So far I have found two orphans. One was a black/silver cell coupe passion base without any options yet with add-ons that they just sold for $17,302 plus tax, registration, etc. This is in Fairfield, CT. I asked when they get more Orphans whether or not they will continue to add all these add-ons and the answer was yes. The only way around it for the Fairfield, CT branch is to wait for your reservation. In other words, they feel confident that they can sell base Smart cars loaded with options.
The White Plains, NY had a Passion Cabrio Silver without any options but dealer add-ons for a bit of $20k. This car is also sold. The dealer blamed the add-ons by the reservation holder claiming the reservation holder asked them to put all that stuff on the vehicle. There was a tone of hostility (which is translated as friendly in NY) when asking about these add-ons.
Those are the two orphans I have found. If I found one with leather then I might just say okay with these options. My reservation number is a few dozen higher than yours. The White Plains, NY guy claims they told him it would be 3 to 4 months but nobody really knows. What I'd like to know is when the 2009 models are coming out...hopefully September but I suspect they are going to milk the 2008 reservation holders on into the Fall.
Sarasota, FL doesn't do add-ons (unless requested)
Winston-Salem, NC doesn't do add-ons.
We should do a list of the dealers that add several thousands of dollars worth of add-ons just so you know what to expect when they call you. Basically for me it would have to be the configuration and color and manufacturer options that I wanted before I agreed, but keep in mind you have 60 seconds to make a decision when they call. You either give them the $1000 non-refundable deposit or you will lose the car. That's what happened to me. I even asked to come down to see what my trade was worth and what finance rate they would offer and the answer was no deal, they told me they would tell me my finance rate and trade value next week, yet I need to put the money down today.
So bottomline is find out which dealers are doing this. Find out about financing before they call (which I went back down there and it appears I am the only customer that has asked whether I am approved and what the rate will be before the Smart arrived so they will get back to me next week to tell me what the procedure is because nobody there knows what to do. They have to contact the business manager who isn't on site but on the phone and this person is VERY busy and you don't want to bother the business manager. Wizard of Oz kinda thing.
Lastly, they will not tell you what your trade is worth prior to the purchase. I even tried to see if they could give me a ball park, but they said no we have to wait until another orphan is here, so I asked is that going to be the same $1000 non-refundable deal. And apparently they plan to take my trade as a gift.
Ridiculous is the word that comes to mind.
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