Orphans

[mak625]

Has anyone actually been called about an orphan? How available are they? I have one on reservation and expect it this week, however, I changed my mind on the options and would like to find an Orphan with my desired options: a sliver metallic body with silver metallic tridion Smart Passion Coupe with the Comfort package (black or gray leather seats), fog lamps, premium radio and anti-theft alarm system. The car I ordered is silver/silver with black cloth seats and premium radio. Thanks.

[Smartdavis]

If you are on an orphan list you will eventually get a call. I got called twice. The first time I couldn't get to the dealer in time. The second time I said "yes" immediately even though the colors and options were different from my first choice. I do not regret jumping on this car! The best strategy is to never turn off your cell phone and to be willing to take just about any combination. The orphan lists appear to be getting longer so I wouldn't be picky. The car is modular so color changes and add-on's later are not difficult. In the meantime you get to drive one sooner.

[Nonni]

We purchased a Orphan. The sales person at Herb Chambers in Lynnfield MA told me that the car is instaled with Dealer items that I had to pay for.
I was happy to get the car in just 2 days so I agreed. Well after inspecting the vehicle I noticed that the Venture shield was not in place, there was no paperwork for the 5 year fabric protectant and the Lojack was installed after I gave the down payment. I approched the dealer, they are refunding my $595 for the shield, swear they applied the $595 fabric care but dont have a reciept and cant give me a reason for the lojack install after the fact.

[Smartdavis]

Some car dealers are better than others. It's always smart to ask questions.

[Container_Guy]

We were lucky enough to snag an orphan last week. Black /Black/Beige Passion Coupe. The VIN has been assigned, it supposedly left the factory, but I cannot find it on the ocean carriers site when tracking via the VIN. So who knows when it will actually arrive in the US?

The car is a basic Passion Coupe with no options and we already gave the dealer a down payment on the vehicle. Nothing else will be added to the car.

We are excited to receive it, but cautiously optimistic on the time it will take.

Our only concern is the lack of power steering and how difficult it will be to drive without it. The dealership did not have any test drive cars without the PS option. I wish it had the silver Tridon, but will settle for the black to shorten the lead-time by 14 months.

[Tenn_Brad]

Originally Posted by Container_Guy

Our only concern is the lack of power steering and how difficult it will be to drive without it. The dealership did not have any test drive cars without the PS option. I wish it had the silver Tridon, but will settle for the black to shorten the lead-time by 14 months.

My pure does not have power steering and it still easy to steer.

[2009Aveo5]

Originally Posted by Nonni

We purchased a Orphan. The sales person at Herb Chambers in Lynnfield MA told me that the car is instaled with Dealer items that I had to pay for.
I was happy to get the car in just 2 days so I agreed. Well after inspecting the vehicle I noticed that the Venture shield was not in place, there was no paperwork for the 5 year fabric protectant and the Lojack was installed after I gave the down payment. I approched the dealer, they are refunding my $595 for the shield, swear they applied the $595 fabric care but dont have a reciept and cant give me a reason for the lojack install after the fact.

Yes, this seems to be the case with NY, CT and MA dealers. They all want to add $3k of LoJack, Fabric Protection, Wheel/Tire warranty, 60k warranty...it's ridiculous and then they try to force you to give a non-refundable deposit on the car over the phone and refuse to give you a credit check to see what kind of financing rate you are eligible until after you have paid the $1000 non-refundable deposit in addition they will wait to tell you what your trade in is worth after you have made the non-refundable deposit.

They can keep their Smart car. I'm no dummy.

[mvukovich]

We purchased a Orphan, the add-ons were the comfort package $850 dollars. We were going to order that on our smart car so no big deal. They also had a orphan with no extra's a pure.

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by Container_Guy

Our only concern is the lack of power steering and how difficult it will be to drive without it. The dealership did not have any test drive cars without the PS option. I wish it had the silver Tridon, but will settle for the black to shorten the lead-time by 14 months.

My orphan came without power steering and I had your same concern because my other cars have always had ps. However, the smart is very, very easy to turn even while parked. You notice some resistance if you are parallel parking, but not very much (it's about the same resistance we get on our other larger Toyota's that have the power steering). My wife and I both feel the manual steering makes the car more fun to drive.

[Iceberg]

I was just called by the Portland Dealer and offered an orphan blue/silver Passion Coupe. They added clear bra (I want), floor mats (I want) & LoJack (I don't want). I offered to buy an extended warranty in place of the LoJack. I pick then car up on Thursday, hopefully it will not hurt too badly!