I'm shocked at the number of used smarts on the lots at dealers all over the place. Actually I'm not. I think many purchased because it was cute and got you attention... but this vehicle excels as a city car and I suspect non-city owners were, like "ok.. that was fun... but I'm tired of this".
I'm not urban, I live in the suburbs. I love driving down town everyday in it. On the highway too. The only time I hate the car, is when it snows. I bought it for gas milage. I love paying only $78.00 a month both cars for gasoline.
SHHHHHH! If everyone bought these "walk in & buy" Orphans then they will no longer be available and the waiting list will return. So respect the reservation and only go Orphan if 12+ months is not going to work for you!
What I find funny is that when it comes to a Smart, people are concerned at the "surplus" of orphans when a dealer sends an email that they have 5, 12, or 20 on the lot. Ever been to a Toyota dealer? Those suckers sit on the lot for months, and there are hundreds of them!
Why do we wait 12-18 months? We're the ones that want a custom configuration. The orphans are the configurations that either didn't appeal on delivery, or someone canceled because they found another orphan and neglected to cancel before production. Or, Smart is just trying to keep a decent supply and creates a car with a default set of popular options. Then it becomes an issue of $2 gas doesn't pull in anyone but the true fans.
I still get people staring, pointing, wanting me to let them look. They ask what kind of MPGs I get... where can they get one. They don't like having to drive 200-300 miles to the dealer, so that's where it ends. I suspect if the Lindon dealer were in SLC proper, they'd have a backlog of orders. In SLC, nobody wants to drive 30+ miles for an oil change, service, etc., because Americans are used to having things so convenient and easy.
Oh, and there's no law against someone here calling up the Lindon dealer and asking if they have an orphan that would match their specs... a 12-18 month wait is a lot longer than a 3-10 hour drive... And if you're close to a dealer, that dealer will honor your warranty.
What I find funny is that when it comes to a Smart, people are concerned at the "surplus" of orphans when a dealer sends an email that they have 5, 12, or 20 on the lot. Ever been to a Toyota dealer? Those suckers sit on the lot for months, and there are hundreds of them!
Why do we wait 12-18 months? We're the ones that want a custom configuration. The orphans are the configurations that either didn't appeal on delivery, or someone canceled because they found another orphan and neglected to cancel before production. Or, Smart is just trying to keep a decent supply and creates a car with a default set of popular options. Then it becomes an issue of $2 gas doesn't pull in anyone but the true fans.
I still get people staring, pointing, wanting me to let them look. They ask what kind of MPGs I get... where can they get one. They don't like having to drive 200-300 miles to the dealer, so that's where it ends. I suspect if the Lindon dealer were in SLC proper, they'd have a backlog of orders. In SLC, nobody wants to drive 30+ miles for an oil change, service, etc., because Americans are used to having things so convenient and easy.
Oh, and there's no law against someone here calling up the Lindon dealer and asking if they have an orphan that would match their specs... a 12-18 month wait is a lot longer than a 3-10 hour drive... And if you're close to a dealer, that dealer will honor your warranty.
Heck at price of a plane ticket, flying to a guarnteed car somewhere for a cheap one way ticket might be worth not doing a wait. And all smart dealers have to honor the warranty.
Heck at price of a plane ticket, flying to a guarnteed car somewhere for a cheap one way ticket might be worth not doing a wait. And all smart dealers have to honor the warranty.
"Flying to a guaranteed car" is the key word: Dealers will face a 2% penalty for selling outside their "zone". Be sure to tell them that you're from "out of State" and have some commitment (deposit?) before flying to... you get the idea.
Dealers will face a 2% penalty for selling outside their "zone".
Really?! I had no idea. Allison knew all along I was no longer living in Texas but she never even hinted that it would be less than wonderful to help me into my new car.
Hey Psychobeth,
Just a little FYI: I know your smart should be here in 2-3 weeks but the Round Rock Smart Center has a red/blk/blk cabrio in the nursery just waiting for a new parent. Just a little trip down 35 and still at a great price. Just in case you get delayed in the DFW area. Great staff and great location. Picked up my little Gerdie (Met. Gray/blk/blk cabrio) just over two weeks ago and after a 308 day wait she was well worth it. Round Rock also has a total of 5 cabrio orphans all under $20,000 for any others tired of waiting. If interested call Round Rock (512-493-9000) and ask for Martie, he's the best!!
ltTXsmarty and Gerdie RUSMRT
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The Beast
The Chick Magnet
"the car", "la voiture"
(Met. Gray/blk/blk cabrio) just over two weeks ago and after a 308 day wait she was well worth it. Round Rock also has a total of 5 cabrio orphans all under $20,000 for any others tired of waiting. If interested call Round Rock (512-493-9000) and ask for Martie, he's the best!!
and Gerdie
RUSMRT??
Today
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