Drove a Smart ForTwo yesterday

PriusMatt · 06-15-2007, 05:29 PM

I drove a Smart ForTwo yesterday as part of their "road tour" and I have to say, I was very underwhelmed.

I had high expectations before driving this car, which was a euro-spec, but was the new model (which is a little larger than previous ones and meets U.S. crash standards.)

I only had a short, city drive around the block in this car, so these are just my impressions from the all-too-short test drive.

First, the good:
The exterior (to me) is very cool. I like the lines, I like the smallness. I like the colors. The car was surprisingly "zippy", I'd say slightly faster than I expected (though my brain wasn't quick enough to do the conversions in realtime of km/h to mph. I know that 100km/h is about 62mph, but that didn't help much on the three minute ride.) For the size, I'd say the car is very roomy. A 6'4" guy got in the car, and his head was not even near the roof. The average driver (I'm 5'10") had to move the seat forward from the "all the way back" position. A decent amount of cargo behind you, considering the size of the car. I didn't get a close look at the convertible, but it seemed to operate smoothly as the Smart rep asked to close it when I got in on this hot California day.

Now, the not so good:
Now, I know that this is an inexpensive car, so save your flaming, these are just my opinions. I just felt that the quality overall was not very good. Lots of cheap feeling materials. A plastic bezel fell off when I touched it. The levers for the fan speed were sloppy, at times "clicking" into position, and other spots having no detent. (Perhaps the general public had gotten the best of it.) The red fabric on the demo looked and felt cheap, appearing as if it is fraying at all points. (The patterned black fabric on another car looked better.) The molded plastic sunvisors were just awful and too small. The "skyview" roof on one of the demos was about as thin as a piece of paper. One high speed bird-doo, and you probably would get a divet. A functional multi-CD "rack" works fine, but seems to take up an inordinate amount of space for a medium that is fast being replaced by mp3 players (which thankfully, the car does have an mp3 input.)

I think the semi-manumatic (or whatever it is called) transmission might take some getting used to. The lag time between shifts was enormous. (You could drive a semi thru that lag time.) I don't think the US is getting a regular manual tranny, but I'd go for that one. Again, maybe there's just an adjustment phase to this transmission. I did like the paddle shifters. They were about the only solid feeling switches on the car. OK, the hazard lights did have a good feel, too.

Ride was much harsher than I expected. Now, I know that a car with such a short wheelbase is a disadvantage (I also ride a motorcycle, so I know first hand the effect a short wheel base has.) But, I think a better suspension or different shocks would give the car a dramatic improvement. Every bit of road texture was clearly felt at the wheel. Steering could have been tighter. The feeling was a bit "middle of the road." I also heard a good amount of engine noise. The engine is directly behind you. On one hand, it was kind of cool, cause I like the sound of a spirited engine, but in the long run, I think it would get really annoying.

I guess I was just expecting more of a Mini Cooper type of quality. (I know the Mini is more expensive, but the quality difference is enormous, especially compared to the cost difference.) Please don't be offended if you're a Smart enthusiast, this is just one person's opinion.

So, overall - GREAT outside, POOR inside, zippy engine, slowshifting transmission. I was thinking of getting one of these, but probably will not now. For my money, I'd save and get a Cooper if you want a small car with a lot of splash. Or a Civic if you want relatively inexpensive transportation with "decent" gas mileage and high quality. I feel the novelty of the Smart would soon wear off. In the meantime, I'm still lovin' my Prius.

**Tideland Prius** · 06-15-2007, 08:18 PM

You should've tried the first generation that we got. Take what you said and multiply it by several factors (jerkier tranmission, harsher ride etc).

It's not inexpensive. In Canada, it starts at $16k for the Pure model (steel rims, no A/C). A loaded Passion model (leather, A/C, moonroof, alloys etc) is near $21k before taxes.

The plus side is that it's diesel and very very fuel efficient!

tracysbeans · 06-15-2007, 08:38 PM

So what are they going to sell for here in the US? I'm looking for a cheaper car for my daughter.

PriusMatt · 06-15-2007, 08:44 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tracysbeans @ Jun 15 2007, 07:38 PM) [snapback]462722[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So what are they going to sell for here in the US? I'm looking for a cheaper car for my daughter.
[/b]

Base is supposed to start under $12,000, more options start under $14,000, and convertible under $17,000.

tracysbeans · 06-15-2007, 08:59 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusMatt @ Jun 15 2007, 07:44 PM) [snapback]462723[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Base is supposed to start under $12,000, more options start under $14,000, and convertible under $17,000.
[/b]

Aw shucks. That's to high. What kind of gas mileage does it get though??

IsrAmeriPrius · 06-15-2007, 09:01 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 15 2007, 05:18 PM) [snapback]462705[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The plus side is that it's diesel and very very fuel efficient! [/b]

Not below the 49th parallel.

daniel · 06-15-2007, 11:59 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tracysbeans @ Jun 15 2007, 05:38 PM) [snapback]462722[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So what are they going to sell for here in the US? I'm looking for a cheaper car for my daughter.
[/b]

I know what car you should get for your daughter. I won't say it 'cuz some folks think I'm getting uppity, but I know you can guess...

NoMoShocks · 06-16-2007, 01:04 AM

I still think I prefer to pay more for a "SmartER for Four" Prius that get 55 MPH with gasoline that doesn't have such stinky exhuast and is not that much less than 60. Plus, my "SmartER for Four" probably passes US crash test with superior results. This is not me trying to start a Flame, but frankly, I just don't get the Smart Car, and I HATE Deisels.

