Miss HubNut road test! How will she find THAT gearbox?

Рет қаралды 11,258

3 күн бұрын

Is it easier for a newer driver to adapt to the semi-automatic transmission of the Smart ForTwo than one with more experience?
‪@misshubnut‬ takes to the wheel and ends up having rather a lot of fun.
HubNut merchandise available at hubnut.org - thank you!
#smartlife #testdrive #cargirl
Test car is a Smart 450 Cabrio.

Пікірлер: 179

@Steeve9292 2 күн бұрын

She's always got a proper can-do attitude, Miss Hubnut. We love to see it.

@mpersad 2 күн бұрын

Ms Hubnut. The woman who nails it every time! So good to see a new driver taking on new challenges and hugely encouraging for others starting out having just passed their driving test, she’s a terrific role model.

@roseybut 2 күн бұрын

I loved the "I really don't want to do this" look on Carly's face while Ian was doing his initial blurb. But as usual she absolutely owned it. Well done! First time I drove an auto I kept trying to press the non existent clutch pedal at junctions.

@Mortimer50145 2 күн бұрын

I am one of those bizarre people who finds automatics a lot harder to drive smoothly than manuals. At very low speed, it's because you only have one control - the accelerator - to control the power, whereas in a manual, especially with a diese that has bags of torque at low revs, I tend to let the engine idle and control the speed by letting the clutch up and down as need be. That's when inching forwards/backwards when parking or when crawling along at low speed in a traffic jam. At normal driving speed, the problem is that the damn thing changes gear when I don't want to - accelerating smoothly our of a roundabout is a problem because I either get a highr gear with little accelerator pressure or else with fractionally more throttle the thing changes down into a stupidly low gear and the engine, which suddenly finds its load reduces, speeds up and makes the car surge forward. I want to stay in the same gear and apply a bit more power, staying in the same gear during the whole period of acceleration. Maybe I'm too set in my ways of driving a manual. If I had a semi-auto or a DSG, I imagine I'd use it in manual mode so *I* get to choose when/if I change gear but the gearbox handles the grunt work of achieving a smooth rev-matched gearchange. I suppose the best DSG is one which has automatic clutches for normal gear changes but still has a clutch pedal that is only used for very low speed crawling when you want finer control than can be achieved only by moving the throttle pedal.

@Teribus13 2 сағат бұрын

My first automatic experience in a car was a mk1 Mondeo 1.8 which had a double width brake pedal. First time I came to a stop, I went for the clutch pedal...

@Mortimer50145 2 сағат бұрын

@@Teribus13 And caught the over-sized brake pedal and nearly shot through the window? ;-)

@Teribus13 2 сағат бұрын

@@Mortimer50145 absolutely correct 😂

@J500ANT 2 күн бұрын

There's a perverse pleasure in hustling a smart along some nice roads - it shouldn't be fun or enjoyable but actually it really is 😊

@misshubnut 2 күн бұрын

So much fun!

@___Steinn___ Күн бұрын

A Smart Roadster is even better for that! Had the pleasure to drive one for a day. That thing is fun!

@nobbybrown8056 2 күн бұрын

Nice driving Miss Hubnut I would never guess you are a new driver. I think that Smart was made for you. Please keep it!

@germulqueen3002 2 күн бұрын

That looked like a LOT of fun!! I think your inner "girl racer" was busting out in places, Carly!!! 😜😄 Have to say, too, that I loved that scenery on your way home; it looked fabulous!! 👍🙂

@paulwatts2192 2 күн бұрын

Good teacher, good driving Miss Hubnut.😊

@fhwolthuis 2 күн бұрын

Well done, Carly! This car suits you ❤

@bobfennell3717 2 күн бұрын

Excellent review of the SmartForTwo. Well done both.

@gazzertrn 2 күн бұрын

Carly looks a little worried at the start . But hey she nailed it . Well done , thats more expeirience for you .👍

@arieplomp8906 Күн бұрын

Well done 👍🏻 Carly! At first you were very nervous, but along the ride you got more confident! Brave woman ! Respect 🫡 👍🏻👍🏻🆙

@alansmith1770 2 күн бұрын

Well Done Carly. You nailed it.

