Hello from VA

[brpster]

Hello all. I live in Virginia. I pick up my new Smart fortwo pure tomorrow. Black cell, white panels, standard equipment, plus ac and tinted windows. Looking forward to getting it. My family is poking fun at me, my son drives a dodge 1500 and wants to know if I want him to get a ramp to put my smart in the bed of his truck so I can ride back there and think I'm going fast. LOL They'll come around after the see it and ride in it.

[JPaul]

Hello 'brpster', and welcome!
For local news (and the first thread, a sticky named "map...") check out our
Mid-Atlantic Region - Smart Car of America Forums
And many smiling miles.

BTW: Are you getting yours at Tysons, Lindsay, or elsewhere?

[smartYsmileS]

~ Welcome & enjoy your new Smart! Be prepared for those funny comments from here on out

[brpster]

JPaul, I'm down in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area, so the new Checkered Flag Smart dealer is where I'm getting mine from.
Thanks Smarty, I know I'll get some funny comments, but oh well. I'll be the one laughing in the end.

[schefao]

good day, SMARTers,
i am soooo excited about my purchase and at the same time a little nervous...
for the last three years i have been driving a car in which i feel every hic-cup, noise, tick and/or uncertainty coming around the corner. i want my new baby SMART to take all of that away and give me peace of mind!!! so i am looking forward to driving around with my dogs and flaunting my good taste and eco-conscious self all over.
is the '09 version different from previous SMARTs? is the maintenance much more particular than "regular" vehicles, ie. oil change, fluids check, battery goo, etc?
will try NOT to explode with glee before the keys are handed to me...
great week-end to all!
schefao

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by brpster

Hello all. I live in Virginia. I pick up my new Smart fortwo pure tomorrow. Black cell, white panels, standard equipment, plus ac and tinted windows. Looking forward to getting it. My family is poking fun at me, my son drives a dodge 1500 and wants to know if I want him to get a ramp to put my smart in the bed of his truck so I can ride back there and think I'm going fast. LOL They'll come around after the see it and ride in it.

I get teased about my little car from my family too. My little car is a Fortwo Pure that is blue with a silver tridon. My brother asked what happened to the rest of the car. I told him they said it was 'half off' and I thought they meant the price and not the car. My sisters wanted photo proof that I could actually get into the car. I had my Dad take a photo of me in it. I am six feet tall and weight 325 pounds.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by brpster

Hello all. I live in Virginia. I pick up my new Smart fortwo pure tomorrow. Black cell, white panels, standard equipment, plus ac and tinted windows. Looking forward to getting it. My family is poking fun at me, my son drives a dodge 1500 and wants to know if I want him to get a ramp to put my smart in the bed of his truck so I can ride back there and think I'm going fast. LOL They'll come around after the see it and ride in it.

Welcome from the other Virginia! Let us know when you get your car and take a few pictures to share. You'll get used to the jokes - I end up playing along most times:

Q. How fast does it go?
A. Depends on how much I feed the hamsters/how fast I can pedal.

Q. Is it electric? (while filling at a gas station)
A. No, it's a hybrid - part windup and part gas. You can get 25 miles before you switch to gas or wind it up again. (I have a windup key on the back)

Q. Aren't you worried about getting hit by a semi/bus/train?
A. Yes, just as much I worried about in my Civic and I'm saving $300 a year in auto insurance.

Q. Can you really fit inside? (I'm 6'2" and 285lbs)
A. Actually, my office cubicle has almost the same amount of room.

Q. Aren't you afraid to get on the Interstate?
A. Not really, but I prefer to ride a motorcycle on the Interstate.

[gbryers]

Originally Posted by schefao

i am soooo excited about my purchase and at the same time a little nervous...

Yep, I think we all are/were. Only natural when dealing with something so radically new/different...

Originally Posted by schefao

for the last three years i have been driving a car in which i feel every hic-cup, noise, tick and/or uncertainty coming around the corner.

Hmmm... Better put in ear plugs and get a good seat pillow to sit on. The smart is a SMALL car, with a relatively stiff suspension, and is not weighed down with a whole lot of sound-damping stuff. However, if you are up to it, you can manage both, with some $$$ and a bit of effort on your part. There are mods posted here and elsewhere about installing sound-damping barriers to cut down on the noise, and there are a number of sources for both new springs and larger tires/rims that will help smooth the ride.

Originally Posted by schefao

i want my new baby SMART to take all of that away and give me peace of mind!!!

See above. One picky note - the car is called "smart", not "Smart" or "SMART" (just pointing it out, before the spelling mavens get to you)

Originally Posted by schefao

so i am looking forward to driving around with my dogs and flaunting my good taste and eco-conscious self all over.

And you should. The smart is a wonderful car, lots of fun to drive, and hopefully, you aren't bashful, because it will draw attention - you will get used to lots of questions - both thoughtful, and the "oh, duh!" variety. Lots of threads here to prep you on what to expect.

Originally Posted by schefao

is the '09 version different from previous SMARTs?

You need to break it down a bit more. The smart 451 - the model imported into the states, is more significantly different from its predecessor than the '08 is from the '09. The differences between the '08 and '09 can be read about all over the place - a few enhancements, a few new/changed options, and two new colors replacing two older colors. The older version (the 450) had different engines, and a number of cosmetic and functional differences.

Originally Posted by schefao

is the maintenance much more particular than "regular" vehicles, ie. oil change, fluids check, battery goo, etc?

So many questions, so little time... This is a "regular" vehicle. Infernal Combustion engine, the works. As such, it has tune-up, oil change, etc. requirements. The vary from others, depending on engine size, etc. Take a look at the owner's manual (there is a link on the left side of this, and every (within the SCOA site) under "Helpful Links" that will let you preview it.

Originally Posted by schefao

will try NOT to explode with glee before the keys are handed to me...

Good plan! Tough to enjoy the smart after self-detonation. ENJOY!

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by gbryers

Good plan! Tough to enjoy the smart after self-detonation. ENJOY!

Yes! LOL Sounds like a scene from a Monty Python movie.

So, is self-detonation similar to self-cremation? http://www.drsnippet.com

[gbryers]

Originally Posted by rfernatt

So, is self-detonation similar to self-cremation? http://www.drsnippet.com

Mostly, but the difference is that you go out with a "BANG" instead of a "woosh"