Drove a Smart today; are they all this bad?
Discussion
OK, the engine was stone cold therefore running on either rich mixture or fast idle...but the throttle operated like an 'on/off' switch; no possibility of smooth or progressive operation at walking speed at all. (It's the 'clutchless manual' box thingy.)
And the brakes were just as bad - really snatchy. Lurch forward, sudden stop, lurch again. I was embarrassed just reversing out of the space and trying to do a three point turn to get out of the tightly packed car park area in the little courtyard in which I live. It was so erratic that I feared for the neighbours' cars, to be honest.
Now I haven't driven this particular car for four years - since the ex asked me to test drive it before she bought it new; seemed normal/fine then. It has been fully main dealer serviced since and just passed its MOT. She has not noticed any deterioration over time but has always maintaimed that it is 'quirky' to drive - she is not the most mechanically sympathetic or aware person, though.
Should I be worried or do "they all do that, sir!"?
Any experiences would be good to hear about.
And the brakes were just as bad - really snatchy. Lurch forward, sudden stop, lurch again. I was embarrassed just reversing out of the space and trying to do a three point turn to get out of the tightly packed car park area in the little courtyard in which I live. It was so erratic that I feared for the neighbours' cars, to be honest.
Now I haven't driven this particular car for four years - since the ex asked me to test drive it before she bought it new; seemed normal/fine then. It has been fully main dealer serviced since and just passed its MOT. She has not noticed any deterioration over time but has always maintaimed that it is 'quirky' to drive - she is not the most mechanically sympathetic or aware person, though.
Should I be worried or do "they all do that, sir!"?
Any experiences would be good to hear about.
Hi, No, the throttle should definitely not be like a switch, and the car should be perfectly easy to manouvre.
Re the brakes, the later 451 models do have an 'over-servoed' brake pedal but only in the same way that almost every current car has imo.
If your partner's car has an abrupt throttle it may have a faulty clutch actuator and/or a broken engine mount.
Re the brakes, the later 451 models do have an 'over-servoed' brake pedal but only in the same way that almost every current car has imo.
If your partner's car has an abrupt throttle it may have a faulty clutch actuator and/or a broken engine mount.
I once had a Smart Brabus as a courtesy car and it behaved a bit like you described. Annoying as hell at first but after a bit the challenge was to try make it behave like a normal car. After that it was a load of fun.
I just couldnt get over how much the nose moved up and down during acceleration and braking due to the short wheelbase.
I just couldnt get over how much the nose moved up and down during acceleration and braking due to the short wheelbase.
Smart Alec said:
Hi, No, the throttle should definitely not be like a switch, and the car should be perfectly easy to manouvre...if your partner's car has an abrupt throttle it may have a faulty clutch actuator and/or a broken engine mount.
Many thanks for that practical analysis; I'll get them checked.
rallycross said:
Horrible things to drive, you do you get used to them but they are massively flawed, I would never recommend one to a friend.
Agreed. Horrible cars with one of the worst gearboxes I've ever used and suspension made from concrete blocks. Only positives are the ease of parking and fuel economy
t car out of the goodness of your heart. I want to love the smart as I am in the US and they are on a different scale to everything else. I drove one when they first landed and everyone wanted to ask questions whenever I stopped. The one I drove was white and it was such an alien concept of car in the US people seriously thought I was driving a golf cart.
But, I could never forgive it for the gearbox. I have heard people complain about gear boxes in other cars but I really can not believe there is a box this bad in any other production car. OP most of what you described was most likely due to the gear box. It makes the car undriveable from my experience of a brand new 2008 car.
But, I could never forgive it for the gearbox. I have heard people complain about gear boxes in other cars but I really can not believe there is a box this bad in any other production car. OP most of what you described was most likely due to the gear box. It makes the car undriveable from my experience of a brand new 2008 car.
I completely agree with the original post. I have driven my girlfriends mums smart car a few times and it is awful. Really shockingly bad. But she looks surprised when I tell her this.
As you say, the throttle is either on or off, no progressive feel at all. Similar story with brakes. And the gearbox is sluggish and unresponsive. The steering is also quite disconnected. Only good thing I can think of is visibility and seating position.
As you say, the throttle is either on or off, no progressive feel at all. Similar story with brakes. And the gearbox is sluggish and unresponsive. The steering is also quite disconnected. Only good thing I can think of is visibility and seating position.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff