Too Negative?

[JPaul]

It's difficult to take a step back and remind oneself that we are taking part in the deployment of a new distribution network, with its inevitable infancy flaws. We are, or will be, getting a product that has proven itself in other markets, and then has been upscaled especially for this market (the 451 has been designed to comply with the US requirements in mind).
I've posted elsewhere what I tried to be more positive messages (i.e. current production is at 600 cars/day, 200 of them in the US version), projected production for 2008, etc...
What we do perceive at this end are mostly the bottlenecks: dealerships not fully operational, allocations unclear, technical hitches... Those issues will be solved.
Ultimately, (almost) all US versions of the 451 will somehow end up on these shores (no reason not to, it may even be illegal to sell them elsewhere).
In my humble opinion, within few months, the flow of cars will be smoother, the waiting will be shorter, and the praises will be stronger. The novelty may wear off, but the fact remains that this is a sensible car for now!
Daimler cannot face another outcome, too much is at stake.

[Fredvon4]

Or we could just morph in to a Pollyanna bunch of feel good kumbya nerds with a Jones for a cutely little cool car and not discuss the merits of this particular car buying decision...

Really!! IMO, some of you are just bent to accept any form of screw over and think it great as long as you can get you hands on some esoteric thing you have pined over two or more years for...

There is a reason there is much frustration and angst... glossing it over is not going to do any service to any one... PAG and Internet Brands have seriously screwed the pooch... we seek to get some things fixed..

Our carping and *****ing has actually changed a few things and may impact other aspects of being a Mercedes Benz car owner...

Pa- lease.!!..feel free to NOT read threads that distress you!

[Gene_SD]

I think part of the problem is that when someone gets their car they visit the site less often. This leads to a higher ratio of negitive comments and less positive ones from the people who have their car.

[jwight]

Fred, quit beating around the bush and tell us how you really feel.

The following is not aimed at anyone specific:

Seriously, I think the OP has a point; there are ways of getting a point across without bashing, flaming and name calling. Just state the facts as they apply to your personal situation, make whatever point you want to make and move on. Sometimes it helps to wait a few hours before hitting the "submit" button (wish I'd waited on a few!) An open exchange of ideas and points of view is what a forum is all about; personal attacks on those who don't agree is not. There are some user names absent from the forum due to their inability to stop attacking their fellow forum members. Supposedly we're all here because we're fans of the car or trying to become fans. Personally, I welcome all the inputs, good, bad and ugly. It's fairly obvious after a week or so which posts usually have some substance to them and which don't. I just ignore the latter - life is too short. So, my vote is to keep it real, keep it objective and most of all, keep it polite at least. Just my .02.

[mfoster]

I too have been turned off by the negativity. It started putting doubts in my mind about the car in general. I still have two reservations, 1262 and 1434 and have been very fortunate in getting an orphan. 700 miles so far and am very satisfied with the car. I kind of play a game with the car in the automated mode, guessing "are you going to shift now or not". The initial games I lost by a wide margin but I'm starting to win some of them now.:-)

[StevenM1TX]

Originally Posted by kwagar

So, I am curious! If you have taken delivery how do you now feel about the car? Are you happy? Would you recomend one to a friend? Have you had any major dissapointments.

Love it / yes / yes / only that I can't find enough good excuses to take it for a ride more often.

There I think that answered your questions. I think it is natural for anyone who is not 100% satisfied to be a bit more vocal, and yes it paints a somewhat more negative picture than is probably indicated by an actual scientific polling of owners.

My little ride has simply been a blast to drive around the area and saves me a bit of gas in the process. Some can be very happy driving around in an Accord or any other "normal" car, but I much prefer a car with more character. The commute gets so boring if your ride isn't interesting. First car I ever had that makes me smile everytime I get into it.

[ex300SRT8]

This is the second car forum I've participated in and the smart forum seems consistent with my 300C forum, there simply is a mix of "positive" and "negative" and "good" and "bad". Although I do feel I have a thicker skin after seeing the "negative / bad" for over 2 years on my other forum.

This car has surpassed every expectation I have had. Coming from a heavily modified 525 hp, 4 door sedan with upgraded sport suspension, I have absolutely no regrets about selling it and making the smart my one and only:

*This car is quicker, more solid and more comfortable (BTW I am 6'2") than I would have expected.
*On the freeway, it is a breeze. No fears, no problems. My initial concerns of being up to speed after an uphill entry ramp were not valid as I blend into traffic easily.
*The suspension is great and feels better than my wife's Mini Cooper S.
*I disagree with complaints that the price is too high and the mpg too low. If this car was a slow, unsteady, noisy bucket of bolts, I'd think otherwise, but at $16K with tax and 35+mpg for city and freeway, the cost is perfect.

I will buy another without a doubt.

[SmartCard]

Unfortunately....er, maybe that should be - fortunately expressing negative thoughts is human nature. If we didn't do it, what would we be?

I think by and large, those who have been negative or cancelled orders, etc ... have been pretty diplomatic about it. Granted, you hate for newcomers to come away with a bad impression with the car or even this site, but what can you do? If most people read on, I think they'll see there are many more positive opinions here then negative.

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by ex300SRT8

This is the second car forum I've participated in and the smart forum seems consistent with my 300C forum, there simply is a mix of "positive" and "negative" and "good" and "bad". Although I do feel I have a thicker skin after seeing the "negative / bad" for over 2 years on my other forum.

This car has surpassed every expectation I have had. Coming from a heavily modified 525 hp, 4 door sedan with upgraded sport suspension, I have absolutely no regrets about selling it and making the smart my one and only:

*This car is quicker, more solid and more comfortable (BTW I am 6'2") than I would have expected.
*On the freeway, it is a breeze. No fears, no problems. My initial concerns of being up to speed after an uphill entry ramp were not valid as I blend into traffic easily.
*The suspension is great and feels better than my wife's Mini Cooper S.
*I disagree with complaints that the price is too high and the mpg too low. If this car was a slow, unsteady, noisy bucket of bolts, I'd think otherwise, but at $16K with tax and 35+mpg for city and freeway, the cost is perfect.

I will buy another without a doubt.

Negativism and personal attacks gutted that forum. Really, better suspension feel than your Cooper S? You ARE in love.

[LIVNLTL]

[quote=angel;44426]I don't think it has anything to do with being "too negative." It's a matter of taking everything here into perspective ... snip [quote]

I agree, Angel. We are all grownups we know to weigh pros and cons of any major decision. We're not always right but there ya go.