@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain 2 күн бұрын

Carly nailed the semi manual like a champ. Looks so much fun to drive. And it Ptchoo's as well....

@10rGreenninja Күн бұрын

Miss Hubnut stood next to the Smart makes it look like quite a big car 🤣😂

@daniellee9015 2 күн бұрын

Absolutely brilliant video Ian miss hubnut ❤👍 well done miss hubnut you did amazing brilliant

@mariasnell6868 Күн бұрын

Absolutely loved watching and hearing Miss Hubnuts views on this vehicle , made me smile and laugh . Well done both of you. Xx

@anthonygregg862 2 күн бұрын

Hi Both. Absolutely marvellous. Great to see Miss Hubnut experiencing other cars and having a Jolly time. A thoroughly well presented video and very entertaining. Good Times for sure.

@grrfy 2 күн бұрын

I have always thought the going up /down the gearbox is backwards , should be forward for down the gears4321, and backwards for up 1234, as when on the brakes your body /hand goes forwards with the inertia , if you see what I mean? so much so that every game I play has it reset that way ,always feels odd to me the way they have it.Perfect first car and cheaper to insure with only 2 seats so less liabilities .

@idriveaclassic Күн бұрын

Well done Carly, my love! So proud of you!!!!! You’re truly an inspiration to all of us with your can do attitude, your sense of fun and your capabilities to use swear words in imaginative ways (although that’s off camera banter). I bet lots of women watch you and secretly feel motivated and spurred on and that’s real ‘influencing’ ❤ xxx

@martinneumann7783 2 күн бұрын

What a lovely road test. Very Smart - all of it... Thanks and see you soon --- Martin

@19892CV 2 күн бұрын

Brilliant video. I always drove mine in manual. I really want another.

@allanmollison6971 2 күн бұрын

Good on Miss HubNut for giving it a go 😊👍

@biker_dan Күн бұрын

Ian, she is 100% on the manual gear change, just like the old semi auto buses it helps smooth out the change. I don't think you should sell this car, I have never seen Mrs Hubbers look so happy driving and also loads of confidence. That back window can be replaced with a glass one to give more visibility, even a rear camera with the screen mounted on the dash would do. Also the rough bumpy ride can be changed for comfort with a change to the shockers and or springs. This is a simple and cheap car to run, I think Mrs Bubbers should keep this as her own and sell the others. After all, this isn't a rust attracter like the Charade and will last many years.. just love seeing this wee car and to be honest there will be a time when they are rare. Maybe even buy a smart roadster to keep it company? Love the video guys

@dronetime_flights 3 сағат бұрын

I agree, I have loved watching all the smart car videos. I myself have a 451 2010 CDI and a Roadster and they are both sooooo much fun 👍

@mikes747 Күн бұрын

Actual rear legroom in a smart when miss hubnut is driving! Bless her!

@davidmbell Күн бұрын

What a fab road at the end and Miss Hubnut loving it and enjoying the Smart. It’s an MX-5 road.

@anthonystevens8683 2 күн бұрын

Well done Carly. After decades driving a manual car then switching to an auto I felt I had to rewire my brain a tad. Well that's what happened to me when I had a working visit the US last century and back then I think most of the rental cars were automatic. On my rental the handbrake was activated by a foot and the gear selection was on a stalk. Fun times back then. Many thanks for sharing.

@caw25sha 2 күн бұрын

The first automatic I drove was a Mercedes C Class which had a foot operated parking brake where the clutch pedal would normally be. For quite a long time I was seriously worried about jamming my foot on the not-the-clutch pedal and something very bad happening. Fortunately I didn't.

@tonys1636 Күн бұрын

A smiling face on Miss HubNut to match the smiling face of Smarty.

