My Car Won't Start! [3 lines thru "P"]

[paroyboy]

I've owned lots of cars that came with roadside assistance. I believe all of them will tow the car to the nearest dealer but none of them would return it. Not busting on you because I've let emotions speak for me before too. I bought my orphan in October after reading the forums for a few months. I knew about the potential issues and the fact that a dealer wasnt right around the corner. From reports on here, smartUSA has had trouble geting the 72 dealers trained. Can you imagine if they opened up all MB dealrships to smart?

[a2jack]

This is a trip down memory lane. We went through all of the above with our car a 1-08 build.

But, we got all the fixes, and learned most of tricks seen on this forum, and have had no more problems. (now at 21k)

We do live about an hour from the dealer, but that didn't help when the car kept trying strand my wife while on a reunion up in Canada. By then she had learned it's tricks an was able to keep going.

I would never buy a Smart built in 12-7, 1-08, or 2-08, unless there was paper to prove all the fixes. A2Jack.

[gvoeller]

again, I would understand if this was normal wear and tear in a car not in warranty. This is a new car, under warranty with a known manufacturing defect. I think for them to expect us to pay for their poor manufacturing and build quality and lack of dealerships to take care of their "screw-ups" is bad business and sad to say the least. As the rest of you I have people every day ask me if they should get a Smart car. I used to answer yes but now has certainly changed.

[mdfortwoguy]

No one made you buy the car, and no one is making you keep it.

It's not as if your dealer closed up shop after you bought the car and the next dealer was 3 hours away - did you expect that it would be towed and delivered every time it needed warranty service?

[gstreetcomic]

Im with you on that one. There is a thing called AAA if one has it, and no dealer would ever close up shop like that. I do beleve that there is a ting called "personal choice". Now that three bars thing does have me concerned, but fortunately, my car was manufactured 6-08 which is past that red flag stage, and i have 5900 on my car at that.
Another thing to think about, this is a new car to the US so of course things can happen along the way as this is a second gerneration Smart we are referring to here. BTW the 09 model i understand has some improvements.

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

No one made you buy the car, and no one is making you keep it.

It's not as if your dealer closed up shop after you bought the car and the next dealer was 3 hours away - did you expect that it would be towed and delivered every time it needed warranty service?

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by gvoeller

again, I would understand if this was normal wear and tear in a car not in warranty. This is a new car, under warranty with a known manufacturing defect. I think for them to expect us to pay for their poor manufacturing and build quality and lack of dealerships to take care of their "screw-ups" is bad business and sad to say the least. As the rest of you I have people every day ask me if they should get a Smart car. I used to answer yes but now has certainly changed.

If you'd like someone to take it over let me know...

[gvoeller]

Yes. I would expect a good business to do so but I guess I am expecting to much. Our Mercedes dealer here is just as bad and has a terrible reputation and I guess I should have expected the same. It is a Cabriolet, silver and black with everything. You have to go to Jackson, MS to get it. Got it in April, has 2500 miles and has everything. Paid $18,590. Make me an offer.

[NuBiker]

I just wish they would make a service manual available for the car. That way, I could take it to an independent dealer if my dealer was not available.

[Blueballz]

Is there a straight manual option? I've been reading a lot, (since I have a year+ to wait :lol), and the transmission
seems to be a problem. I don't care if it's an "easy fix"; when you're stuck in bumble****, it's not
an easy fix, unless you've read this post. Also, is a hayabusa engine upgrade possible?

[hayduke]

Finally happened. BUT I am 130 miles from Niello in Sacramento! Called Roadside. 1.5 hours later my car was on the way to Sacramento! Next weekend I picked it up w/ a new shift assy. All well. Jennifer at Niello was VERY good and a pleasure to deal with!