I'm suffering Waiter's Remorse

[randyzimmer]

As time goes by, I'm feeling like buying this car would be a mistake.
I was a big fan 10 years ago and it was on my, "must do" list when in Germany to test drive one.
I've had a model, talked it up and followed everything in print I could on the device.
I am an 1180, figuring Roger would shower me with insider swag until the car was here, meanwhile setting up an impeccable distribution network and dealerships with highly trained and motivated staff from top to bottom.
"Facts" now show that not one part of the plan is/was done well.
As of 1/25 our dealer has no parts catalog and pricing, one existing service guy spent one day at school - with no plans of hiring a specialist in service or parts, the world's worst warranty, mediocre gas mileage and besides the engine, it still is an EU product which isn't known for price/reliability/service cost nirvana and the list goes on.
Oh yeah, no knowledge of my reservation and the offer of nearly 6% financing with an 800+ credit score hasn't endeared me to it either.
My extended drive at the "Grand Opening" that had a dinner plate of fruit, popcorn and bottled water showed there's no way I'm parking the Subaru during the winter, the smart would just be another moving roadblock wandering and lunging from rut to rut, it's electronics taking control over my wishes.
The car would have been bought and gone if I'd been in the first batch but now I'm not so sure.
I hope the car is enough of a hit that a Jap version comes out that works like it should, the concept still appeals to me but this isn't the way I wanted it to turn out.

[jwight]

The good news is you get your $99 back (no interest, of course.) I'm having the same thoughts, to be honest.

[Smartdavis]

You make some excellent points. Waiting for this car might be a deal killer for many. Already orphans are popping up all over the place. Some people are getting cold feet or feeling like the price just doesn't make financial sense right now. If the car fails to impress we're gonna be stuck with a loser. If the car is a smash we can count on interesting imitators from China, Japan, Korea, and just about anywhere, and the second generation Smarts (if they make it) might turn out to be way way better. Better engines, transmission, all kinds of fun stuff might come down the road. Early adopters always take some risk. That's the fun of it. I remember all the struggles I had with the first Macintosh's. Think of this as an adventure!

[meaux61]

Toyota already has the IQ ready to go for Europe in 2010. If smart does well, they may bring it here sooner.

Meaux

p.s. I had some waiter's remorse late last night also....it went away.

[911k]

Originally Posted by randyzimmer

...figuring Roger would shower me with insider swag until the car was here, meanwhile setting up an impeccable distribution network and dealerships with highly trained and motivated staff from top to bottom.
"Facts" now show that not one part of the plan is/was done well.

I'm still going to buy my car "when" it arrives, but I'm already soured on the whole procedure. I configured on 11-17 and to date have not heard anything regarding when my car will be here. Penske obviously has the list of the next round of cars to be delivered, but they haven't released it to my dealer yet- my car wasn't in the first 26. All I get is "we'll call you when we have the new list". Very frustrating!

If Penske applied this procedure to his racing programs, we never would have seen one of his cars on the podium. I expected more from such a professional business organization.

[doc540]

"....the smart would just be another moving roadblock wandering and lunging from rut to rut, it's electronics taking control over my wishes."

[rerruf]

Sorry to say I am following your train of thought. I had not looked at lower priced cars for awhile, but after returning from our local car show I can say it was an eye opener. For the price of the smart you could buy a real car, trunk, back seat way better warranty, almost as good as gas mileage, with regular fuel no less. With GM offering rebates plu an extra $1,000 if you own a GM, plus the rebate from my GM credit card, of which GM just "rounded" me up to a total of $3,000 I could buy a nice car with a 5 year 60,000 mi warranty. When I read the smart engines may be shot after 80,000 miles that is worrisome, I could hit that in four years. My local dealer is even discounting Honda Civics $2,000 which puts it squarely in the smart price point. The longer I wait the more I think I may pass.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

You make some excellent points. Waiting for this car might be a deal killer for many. Already orphans are popping up all over the place. Some people are getting cold feet or feeling like the price just doesn't make financial sense right now. If the car fails to impress we're gonna be stuck with a loser. If the car is a smash we can count on interesting imitators from China, Japan, Korea, and just about anywhere, and the second generation Smarts (if they make it) might turn out to be way way better. Better engines, transmission, all kinds of fun stuff might come down the road. Early adopters always take some risk. That's the fun of it. I remember all the struggles I had with the first Macintosh's. Think of this as an adventure!

There are other "micro" cars out there this is the only one you can buy that is certified for use in th US. Waiting was a real PITA driving the car is a blast. My wife is barely taller than the car and myself at 6' are comfortable driving it. Just take turns plugging in the seat belts it is a lot narrower than a HUMMER.
karl

[SmartBob]

Well, for me, the Pure is the best way. I'm opting only for radio and A/C as I would with whatever I'd buy. The mileage isn't kick-a$$ but it's good. My insurance here matches that of my '98 Neon. Other cars can't touch that. I luv the look...it makes me smile. The tranny is like an automatic. This feature would cost you another $600-800 bones in another car.It suits all my needs as a bachelor. Nearly everyone that got their '08s love 'em. I'm in. I'm just waiting like I new I would since I put down the 99. Not looking to argue just pointing out why it's good for me. It's gonna be a blast and I can't wait.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by SmartBob

Well, for me, the Pure is the best way. I'm opting only for radio and A/C as I would with whatever I'd buy. The mileage isn't kick-a$$ but it's good. My insurance here matches that of my '98 Neon. Other cars can't touch that. I luv the look...it makes me smile. The tranny is like an automatic. This feature would cost you another $600-800 bones in another car.It suits all my needs as a bachelor. Nearly everyone that got their '08s love 'em. I'm in. I'm just waiting like I new I would since I put down the 99. Not looking to argue just pointing out why it's good for me. It's gonna be a blast and I can't wait.

I Think you will find it is worth the wait, they are a blast.