Motoringfile got it right.....The Smart is utter junk

 

 

Some of the MINI-folk have such contempt for the Smart... it's funny to watch from this side of the Can-US border where we have had Smarts for sale for several years now (original was EU-spec with the turbo diesel 3-cyl engine that really did get FANTASTIC fuel economy - how does a real world of 3L/100km or better sound? - sadly the new gasoline engine doesn't match the "old" engine's fuel eco numbers and I think some of the valid criticism stems from that).

My own experience is that the car is a blast to drive and actually corners quite well. RWD is always a good thing for steering feel in cornering... and yes, even in winter the Smart does very well in cities with "real" snow once you put winter tires on it (e.g., Ottawa, Montreal). The light weight is not a minus, it is a HUGE plus... more cars should be lighter, far as I am concerned. Interior is cheap? OK it is not exactly all Audi soft-touch plastics and leather but it is executed with an artist's sense of form, texture, and colour. I understand not everyone goes for avant-garde art but I thought MINI owners of all people would be receptive to the Smart's contemporary and playful euro styling.

It really is a "I get it" v. "I don't get it" kind of car, and this polarizing nature to me is indicative of progressive design.

Incidentally, a friend did an ECU re-map on his and the acceleration at city speeds (up to 80kph even) is surprisingly brisk as a result... the look on other driver's faces as you keep up with them from stoplight to stoplight is priceless. His next mod is a centre-exit German-spec exhaust going on this weekend. There is actually a fair bit of aftermarket support for the little "toy cars" once you start poking around.

 

I find it interesting that when I originally placed my reservation (3/08) the expeced delivery was ~April 09, I got a call last week that my car could be delivered in October 08. For some reason they hadn't processed my cancellation yet. Anyway, the point is, either Smart has had many cancellations or they have increased production significantly in order for my car to move in by 5 months.

 

I test drove a Smart right after test driving a Cooper S. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to drive that thing. I really didn't like it at all.

 

Husband was interested in test driving a Smart, but we realized that it wasn't really practical if it was our only car. As a second, city-only car, sure. But I doubt I'd want to take a Smart on a road trip to SoCal or to Tahoe.

 

I keep seeing Smart Cars all over this area. They always make me smile and stare. I'd totally test drive one if I knew how to drive manual.

 

I'd love to have a Smart in theory, but since I only really need one car the MINI does great for all-around use...and fuel economy is more than comparable! I do like Smarts, though, but then I am also one who flatly rejects performance cars in favor of darn good all-around, every-day, practical transport. Fortunately, MINIs are (and always have been) quite good at this, too, although you'd never guess it from the maniacal raving of the go-fast crowd.

 

No worries, they aren't really manual - they are a "5 speed automated manual transmission".

 

Right! How could I have gotten the two confused?

 

My brother's '03 SRT-10 and my '08 smart fortwo.

 

And a couple recent photos of my friend's 2007 (Canada, so first-gen car)... coming along nicely with mods.

 

The actual size sticker works very well

Here ours with a few friends cars (along with our other car)

 

Hard for me too determine what mods from the pics aside from wheels, but I did see your other post - I'll bet that tiny thing has some juice and surprises plenty of people It is funny to see those earlier gen Smarts on the road and suddenly not feel so ridiculously teeny in context

 

Most of his mods are visually subtle unless you see it in person... the OEM amplified speaker upgrade for the doors (sounds pretty good), debadged front and rear, the ECU upgrade (but what a difference in power!)... but you can note the centre-exit twin outlet exhaust through the powdercoated stainless steel valence.

Yes it's true... all relative... the 2nd gen car is very small but not as small as the 1st!

 

I am certainly not going to buy a SMART. What happens if a truck/van full of drunk frat guys pulls into the parking lot and one shouts: Heyy! Look over there! Let's go SMART-tipping!!