Talk to me about smart Fortwos...
Discussion
It occurred to me this morning that despite my 8pt petrol/2pt blood circulatory system, i've never driven the new smart Fortwo.
The O/H and I have one booked for a few days in August for trip around Tuscany.
Are they a decent enough steer? I know it'll be dog slow, but i'm hoping it'll be fun to hoon around the roads of Tuscany, challenging to keep the momentum etc...
I may have to go to the smart dealer near me, take one for a spin...
If it's truly terrible i'll change the booking for a (cheaper) Fiat 500...
The O/H and I have one booked for a few days in August for trip around Tuscany.
Are they a decent enough steer? I know it'll be dog slow, but i'm hoping it'll be fun to hoon around the roads of Tuscany, challenging to keep the momentum etc...
I may have to go to the smart dealer near me, take one for a spin...
If it's truly terrible i'll change the booking for a (cheaper) Fiat 500...
I had a first generation one and did 138,000 miles in it.
They're slow, the gearchange is awful and they understeer. Yet somehow the fun-factor overcomes all those significant shortcomings. I think it's because the limits are easy to reach, so you feel like you're going quicker than you actually are.
I loved mine, but plenty of people hate them for valid reasons. Probably best to try one out before sticking yourself in one for an entire holiday.
They're slow, the gearchange is awful and they understeer. Yet somehow the fun-factor overcomes all those significant shortcomings. I think it's because the limits are easy to reach, so you feel like you're going quicker than you actually are.
I loved mine, but plenty of people hate them for valid reasons. Probably best to try one out before sticking yourself in one for an entire holiday.
AdamW said:
I had a first generation one and did 138,000 miles in it.
They're slow, the gearchange is awful and they understeer. Yet somehow the fun-factor overcomes all those significant shortcomings. I think it's because the limits are easy to reach, so you feel like you're going quicker than you actually are.
I loved mine, but plenty of people hate them for valid reasons. Probably best to try one out before sticking yourself in one for an entire holiday.
Interesting... It's only for 5 days, so not too bad. I am however 6'3, are they big enough inside?They're slow, the gearchange is awful and they understeer. Yet somehow the fun-factor overcomes all those significant shortcomings. I think it's because the limits are easy to reach, so you feel like you're going quicker than you actually are.
I loved mine, but plenty of people hate them for valid reasons. Probably best to try one out before sticking yourself in one for an entire holiday.
I think i'll be off to Lakeside smart tomorrow for a drive of one. I know the 500 is big enough, fun to drive and cool enough, so the smrt will have to make me grin.
Of course, it's the O/H who wants the smart, even though i'll be driving...
If its a Pure or Passion, beware of crosswinds! If its a Pulse or Brabus, wider tyres are better, they have flappy paddles too 
. Its not a sportscar to chuck around, handling wise, but acclerating is ok around town. This is based on my car with 71bhp non turbo petrol. YMMV with a diesel or turbo.
PS. I'm 6'6"
. Its not a sportscar to chuck around, handling wise, but acclerating is ok around town. This is based on my car with 71bhp non turbo petrol. YMMV with a diesel or turbo.PS. I'm 6'6"
Edited by ajprice on Friday 4th June 14:42
The scariest experience I've had in a car in the last few years was being driven up the M1, in the rain, in my OH's fortwo. There was no acceleration to slot into gaps and it felt incredibly fidgity on the wet roads. Oh and I found the seats to be rather uncomfortable. And the gear-change is wierdly slow. And because the engine is essentially underneath the cabin, it isn't particularly refined.
On the plus side, it's fine for around town and has a surprising amount of luggage space.
OP - in my mind, there's no question: take the Fiat 500. Loads of the locals will be driving them, so you'll feel like one of the gang, and they are very nice little cars. "When in Rome....".
On the plus side, it's fine for around town and has a surprising amount of luggage space.
OP - in my mind, there's no question: take the Fiat 500. Loads of the locals will be driving them, so you'll feel like one of the gang, and they are very nice little cars. "When in Rome....".
The engine does make a difference. We used to have an 04 Pulse as a runabout, and it was great fun. Boot fitted everything, and the turbo lag was hilarious.
Suspension was like an old Mini's. Once the turbo was on song, despite the lag and the gearbox seemingly having to make new cogs before it changed, it was enormous fun, and got up to 85 happily (never pushed it beyond that!). In gear acceleration is surprising, although pulling out is a nightmare. See a space, stamp on the throttle, and by the time it had moved, the next car was on top of you.
