Warning, Stop making this same Goof. (Re: Orphaning)

[forestacademy]

Ok I understand being anxious to get you’re ordered smart. We took the full wait time and got what we wanted, but it seems several folks picked up an orphan to hold them over until the ordered car came in.

I keep seeing post about how I can"t get what I paid for for my Orphan now that my “real car” is in.

Why would you expect to?

First off there is the sticker price. If you dive the car why would you expect to get a Free Rental while waiting.
Second, Tax Title, Processing fees, all add up to extras you will be paying for those “Rentals” You can't expect a buyer to pick up these extra costs for you.

Give it up folks, The Economy is in the tank, Gas is cheep, No cars are selling, Orphans are everywhere. These cars are not fetching a premium anymore so you can't sell it for what you paid for it.

What I’m saying is, If you want the car you ordered, Wait.

If you can’t wait, Pick up an orphan that fits your desires not one to fill the Gap. With some shopping and small compromises you should be able to get one.

Oh, one more option, pick up that Orphan, and when your ordered smart comes in give your spouse or kid the orphan and be a two smart household. Some of you will never look at these the same again.

[yellow smart]

I couldn't agree more with you.

Yellow-Smart

[CruzinSusan]

Well said.

I ordered my smart in Oct '07. Once I discovered Orphans, I devised my plan of attack: I became a Shameless Orphan Beggar. I test drove; made myself known to my dealership, and to Clint, my salesguy. I plied Clint with emails, complete with pictures of the most pitiful looking puppies I could find on the 'Net (and there are lots.) I begged, I pleaded, I did my pitiful best to be the obvious choice for an Orphan - and on Feb 26, I got the offer to adopt.

The timing, of course, couldn't have been worse, just as taxtime was looming, work was slow, and any number of other impediments tried to thwart my objective. But, as luck and perseverence would have it, I prevailed and drove her home on the 29th.

I wouldn't change a thing. My little smartie has proven herself day after day, smile after smile, all year long. And, when it came time to confirm my original order, I helped somebody get their smart, via my Orphaned smart and with the help of the dealership - a win-win for everyone.

I wanted a smart car. What I got far exceeded my expectations. With her came a throroughly spectacular community comprised of fantastic people.

Hats off to the genius of SCOA! And raise a glass to Penske too - for the reality of the new American smartowner! And three cheers for all of you here!



......................................... .............Wild Blue Yonder

[flpat]

Yes, don't expect to get what I paid for it but what would you do if they told you that a car you paid 17,000 plus is now worth 10,300? I think that this car sure dropped its value quick. I have never been upside down on a car but sure am now. A mini keeps its value and the fact that the value of our orphans went down that quick has me rethinking the smart altogether.

[Macaw]

Originally Posted by flpat

Yes, don't expect to get what I paid for it but what would you do if they told you that a car you paid 17,000 plus is now worth 10,300? I think that this car sure dropped its value quick. I have never been upside down on a car but sure am now. A mini keeps its value and the fact that the value of our orphans went down that quick has me rethinking the smart altogether.

Would need more information. What options are on the car, miles, extra dealer markup, 17K was that out the door or before tax, title etc...

Also dealer trade-in is different than what they will sell it for or if you sold it yourself.

[orngandblack]

Originally Posted by flpat

Yes, don't expect to get what I paid for it but what would you do if they told you that a car you paid 17,000 plus is now worth 10,300? I think that this car sure dropped its value quick. I have never been upside down on a car but sure am now. A mini keeps its value and the fact that the value of our orphans went down that quick has me rethinking the smart altogether.

So what you are saying is don't buy this car as an investment?? go figure

[Quagmire]

Is this like buying a house for $450,000 and now it's only worth $350,000?

[jwight]

Who'd a thunk it? A year ago the cars were not at the dealers yet, all the 1173 reservers were pulling their hair out and when the cars did hit the dealers some people were paying well over MSRP just to get one off the lot. How things have changed; lots of supply (orphans), little demand it seems, except those with reserved cars. Still, a 30% drop in value in less than 12 months looks like a lot to me.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

Is this like buying a house for $450,000 and now it's only worth $350,000?

Not quite... it's like buying a computer for $2,000 and trying to sell it six months later for $2,000 and being offered $1,200. Cars depreciate, they're not an investment. In the USA, houses are considered a long term investment ... except two years ago, when "flippers" declared them a great short term investment and TV shows demonstrated how we can put 50 grand in to a house and get 200 grand out in just six weeks.

Orphans are not meant to be a stopgap. Cars shouldn't be bought and flipped like a house... for that matter, neither should a house. Anyone lucky enough to dodge the first five bullets won't dodge the sixth.

[Neonspinnazz]

To me, more orphans =
I'm waiting now until May to get my license, from there I would sign up for an Orphan and wait longer. This also gives me time to build up a massive down payment. With time comes great things!