How long of a waiting list

GliderDude · 09-11-2007, 06:58 PM

Hey folks,

I'm officially in love with the smart fortwo and had a blast at the test drive. I just head that due to production limitations they will only be bringing 16000 units to the US on 2008, against some 45000 reservations. Is the importing expected to pick up in 2009? How long of a waiting list do you think this will translate into?

I'll be finishing college in december, and there are lots of jobs in my feild but I don't yet have one waiting for me just yet, so I'm sorta reluctant on putting in my $99. Should I just do it now because I'll be sitting on a waiting list for so long?

Finally, what do we know about a satellite radio addition. The guy at the demo tour said they would be offering Sirius (and one of the demo models actually had it) but it's not listed in the options on the smartusa site.

Thanks

SmartCard · 09-11-2007, 08:31 PM

The answer to your question is anyone's guess. US Production totals for 2008 may have already been bumped up to 20,000 units.....whether it will (can?) go any higher in future years. I think the 45,000 reservation number is way high, it might be nearer 30,000 at this point. Suffice it to say, most believe the 2008 production run is spoken for. My guess is the reservation system won't stay open forever, especially after the dealers open next year, so I'd suggest to submit your $99 to get a jump on 2009. You can always get it back if someother route to a Smart comes available to you.

As far as the Sirius radio, perhaps that might be consider an accessory (there's a separate accessory catalog) and not listed in the short factory option list.

spdickey · 11-13-2007, 08:07 AM

Another idea is to cuddle up with a couple of smart dealers. There will be fallout from the reserved cars and those will be available to the $mart ones.

fzanetti · 03-03-2008, 09:27 AM

Dealers are saying anywhere between 9 months and 1 year....

Sucks...

Flavio Zanetti
Boston, MA

Stefo14 · 05-10-2008, 04:48 PM

I was just at the dealer this weekend and was told I could have my car in 16 months! Thats a long time to wait.

**JPaul** · 05-10-2008, 05:12 PM

But it'll be a custom made original... Priceless!

lowndex · 05-10-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GliderDude

Hey folks,

I'm officially in love with the smart fortwo and had a blast at the test drive. I just head that due to production limitations they will only be bringing 16000 units to the US on 2008, against some 45000 reservations. Is the importing expected to pick up in 2009? How long of a waiting list do you think this will translate into?

I'll be finishing college in december, and there are lots of jobs in my feild but I don't yet have one waiting for me just yet, so I'm sorta reluctant on putting in my $99. Should I just do it now because I'll be sitting on a waiting list for so long?

Finally, what do we know about a satellite radio addition. The guy at the demo tour said they would be offering Sirius (and one of the demo models actually had it) but it's not listed in the options on the smartusa site.

Thanks

I paid my local dealer install the Eclipse DVD/Nav head unit, speakers, amp, subwoofer. I ensured my dealer did not charge for Sirius and used the VTR auxillary input for XM installation instead. XM has much betetr sound quality than Sirius.

pluto · 05-10-2008, 08:35 PM

I would go ahead and reserve. The $99 is refundable (really easy to do- I called and got mine back within 2 weeks after I got my orphan, no hassle), so you can cancel it if your situation or your mind changes. With delivery date estimations at 12+ months (looking more like 18), it will be good to already be in line.
And if you decide you want your car sooner, get on some orphan lists at a few dealerships. I got a call the next day and had my car in a week.
Best of luck!

unicycle · 05-11-2008, 06:55 AM

As noted in my first-ever post yesterday, I called my dealership two weeks ago and mentioned that I had no color preferences; any 'extra' car that came in, I'd take it. The lady at the dealership told me to put in my $99 reservation, and I did that around May 5 or 6th. Sure enough, a shipment arrived the next day, and there was a car left over (dealer overstock?). I snatched it up.

I'm now the proud owner of a Smart Passion, black-on-black with red seats. It's awesome.

If you're not overly concerned with color pref's, I'd go that route.

jefferios · 05-11-2008, 07:04 AM

I hear its a 20 month wait now...

I am going to put a Sirius external Sportster in my Smart. I've seen posts on how easy the installation is here on the site.