I drove a Smart Car today

[kach22i]

I drove a Smart Car today!

It was a snappy little ride, I liked it.

I did not take any turns real fast, and no jackrabbit starts (okay maybe a little aggressive), but as a normal driver it was fine. Turns were not wobbly or tipsy; felt like a nibble small car, steering was light, I’d say right in between my Porsche and my Tracker.

It's a car, not a golf cart. You know it's not a golf cart because there is no room for golf clubs.

Full auto mode, worked just fine, although you never coast long in the car, as it will automatically down shift, but never abruptly.

When switching to manual paddle shifter mode I kept forgetting to shift when the arrow on the dash went on. The instructor said you can keep driving it that way but when in manual mode it just will not go any faster unless you shift. It’s a smart car, will not let you over rev and hurt the engine.

The lag in shifting was not annoying or even noticeable around the city blocks we drove. However on the closed street when driving back I had room to shift (speed shift/keeping on the gas) 1,2.........3 that last shift took forever, its no sports car - don't expect it to be.

The 1.1L European version is what I test-drove, the American version is supposed to have a larger engine and faster shifting.

The instructor said $14,000 including A/C and radio, but no dash dials those are extra. My car had the dash dials although I never looked at them, kept my eye on traffic and that stupid semi-invisible shift arrow. They need to add some color; black on gray does not work for me.

Someone had asked about towing, supposedly some will come with a hitch so cyclist can cantilever their bikes (and maybe town something bulky but light).

They had an engine running when I got in and an Anita Baker CD playing at low volume, plus the instructor’s walkie-talkie squawking loudly half the time. When I could hear the engine it sounded fine, don't know if they were intentionally masking it though.

If you get a chance, drive one.

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x...i/Smart%20Car/

I'm legal:


The car I drove:


Line up:


Line up 2:


Buck:


Other stuff at the Ann Arbor Art Fair:

[Minacious]

I plan on getting one when they arrive here early next year, but only if I can find a company like the European one that was transplanting 1000CC motorcycle motors in them like the Smartuki. My girlfriend wants the same. If anyone has any leads, let me know.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Minacious I plan on getting one when they arrive here early next year, but only if I can find a company like the European one that was transplanting 1000CC motorcycle motors in them like the Smartuki. My girlfriend wants the same. If anyone has any leads, let me know.

There is a 3rd party in California already importing them and putting electric motors in them. I'd think if one of those were tweeked for speed over range you would have a real road burner.

How far is your to work and back commute?

[harryo2b]

ZAP

[kach22i]

This is real nice..............Brabus Smart.

http://www.tuningblogger.de/2006/03/...-star-101.html

[Minacious]

Originally Posted by kach22i There is a 3rd party in California already importing them and putting electric motors in them. I'd think if one of those were tweeked for speed over range you would have a real road burner.

I guess that explains why I see about 2 of them a week tooling about. Do you happen to know the name of that company? They very well may have some leads on who I could go with to do the motor transplant. An electric motor would be nice, but I know my lazy self would not want to deal with finding electric refill spots when necessary. I want this little car to be able to travel aplenty.

This type of car is a complete 180 from what everyone knows me to be about, but something about the quirky little shape of the thing appeals to me, especially when I think of the motorcycle-engine ones.

EDIT: I just saw harryo2b's response. Now having read what ZAP stands for, they may not want to assist me with my endeavor.

[Minacious]

That Brabus Edition is very nice.

[ARMAN]

Brabus looks very good but apparently its still same lazy car wich just looks cool put there hayabusa engine as in one of the vids in pics/links section and it will be a blast

[nthfinity]

Nice ride/review George

While I'd never want one, I hope they do well here. They are quirky, and cool little things.

It was nice meeting up with you in AA last W/E.

[kach22i]

Hi Isaac, I have your card right here in front of me. I took 177 pictures at the Ann Arbor Rolling Sculpture autoshow which I have not had the time to post. Maybe one day, more than a few are keepers.

A couple quotes from the guys at Pelican worth reading.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...60#post3388460

Originally posted by fingpilot Have driven one extensively in Europe. Will carry two people and one bag. Plus a purse if she will put it on her lap. Maybe a couple of drink cans as well. Not much more. On the open motorway, you can safely leave the pedal on the floor. Will do 120KpH. Radio is spectacular, A/C is even better. Sips fuel. Handles more than adequately. Engine by Mercedes. I suspect it will not reach here without protest from Detroit.

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Originally posted by }{arlequin i only brought it up b/c in the original post you mentioned staying on the gas... w/o lifting. in my 2 brief days of driving one around (a brabus model ) i noticed it was reluctant to shift if you didn't get off the gas, no matter what driving style... it just won't do the 'video game/formula one' thang...

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Originally posted by K9Torro I have driven the Smart roadster in Europe, I thought it was kinda neat for an around the city/town little car. There is even a sport version by Brabus made. Todd

[nthfinity]

unfortunately, I didn't take too many photos.... too many people, and I end up not taking many photos where I can't see the whole car in a photo etc.... that, and spending sooo much time with Kurt and the W8 I dono why, but i just love that car

I posted a few photos at a local board

http://motorcityaudi.com/forums/index.php?topic=2111.0

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by nthfinity I posted a few photos at a local board http://motorcityaudi.com/forums/index.php?topic=2111.0

Link does not work, it's asking me to sign in.

The bias against a light weight rear engined RWD car is alive and well sad to say. They didn't even tell us it is RWD and rear engined!

http://www.carnuts.us/viewtopic.php?...er=asc&start=0

[twboy1999]

drives liek pice of shit.. the earlier one, the one wtih different headlight. i think is like 06?


transmission is pure crap,, felt sick driving it,, no way i could drive it smoothly

and takes forever just get to like 60km

[Mattk]

There are Smart Cars in the police force here. I once saw a policeman driving one and he seemed quite embarassed.

[pitfield]

If you think that invacar is a good drive, go back to walking you loser.