Newbie question about '08 vs. '09 model

[JD10367]

Hello, all. Just joined this forum. My wife and I saw Smarts in Europe in 9/07 and she immediately fell in love with the little things. We found out about Smart coming to America (and the waiting list) in 12/07 and joined up, and got a DDE of 3/09.

We were driving around one night in January, and she screamed and I almost ran off the road. "Smart!" she yells, and points to a new sign. We wandered over, and the door was open, so we went in. Apparently it hadn't even opened yet, and there were name badges lying about (it looked like the next day they'd be training regional reps or something). Lo and behold, like a treasure in an "Indiana Jones" film, three Smarts were sitting in spotlights in the darkened room. I said to the wife, "Honey, I don't think we're supposed to be in here," and she said, "Shut up and get in one!" (I'm 6'3" and 240# so it was nice to see that I actually had MORE room in the Smart than in my 1999 Saturn.) The keys were even in the seat; I'm surprised she didn't try to drive it down the stairs!

We both test-drove about a month after that, and have been anxiously watching our DDE creep up. It just ticked from 11/08 to 10/08.

Anyways, on to the question: does anyone know when the 2009 models come out? If so, what will be different about them? I'm wondering if there's a chance we'll end up with a 2009 model, and if there will be a price difference from what we got online when we reserved. On the other hand, I'd be willing to pay a price difference for an '09 if they make improvements; I know there have been some complaints about things both small and large, from the 1.0 HP engine and the premium fuel to the clunky shifting of the transmission.

Our little Passion guy is going to be black cell with blue panels, and I put my foot down for red interior so it would be distinctive. I'm going to call him Supercar.

[SPDYII]

Welcome to the forum. It's a great place with a lot of information about smart cars.

Sorry to have to tell you this, but no one has any solid information about 2009 models.

Everyone is looking for information about the 2009 models, but smart USA is keep it very close to the vest, for some reason.

[JD10367]

Thanks. It'll be interesting, since we'll probably (hopefully?) be getting our car around October, which IIRC is usually when dealerships begin stocking next year's models, no?

I'm on Page 3 of the threads, reading about all the little idiosynchracies, like the A/C being on when the vents are in defrost mode... Now that I know how to defeat it (i.e. move the dial slightly to one side or another), I hope they don't change THAT for next year. Although I also read about the sunscreens being shoddy, so maybe that will improve.

Is there a thread around here entitled, "Everything a new Smart owner should know, from how to shift the transmission to how to close the sunscreen without breaking it?" ROFL

[spdickey]

Did you configure yet? If you did you're in line for a 08. 09 start production this fall. Not a lot of changes for 09. Price going up, colors are changing (no more yellow). Production starts in the fall after the summer break.

Expect no transmission or engine changes next year. The micro-hybrid and electrics are further down the road. Diesel's are not even on the USA drawing board.

Check here for the German configure website smart.com - Konfigurator

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by spdickey

Did you configure yet? If you did you're in line for a 08. 09 start production this fall. Not a lot of changes for 09. Price going up, colors are changing (no more yellow). Production starts in the fall after the summer break.

Expect no transmission or engine changes next year. The micro-hybrid and electrics are further down the road. Diesel's are not even on the USA drawing board.

Yes, I configured back in April (although, just now, when I dug out the confirmation e-mail and clicked on the link it said "No configuration found"... I'll have to look into that!)

Good to know there wouldn't be many changes, though.

[SPDYII]

For 2009 model info. see the new sticky that was just created in the "Smart Car New & Rumors" section.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by SPDYII

For 2009 model info. see the new sticky that was just created in the "Smart Car New & Rumors" section.

Yes, I found that, thanks. Cargo nets on the side of the doors instead of plastic, and a "Loose Gas Cap" indicator light, along with some color changes. No big deal, which is good. I hate when they make too many changes. My wife has a 2003 Hyundai Elantra, and it looks like a very nice car, but the model years before it and after it don't look as good. Car companies tend to change things like headlight design, trunk design, etc.,. We want a Smart that looks like the ones we see now.

[SuperGeek]

Yeah, I think there's a lot of agreement that they did a great job with appearance. I don't want radical changes in that. What I do want for an upgrade in 2010 is plug in hybrid or electric. If I'm able to I would be willing to shell out two times the '08 purchase price for that. It'll be tough to make a full electric that cheap, so we'll have to see. I've had my eye on the Chevy Volt until Smart said they're working on full electrics... my loyalty is to Smart first; GM's burned trust and needs to earn it back.

[SEEBURG200]

I really hope they make 08, 09, and 10 models parts interchangeable. That would sure make it easy to get parts for us who got 08 models.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by SEEBURG200

I really hope they make 08, 09, and 10 models parts interchangeable. That would sure make it easy to get parts for us who got 08 models.

In view of Smartville/Europôle's general policy about "just-in-time" and other streamlining efforts, I'll bet that they'll keep as many parts interchangeable as possible.