If it's going to be a diesel or non-turbo, I'd probably pass though.
And I had zero problem getting two 6"2 blokes and two suitcases in the car when necessary.
Suspension was like an old Mini's. Once the turbo was on song, despite the lag and the gearbox seemingly having to make new cogs before it changed, it was enormous fun, and got up to 85 happily (never pushed it beyond that!). In gear acceleration is surprising, although pulling out is a nightmare. See a space, stamp on the throttle, and by the time it had moved, the next car was on top of you.
If it's going to be a diesel or non-turbo, I'd probably pass though.
And I had zero problem getting two 6"2 blokes and two suitcases in the car when necessary.
Edited by Dominicc01 on Friday 4th June 15:09
Dominicc01 said:
In gear acceleration is surprising, although pulling out is a nightmare. See a space, stamp on the throttle, and by the time it had moved, the next car was on top of you.
Assuming the box works the same as my Roadster there's a trick. Don't use a heavy foot pulling away. Use light throttle to get moving then dial in the throttle.Edited by Dominicc01 on Friday 4th June 15:09
Reason being if you are gentle with the throttle it'll pull away at low revs. If you floor it, it engages the clutch dials in some revs then disengages the clutch. Better for 0-60mph times but it takes time to "prep" to do this, so physically takes the car longer to actually move off the line.
300bhp/ton said:
stuff
Probably right. All I know is that the XJ shifts off the line (except when the road's wet and I just sit with the rear wheels spinning vainly) when I need it to, and the Smart never would (yes, I know, they are slightly different all round).Have to admit though, the Smart's replacement, an S2000, is a little perkier!
Dominicc01 said:
300bhp/ton said:
stuff
Probably right. All I know is that the XJ shifts off the line (except when the road's wet and I just sit with the rear wheels spinning vainly) when I need it to, and the Smart never would (yes, I know, they are slightly different all round).Have to admit though, the Smart's replacement, an S2000, is a little perkier!
It's a bit like driving a regular manual such as the S2k. If you want to make a quick start you'll dial in some revs first then engage the clutch and depending on the car allow a bit of slip. This is very quick and easy to do with your feet, although still requires a bit of time to 'prep' to do it. The smart did the same, but of course the only way it knew you wanted to do this was when you floored it. It simply couldn't do it all the time.
More powerful cars with electronically controlled manuals still suffer something similar, but because they are usually sequential boxes and a lot more power its not nearly as much of an issue or as noticeable.
J500ANT said:
I've loved every one i've owned, and i've owned enough of them!
Recently did a trip from Bristol, via Oxfordshire to Dover then on to Saarbrucken (germany) on one tank of diesel. 563 miles, not bad going.
Yeah, but you can do that in most cars and have some comfort. Smart isnt a bad car, but its not a good one either. Id go with the 500, but PLEASE not the 1.2 POP because thats BASIC.Recently did a trip from Bristol, via Oxfordshire to Dover then on to Saarbrucken (germany) on one tank of diesel. 563 miles, not bad going.
nsmith1180 said:
J500ANT said:
I've loved every one i've owned, and i've owned enough of them!
Recently did a trip from Bristol, via Oxfordshire to Dover then on to Saarbrucken (germany) on one tank of diesel. 563 miles, not bad going.
Yeah, but you can do that in most cars and have some comfort. Smart isnt a bad car, but its not a good one either. Id go with the 500, but PLEASE not the 1.2 POP because thats BASIC.Recently did a trip from Bristol, via Oxfordshire to Dover then on to Saarbrucken (germany) on one tank of diesel. 563 miles, not bad going.
300bhp/ton said:
nsmith1180 said:
J500ANT said:
I've loved every one i've owned, and i've owned enough of them!
Recently did a trip from Bristol, via Oxfordshire to Dover then on to Saarbrucken (germany) on one tank of diesel. 563 miles, not bad going.
Yeah, but you can do that in most cars and have some comfort. Smart isnt a bad car, but its not a good one either. Id go with the 500, but PLEASE not the 1.2 POP because thats BASIC.Recently did a trip from Bristol, via Oxfordshire to Dover then on to Saarbrucken (germany) on one tank of diesel. 563 miles, not bad going.
And i'd love to know how many cars can do that trip on 34litres of fuel, something IRO 75mpg.
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