Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking

cwerdna · 04-02-2008, 04:27 AM

Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking

I'm not terribly surprised it didn't do too well. It sounds like the transmission is still crap as reported by Consumer Reports (and others) on the previous gen.

JSH · 04-02-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwerdna

Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking

I'm not terribly surprised it didn't do too well. It sounds like the transmission is still crap as reported by Consumer Reports (and others) on the previous gen.

I wouldn't say the transmission is crap. I've driven the new Smart and liked it. In manual mode the transmission shifts very slowly but is better when shifted manually. You also need to modulate the throttle when shifting like in a normal manual. If you do this then the shifting is OK, not great. However, I've also driven VW's triptronic and found the same issues. The shifts are slow in auto mode and jerky in manual mode unless you match RPM's like a normal manual.

I would take any opinions on the ride with a grain of salt. Having lived in Michigan for 22 years and still visiting at least once a year I would have to say the Michigan roads, and Detroit roads in particular are the worst I have ever driven. They are even worse than roads in rural Czech Republic and Poland.

ShellyT · 04-02-2008, 01:31 PM

The transmission is a plus if you plan to convert to an EV.

KandyRedCoi · 04-02-2008, 02:16 PM

i was actually considering a smart car, esp since one of my buddies runs a dealership, but really needed the extra back seats

great car for what it is, wont take the freeway or long drives like the prius would, but in crowded city streets...that car will totally SHINE!!!

**Tideland Prius** · 04-02-2008, 05:38 PM

lol. Then you didn't test drive one or you drove one like an automatic.

The transmission is a LOT better than the diesel one, trust me. I've driven both. The diesel one has a lag so large, I was reading the road markers before it shifted and pointed back up so I can see the road ahead again.

This 451's transmission is a lot better and when driven like a manual, it smooths out to the point where there is no rocking motion. It's a fun car to drive and wouldn't mind having one in the fleet.

KandyRedCoi · 04-02-2008, 10:52 PM

yeah I totally preffered driving it in manual using the flappy paddles its fun
the jerk doesn't bother me, my moms QP kinna does the same thing

Rybold · 05-31-2008, 12:10 AM

Can you really park Smart cars perpendicular to the street, and as a separate question, is it legal?

http://www.unitednathanproductions.c...arking_lrg.jpg

KandyRedCoi · 05-31-2008, 01:28 AM

^parking yes, illegal in cali^

daniel · 05-31-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

[The] waiting list will dissipate quickly -- as more drivers realize that the fortwo was built to fit into most Dumpsters for a reason.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-31-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rybold

Can you really park Smart cars perpendicular to the street, and as a separate question, is it legal?

http://www.unitednathanproductions.c...arking_lrg.jpg

Yes. Check with your local authority. Some places do allow perpendicular parking.

04-02-2008, 04:27 AM	#1
cwerdna Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle area, WA Posts: 2,280 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #7 Thanks: 26 Thanked 59 Times in 51 Posts Friends: 3	Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking I'm not terribly surprised it didn't do too well. It sounds like the transmission is still crap as reported by Consumer Reports (and others) on the previous gen.

04-02-2008, 01:31 PM	#3
ShellyT Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 478 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking The transmission is a plus if you plan to convert to an EV.

04-02-2008, 02:16 PM	#4
KandyRedCoi S is for Super! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SoCal/AZ/NV Posts: 860 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 6	Re: Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking i was actually considering a smart car, esp since one of my buddies runs a dealership, but really needed the extra back seats great car for what it is, wont take the freeway or long drives like the prius would, but in crowded city streets...that car will totally SHINE!!!

04-02-2008, 05:38 PM	#5
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,406 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 215 Thanked 327 Times in 228 Posts Friends: 22	Re: Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking lol. Then you didn't test drive one or you drove one like an automatic. The transmission is a LOT better than the diesel one, trust me. I've driven both. The diesel one has a lag so large, I was reading the road markers before it shifted and pointed back up so I can see the road ahead again. This 451's transmission is a lot better and when driven like a manual, it smooths out to the point where there is no rocking motion. It's a fun car to drive and wouldn't mind having one in the fleet. __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

04-02-2008, 10:52 PM	#6
KandyRedCoi S is for Super! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SoCal/AZ/NV Posts: 860 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 6	Re: Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking yeah I totally preffered driving it in manual using the flappy paddles its fun the jerk doesn't bother me, my moms QP kinna does the same thing

05-31-2008, 12:10 AM	#7
Rybold globally warmed member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,224 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 74 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking Can you really park Smart cars perpendicular to the street, and as a separate question, is it legal? http://www.unitednathanproductions.c...arking_lrg.jpg

05-31-2008, 01:28 AM	#8
KandyRedCoi S is for Super! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SoCal/AZ/NV Posts: 860 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 6	Re: Smart looks, poor manners: Fortwo is small on performance, ride -- but great for parking ^parking yes, illegal in cali^