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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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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 -
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 -
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 -
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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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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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 mr bad example on
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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
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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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Permalink Reply by Robert Ricewasser on -
We have the electrically assisted power steering on our Smart. I like it. It is not over-boosted, there is good road feel and good steering feedback, although the car does understeer noticeably, which isn't a big issue for me. I would think this would be a welcome accessory if one were to upgrade to lower profile tires with a coresponding wheel fitment. Also, my wife should be able to steer this vehicle, which is the reason I opted for the power steering.
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