A few days ago I have recently purchased a brand new 2015 smart passion coupe with only 30 miles on it for 8 grand. I have test drove quite a few smarts before finding the right deal and was originally fixed on a convertible but there were none that I could find in new condition and with low miles. I didn't want to get a used one with more than 10,000 miles on it because I learned people drive the **** out of these cars and I wanted one then I finally found the perfect one I didn't care that it was a coupe. The reason I bought a smart is so I could have it as my backup transportation for bad weather as I am primarily a motorcycle rider 95% of the time. Most cars didn't cut it for me they were very boring to drive unless I broke serious traffic laws and went fast. With the smart, I felt differently it felt like I was driving a go cart and it's small size allows it to be very convinient just like a motorcycle. You can park it anywhere, squeeze thru traffic, and turn on a dime. Mini coopers were originally on my list too but I realized they are a dime a dozen everywhere you look there's one and another thing is they are front wheel drive (unless you find the expensive real wheel drive version) I hate front wheel drive. This car is very unique and fun and it makes the rainy days where it's too dangerous to ride my motorcycle still enjoyable. I have owned a car in the past but I never drove it even in bad weather. Any time I had to drive it I dreaded it because it felt so boring compared to my motorcycle. It felt like a tool rather than a fun form of transportation but with the smart it is like my second toy to have fun with. Another thing I love is how well it performs on the highway I hit 95 mph effortlessly it gets there smoothly and gradually and I don't get pushed around in the wind at all like people think I would (maybe it's cuz I'm used to riding my 600 lb bike and for me it's nothing to drive a much heavier 1800 lbs car). The reactions I get when people see me pass them on the highway is hilarious either they speed up to observe the car or they pass me back because I challenged their masculinity. I know this was a long positive rant about the smart car but I am just so excited about finally owning one and I appreciate everyone who took the time to read this and hope you enjoyed my story. Please share your opinions and stories I would love to get a good discussion going on.

 

[jwight]

Welcome to SCoA! Have a look around, lot of good info here, including on the optimistic speedometer....

 

[jimvw57]

You now know how it feels to be a rock star. be prepared for a lot of questions and a few negative remarks (like you are going to die in that thing) Just smile and say OK.... Not as ad as it used to be.. My first trip on the road (to work) i got pulled over and asked if it was legal to drive that little thing on the road..

 

[Blackbelt]

Damn, $8K is a smoking deal! Congrats on that. We have been driving smarts since 2008. Nothing like them on the road.

 

[1983JZR3W]

Congrats on your new smart, but I am more interested in the rear wheel drive Mini. Even the first Mini way back when was front wheel drive. Love to hear more about your info.

 

[Underrated]

Oh believe me I already know the feeling all too well on my motorcycle same attention, same ignorant comments about how dangerous it is, etc that's why I love my smart cuz it's only 2 wheels away from being considered a motorcycle closest thing to one on 4 wheels

 

[ElementalDragon]

You now know how it feels to be a rock star. be prepared for a lot of questions and a few negative remarks (like you are going to die in that thing) Just smile and say OK.... Not as ad as it used to be.. My first trip on the road (to work) i got pulled over and asked if it was legal to drive that little thing on the road..

My favorite comment was when i still had my '09 Brabus Coupe. After completing my 9 hour drive from eastern Pennsylvania to western North Carolina, was at a gas station filling it up, and this guy was driving his car around looking at mine. He then stopped, opened the window, and said "You'd better be careful driving that thing". Guess he missed the Pennsylvania plate on his travels around the car.

But yea, OP... there's nothing quite like a Smart, is there?

 

[Underrated]

Congrats on your new smart, but I am more interested in the rear wheel drive Mini. Even the first Mini way back when was front wheel drive. Love to hear more about your info.

you're right it was all wheel drive my bad lol it was the 2017 Mini Cooper s manual

 

[Underrated]

You now know how it feels to be a rock star. be prepared for a lot of questions and a few negative remarks (like you are going to die in that thing) Just smile and say OK.... Not as ad as it used to be.. My first trip on the road (to work) i got pulled over and asked if it was legal to drive that little thing on the road..

My favorite comment was when i still had my '09 Brabus Coupe. After completing my 9 hour drive from eastern Pennsylvania to western North Carolina, was at a gas station filling it up, and this guy was driving his car around looking at mine. He then stopped, opened the window, and said "You'd better be careful driving that thing". Guess he missed the Pennsylvania plate on his travels around the car.

