Orphan success stories? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

paroyboy · 10-09-2008, 12:02 AM

Put my reservation in last week and called a dealer the next day to be put on the orphan list and was immediately offered a Cabrio. (I want a Passion) Went to the dealer for a test drive and was offered two Cabrios and a Passion but they were all loaded up with every concievable do-dad that could be dealer installed which put the prices $3-4K over MSRP. Got another call this evening offering a different Cabrio and you guessed it, $20K! Has anyone bought an orphan right off the truck or is it common practice for the dealership to add all the stuff to make more off the sale? I dont mind paying extra for something I want but all the bling is a bit much and I have no interest in Lo-Jac at all.

NCC1701 · 10-09-2008, 12:12 AM

I don't know what extras were added to the orphan cabrio to bring it to 20K, BUT ...
That is not outrageously over MSRP for a fully loaded Passion Cabrio.

And, yes, from this forum and the other one, loading up orphans with dealer installed options is common.

jefferios · 10-09-2008, 07:02 AM

Depnds on location....but I do not know how true that statement is anymore. Anyway I got my orphan from Minneapolis, with a $100 in ad-ons. FloorMats and A Rear Cargo Net.

Dave Van · 10-09-2008, 07:55 AM

I bought a Pure orphan from Bobby Rahal MB/Smart in April. It was sold at MSRP sticker with no add ons. In fact they did not even charge me the transportation fees! The deal was so good I bought the car I ordered too!

paroyboy · 10-09-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCC1701

I don't know what extras were added to the orphan cabrio to bring it to 20K, BUT ...
That is not outrageously over MSRP for a fully loaded Passion Cabrio.

If it was loaded at the factory, thats one thing. The window sticker on the $19K Cabrio I saw had power steering added. That was it. No leather, no upgraded stereo, no instrument pods. It was $3000 (minus dest) in dealer installed items. The $800 Lo-Jac is the biggest chunk of it. Still, I'm very surprised that I've been offered four cars in less than a week!
I understand the dealers side since they are only making about $1,000 on each car (7%) But I would rather get the car now and add what I want over time. I'm also pretty loyal to a dealership vs buying on the internet if I'm treated well. Being force fed accessories isnt the best start to that relationship.

On a much more positive note, I called and got a quote on insurance. I was worried with it being a new model, size, etc. $366 for a year, full coverage. Not too bad!

BigWarpGuy · 10-09-2008, 09:21 AM

Perhaps some one who bought an orphan car would call it 'Annie'? (from the movie/musical Orphan Annie'?

).

cirofeola · 10-09-2008, 09:43 AM

When I was put on the orphan list at my dealer I told them I did not want any thing added on. Two months later they called me. The only thing extra besides the factory installed options were floor mats. My guess is maybe when they got to my name on the list they called me before they added any thing. The car was fully loaded from the factory though which they had no control over. I took the car. $16,387 sticker, about $18,000 out the door.

bottlerocket · 10-09-2008, 10:52 AM

I bought my orphan sticker

SubSlr88 · 10-09-2008, 11:22 AM

I got my orphan about two months after reserving. The only thing dealer added was window tint, paint protection and fabric protection - maybe $700 over list. Window tint is a no-brainer in FL and the rest is nice to have, even if a bit overpriced. If I spill something un-removable on the seat they'll replace it!

Orphan-Beggar · 10-09-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paroyboy

Put my reservation in last week and called a dealer the next day to be put on the orphan list.... Has anyone bought an orphan right off the truck or is it common practice for the dealership to add all the stuff to make more off the sale?

Try calling more dealers-
It is often common practice for dealers to add to orphans