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Drove a Smart ForTwo yesterday

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by PriusMatt, Jun 15, 2007.

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  1. PriusMatt

    PriusMatt Junior Member

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    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.
     
    #1 PriusMatt, Jun 15, 2007
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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!
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jun 15, 2007
  3. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    So what are they going to sell for here in the US? I'm looking for a cheaper car for my daughter.
     
    #3 tracysbeans, Jun 15, 2007
  4. PriusMatt

    PriusMatt Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tracysbeans @ Jun 15 2007, 07:38 PM) [snapback]462722[/snapback]</div>
    Base is supposed to start under $12,000, more options start under $14,000, and convertible under $17,000.
     
    #4 PriusMatt, Jun 15, 2007
  5. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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

    Aw shucks. That's to high. What kind of gas mileage does it get though??
     
    #5 tracysbeans, Jun 15, 2007
  6. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 15 2007, 05:18 PM) [snapback]462705[/snapback]</div>
    Not below the 49th parallel.
     
    #6 IsrAmeriPrius, Jun 15, 2007
  7. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tracysbeans @ Jun 15 2007, 05:38 PM) [snapback]462722[/snapback]</div>
    I know what car you should get for your daughter. I won't say it 'because some folks think I'm getting uppity, but I know you can guess... B)
     
    #7 daniel, Jun 15, 2007
  8. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    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.
     
    #8 NoMoShocks, Jun 16, 2007
  9. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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

    tracysbeans Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jun 15 2007, 10:59 PM) [snapback]462831[/snapback]</div>
    No she drives WAY to much to use an electric car. Otherwise she would want that NEV Escalade!
     
    #10 tracysbeans, Jun 16, 2007
  11. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tracysbeans @ Jun 16 2007, 03:35 PM) [snapback]463140[/snapback]</div>
    More than 45 miles a day??? Whew!
     
    #11 daniel, Jun 16, 2007
  12. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jun 16 2007, 08:41 PM) [snapback]463211[/snapback]</div>

    Yes she does! :rolleyes:
     
    #12 tracysbeans, Jun 16, 2007
  13. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 16 2007, 08:50 AM) [snapback]462986[/snapback]</div>
    Actually, I have never been bothered by semis, because they have pipes to direct their exhuast way up in the air until it has a chance to dicipate some. And I cannot remember ever being bugged by a deisel Rabbit. A friend of mine and I took one on a ski trip when I was in college.

    The ones that bug me are the full sized pickup trucks that have their exhaust down low so that when I pull up behind them at stop lights, it is directed right into my car. Also, the drivers of these trucks tend to pull right up to the door of a building and idle their trucks for long periods of time so that you have to walk through their exhaust to get in and out of the building. I have been told by some that there is no reason to leave a modern deisel running. I had been told back in the seventies that they had problems re-starting when warmed up. I guess the owners just leave them running now to send a message, look at me, I have a deisel. Doesn't is smell nice?
     
    #13 NoMoShocks, Jun 17, 2007
  14. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tracysbeans @ Jun 15 2007, 08:38 PM) [snapback]462722[/snapback]</div>
    No offense, but I would NEVER buy a Smart for my kids. I'd be extremely concerned about safety.
     
    #14 SW03ES, Jun 17, 2007
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Jun 17 2007, 02:19 PM) [snapback]463565[/snapback]</div>
    They are pretty safe though. You will die (from the g-forces) before the car crushes/collapses. Fifth Gear did a 70mph head-on crash experiment to a piece of concrete. Search Youtube for the video :)
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Jun 17, 2007
  16. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jun 17 2007, 04:37 AM) [snapback]463369[/snapback]</div>
    There is no reason to leave a modern diesel running. My Jetta will start reliably when it is minus 10 F so either no one told them or they are still doing what they have always been doing. Same reason that people still change their oil every 3000 miles instead of by the service schedule. It bothers me though. The other day a guy in a F350 was fueling up and left his truck running for the whole time that he pumped and went in to pay. Why? Isn't he afraid someone might steal his $50K truck he left running?
     
    #16 JSH, Jun 19, 2007
  17. rudiger

    rudiger Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 16 2007, 11:50 AM) [snapback]462986[/snapback]</div>
    For a roughly equivalent amount, I still think I'd rather go for a Yaris 3-door in that environment.

    However, were the ForTwo able to undercut the price of the Yaris by a grand or two, the choice might not be quite so clear.
     
    #17 rudiger, Jun 19, 2007
  18. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 19 2007, 07:13 AM) [snapback]464628[/snapback]</div>
    Maybe he was hoping someone would. Then he'd be rid of the stinking thing. He could collect on the insurance and buy a Prius and have cash left over.
     
    #18 daniel, Jun 19, 2007
  19. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 17 2007, 03:13 PM) [snapback]463590[/snapback]</div>
    Not much crushable structure there. Less crushable structure == higher peak deceleration in a crash.
     
    #19 priusenvy, Jun 19, 2007
  20. scoot

    scoot Member

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    I also drove the Smart as part of the road show. My impressions of the car were a little different from those of the original poster. Here's what I thought:

    1. Seating was extremely comfortable, particularly on driver's side. I'm 6' 4". There is more leg room for the driver than for the passenger.

    2. The transmission is just different from what we are used to. It's a manual transmission that is controlled with an automatic mechnism that operates a clutch (yes, a real clutch) and does the shifting for you. So you can have it in automatic mode and it will shift somewhat abruptly, but less so if you lift your foot off the gas at anticipated shift times. I did not use it in manual shift mode but have heard that it works nicely like that. Given what the transmission is, I see no advantage of a conventional manual transmission over this transmission.

    3. The cars shown were not US - configured models because they aren't ready. In general, it seemed very much like Smart is not quite ready to sell the cars. I don't think I would want one of the first ones off the line -- probably lots of little glitches to work out.

    4. And now, the killer. Gas mileage. While not stated yet, they are saying "it will average 40 MPG using the new EPA rating methods". That's not much better than a Civic. It's a fair bit worse than a Prius or Civic Hybrid, both of which are much more car (and more money). This is a car that should be getting 60 MPG. If it only gets 40 then they have really missed the boat somewhere.

    My partner and I have two cars and a pickup. A 2007 Prius, a 2002 MB Hatchback that will be sold within the next year, and a pickup that will be sold when we stop moving between two houses. I'm looking to replace the MB. My first choice would be a Smart (except for my MPG objection) because I don't need a larger car given that we have the Prius. My second choice would be a Civic coupe, but what I would really like is a Civic hatchback.

    The suggestion of a Mini as an alternative to a Smart isn't really a fair comparison. Apples and oranges. Minis are comparitively expensive, NOT green (look at their emissions), and BMW cost/reliability of ownership. Granted, Smart is a wildcard in ownership costs.

    The plan at this point is to sell the MB when I get the touch up paint done and drive the pickup until I find a suitable replacement car. By then, hopefully sell the pickup.

    Oh one other Smart plus was that it claims to be highly recyclable and very green in production, not just in driving. That's a factor too.
     
    #20 scoot, Jun 21, 2007
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