Last set of reservation holders to get their Smarts in 2008

[Container_Guy]

My reservation is 1451 from Feb 2008 and really figure it will be Spring 09 if I wait for this reservation to come through. I am on the local dealership orphan list and they claim I am number 40+/-. So, my presumption is late 08 if lucky enough to snag an orphaned vehicle.

[Fredvon4]

Robbie51.... some of the grief is perception and a gross lack of intelligent and consistent info from Internet Brands (IB)

The official news source; Smart USA, is an abomination and travesty...

Roger Penske should have fired those nit wits way back in AUG 07 for their exceptional incompetence at communication with Insiders.

The perceptions on our part is semi alleviated here on SCOA because we have a better idea what is going on, country wide, then IB or the dealers do.
The perception is wide spread that an order in 07 was going to yield a smart fortwo in 08...and to some extent it will for most reservation holders.

We know fairly accurately that the 09 fortwo is not going to change significantly.

However every car new model year gets a MSRP readjustment. Usually up but some time down. No doubt this will be true of the smart MB brand. It has to go up, because of slowing American economy and further loss of Dollar to Euro value.

Another change we can expect just because it is easy, and MB has done it a lot...interior and exterior color choices and some option choices.

I doubt MB or PAG knows these answers yet and probably won't until mid year. I assume the Insiders, who are also configured but most likely to get a 09 Model smart fortwo, will be notified about the changes and new cost schedule late this summer.

This is going to be interesting because when you configure you get a confirmation. While there are many weasel words claiming it is not a formal purchase contract.... the history is that for a very larger number of insiders, PAG did order the exact car for that exact price in that customers name.

I bet there will be a small number of insiders who will not appreciate ordering a 08 Passion for $15,405 fully equipped and then informed their car will be a 09, different color, and cost 5%~7% more.

Many will just cancel...

But I bet one or more may challenge this from a legal angle.... for sure they will be in here complaining loudly....

And all of this frustration and angst could be easily avoided with clear and concise communication that any $99 insider should rationally expect.

[Robbie51]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

I bet there will be a small number of insiders who will not appreciate ordering a 08 Passion for $15,405 fully equipped and then informed their car will be a 09, different color, and cost 5%~7% more.

Many will just cancel...

But I bet one or more may challenge this from a legal angle.... for sure they will be in here complaining loudly....

And all of this frustration and angst could be easily avoided with clear and concise communication that any $99 insider should rationally expect.

If they in fact do this they are going to create a BIGGER mess. If you order a car and you are given a specific price, when that car arrives that sicker better say the same thing.

I am glad I joined this forum. I have learned more on here rather than sitting on the sidelines scratching my head wondering what to expect next.

There seem to be a lot of knowledgeable people on here either from extensive research they conducted themselves or from pure experience with Smart. It's been a real eyeopener.

[rwj53]

I put my reservation in feb 4th. I know I will be getting an 09 but if the base price is raised more than $300.00 I will cancel. I think alot of people are backing out now as it is.

[Fredvon4]

rwj53

Just pure speculation..... but I tend to think your $300 threshold is a bit low and perhaps an unreasonable expectation.

You and I know with some certainty that it will be a 09 we are getting with our 08 reservations.

As much as I hate the IB and SmartUSA Insider model and piddle poor communications, as consumers we are responsible to do our own research.

Historically the MSRP raises an average of 3% per model year simple due to inflation and cost of living increases, cost of business increases.

Because this is imported from Europe we have to accept that other market forces dictate some of the increases. In this case the slowing US economy and continued slide backward of Dollar to Euro value.

I think eventually all these factors will be sorted by MB and PAG to arrive at the 09 pricing structure. I accept that it will most likely be 3%~5% increase

Using my current configured car, a Passion with every option, (Except metallic Tridion color of sliver, mine is the "no charge" Black Tridion)

Passion as configured
(08) $15,405 + 3% = (09)$15,867.15.... a $462 increase

(08) $15,405 + 5% = (09)$16,175.25.....a $707 increase

I will not be upset with either of these increases but will be if the "real world" is closer to 3% and PAG decides to up the base 5% or higher

[T12121]

I contacted my local smart dealership and they told me that I prob would be looking at august or september based on my reservation number 1341 I reservered in sept of 06. They put me on their orphan vehicle list if they get one. So maybe I will hear from them earlier but what get me is that I still havent gotten a confermation (sp?) code for the set up of the car. Oh well maybe I will have it soon. Just a little FYI.

Laters

[Robbie51]

Originally Posted by T12121

I contacted my local smart dealership and they told me that I prob would be looking at august or september based on my reservation number 1341 I reservered in sept of 06. They put me on their orphan vehicle list if they get one. So maybe I will hear from them earlier but what get me is that I still havent gotten a confermation (sp?) code for the set up of the car. Oh well maybe I will have it soon. Just a little FYI.

Laters

thanks for the info. who is your dealer? this waiting is driving me bonkers! lol

[PassionforPassionCT]

Originally Posted by T12121

I contacted my local smart dealership and they told me that I prob would be looking at august or september based on my reservation number 1341 I reservered in sept of 06. They put me on their orphan vehicle list if they get one. So maybe I will hear from them earlier but what get me is that I still havent gotten a confermation (sp?) code for the set up of the car. Oh well maybe I will have it soon. Just a little FYI.

Laters

And I'm a 1337 and I am being told May/June. I've configured, so its for sure based off of Local. I guess I am luckly that my dealer covers a small geographic area.