Well, I test-drove the smart ForTwo Electric Drive, and I liked it, but the politics and policies of the MBUSA "Battery Assurance Program" scared me off.
So, how about an off-lease FIAT 500e? I drove this one:
Linkydoo! Remember "The King of Cars"?
Having driven a gasoline 500 before, the experience was largely similar. Aside from no shifting (auto or manual) the sensation is about the same. The 500e is heavier, but the weight is down low, so it handles better than a base 500. (I've not driven the Abarth, so I can't compare.)
Electric motors have gobs of torque. Whoever programmed the electric equivalent of throttle "tip-in" went a little nuts on the programming. One really has to be careful of pushing too hard on the pedal, lest one risk the well-being of one's wrists.
That's right, we got torque steer, and piles of it. Not since the Omni GLH-S have I had my wrists yanked by this much torque steer. I'd venture to say that if you're not expecting it, it's downright dangerous.
Aside from that, well, it's a FIAT 500, for better and for worse. Front seating feels cramped, smaller than the smart. Maybe they put a little more effort into the standard 500 bits than they do normally. It seemed less squeaky and rattley than my past experience in a 0-miles 500.
But even the cheapest used 500e costs way more than the other dealer wanted for the smart. The cheapest one on this lot was $6k, and with fees and taxes, I'd be looking at close to $7500. That's a long ways from the $4500 OTD for the smart, and frankly, the smart scares me far less in terms of build quality and durability.
Nope. The 500e isn't cheap enough and isn't good enough. FAIL.
