Has any one compaired power steering vs NO power steering?

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Permalink Reply by Nick on July 9, 2008 at 5:09am

Hi all - I live in Oz and am awaiting delivery of 2 turbo 451s with the primo pack etc.

We originally ordered them without power steer - but two days later it was nagging me so I did a lot of research into it.

Numerous US and EU magazines and other reviews state that the power steering model cars are actually faster - because of the way that the stability and traction controls are modified.

In the non power steer cars - the trac and stability control is quicker to step in.

Acceleration is also faster despite the extra kg or so in weight.

I'm now glad that I changed my order quickly enough to include the power steering for them both and at $450AUD each - I am not worried about the dollars.

I must admit - I drove the non power steer car and found it to be fine....and have not as yet driven one with power steer.

Looking forward to it (delivery date is...quote "early to mid to late Spetember) haha.

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on July 9, 2008 at 5:54am

lucky for the turbo, in the states, we get jack!
i drove a power steering passion while waiting for my pure to be prepped. just more hardware, a car with 200 kilos per front tire doesn't need power steering.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on August 4, 2008 at 8:24am

Hi Nick,

My pulse turbo primo is scheduled to arrive in Cairns 22 September... possibly being built about the same time as yours.

I did not take the power steering option.... but: mmm... primo with heated seats and mirrors... in Cairns! Those switches will never be "On".

Reasons for not opting for power steering being:
* I had rear engined Renaults and fwd Hondas in the 1960's and 1970's. None had power steering. The Renaults were consided "twitchy" by non-Renault drivers. The early fwd Renaults and Hondas were heavy in comparison. I loved the R8 Gordini handling. (Ok, I maybe a retro-nut here, but I enjoy the rear engined, light front end feeling.... reminds me of the old Renaults and my motorcycling days.)
*The demo pulse that I drove down my much driven and ridden obstacle course (pimpled with mini-roundabouts) was very nice and precise. Simply could not see the point in adding power steering.
*The Aussie pulse has the wider wheels and should not be compared to the USA pure and passions with skinny tyres... so be careful of confusing this Forum. America does not get to sample our pulse... especially the turbo! So anything we comment on about handling is really irrelevant to the US this year.
* And every power steering car I've ever had included warnings about not holding full lock for long... my current Subaru Forester screams like a stuck pig on full lock at parking speeds (and scrubs tyres in like fashion). I long for a simpler and more direct steering.

Cheers, Ian

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Permalink Reply by Nick on October 7, 2008 at 9:52pm

Hey Ian - just looking back at this thread.

I took delivery of my cars on the 27th of September - they arrived at my SA dealer on the Tuesday 23 September.

Our cars would have been on the same shipment I would imagine

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on August 3, 2008 at 12:39pm

The 451 steers much heavier then the 450, but is also more direct. With wider tires, or when you drive a lot with passenger, i would really recommend power steering on the fortwo. I never expected to say this, but after driving a few 451's without PS, i was convinced.

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on August 3, 2008 at 12:54pm

oh god! i can't believe this! i drive around in my pure with no problem. i occasionally take my dad around, he's 250-260 lbs and just drove his neighbor for a ride and he's closer to 300 lbs, my smart steers light (i seriously doubt smart put PS in my car, although they documented it as a passion, and the manual case says "passion", wish i had the power windows, people keep bugging me in traffic and i have to crank the passenger window down)

if anyone thinks they need power steering in a smart, i suggest taking a body building course! soaking wet i'm 120 pounds and i drove a geo metro with FAT 15" wheels/tires with FWD and manual steering and never had problems with that.

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Permalink Reply by mprice2984 on August 3, 2008 at 4:39pm

Don't spend the money on power steering, in everyday driving you won't notice much if any difference. For the cost of PS you can add instruments, fogs and the alarm and still have money to spare.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Masters on August 3, 2008 at 11:59pm

Anyone who thinks they need power steering on a Smart car needs to get a life. After 10 thousand miles, it's not that I don't miss it, but I can't imagine what it could possibly do, if anything, except remove the road feel that I enjoy so much in a sports car.

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Permalink Reply by NS320 on August 5, 2008 at 6:28pm

Only today was I thinking how glad I was to have chosen the power steering option.

Let me be clear, the weight is the not the issue, the rack feels quicker and is more direct. Let's also be honest here, this is not a "sports car" (the definition of this is blurred somewhat by cars such as the XC90 sport which I have owned) and there isn't much steering feel in either the assisted or non assisted cars, and frankly steering feel is not really needed on a car of this type. I get my steering feel kicks from a different rear engined German "sports car".

The smart is none the less reasonable fun around town, and in my opinion more fun with the quicker more direct power steering.

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on August 5, 2008 at 5:07pm

Ok i will check my life then...

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on August 5, 2008 at 6:36pm

i get remarkable road feel with manual steering. i can feel paint stripes on the road through the steering wheel as i drive over them. i'd prefer a little novacain in the system.

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on August 6, 2008 at 3:01pm

In corners and on roundabouts i found the steering not so light, especially with wider tires. (175 front and 195 back) When you want to steer quick, its to heavy. But when you have the standard tires it's OK. The 450 model steers very light without PS.But also much more indirect.

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