Well, what a week.
Always liked the look of the Smartcars. Had one parked outside my house years ago in England, and moving to the US, then Miami, really surprised me that they weren't all over the place, especially the convertables.
So, happened to notice by chance the Smart Dealership in Coral Gables and LOVE the look of all those cute cars outside.
Now, I'm 6 foot 5, 3*mumble* and *mumble* pounds, and I must admit, I thought I'd check out the SmartCar, realise I didn't fit, and stop drooling after one.
Wandered inside, saw one in black with silver trim (/drool) and had a sit. Pushed seat all way back, and I was comfy, very comfy. Knees almost under the wheel in fact.
Knew at that moment I'd end up getting one. Put down the 99reservation fee and was /almost/ tempted todo the impulse buy for the Zebra covered one outside. All others spoken for of course, but that was available. It was a Pure though, and was a fair bit extra with the zerba print that was just starting to peel in a few spots already, so much as I hated to walk away, I did so, not expecting an orphan to appear.
Emailed the sales guy (VERY knowledgeable, never felt pressured, did his job well) to enquire about alarm systems and got a call the next day that they had an orphan going and would I like to check it out.
30 mins later, was outside.
Now, it had some extras I maybe wouldn't have got if given the choice, but having never driving in Miami (well, anywhere in States really) despite having been here 4 years, it wasn't a bad thing to get. The rev counter and clock extras are a bit meh (one on top to tell time, the radio, AND the dashboard, 3 places for time, overkill), but leather stuff, aircon (essential of course) where all things I would have got anyway.
Now, the bad point was the wheels. TERRIBLE black powder colouring on them. They ruined the cuteness and I could barely stand to look at them. Especially the price to get them in that colour. Bluergh. But, they sorted it out, and went the extra mile to make me happy. I was /really/ pleased that did this, shows they're willing to make customers happy. They took the showroom car with the silver wheels and swapped them round.
The car was looking cute again.
Quick pop to Wachovia to get the bankers draft to buy the thing, and of course the bank clerk started gushing how cute they looked, but didn't think they were safe (seems to be a common thing). Told her all about the safety stuff, they're fine, but seemed to be unsure a bit. (seriously, SmartCar US, you need to do some adverts showing the safety of these things, seems to be the common thing people say against them. I've seen the Top Gear youtube vid, I've read the info how safe they are, but general population seems to be unaware of this, Educate them!).
Got the car, all sorted, very, very, very happy.
Still, some /really/ minor issues;
The seat belt on passenger side ALWAYS gets stuck. I've not driven a car for 8 years (been travelling around too much, never been worth it, I was saving myself for a Smartcar!), is there some knack to stop that happening? I've taken it out that little guide thing as it just snarls up all the time.
Both doors don't seem to close all that well, often takes a bit of an extra shove to make sure they close.
How do you open the trunk without using the button on the keypad? I can feel something under the lip I press and hold, it just doesn't open unless I press the button on the key.
First fueling from the dealership can't have been too good, was terrible performance/mileage. Second fill up with premium I'm upto 40+mpg and it's very smooth apart from the gear shift from 1st to 2nd. Saw on these boards there might be a software upgrade for it, will have to look into that.
Got the automatic light thingy for the main lights to come on, but what switch/setting do I need to get the indoor light to come on when the doors are opened at night? Have to manually turn it on, then off. Must be something I'm missing here.
But don't let those negative points let you think I'm not uber happy with it. Sure half of them are stuff I just don't realise after not driving for so long, and never at all before in the US.
ok, anecdote time.
Saturday driving down US1, SUV next to me, the chick in passenger seat was laughing and videoing me tootling along.
Outside Publix waiting for GF to get something, in space of <10 mins, a small crowd had formed asking about it. Though one guy was swearing blind that I wasn't allowed to be driving it on the highway.
People are blown away with both the price, the mpg, and the fact that Europe had these 10 years ago. I can see these being hugely popular in the US.
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