JSH · 06-16-2007, 11:50 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jun 16 2007, 12:04 AM) [snapback]462865[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I still think I prefer to pay more for a "SmartER for Four" Prius that get 55 MPH with gasoline that doesn't have such stinky exhuast and is not that much less than 60. Plus, my "SmartER for Four" probably passes US crash test with superior results. This is not me trying to start a Flame, but frankly, I just don't get the Smart Car, and I HATE Deisels.
[/b]

The Smart Car makes a lots of sense for people that live in urban areas and have to park on the street. I do agree that it should get better mileage for the size.

Modern diesels are light years ahead of the Semis, old M-B's and VW rabbits that you're comparing them too.

I see no reason for someone to buy a Prius if they primarily drive by themselves, it is just too big of a car. It's a nice family car but is HUGE for single occupant commuter.

tracysbeans · 06-16-2007, 06:35 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jun 15 2007, 10:59 PM) [snapback]462831[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I know what car you should get for your daughter. I won't say it 'cuz some folks think I'm getting uppity, but I know you can guess...

[/b]

No she drives WAY to much to use an electric car. Otherwise she would want that NEV Escalade!

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06-15-2007, 05:29 PM	#1
PriusMatt Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 25 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I drove a Smart ForTwo yesterday as part of their "road tour" and I have to say, I was very underwhelmed. I had high expectations before driving this car, which was a euro-spec, but was the new model (which is a little larger than previous ones and meets U.S. crash standards.) I only had a short, city drive around the block in this car, so these are just my impressions from the all-too-short test drive. First, the good: The exterior (to me) is very cool. I like the lines, I like the smallness. I like the colors. The car was surprisingly "zippy", I'd say slightly faster than I expected (though my brain wasn't quick enough to do the conversions in realtime of km/h to mph. I know that 100km/h is about 62mph, but that didn't help much on the three minute ride.) For the size, I'd say the car is very roomy. A 6'4" guy got in the car, and his head was not even near the roof. The average driver (I'm 5'10") had to move the seat forward from the "all the way back" position. A decent amount of cargo behind you, considering the size of the car. I didn't get a close look at the convertible, but it seemed to operate smoothly as the Smart rep asked to close it when I got in on this hot California day. Now, the not so good: Now, I know that this is an inexpensive car, so save your flaming, these are just my opinions. I just felt that the quality overall was not very good. Lots of cheap feeling materials. A plastic bezel fell off when I touched it. The levers for the fan speed were sloppy, at times "clicking" into position, and other spots having no detent. (Perhaps the general public had gotten the best of it.) The red fabric on the demo looked and felt cheap, appearing as if it is fraying at all points. (The patterned black fabric on another car looked better.) The molded plastic sunvisors were just awful and too small. The "skyview" roof on one of the demos was about as thin as a piece of paper. One high speed bird-doo, and you probably would get a divet. A functional multi-CD "rack" works fine, but seems to take up an inordinate amount of space for a medium that is fast being replaced by mp3 players (which thankfully, the car does have an mp3 input.) I think the semi-manumatic (or whatever it is called) transmission might take some getting used to. The lag time between shifts was enormous. (You could drive a semi thru that lag time.) I don't think the US is getting a regular manual tranny, but I'd go for that one. Again, maybe there's just an adjustment phase to this transmission. I did like the paddle shifters. They were about the only solid feeling switches on the car. OK, the hazard lights did have a good feel, too. Ride was much harsher than I expected. Now, I know that a car with such a short wheelbase is a disadvantage (I also ride a motorcycle, so I know first hand the effect a short wheel base has.) But, I think a better suspension or different shocks would give the car a dramatic improvement. Every bit of road texture was clearly felt at the wheel. Steering could have been tighter. The feeling was a bit "middle of the road." I also heard a good amount of engine noise. The engine is directly behind you. On one hand, it was kind of cool, cause I like the sound of a spirited engine, but in the long run, I think it would get really annoying. I guess I was just expecting more of a Mini Cooper type of quality. (I know the Mini is more expensive, but the quality difference is enormous, especially compared to the cost difference.) Please don't be offended if you're a Smart enthusiast, this is just one person's opinion. So, overall - GREAT outside, POOR inside, zippy engine, slowshifting transmission. I was thinking of getting one of these, but probably will not now. For my money, I'd save and get a Cooper if you want a small car with a lot of splash. Or a Civic if you want relatively inexpensive transportation with "decent" gas mileage and high quality. I feel the novelty of the Smart would soon wear off. In the meantime, I'm still lovin' my Prius.

06-15-2007, 08:18 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 23	You should've tried the first generation that we got. Take what you said and multiply it by several factors (jerkier tranmission, harsher ride etc). It's not inexpensive. In Canada, it starts at $16k for the Pure model (steel rims, no A/C). A loaded Passion model (leather, A/C, moonroof, alloys etc) is near $21k before taxes. The plus side is that it's diesel and very very fuel efficient!

06-15-2007, 08:38 PM	#3
tracysbeans Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 905 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	So what are they going to sell for here in the US? I'm looking for a cheaper car for my daughter.

06-16-2007, 01:04 AM	#8
NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 1,219 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 2 Thanked 49 Times in 31 Posts Friends: 1	I still think I prefer to pay more for a "SmartER for Four" Prius that get 55 MPH with gasoline that doesn't have such stinky exhuast and is not that much less than 60. Plus, my "SmartER for Four" probably passes US crash test with superior results. This is not me trying to start a Flame, but frankly, I just don't get the Smart Car, and I HATE Deisels.