Smart Car(s), Lewiston Idaho

[BobDiaz]

So, I'm in Lewiston, Idaho visiting family in the area and surprise, there's a Smart Car in the gas station where I'm getting gas. Being as I'm on vacation, I had my camera with me, so I snap off a few shots...





It turns out the owner was just coming out as I was was taking the photos, so it gave me a chance to talk to him. He said that there are 3 Smart Car Owners in Lewiston, Idaho (Population 31,000). This came as a bit of surprise, seeing that the nearest Smart Car Dealer is over 300 miles from Lewiston. With such a long drive to the dealer, I would have expected the number of Smart Cars there to be zero.


This got me to wondering how many people are 100+ miles from their dealer?

Also, what do you do if the car fails to run and you need service?



Bob Diaz

[SuperGeek]

I'm 500 miles from Houston where I picked up the car. The only thing that would have kept me from signing was if they didn't assure that they'd ship the thing two ways under warranty. Now that Birmingham opened up, I'm only about 200 miles from warranty service. My upcoming oil change will require a full day off work, but, I look at it this way. It only cost me 15k. If I consider it still a sub-20k car, I can afford to take a day off work and spend 20 bucks in gas to get an oil change. Yes, I like the car that much. You have to love the car to own it this far out of dealer range - and have a backup (for me, it's my Explorer SUV which now gets driven 15 miles a week).

I've seen three other Smart cars in Mobile, AL. A bumblebee which I am tempted to stalk, and one friend who's a surgeon, and DawnRay on the forums - I haven't actually seen hers, but I met her at the university.

It's funnier'nell watching my surgeon friend leave a parking lot... that little buggy just screams "weeee" as it putts off like one of those pull-back toys.

[BigWarpGuy]

I live in East Windsor NJ. I bought my little car in Edison NJ. The other dealer in NJ is in Cherry Hill. Neither are close but I do not think they are 100 miles away.

[WhiteNBlack08]

20K on mine, and only two dealer visits for non-critical warranty work. I just scheduled mine when I was going to be in the area. I'm 110 miles from my dealer. I love my smart more now than when I bought it!

[BobDiaz]

I'm impressed, it never occurred to me that users would have a Smart Car and be 100+ miles from the nearest dealer. The good news is that over the years, the number of dealers that come online will increase, so the number of users who have to drive 100+ miles to a dealer will decrease.

Best Wishes,

Bob Diaz

[idahosmart]

I am also over 300 miles from the nearest dealer, and I have owned my 2003 smart fortwo passion now for almost 3 years! Many early adopters of the smart car are over 100 miles from dealers.

Tom

[scdaf]

142 miles and two mountain passes to the dealer and have never worried about it. Been back once, for the secondary air valve, which was done when a trip put us within 10 miles of the dealership, so no inconvenience.

Darn sure will not go there for oil changes! Gosh people, it's a 5 minute job!

Never had shifter problems, but lubed it to be safe, 1 minute job.

Best thing about being far from a dealer: the uniqueness lasts longer. )

[Fuse 11]

...the dealer I actually bought mine at is 470 miles from me.

I think I've got one of maybe three in a 20 mile radius of here.
And yes, being this far out means the uniqueness will last longer.

-Rusty
(in exile)

[eqwalker]

I am 300 miles from my nearest dealership and now have 25k miles on mine.