@acwdrivingservices9877 Күн бұрын

Miss Hubnut is a natural. Confident, positive and a credit on the road, a few more years and she would make a great driving instructor.

@chrisrand5185 2 күн бұрын

All credit to Miss Hubnut allowing you to film her first drive of the Smart. I find Renovo plastic window restorer is very good for improving visibility through plastic windows.

@jakemybigblackdog Күн бұрын

Excellent driving Mrs Hubnut!!

@johnheaney414 Күн бұрын

Done really well Carley,a natural

@brianfd622 2 күн бұрын

You are looking comfortable at every challenge, well done, great to see you giving Smarty a good run

@allanriches9381 Күн бұрын

great video, good to see another view on this car.

@richardhewitt.easyvanlife.6957 2 күн бұрын

Well done Carly. You are a good driver.

@NeilBarratt 2 күн бұрын

Very enjoyable to watch.

@frimleyfrodo Күн бұрын

I drive both manuals and autos daily and vividly recall the first time I drove a Smart. I discovered the ‘hoon it’ attitude was the most rewarding way to get anything out of the reluctant gearbox!

@kaitlyn__L 18 сағат бұрын

I love making tiny tiny turbos go pchoo!

@davidking9707 2 күн бұрын

I drove a Smart 25 years ago. I owned a Mini 1000 and a Triumph Toledo back then. The semi auto was something I couldn't get used to.

@steverolfeca 3 сағат бұрын

People complain about the semi-auto box, but you can get seamless shifts in auto mode by breathing (lifting) the throttle slightly as it approaches the shift point. Makes for a quick, smooth shift, and stops that seasick feeling because the nose doesn’t drop abruptly. Once you get used to the engine’s sound, you can shift by ear rather than watching the tach or speedo.

@stefantrnacek1394 Күн бұрын

The joy on Carly's face was just wonderful. I think you should keep the Smart.

@CauliflowerMcPugg Күн бұрын

It's good to hear the thoughts of a newish driver. Nice review, Miss HubNut 👍

@Simon-ui6db 2 күн бұрын

13:00 Miss Hubnut goes full BTCC with that lever.

@davidflamee Күн бұрын

Lovely spin out in the Smart. In very capable hands. Glorious, and perfectly executed on sublime Welsh roads. My ptchoo, if I may, would be the wiper motion - pttcchhooo.

@conba6319 2 күн бұрын

Currently watching this camping in the back of my freelander in Wales no less.

@tomoreilly9932 Күн бұрын

So glad you sorted the issues you had to get the car on the road it's given us some great content to view,be sad to see it go really.

@Teribus13 2 сағат бұрын

My mrs had a hardtop version of this car on an 03 plate - they were still called CityCoupe then, the ForTwo name came later. Hers was silver with red plastic panels just like this one, and was a passion spec so it had the auto button on the gearbox (lower spec ones were semi auto only). It was a really fun little car to chuck around! Economy was no better than the Suzuki Alto it replaced, but it had a good bit more get-up-and-go. Surprisingly good on the B-roads 😁 It got some looks when I parked it perpendicular to the pavement 😂😂

@richardcarter3921 2 күн бұрын

Loved the video. Keep the Smart. I had a 2000 LHD Smart new. It's was my daily for 8 years. All these years later I still miss it. Would have another if/when I move back to England.

@tonysargent7787 2 күн бұрын

Well done Miss hubnut Will you be teaching Carly to drive elly sometime that would be a challenge Only noticed at the end that the smart is even bigger than miss hubnut another great video has always Ian and Carly miss/mrs hubnut and hublets and hubmutt 👍

@HubNut 2 күн бұрын

Oh yes. Elly will be a challenge for sure. She's quite stroppy...

@Loonybikerbitch Күн бұрын

I'm a little lady too, but I'm 5ft4, Ms hubnut must be a little shorter than myself? I've a 451 in orange as my daily. 3mth on, I absolutely adore my Basil! ❤🎉

@ThreeCoos 2 күн бұрын

I really think that the Smart is a keeper, Carly very obviously enjoys the car!

