Ok, lets just say that I decide to be completely insance and wait my smart to come here in November 2009 as the DDE told me. That's one thing. But to wait a month and a half for parts afterwards is what kills my enthousiasm for the smart car. Two different dealers in MA told me that for at least the next 2 years, there will be a very limited parts inventory list for smart owners, barely enough for warranty work. The average time for a part to arrive, they said will take approx a month to a month and a half. That's just wonderful. So if my smart will need a new starter and its out of warranty, do I wait a month? Or even 2 weeks?
I guess it is the price to pay to drive a smart here, and it's the same price I am paying for the Vespa I own of which every time it needs parts I have to wait at least 1 week to 10 days to get it. My husband's Piaggio needed a part and he waited 1 month for it to arrive!! And Vespas have been here for years! Imagine how it's going to be with Smarts! I'd be having a heart attack every time I would be driving my smart from fear it would break down and have to wait a million years to get a part.
Suddenly, a Yaris (or potentially an Aygo as rumors have it might arrive in the US someday soon) seems a better prospect for a new small car. At least to me.