Concerned due to demo models!

[NicelyMKV]

Hello, I am currently on the orphan list and have reserved a more customized smart. I am concerned because I went again to the dealership to take family for a test drive and was surprised at the demo models. One had 543 miles on it and the other had 2100. The passenger seat didnt work, service light was on, corner of roof panel over driver side was loose and was deafening while at speeds above 50. The one with 2100 miles on it kept trying to die while at stop lights etc. I asked why this was happening on new cars and 2 different sales people kind of smiled and said didnt we tell you before you drove it those things were messed up? My question never was answered and yes I could have pressed the issue but I figured all of your input would mean more to me.

Thanks in advance!

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by NicelyMKV

Hello, I am currently on the orphan list and have reserved a more customized smart. I am concerned because I went again to the dealership to take family for a test drive and was surprised at the demo models. One had 543 miles on it and the other had 2100. The passenger seat didnt work, service light was on, corner of roof panel over driver side was loose and was deafening while at speeds above 50. The one with 2100 miles on it kept trying to die while at stop lights etc. I asked why this was happening on new cars and 2 different sales people kind of smiled and said didnt we tell you before you drove it those things were messed up? My question never was answered and yes I could have pressed the issue but I figured all of your input would mean more to me.

Thanks in advance!

can't say i've heard of any problems like THIS. i think your DEALER is plain stupid for putting people in cars that have 'issues'.

you should post the name of the dealer and the staff you spoke to. maybe they'll see this thread and respond.........

[bradgarbus]

Why in the world would a dealer put broken down cars out for test drive?! Number 1, why did they allow them to get that way? Number 2, more to Jeepsters point, how could they be so stupid to put their selling samples in the hands of potential buyers if they were less than perfect?! Number 3, where the heck is the service manager in all this?

I have been back to my dealership several times scVABeach and they keep the test drive cars in pristine condition, always clean and running like brand new. They even added the chrome package just to show off the look of the package...

My advice would be to post the dealers info here, then RUN not walk to your next closest dealership. I wouldn't trust my new car to them. With that sort of attitude, I wouldn't expect them to be in business long. Hmm, I wonder if smart corporate knows about this? I am sure they wouldn't like it...

My gut feeling is that some of the issues you described could also be related to the car being dogged while still within the break-in period. People want to see what the car can do so they are extra rough with them. However the other issues are obvious abuse issues, as no one has mentioned any of these on the forums that I am aware of...

The way the sales people responded tells me they shouldn't be sales people...

In conclusion, I wouldn't be worried about the smart car quality as much as the dealership quality...

[NicelyMKV]

Thanks for the replies.

It just ticked me off because I was really wanting to show it off and both demo models had issues. There are so many skeptics out there and I feel these kind of vehicles need to be accepted before we can move ahead. It dosent help when the demos are trashed and the sales staff cant answer your questions. They were walking around trying to come up with catchy slogans .

Thanks again. I think I will leave the dealerships name out for now but if it continues I will take further action.

[SuperGeek]

Those were demo models? Those should be the top running, most well serviced vehicles they have. My inclination is to avoid that dealer at all costs. This shows that they don't care enough to service their own, and they won't give you a minute more attention than required.

The car is designed well, is solid on its own, and shouldn't be considered low quality based on your experience. As a happy smart owner for 1 month and 1,002 miles... I think the problem is with your dealer and hope you can find an alternate. Make sure they know your concerns; management can only improve the deficiencies they know about.

[Dunerunner]

NicelyMKV, you're just too nice!! Dealerships like this are the ones PAG needs to know about. They are negative selling the product. The dealership won't read your post, they cannot have much concern for their business if they are putting folks on the road in sub standard demos.

[Flashman]

I, for one, am somewhat skeptical of this posting. This person joined yesterday, does not put in his profile what part of the US he is at, and then makes the accusations that suggest lower-than-normal reliability about demo models at some unmentioned dealer. Just being skeptical, that's all.

[SmartPassion]

The smart is not perfect and doubt dealers are either. But I agree. This sounds too suspicious. What dealer who invested thousands in this enterprise would allow the DEMO to have such defects?

Post up some real verifiable information.

Originally Posted by Flashman

I, for one, am somewhat skeptical of this posting. This person joined yesterday, does not put in his profile what part of the US he is at, and then makes the accusations that suggest lower-than-normal reliability about demo models at some unmentioned dealer. Just being skeptical, that's all.

[Hauser]

It's anybody's guess why these cars were in need of repair.

I have one theory. Could parts have been sacrificed off these demos of hard to get parts from Germany to keep customers happy with their cars?????

[Dunerunner]

Well, 2 posts and gone?