@davidjack825 2 күн бұрын

its been sold

@ThreeCoos 2 күн бұрын

@@davidjack825 That was quick, but needs must, I suppose.

@davidjack825 2 күн бұрын

@@ThreeCoos yes plus she cannot see past that horrible charade

@2Wheels4Wheels. Күн бұрын

Did I sense some mild peril when Carly started giving it the beans, Mr H? 😁

@robertjoy4846 2 күн бұрын

I've just brought a Smart. Brabas 700cc. It a car that takes some driving. Love it.

@Farney-gy1qo 2 күн бұрын

My two Daughters (12&16) had their first drive in a car. They drove my Mk1 Ranger around an industrial estate this Sunday. They found it very easy to drive, its slow and because it has immense torque it won't stall.

@Georgeolddrones Күн бұрын

I used to work where they made the component to stop them tipping up and it was like a Jairo 👍

@allsortsabouteverything Күн бұрын

I think little miss hubnut will surprise you in that there smart car. You would be surprised just how quickly people adapt to semi/auto gear box's. Plus that point that after passing her test she can only carry one passenger is a bonus for both safety and insurance. Go on Ian,,,, let her have it. 👍😎👍

@HubNut Күн бұрын

Nah. Full manual life for Little Miss HubNut. Smart now sold.

@ashleyjarvis954 Күн бұрын

Nice work! I had manual to auto anxiety with hire car abroad. Best advice i was given was tuck your left foot away/under right leg, then let the car do the work :) I wanna drive a smart now…. 😁

@lakak4056 Күн бұрын

On the few occasions I drove an automatic I found if there's a foot rest treat it as the clutch & then if you press it there is no harm done.

@wanderingorganist 2 күн бұрын

"Ooh, 20!" I was doing that all the time

@jaggass 2 күн бұрын

I think most people probably talk about the Smart For Two's gearboxes. I've always driven semi auto's in manual mode because i can change gear when i want to.

@Sheamusf500 2 күн бұрын

I've got the semi automatic Fiat dualogic gearbox and it gets confused going up hill in auto mode. In manual mode you change down by pushing the lever forward which is a little unnatural IMO

@sr20trx Күн бұрын

Ive never really seen or had much to do with these things, but last year we got new neighbours (in Perth Western Australia) and they have a white one,.presumably same model as this, they daily it. I can confirm they have a distinctive sound i can certainly tell when shes leaving or coming up the street.

@Simon-ui6db 2 күн бұрын

had an automated manual (easytronic) in a mk1 meriva I got for my wife at the time (as she crashed our mk1 focus auto :( ) and couldn't stand it in auto mode. In manual, like you said, take your foot off the throttle then change then reapply and it was fine. Right up until she crashed it into a hedge. Felt like it would tip over though at speed. Give me either a proper slushbox or dct, or a proper manual.

@Farney-gy1qo 2 күн бұрын

Did you Give the Smart a Name? Pika-Chew would suit it. Shame its not Yellow.

@Phiyedough 2 күн бұрын

That is interesting about the gearchange. I started off on motorbikes and didn't get my car licence until I was 22. Bike gearchanges are sequential, the lever just takes you to the next gear up or down. I've always thought it would be good to have a car with the same setup, especially for racing.

@Mortimer50145 2 күн бұрын

Normally that woudl be fine, but how does it handle the job of slowing down to a junction in the gear in which you approach (eg 6th) and then changing directly from that gear to the one you find that you need for accelerating away again? Do you have to very rapidly change down through the gears as you are braking? Maybe I'd need to forget what I was taught for my IAM test (direct top-to-second/third changes) and go back to the sequential way that I had to learn to pass my original test in 1981 and which has since been deprecated ;-)

@eggy1962 2 күн бұрын

More the merrier mrs hubnut , drive everything at every opportunity. Its all experience.

@johnwardle5656 Күн бұрын

Interesting to see the cabin leaping around compared to the stately progress in the GSA!

