Columbus Ohio

[OH08]

New to SCOA. Picked up my smart car the first week of April 2008. I had a very favorable opinion of it until I reached 1100 miles and had to have the gear lever replaced. After driving around one day I parked my car, then tried to start it. Car wouldn't start, called 1 800 smart usa and while on hold the car started but wouldn't shift into gear. I'm not sure what the gear lever had to do with the car not starting, but they said it needed replaced. The manager of the dealership and the manager of the service shop weren't around when I picked up my car. Haven't heard from smartusa either, at least not yet. Fortunately I was at home when it happened and not in the middle of nowhere. Now, I'm having second thoughts and hoping I'm not STUPID for buying smart.

[redbluff]

Daniel. I have bought two Smarts From Easton and Kevin the Smart manager has helped me with a flat tire and a key problem. I am in Dayton. Jeff who runs service has taken care of my issues even when I had no appointment. They are great people to work with. One of the best if not the best dealership I have ever worked with. Smarts are new so there will be some issues and I felt the exact same way you do but end the end I enjoy my Smart experience.

[xcrew229x]

I'm lucky enough I have yet to utilize the service department at Easton. But what I hear on this forum about the vast majority of smart facilities is good. Don't let a few first year problems ruin your fun. Personally I smile every time I pass a gas station.

[OH08]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Kevin was the sales manager on site when I bought the car and seems like nice guy. Dennis was the service manager and equally nice. I liked dealing with both of them, Kevin had the day off today I think and Dennis must have left for the day. I have read a lot of negative things about the car and then this happens so soon. From what I've been reading on the internet the gear shift problem is fairly common. The car has been around for 10 years in Europe, it was a problem there, in Canada, and now here, so it just seems like it should have been resolved 10 years ago. I'll keep my fingers cross that this is the worst of my smart car problems, but won't hold my breath. I hope you all continue to enjoy your cars and have no problems.

[Dave Van]

You can search the forum for thsi issue. It was something that was cover by a servive bulletin I think and shoud have been done to your car before delivery. There is a interlock between the gear selector and the computer...car will only start if it knows the gear lever is in PARK.