Just wanted to let everyone know that I finally got to smart Center Lincolnwood to pick up my Silver/Black Pure. All went very smooth, Billy Cooper was very capable and accommodating and even helped entertain my 6 year son while I was getting the paperwork done. Overall it went smooth and quick with no surprises. The only thing I thought was interesting was the Extended Warranty info. The finance guy, who was also good to deal with and certainly not like the stereotypical car dealer finance guy, offered me a couple of options.
1. Wheel & Tire Warranty. Essentially for $185/year this program covers any wheel or tire damage (except hitting curbs). He said this would cover my steel wheels or other wheels that I may upgrade to no matter what the cost. This was a no aggregate type coverage, so I i ruined a wheel tire every week, which actually could be possible given the types of potholes in Chicago right now, they would keep replacing them.
As far as the car warranty, to go to a 5 year it was $1595, to go an extra third year it was like $6XX or to go to 4 years was about $9XX. This did not jive with some of the prices I saw, but was told these were the prices and they were not negotiable.
He also said this was only valid at time of delivery and could not be offered at any time later.
I passed.
He said I was one of the only ones so far to pass on some sort of extended warranty.
My wife has a pimped out $40,000 minivan. I was able to get a factory Honda extended warranty for 7/75,000 for under $1k.
This did not seem like a great deal to me. We'll see after two years if I made the right move or not!
Delivery was quick and easy. Billy showed me the ins & outs of things. Since it is a Pure with no radio, there is really not much explain.
The ride home was interesting. I like the car. It is not a daily driver for me, but kind of a toy. It is minimalist and primative, but I don't think those are bad things. It is bumpy and rough - it is loud and it is noisy, compared to other cars.
On the Tri-State, you certainly have to drive it more than I do with my Avalanche. With my Avy, you just point it and it goes, you feel less like a driver and more like a passenger. With the fortwo, you need to drive. At 70 mph on the highway it is subject to wind and road grooves and even resonance from bumps on the road. I actually enjoy driving and getting some feeling and feedback from the road is actually what I like about this car.
I am a big guy. I am 6'2" @ 300 lbs. I kinda look like a sardine stuffed into a tuna can, but when you are in the smart, it does not feel small at all. I am not sure if two big people would be terribly comfortable on a 3 hour trip, but I am fortunate to have alternate vehicles that can handle that task well.
I drove it to work today. Lost of funny looks on the drive in. Most of the people at work knew it was on its way, but it is still somewhat shocking to see one in person. A few jokes, a few compliments. One of the folks with an office where the car is parked has already commented to me about how many people have stopped to check it out.
That is my 12 hour update. I plan on driving it for a while and I will follow up with some more thoughts later.
JPKHERD
Hi Everyone, I've been driving my car on non-snowy days and have been getting the looks, smiles and laughs.... Not too long of a drive between Naperville and Downers Grove. I must say the car is really fun to drive and i'm getting used to the way the trans works...letting up on the gas, etc. One thing about the potholes, the car is small enough and agile to avoid "most" of them. I am waiting for the day (probably soon) when I see another on the road! I did buy the extended warranty... figuring it is the first year for the Smart in the U.S... Just a little insurance... nixed the tire warranty, though.
Today
Linear Mode
