High Orphan Rate? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Chuck I · 08-11-2008, 07:17 AM

I was in Virginia Beach, VA over the weekend and the Sales Rep there was saying their Orphan rate was 25%. That sure seems high to me, but I guess some folks get tired waiting. Even at that rate, he said their Orphan waiting list was about 6 months. Interesting.... Does anyone know the Orphan rate any place else?

artistalana · 08-11-2008, 07:36 AM

I heard yesterday that orphans are getting fewer and fewer. I bought one of two orphan convertibles that came in to San Antone yesterday and it was after I bought it that this conversation came up. I know some areas I talked to had a year long wait even for an orphan...

Dunerunner · 08-11-2008, 08:42 AM

smart center Sacramento said their highest Orphan rate is with Cabriolets as folks start to realize the A/C has difficulty keeping up with the heat generated in the cabin and it's too hot for running with the top open. They had three on the lot when I visited.

PassionforPassionCT · 08-11-2008, 10:00 AM

Smart Center Fairfield has about 6 or so orphans as of last week. It looks like as I drove by today from the highway that they have 2 left. I was suprised there were that many in a lot. But I have heard them say that one truckload was orphaned. They all sold within a week.

danag · 08-11-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

smart center Sacramento said their highest Orphan rate is with Cabriolets as folks start to realize the A/C has difficulty keeping up with the heat generated in the cabin and it's too hot for running with the top open. They had three on the lot when I visited.

I'm confused, what do you mean when you said the A/C has difficulty keeping up with the heat generated in the cabin? Do you mean the AC on with the top down?

buellwinkle · 08-11-2008, 10:10 AM

I wanted a Passion Coupe originally. Then after test driving it we decided on the Cabrio because of the heat generated from the clear panel roof. The Cabrio has an insulated top and while the top is up, the A/C keeps up pretty well with the heat in So Cal. Of course with the top fully down, windows open, no A/C will keep you cool and I would classify people that would think so as having a learning disability (I don't think we can say stupid anymore, LOL).

Springlering · 08-11-2008, 10:38 AM

I ride with the top down about 80-90% of the time, Atlanta heat notwithstanding. Very pleasant and comfortable. I would never run AC with the top down. With the top up, AC chills just fine.

Perhaps he meant the Passion and not the cabrio?

Oddly, I do have to run the defrost sometimes with the top down. But had the same problem with the SLK, so it's nothing to fret over.

PassionforPassionCT · 08-11-2008, 10:41 AM

I never quite understood those people that run with the top down AND the A/C on.
That would be just as stupid as driving with AC and windows open.
But then again, most of the time its more expensive cars, and those people have money to burn.

SmartPassion · 08-11-2008, 10:54 AM

Maybe it depends on area. While the A/C may not turn the cabin into a freezer, I think it keeps up ok in a cabrio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

smart center Sacramento said their highest Orphan rate is with Cabriolets as folks start to realize the A/C has difficulty keeping up with the heat generated in the cabin and it's too hot for running with the top open. They had three on the lot when I visited.

GHammerly · 08-11-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PassionforPassionCT

I never quite understood those people that run with the top down AND the A/C on.
That would be just as stupid as driving with AC and windows open.
But then again, most of the time its more expensive cars, and those people have money to burn.

People are willing to pay for comfort, you can even buy motorcycles with heat and A/C.