But yea, OP... there's nothing quite like a Smart, is there?

no it's amazing it has the fun of a go cart, turn radius and size of a golf cart, and the easy parking of a motorcycle I don't even mind the jerky transmission cuz I always use manual and it's not too far off from the days I drove a full stick as a beginner (however if the transmission was smoother this car would be super fast I always gotta shift when my rpms get too high)

 

[Underrated]

You now know how it feels to be a rock star. be prepared for a lot of questions and a few negative remarks (like you are going to die in that thing) Just smile and say OK.... Not as ad as it used to be.. My first trip on the road (to work) i got pulled over and asked if it was legal to drive that little thing on the road..

My favorite comment was when i still had my '09 Brabus Coupe. After completing my 9 hour drive from eastern Pennsylvania to western North Carolina, was at a gas station filling it up, and this guy was driving his car around looking at mine. He then stopped, opened the window, and said "You'd better be careful driving that thing". Guess he missed the Pennsylvania plate on his travels around the car.

But yea, OP... there's nothing quite like a Smart, is there?

no it's amazing it has the fun of a go cart, turn radius and size of a golf cart, and the easy parking of a motorcycle I don't even mind the jerky transmission cuz I always use manual and it's not too far off from the days I drove a full stick as a beginner (however if the transmission was smoother this car would be super fast I always gotta shift when my rpms get too high)

then again I didn't buy my car for speed I have my 1440cc bike for that ? (Yet I still pass almost everyone on the highway with my 2015 smart I guess the limiter is off and it can go 96 like the slightly newer 453 cuz the 08's and 09's I drove only went 85ish)

 

[Johannesl]

Welcome to the fun.

Speedometer is very optimistic on these. My '13 showed it pegged at 100, GPS confirmed max speed was 92.7 (down hill.) still a blast though and I usually commute in the 78-84mph range if traffic allows.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Underrated]

Welcome to the fun.

Speedometer is very optimistic on these. My '13 showed it pegged at 100, GPS confirmed max speed was 92.7 (down hill.) still a blast though and I usually commute in the 78-84mph range if traffic allows.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I live in south Florida so the roads are very flat most of the time the only slopes we have here are highway bridges. I like to believe I'm truly going 95 because of the way I pass other cars it takes me like 15-20 secs to get up there from 75 (usually everyone goes at least 80-85 when cops aren't around the speed limit is pretty much a joke). But even if the speedometer is optimistic as long as I can keep up (and surpass) traffic (or go fast enough to worry about a ticket ?) I have a blast. I love not needing cruise control cuz my pedal is always to the metal on the highway. For speed (and mainly fair weather transport) I have one of the fastest production bikes on the road with the biggest engine on a sports bike a 1440cc Kawasaki ninja zx-14r. I average 110-130 on the highway (NEVER in the city) but that's because I don't want to be near those idiots on the road weaving thru traffic and cutting everyone off with their car like they are on a bike. It's different on a bike because if I screw up I only endanger/kill myself but if a stupid and reckless driver hits me on my bike either I or both of us are going down possibly with other drivers as well. Believe me every time I've tried to follow the speed limit on a bike I'm actually in MORE danger cuz I'm surrounded by drivers that are either not paying attention or I'm being disrespected on the road cut off, tailgated, or even passed IN MY OWN lane so I like to stay as far away from those idiots as possible (and I know none of them can catch up to me if they tried). I give myself plenty of room when I'm passing cars because I know they are either not using their mirrors or expecting a bike to fly by them so I stay on the edge of the lanes. I don't have to worry too much when I drive the smart cuz I know this little tank will keep me safe but on my bike my only safety is my wits and my maneuverability/agility I can AVOID accidents a lot easier on a bike and I have had situations where i would've gotten into an accident if I was in a car.