@HubNut Күн бұрын

BIG difference in ride quality for sure.

@extramild1 2 күн бұрын

First - this is possibly the greatest moment of my life - not to be dramatic.

@davefrench3608 2 күн бұрын

My old C4 Picasso had a semi auto box, and that was just terrible. Glad she gave manual a go, bet it’s odd doing it with one foot though. I’d really like a Smart.

@misshubnut 2 күн бұрын

Would highly recommend Smart ownership

@ferrumignis Күн бұрын

Well done Miss Hubnut, despite your trepidation you drove it perfectly. The quite slow steering (many turns lock to lock) always takes me by surprise if I haven't driven mine for a while, you have to really work at the wheel on tight turns. I still find it bizarre that such a small car with a decent amount of glass has such poor visibility. The door mirrors have considerable blind spots, and even in the coupe looking back over your shoulder is also blocked by the rear pillars. It's the only car I have ever own that I have bought and fitted blind sport mirrors, they really should have come fitted from the factory.

@aston-martin-internationalist 2 күн бұрын

ASM cars often get a bad name generally because people jump into them thinking they're a traditional torque converter auto which they very much aren't. Whilst I haven't driven the Smart version, I have driven more sporting ASM equipped cars, a Ferrari 360 F1 and my own Aston Martin Vantage with the SportShift transmission. I really like it, it is not an automatic and shouldn't be driven as one, it takes a while to get used to it. Drive it with manual shifting in mind. I have changed the clutch to a V12 twin plate clutch and lightweight flywheel and it's ironed out most of the issues; the 'nodding dog', the lurching and shifting is much quicker, downshift quicker than on the manual. Whilst maneuvering is still not great (it isn't even in the manual), but on the open roads, it's sublime and I don't miss a traditional manual transmission.

@charlesmarsh9608 2 күн бұрын

Remember it likes to make itself a cup of tea when changing down ,mine did.

@Ragnar8504 2 күн бұрын

The description of putting your foot down and nothing happening sounds like my ex's 2018 Astra with its Eco-something-tronic gearbox. That had a few very predictable holes at specific speeds, I seem to remember a particularly bad one around 15 MPH and another, much less noticeable one around 40-ish. Not sure if there were more, I never got past 60 driving that car. I can't say I've got a particularly good track record with Vauxhall/Opel products. My only other experience with their cars was a properly clapped-out old Combo back in 2005. The clutch was nearly gone and setting off from a red light was a laborious process, even compared to the certainly not overpowered Mitsubishi van I was used to at that time (69 bhp naturally aspirated diesel engine). The brand new Movano van I was competing with completely left me behind at every light (I was an intern with an electrician at that time and for some reason I was tasked with driving that wreck to a site while the others went in the big van). I don't think I screamed as much as Ian did test driving that 1920s Austin 7 but it was definitely my scariest driving experience in 20 years of having a licence!

@Zadster Күн бұрын

P'tchooo! Good to see @misshubnut have a bit of mild hooning! Maybe that's what the fleet needs next, something a bit hooney? Obviously with very little power.

@MrSportster12 Күн бұрын

Looks like all the effort to get the Smart back on the road was worth it.

@WatfordWobble 2 күн бұрын

I wish more drivers were as good as MHN. Eye activity was excellent and wish more drivers were as good.

@AdamMacleod83 2 күн бұрын

It's such a Hubnut car, I hope it stays 🙏😍

@HubNut 2 күн бұрын

It leaves the fleet this week...

@TheStobb50 Күн бұрын

The gear shift is very similar to the Mercedes trucks I used to drive it took a lot of getting used to

@johnnorth9355 2 күн бұрын

I think selling it was a very clever move - you can't have two hooning maniacs in a family lol.

@jeremytoms5163 2 күн бұрын

Just think of a Smart engine in TWC? Could probably bolt the complete subframe + engine into the rear of TWC.

