Questions before I buy one!

[dpfsharkbait]

I had a few questions before I add my name to the list!
First, I have several vehicles here for myself and my children. We also road course a car quite a bit. This hobby is getting expensive with the fuel costs, and the cost to pull a 8,000 pound trailer to each event!
So the idea of a Smart car came up to fill a few voids. It would be fun to drive around and save a lot of fuel, and possibly run in local autocrosses.
This was question number one! Has anyone done this on a regular basis? And how did the smart perform?
Second, what is the order/waiting list deal.
What is the actual wait time now that people are seeing? And why do some dealerships have 20 or more in stock? What is actual amount people are paying for them?
Thanks, and sorry about the noob questions

[jwight]

Hi! Couple of people have autocrossed them; here's a new video:

YouTube - "Screaming Cow" smart car vs Fiero

YouTube - "Screaming Cow" smart car vs Fiero

Order one from smart USA - open your mind to the car that challenges the status quo w/refundable $99 deposit, wait 18 months or so. Or, get on dealers orphan list and if you're not too particular get one sooner.

Dealer with 20 in stock? Location please - lots of folks would like to know about that!

[dpfsharkbait]

It's Loeber motors- I don't have enough posts to put up a link!

[paul c]

Originally Posted by dpfsharkbait

It's Loeber motors- I don't have enough posts to put up a link!

I'm sure you're referring to the listing on Autotrader. These cars are not for sale but were automatically posted to Autotrader upon receipt. A few other dealers make the same mistake.

[Alan_Hepburn]

Originally Posted by jwight

Dealer with 20 in stock? Location please - lots of folks would like to know about that!

Driving by a dealer and seeing 20 cars on the lot is misleading - every one of those cars will have a small sticker on the windshield with the name of a reserver. So, while the car is on the lot, it may not be "in stock" because it's been ordered by someone...

[burtandnancy]

jwight is right on. Look up smartcar on You Tube, there is a lot of info there. All you need is a 400 hp turbo charged Hayabusa to really make them go, and a set of brakes to make them stop...

[dpfsharkbait]

I know all about turbos from my track cars. I guess the real hesitation is the cars handling. Are they top heavy in turns? And yes, I saw skid pad videos, but no real numbers.
I would be inclined to mod it on day one, so I am also asking about the handling with the currently available aftermarket parts.

[angel]

I don't know.
But it's quirky, playful and fun to drive.
Welcome to the forums!

[kannonvaggon]

The car isn't as "tippy" as folks may think. It WILL understeer at all times due to ESP control and skinny fronts. With ESP disabled and some wider fronts I'm thinkin it would hang out pretty decently. A lowering kit with adjustable springs/shocks would get the inside front to behave probably. There is enough "power" to be fun.

These cars handle twisties GREAT, but the super tight turning radius needed with forward bite is just not there in a small car with ESP even though it has the rear weight bias. The chassis feels quite stiff enough to me, and with a bit of finagling of the ESP and EPS along with some meat on the front... I think it would cross pretty nicely. Might have to be in " Z production " class though.....

;-)

[spikey01]

The wait is One year to Two years.