Thinking HARD about buying - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

TerryB · 07-28-2009, 09:43 PM

I have been here reading and see it is a must to run premium fuel? If you do it yourself oil changes the light cannot be reset on a 09? I know service cost cannot be totally avoided but for the money what they do during the service is sort of out of line. I do have a OBD II for the codes will that reset the 09 Smart? I did a test run and found it fun and affordable as I am going to adopt. I am going to pull the trigger before Friday now the big question Red Silver or the lonely yellow one.

fpage77 · 07-28-2009, 10:03 PM

Yellow is a demolished color so if you get that you'll be a little more unique. The 08 model were yellow so this much be a 08 if it is new on the lot.

forestacademy · 07-29-2009, 05:29 AM

Hey If you want to be seen (for safety) get the yellow. Its like haveing DRL all around.

Don't worry about the premium fuel, It still less per mile than most everything out there.

Hopefully you won't have a dealer that over charged for service. If the 10K is under $190 then you are comming out ok. If its over $250 then they are raping you.

Macaw · 07-29-2009, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryB

If you do it yourself oil changes the light cannot be reset on a 09?

I can reset our '09 myself.....

Old smart · 07-29-2009, 06:22 AM

At my recent 1st-year service I was able to negotiate a mutually advantageous deal. I waived the oil and filter change in exchange for an annual safety inspection, an early check of the engine air filter (OK), a re-check of the front end alignment (a non-warranty action) and an "official" recording of the front tire shoulder wear** beyond the called-for center wear recording. The smart center got the $212 fixed price that they wanted and I got some different things that I wanted, including the opportunity for a not expensive DIY oil change using the oil and filter that I preferred.

If the sc has to price the service packages to make some profit, that is OK; I do have an interest in the sc continuing as a viable business (one sc has already folded for lack of profit). By waiving the oil change portion, I get the opportunity to ask for different things that can bolster the smart's somewhat perfunctory maintenance regimen.

** It is now "officially" recorded that after 7200 miles my front tires are wearing unevenly from side-to-side (faster on the inner sides), and with in-spec front end alignment. So maybe at the 2-year check (+/- 14,400 miles) I will opt for a reversal of the front tires on the rims in lieu of the oil change.

TerryB · 07-29-2009, 06:07 PM

Macaw,,,,would you mind telling me how? It would make my final decision easier. Time is going away for the 4.2

**jimvw57** · 07-29-2009, 08:00 PM

I heard something about a balloon payment at the end of the 4.2 financing. I have not been able to verify this one way or the other but it would be good to know before buying.

It is possible to get a Yellow '09. The panels can be purchased seperatly from the car and installed.

forestacademy · 07-29-2009, 08:02 PM

The Balloon Payment was at the end of the $99 a month program

TerryB · 07-29-2009, 08:20 PM

Correct no balloons at the end of 4.2. I was told they do have one for 48 months at 5.8 or 5.9 which for my example was 5800. Not a good deal. They have to tell you about a balloon payment if not up front but when they go over the contract. Don't they?