I would agree, it is the weak point of the car.

I guess after 4 and a half years of driving a Smart I have just got used to it. The new turbo version is really bad though, the engine mapping seems all wrong for the gear ratios. I won't be putting my money there.

The mhd technology sounds pretty interesting, simple in principle but I bet it's not easy to make happen. I think the alternator and starter motor are the same unit, and the engine is able to start in the time it takes you to move your foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal.

I have settled on a wish list, leather, air con, in the £35 tax bracket and under £9k.

Cheers

Cris.