Orphan Hunting in the Free World...

[Orphan-Beggar]

Thanks for the responses-
The orphan purchase can be tricky-dealers probably prefer to sell to those in their assigned zip code region, avoiding a 2% dealer penalty.
The WAIT and ANTICIPATION of orphan calls from dealers will become overwhelmingly frustrating.
The "orphan lists" vary among dealers-some require refundable deposits, etc.

My strategy, other than the "Weekend at Bernies" transfer, and Make-A-Wish approach, became:
-Act immediately if a dealer calls, with multiple home addresses, if necessary.
-Indicate all models, all colors, as sufficient, when asked

[Carnut]

Jusy found one! Ok, not a Pure, but maybe Passion is more fun than Pure. Picking "Max" up 2/15/08 barring any snags. Full details will follow.
I love it when a plan comes together!

[Orphan-Beggar]

Feel free to offer a deposit and/or camp out at the dealership! Congrats

[SooBig]

I'd like to say congrats, but a scab is a scab. It's like the type of person who passes you on the right in a traffic back-up, just to cut back in well past the allowable distance. This type of behavior on your and the dealers part is the thread that is ruining our country. What ever happened to integrity, etc.

[Orphan-Beggar]

Orphan adoptees abide by the individual dealer policies.

Many of the dealers I spoke to were NOT well prepared for creating orphan policies.

When calling some dealers, THEY THOUGHT I was from headquarters instructing THEM how to handle their first orphan!

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by SooBig

I'd like to say congrats, but a scab is a scab. It's like the type of person who passes you on the right in a traffic back-up, just to cut back in well past the allowable distance. This type of behavior on your and the dealers part is the thread that is ruining our country. What ever happened to integrity, etc.

Please don't blame us orphan hunters if dealers are willing to sell us a car. We didn't make the rules. All we wanted was a really great car and so we bought one. I would love for everyone to own one, so this isn't about any kind of competition. It's about a new type of car coming to America (and it's also about the future of the kind of cars that will be built). The more that buy the Smart it the merrier in my book. It's a great car and it's good for the planet. I don't think that really ruins anything. As to car dealers, they need to make a profit, and it kind of helps if people are driving them sooner rather than later.

[Orphan-Beggar]

Chances are, many orphans will be sold to lucky buyers, when adoptees configure and take delivery of their first choice. (win/win)

The base radio is sufficient-I am not an audio expert

I have yet to drive one without power steering

[Smartdavis]

The lack of power steering is not noticeable. I have driven both and really enjoy the manual. I agree the basic radio seems sufficient. Maybe the addition of a couple of speakers might make the sound a big bigger. For me it's not about the radio, but the fact there is nothing in front, and nothing behind. That alone makes the driving so much fun.

[Orphan-Beggar]

Windy weather and steering?
Is manual better, especially at higher speeds? Less veer?

I also wish to silence locking/unlocking (alarm). Saw a thread on this earlier.

[angel]

Congrats Orphan-Beggar. I don't begrudge you for being able to get a smart. I do find it frustrating from my perspective though. If they had thought out the process a bit better they could have required the down payment to become non-refundable at time of configuration. Then people who were not committed to taking delivery wouldn't be as much of an issue. Thus there might not be so many of us butt hurt over the fact that 1400's and those that never paid the $99 are getting theirs before many of us that have been waiting since May or earlier.