Any Orphan Buyers in NY/NJ/CT NOT pay for add-ons?

[jmatero]

Now that the initial mega-frenzy has died down a hair, many dealers in the North East seem to have at least 5+ orphans on the lot at any given time. The Smart Center in White Plains, NY (Ray Catena owned) has $2500-$3000+ in add-ons which include:

1. 5-year tire/wheel protection
2. 5-year roadside assist.
3. JVC Navigation system
4. Stolen Vehicle Sat tracking system

Needless to say, marking up a 15k car to almost 19k is really unsettling. Particularly when you can get a Mini Cooper for 19k and it comes with more room, better handling, free scheduled maint., better warranty, etc... and identical gas MPG figures.

Now, everyone at the dealership was quite friendly and knowledgeable but clearly stated there is no way the mark-ups are coming off. I could have walked in with cash and it wouldn't have mattered. Now, since none of the add-ons were even installed yet, I asked "Here's an idea: what if you keep the add-ons but I spring for the extended warranty?"

no go...

So my question is... has anyone in the northeast purchased their Smart ForTwo Orphan with NO add-ons? I'd love to pickup a passion or cabrio but they're pricing this car right out of the market.

[jimrb66]

Hi I was at Edison NJ smart center today (Ray C. operation) Thay had 7 orphans on lot and same deal as white plains 18k +I recall a guy who posts here picked a smart on Long Island with no extra add ons just comfort pkg.
Jimrb66

[SmartBob]

Yeah, Edison has one out front with a sticker at $14,400 then added on a bunch of Lojack and warranty extras bumping the price up to $17,500. They are gouging $995 for Lojack....what a rip.

[jmatero]

hey, how do you like the yaris?

[jwight]

Originally Posted by jmatero

hey, how do you like the yaris?

Please, let us not go there again. Thanks!

[gurps]

I contacted Edison, but because I was out of their area, they would only sell to me if they added on 5k of stuff. I want a smart and a part of the allure is the price/performance. The coolness doesn't have THAT great of a premium for me, a few less add ons and I might have bitten.

[SmartBob]

Originally Posted by jwight

Please, let us not go there again. Thanks!

LOL jwight....I'll PM him.

[anthony94114]

How can they add the tire protection and 5 year roadside assistance? When I bought my NON-orphan, that stuff was added on during the financing stage. It seems (though I wouldn't put it past a creative retailer to get around it) that since it's not a tangible item, attached to the car, you could just refuse it at the time-to-pay point. Just a thought.

Cool as the smart is, I think the virtues are harder to appreciate when you add $5k to the price. Also, you'll be paying sales tax on that much higher price too. Ouch!

[JThw8]

I bought my orphan at Edison with no add ons. Just got lucky I guess.

[craven3557]

No please tell us how do you like your Yaris?!!!;]