 

[Johannesl]

I live in south Florida so the roads are very flat most of the time the only slopes we have here are highway bridges. I like to believe I'm truly going 95 because of the way I pass other cars it takes me like 15-20 secs to get up there from 75 (usually everyone goes at least 80-85 when cops aren't around the speed limit is pretty much a joke). But even if the speedometer is optimistic as long as I can keep up (and surpass) traffic (or go fast enough to worry about a ticket ?) I have a blast. I love not needing cruise control cuz my pedal is always to the metal on the highway. For speed (and mainly fair weather transport) I have one of the fastest production bikes on the road with the biggest engine on a sports bike a 1440cc Kawasaki ninja zx-14r. I average 110-130 on the highway (NEVER in the city) but that's because I don't want to be near those idiots on the road weaving thru traffic and cutting everyone off with their car like they are on a bike. It's different on a bike because if I screw up I only endanger/kill myself but if a stupid and reckless driver hits me on my bike either I or both of us are going down possibly with other drivers as well. Believe me every time I've tried to follow the speed limit on a bike I'm actually in MORE danger cuz I'm surrounded by drivers that are either not paying attention or I'm being disrespected on the road cut off, tailgated, or even passed IN MY OWN lane so I like to stay as far away from those idiots as possible (and I know none of them can catch up to me if they tried). I give myself plenty of room when I'm passing cars because I know they are either not using their mirrors or expecting a bike to fly by them so I stay on the edge of the lanes. I don't have to worry too much when I drive the smart cuz I know this little tank will keep me safe but on my bike my only safety is my wits and my maneuverability/agility I can AVOID accidents a lot easier on a bike and I have had situations where i would've gotten into an accident if I was in a car.

Where abouts in south Florida?

I don't remember anyone going under 80 on 595 or rarely even on 95. I do remember idiots bouncing off of the divider wall all the time due to stupidity. I had a turbo PT when I lived in Broward county and used to make sure I was in front of the pack. Only got 1 ticket (thank you palm beach county) but rarely drove without my foot in it. (227whp/281wtq but the smart still feels like more fun to drive)

 

[Underrated]

I live in south Florida so the roads are very flat most of the time the only slopes we have here are highway bridges. I like to believe I'm truly going 95 because of the way I pass other cars it takes me like 15-20 secs to get up there from 75 (usually everyone goes at least 80-85 when cops aren't around the speed limit is pretty much a joke). But even if the speedometer is optimistic as long as I can keep up (and surpass) traffic (or go fast enough to worry about a ticket ?) I have a blast. I love not needing cruise control cuz my pedal is always to the metal on the highway. For speed (and mainly fair weather transport) I have one of the fastest production bikes on the road with the biggest engine on a sports bike a 1440cc Kawasaki ninja zx-14r. I average 110-130 on the highway (NEVER in the city) but that's because I don't want to be near those idiots on the road weaving thru traffic and cutting everyone off with their car like they are on a bike. It's different on a bike because if I screw up I only endanger/kill myself but if a stupid and reckless driver hits me on my bike either I or both of us are going down possibly with other drivers as well. Believe me every time I've tried to follow the speed limit on a bike I'm actually in MORE danger cuz I'm surrounded by drivers that are either not paying attention or I'm being disrespected on the road cut off, tailgated, or even passed IN MY OWN lane so I like to stay as far away from those idiots as possible (and I know none of them can catch up to me if they tried). I give myself plenty of room when I'm passing cars because I know they are either not using their mirrors or expecting a bike to fly by them so I stay on the edge of the lanes. I don't have to worry too much when I drive the smart cuz I know this little tank will keep me safe but on my bike my only safety is my wits and my maneuverability/agility I can AVOID accidents a lot easier on a bike and I have had situations where i would've gotten into an accident if I was in a car.

Where abouts in south Florida?

I don't remember anyone going under 80 on 595 or rarely even on 95. I do remember idiots bouncing off of the divider wall all the time due to stupidity. I had a turbo PT when I lived in Broward county and used to make sure I was in front of the pack. Only got 1 ticket (thank you palm beach county) but rarely drove without my foot in it. (227whp/281wtq but the smart still feels like more fun to drive)

I usually drive/ride in broward county most of the time. Miami is the absolute worst at least 10x worse than broward county drivers they all suck but thank god I don't live there. It's already bad enough having to pass thru down there occasionally when I'm visiting family but if I lived there I would have hella road rage almost every single day especially with all the tourists and old snowbirds that come during the winter. I love driving the smart especially when I can cut thru traffic almost as if I'm on a bike. It really helps when I have two idiots in two different lanes that go around the same speed but only leave a tiny gap that only a bike OR a smart car could fit thru. Whenever I drove a regular car I would be stuck behind the inconsiderate idiots and be mad that I couldn't pass them but with the smart I don't have that problem 95% of the time. The whole fun of the smart is it's size it has so many perks if it was normal size it would not be fun at all which is why I do not like the fourfour. I think it's kind of pointless and it doesn't look right the smart is meant to be small the new fourfour looks weird just like the Renault it's based off of.