Nearly convinced... (Re: buying)

[windscythe]

Annapolis is a great dealership on both the sales and service ends. In fact, even though I live in Fairfax, VA I still make the hour drive over there on the rare occasion that I need something done just because I'm comfortable with them and know they will do the job right.

I take my smart on the interstates and highways all the time and never have any problems getting up to speed, passing, lane changing, etc. Even with the 2.0 upgrade to my 2008 I don't have enough confidence in the transmission to let it make decisions for me- so I'm a 100% manual mode driver.

The smart is so agile that it's a blast to drive. Every time I make a turn or parking maneuver that would have been impossible in my Camry I smile. As far as cornering, it's far from the best in the world, but it handles itself well. I took a trip up to PA through the mountains and had fun just letting it run down switchbacks.

[Agent 99]

Originally Posted by ChargerGuy86

I can't stand driving boring cars

Boring is one thing this little car will never be!

[gstreetcomic]

I have a 2008 Pure and even though it the basic car, i have a blast driving it everyday and it is my daily driver. I go on the beltway very often and i have gone as far as CHesterfield, VA, and even once took it on Skyline Drive. It responded very well to the curves and hills there. As far as the attention, yes you will certainly get noticed and i get a string of Q and A sessions everywhere i go as i work at some Home Depots in the area and am well identified by my Smart.
Now if i never have a dull moment in my Smart imagine the fun you will have in a Cabrio, and there are times i wished i had had one. Maybe next car, but seriously, you will love the Smart a lot.

[Z06-LITE]

I am 62 and have had a large number of special interest cars over the years. Currently, I have a 2004 Corvette Z06, a 1923 Ford Model T street rod, a 2007 JZR three wheel cycle car from England, a customized 2004 Dodge dually diesel, and a 2004 Nissan Quest van for a daily driver. I have a black Brabus on order that should be in most any time now. My reason for the above is to explain that I am used to very powerful "look at me" cars and I can't wait for my Smart to arrive. In fact, it will become my daily driver as I am selling the Dodge truck and my wife will drive the Nissan van. I have been crazy about the Smart for many years and should have bought one earlier, but when I found out about the Brabus, I knew I had to have it. I know, only 70 horse power, but I don't care, I really look forward to the sheer pleasure of a slow cruise down a winding road. Get one, you won't look back, George.

[jwight]

Hmmmm...where are all those who posted about the harsh ride, jerky transmission, handling in the wind and all the various electrical gremlins (alarm, locks, etc.) Must have taken the day off.

[Kermit]

I now drive in constant fear that a Mercedes C class is going to single me out for a head on collision.

Oddly enough I drive mine like I stole it from someone who didn't report it stolen. Somewhere between a grandma and a lunatic.

[nprsmart]

Originally Posted by ChargerGuy86

Thanks, I was actually curious as to the amount of haggling I could do but forgot to ask. I'm one of those people that hates to pay sticker. I do agree it seems a bit over priced but I would have purchased most of the stuff that comes in the package anyways so I figure it isn't all bad. On top of not paying sticker I also have a habit of never leaving my cars stock for very long so hopefully I'll add some go to the show...

I would REALLY encourage you to take a test drive. If you like the way the car rides and handles, it is a great foundation for building a custom ride that is exactly what you want. If you don't like the ride and handling, nothing you do to it is going to make it any more enjoyable. A close friend bought a cabrio and hated it so much he traded it in within a couple of months. I've had mine a year now and absolutely love it.

Since you don't leave things stock for long, you might consider buying a standard passion cabrio and spend the difference on custom toys. There are no extra horses as part of the Brabus package.

I can hardly wait this morning to pop the bike rack onto my hitch, load up my bike, and go pick up my nephew so we can go bike riding. Naturally, I'll drop the cabrio top before setting out.

Last Sunday I drove all over north Florida with 18 other smart cars. Next Saturday, I'll be cruising Old Town in Kissimmee with 100 other smart cars. The smart car owners I've met are a diverse group, but the one thing they have in common is that they love any excuse to hop in their fortwo and go for a ride.

In addition to the hitch, I've also installed sat. radio, front license plate holder, and a scangauge. I found all of them on this forum. Future upgrades, when cash flow permits, are going to include an armrest, custom seat covers, and various cosmetic upgrades inside.

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by gstreetcomic

I have a 2008 Pure and even though it the basic car, i have a blast driving it everyday and it is my daily driver. I go on the beltway very often and i have gone as far as CHesterfield, VA, and even once took it on Skyline Drive. It responded very well to the curves and hills there. As far as the attention, yes you will certainly get noticed and i get a string of Q and A sessions everywhere i go as i work at some Home Depots in the area and am well identified by my Smart.
Now if i never have a dull moment in my Smart imagine the fun you will have in a Cabrio, and there are times i wished i had had one. Maybe next car, but seriously, you will love the Smart a lot.

I also have a pure. I agree, it is a lot of fun to drive.

[suemac]

BUY IT! I picked up my Smart (Pure, red, cute as a bug) last Saturday, and it's a lot of fun to drive. I learned to drive in a 1947 Willy's Jeep that my dad owned, and the Smart is EVERY BIT as fun as the Jeep. Even if the dealer is two hours away, it's a Smart. (Cross your fingers) you won't need to visit the dealer all that often.

That's why they call them SmartCars.Right?

[BigWarpGuy]

Now look at the watch. Watch it move back and forth. See the Smart logo on it. Now repeat after me, 'I want a Smart. I want to have fun driving it, I want ...

oh wait, you can not see the watch. Never mind.