Omaha Dealer Update

[Vlad92]

I hear you Ativan! I just didn't want leather seats so I had to take this route. As far as the rain sensing wipers they are really nice (my Saab has them), but I don't intend on driving my Smart in anything but nice weather so it would be a waste. I haven't gotten my paperwork yet to register, but glad to hear you paved the way. I'll do it as soon as I got it (I always get nervious driving around a new car as someone might be more inclined to damage it).

[Smartdavis]

I'll toss in my two cents on power steering. My car came without because it was an orphan. I was skeptical at first, but after driving it for a few minutes I was sold. The car is just so light, and the road sensation so positive, that you feel like you're driving a race car. Kind of hard to describe but these little cars are so naturally nimble that the manual steering just seems to add to the experience. It just doesn't take any real effort to turn the car even if you are stopped. I suppose if all your driving is going to be parallel parking maneuvers you might have a different view, but for me the car just turns like silk. So there you go.

[Ativan]

For all of us that have had the smarts out to drive, do you use the paddle shifters or let it shift on its own? I started to use the paddle shifters more and more. The computer tends to rev up the engine too high.

[Vlad92]

Anyone else doing the photo shoot tomorrow (Wednesday) morning in the Old Market? The media relations firm told me there is a "group" of Smart owners meeting there to do a group photo followed by some individual photos. I was told to be there around 9:30 with my car. This is Omaha One magazine and some other publications I assume (all sponsored by the dealership).

[Ativan]

Apparently you are the only celebrity here Vlad.

[Vlad92]

Not just me... there were 3 of us owners and Ryan with a demo that showed up to have our pictures taken... Barb, Sara, and myself. Sara brought her dog which made for some nice pictures. Did some group shots and then some individual ones all in that intersection by the Spaghetti Works in the Old Market. Pictures were for "B2B" magazine (I had never heard of them). Not sure when the story will run, but we were all promised copies of the magazine when it does. I asked if we could get some photos emailed, but was told they were property of the photographer so that might not be possible. In the excitement I forgot my camera so I did not get any photos.

One quick update for all of you working with Ryan... I'm sure he has communicated this, but he leaves for Vienna Sunday as part of UNO's study abroad program and will be out of the picture for the foreseeable future. I think he said 6 months (but I could be wrong). Not sure if a replacement has been identifed, but you will want to shift your attention to TJ for now (at least that is what I've been told as I keep bugging them about my Chrome Package).

[huskrbb]

Vlad, I was asked by Ryan to go but I had to work. I picked up a all black passion orphan last Saturday.

[Vlad92]

Congrats huskrrb! Very nice!

Anyone else got their cars yet? It has been pretty quiet on this thread. Also an observation (for what it's worth)... I've been to the dealership twice now in the last two weeks (to check the status of my chrome package - still back ordered) and noticed both time the show room had 4 to 5 people looking around not being helped at all. I couldn't find TJ both times and no other salesman was around. I know Ryan is in Europe now, but one would think they would hire a replacement quickly. I found myself answering a bunch of questions while there. Not that I have the time for it, but wonder if they'd hire me part time to come in on Saturdays and help out (I'm no car salesman, but it might be fun!) Anyone else observed the same thing? (Hopefully it was just me!)

[Ativan]

The service sucks. Phone calls are not answered, they say they will do things and don't. The novelty of the car will wear off in one or two years and then they will be in trouble if they do not work on their customer service.

[IASmartie]

I've got a Convertible reserved (#1202) but I'm thinking about dropping it. $20,000 is a little high right now. We are still paying for my wife's Solstice. The dealership is over 100 miles from here and there have been quite a few issues with the car. The Omaha doc fee is 279, Minniapolis is 50. There will probably be a other power options in a couple years (diesel?, electric?, hybred?) And you guys aren't reporting good service. I hate to reward bad service with my business.

Only time will tell. I have had no communication directed at me by anyone with smart after I configured on 12/4 exept a very unhelpful email.