[Wonderwoman]

Hi Smart friends!

I just got my 2017 gas cabrio a month ago. Love love love it! I’m planning to drive to LA from SF (and back!) tomorrow and had planned to take my partner’s car (an Audi Q3) instead. But I’m loving my cabrio so much I’m considering driving it now. Has anyone here done that before? If so, how was it and how was driving it around in LA?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Your car will handle the trip with ease! Back in 2016, I drove a 2016 from Los Angeles to Chicago in one go. Seriously, I only stopped for gas, a nap, and food. Took me 36 hours. Definitely don't recommend doing that. lol

Since you have a cabrio, I'd recommend doing a jaunt down the PCH!

 

[1stiski]

453 easily up to the task of distance with ease .

 

[deedub]

Oh my dog! That woud be a trip of a lifetime down the coast. "Interstate" caught my eye in the title... The interstate is sure to dampen your enthusiasm.

 

[Wonderwoman]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement! I will drive my little cabrio!!

 

[1stiski]

Our 2017 453 cabrio has had many long distance trips under its belt .. from PA -Vermont and from PA to South Carolina . When the roof is down it makes the miles fun regardless of the miles . We love it .

 

[jmartinsmart]

The 453 is a very confidant highway vehicle. When I bought mine out of Texas, I flew my son out to drive it back for me (California). It was cheaper than any shipping quote and he got a kick out of it.

Jim in Hollister

 

[rponton]

It's not California, but I drive 240 miles round trip twice a week in my Smart.

 

[twcom]

You should have had a blast...

 

[the big e]

It will be a fun trip.

 

[SMARTKAR]

He should’ve been there and back by now

 

[Joannie]

I've driven my '09 cabriolet from AZ to Northern California and back. Mine gets a little noisy on the hwy, with the rag top, and gets pretty tiring not having cruise control, but otherwise a blast!

 

[smark]

I have other better cars in our stable, to drive on long highway trips. We drove a couple times from KC to Denver, also to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Never again in the smart car. 10-12 hour drives. Forget It. The power of the car is anemic on the mountain ranges. Windy conditions, in the plains. Your blown
around like a wet noodle. The seats
Cushions are flat, no lumbar suppot support. Or tilt steering. I base my
Experience on 14 years ownership.

 

[jwight]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement! I will drive my little cabrio!!

So, how was the trip?

 

[jetfuel]

…she didn’t take the smart…
…she used her invisible jet plane…

Jetfuel…too easy…c’mon guys..

 

[SMARTKAR]

 

[Blue Jacket]

With various vehicles used over 50+ years of driving I've always enjoyed taking road trips of many distances. By various vehicles I mean all have been bigger and more typical cars than my cute 2015 smart Pure. From cross country to local/regional road trips all have been relaxing fun adventures. Except interstate in my smart. For an overnight or two it's ok, preferable on state and local roads and interstate only when necessary, and not on any timeline. Meander, relax, sight-see and be mellow. On primarily interstate trips it is usually a challenge and worse when hurrying on a tight timeline, rushing, pushing. God bless the truckers and trucking industry for keeping our economy moving but to say the least it is a battle with them on the interstate with or without weather to deal with. I don't like being knocked around and jostled by such terrible turbulence. We all know that feeling. Is this a matter of getting older and less risky? I wonder... but for 95% of my driving I love my smart and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[vadsoom]

My wife and I love long-distance travel in our Smart! We just returned from a 2000-mile round trip to from NY to SC. YMMV when it comes to comfort, but we love the seats and ride feel.

True, the smart does get blown around in heavy winds and truck turbulence. After three cross-country trips in two different 451s, I’ve added wider tires and air dams and it’s MUCH better than stock. Smarts were marketed as “city cars,” but the 40+ mpg is (for us) a big incentive to drive it long distances. It even gets better economy than our Chevy Volt hybrid (about 35mpg running on the ICE).

It all boils down to personal preference.

 

[1doctorock]

Hi Smart friends!

I just got my 2017 gas cabrio a month ago. Love love love it! I’m planning to drive to LA from SF (and back!) tomorrow and had planned to take my partner’s car (an Audi Q3) instead. But I’m loving my cabrio so much I’m considering driving it now. Has anyone here done that before? If so, how was it and how was driving it around in LA?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Hi Smart friends!

I just got my 2017 gas cabrio a month ago. Love love love it! I’m planning to drive to LA from SF (and back!) tomorrow and had planned to take my partner’s car (an Audi Q3) instead. But I’m loving my cabrio so much I’m considering driving it now. Has anyone here done that before? If so, how was it and how was driving it around in LA?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[1doctorock]

Hi, I inherited a 2012 Smart fortwo with the 451 gas engine in 2021. I'm in Yucaipa California, the Smart car was in Culpeper Virginia. About 2700 miles away. We drove back with a pickup truck with the intention of trailering the Smart out along with a 1955 ford tractor in the deal. When we got there we found out there was farm implaments that came with the tractor. I assumed a long trip across our United States pulling the tractor and farm implaments on the tralier, and the Smart was to be driven by my now terrified wife. Let me assure you that your Smart Car will stay up with. From speed freaks in 18 weelers doing 90mph to Rain to wind ( caution) bad trafic jams and posted 80 mph speeds. West on the 40 freeway and some of old Route 66 on to the 15 freeway and home The Smart came through with flying colors. The worst of the worst on our U.S. roads. My wife loves the car. Did quite well driving across the states, at 38mpg average.. And still will acknowledge me. ...Me. I get to drive the tractor. J.J.