Smart Car review - input requested!

[101mpg]

I have a rented Smart ForTwo right now - silver with the Brabus package. I'm going to take a friend for a ride, will have it for about a week. Please post anything and everything you'd like to know about the vehicle and I'll do my best to give a constructive review about the Smart for you.

[bowtieguy]

can you both lift the vehicle off the ground? just kidding.

auto or manual?
is it fun to drive beyond the first day?
is it comfortable on long trips(if applicable)?
does it bog down under heavy a/c usage?
would you consider(write-up) YOUR detailed review in addition to our questions?

[101mpg]

It's manual-matic. I'll check the specifics for the name Smart uses. It's an automatic with steering-wheel mounted shifters.

It is the Brabus package, by the way - rubber band tires for that teenager ride, dual exhaust, and everything else I can think of.

It's surprisingly fairly good on acceleration - nothing spectacular, but it's nice. You have to give it a fairly good amount of gas to get going, and it accelerates slowly off the line, but it certainly has its niche for come car owners. The moonroof is Lexan - covers most of the top of the vehicle. The integrated roll cage should take care of you in a rollover accident rather than the Lexan roof.

It is fun, incredible on gasoline with its 8.7 gallon tank, and great for parking in tight spots where others may not fit.

A/C usage does not affect driving at all, and I have it set on as ice cold and high of fan as I can get.

Headroom is unreal.

I'm going to be doing a FULL write-up - more questions please? I'll be much more detailed.

[trollbait]

I thought the US got an automated manual transmission. Mechcanically it's a manual, but does the shifting for you. Paddle shifters to override the programed shift points is an available option.

[BumblingB]

Just curious if you ever did your write up? I missed it if you did. Don't come here too much anymore. I know with the Brabus you got worse mileage than the Pure or Passion because of the wheels.

[CowgirlinTheSand]

How about a Smart Soul?
Leather interior, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seat, air conditioned glove box, moonroof, 350 watt Infinity Sound system. 8" Navi/infotainment screen, nice quiet ride, soft padded doors, dash (padded plastic & padded leather)... 164 Hammies under the hood... 0-60 in 8 secs...

[RedY2KXSmarty]

The accelerator pedal on your smart does not have a mechanical connection to the engine. It has an electrical connection that can change with time. I was told to recalibration the pedal and I would notice that the smart would have more power and be more responsive. Well, I figured that this was country fertilizer. However, I did it and I believe it has made a difference. Mostly it seems smoother and more responsive. I believe that I saw this at www.evilution.uk. I don't have a copy of the instructions but I believe they are as follows. I would appreciate your thoughts if you try it.

1- key in off position
2- Press the accelerator to floor and hold
3- Turn key to on position
4- Wait atleast 5 seconds
5- Turn off key and release pedal
6- Do not start the smart for atleast 60 seconds

That's it....let me know!

[LouSiffer]

I owned a diesel smart for four years - it was a great little car. Mine was the "pure" model with the semi auto 6 speed transmission. After 4 years my average mileage was 4.2L/100km - I think that's about 67 mpg for my US friends....

Only issues I ever had was that being a diesel, it took forever to heat up in the winter and the stereo was horrid.

[Jay2TheRescue]

That's odd. Most diesels I've driven warmed up relatively quickly.

[trollbait]

Were any of those diesels under a liter, Jay?