@user-hl2fv5be9s 2 күн бұрын

Hi lan it’s good to see you again matey Congratulations for passing your test well done to your wife Do you remember the Lexus? You had I miss that car and the citron GS The Australian car import New Zealand is a beautiful motor. I love that car and the black Lexus that you had two and the little small citron that’s a two

@user-hl2fv5be9s 2 күн бұрын

I like the smart car to ps i miss the Reliant you certainly put alot into the van

@twocvbloke Күн бұрын

Seems like it was one of them experiences where someone really doesn't want to do something at all, like ride a big tree swing or something, then they do it, and now you can't get them off it again... :P

@The-Rectifier 2 күн бұрын

Mss Hubnut may not be the biggest, but she has the courage of a thousand men🎉

@michaelstaunton1632 2 күн бұрын

Go Go Go Miss Hubnut 💨 💨💨

@oliverbrookes27 2 күн бұрын

@ 13-45 Try flooring the accelerator whilst changing gear. Sounds wrong, but it works.

@HubNut 2 күн бұрын

I just hold my foot in place. Unless you're really flooring it, it's quite smooth.

@philsladen9918 Күн бұрын

Nice PERCHEW

@ivy7642 Күн бұрын

I drove a 450 Smart when looking for a new car recently. It was like riding in a box of rocks. So noisy and rock hard. The 451 I tried was night and day better.

@HubNut Күн бұрын

Having driven both back to back, I can't say I felt much difference in ride comfort. Noise, yes. 451 definitely more peaceful.

@ivy7642 Күн бұрын

@@HubNut maybe the one I drove had collapsed suspension then haha. It was absolutely rock solid, while the newer model handled the bumps respectably.

@geoffwoodgate7450 Күн бұрын

Get the feeling Carly is a bit of a speed freak. Love the dress too.

@edgarbeat2851 2 күн бұрын

You won't believe what I spotted behind a local garage. A smart the sane age as yours but a hard top. Hmm mmmm. I am intrigued 😁

@Colin-ci5ll Күн бұрын

Ian you would have made a very good driving instructor. That is a complement from a X Cellnet driver of the year.

@MrGaryRoberton 2 күн бұрын

Proves out what I have observed, and Ian believes , standard gearboxes keep the driver more engaged, and attentive. Automatics can make one lazy. Cheers!

@EmilysDadd 2 күн бұрын

If Miss Hubnut thinks the visibility is bad in a For2 .... she should try a Smart Roadster! 😉

@wrightfamily4373 Күн бұрын

Always remember my first time driving an automatic I nearly got rear-ended after changing gear at 60 mph and skidding to stop after putting into park trying to change into a higher gear. Why did it allow me to do it? It was 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 auto oh my God, it scared the out of me.

@nigelrudd670 2 күн бұрын

Mrs hoonnut rides again 🤓

@chiquita71 Күн бұрын

I’m an experienced driver and have no issue with smart auto

@Sid3300 Күн бұрын

I had a very quick go in my girlfriend’s Fiat 500S with the automated manual (Think fiat called it Duologic). Throttle always feels very delayed to me and the gear changes always seem clunky.

@Megadriver 19 минут бұрын

The Smart is a really weird car. It's very small, but when you get in, it gives you the feeling you are in a bigger car. I'm 1.85m and 100kg and even I didn't have the seat all the way back when I drove a Smart one time, when I had my E-class serviced by Mercedes. They gave me a Smart replacement car for the day and it was fun to test drive. The gearbox is garbage, I prefer the 5 and 7G-tronic boxes... so creamy and predictable, perfect for my driving style. But in the Smart, it's like having a confused learner driver doing the gear changes for you and the ride is way too firm. On the plus side... it's very easy to park.

@davidspencer7254 2 күн бұрын

Admission of shame: I really liked the Smart Passion semi auto gearbox ... until I tried the Panda duallogic.

@groeacht8525 8 сағат бұрын

I had a shot of a hybrid CVT Mondeo for about 3 minutes in a carpark, at no point did I feel in control of its speed, don't know if an actual automatic would be any better