Questions about the Beverly Hills, CA dealership

carolthompson323 · 07-23-2008, 04:02 PM

If you bought your Smart from the Beverly Hills, CA dealership, please let me know what your experience has been like -- both on the purchase side as well as the service side.

I've recently ordered one and I'm also on their 'Orphans' list. And now, of course, I've become totally obsessed.

Many thanks to you all.

bottlerocket · 07-23-2008, 04:13 PM

I got an orphan from them, was happy with the entire process. I called an got an update on my position pretty often, then got a call from them when one was finally available. I was in and out of the dealership with mine in less than two hours. Vinnie is friendly considering the unique situation of supply and demand (especially having a dealer in an area where people probably throw money at you just to get one). I wasn't pressured to buy anything I didn't want.

Nathan is awesome, as is most of the staff there (I don't say all only because I didn't get to work with everyone). By the way, check out the dealers section on the board, there's a thread there for the dealership.

Haven't been in for service yet, otherwise I still visit the dealer now and then to see what new stuff they have.

carolthompson323 · 07-23-2008, 04:40 PM

Thanks a lot, Bottle Rocket. I really appreciate it. Nathan does seem awesome -- he had replied to my emails, put me on the 'Orphans' list and told me I should introduce myself to Vinnie (who I spoke with today). I'll be going down to ask him a couple of questions on Saturday.

The other question I have for you is what model you bought. I ordered the Cabrio -- but hope I don't have to wait for a year for delivery. Maybe I'll get lucky on the 'orphans' list.

If there was one thing you could change about the way the Smart drives/ handles, what would it be?

bottlerocket · 07-24-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolthompson323

Thanks a lot, Bottle Rocket. I really appreciate it. Nathan does seem awesome -- he had replied to my emails, put me on the 'Orphans' list and told me I should introduce myself to Vinnie (who I spoke with today). I'll be going down to ask him a couple of questions on Saturday.

The other question I have for you is what model you bought. I ordered the Cabrio -- but hope I don't have to wait for a year for delivery. Maybe I'll get lucky on the 'orphans' list.

If there was one thing you could change about the way the Smart drives/ handles, what would it be?

I have a passion, and I love it.

I wouldn't change anything, I love it the way it is. ALTHOUGH if they ever decide to bring the BRABUS here to the states I'm trading up!

carolthompson323 · 07-24-2008, 12:35 PM

Thanks

I'm with you there -- It is impressive how smart the "Smart" division actually is!!

I suppose it's too much to ask our car manufacturers to be as "cutting edge". I could rant about this point forever.

Now I have one more question... have you had any difficulty with the Passion getting on the freeway in terms of its pick-up -- that's the one concern I have about the smart. Also, have you ever driven it in any of the canyons? It's the HP that worries me I think.

VinceLA · 07-24-2008, 02:30 PM

I reviewed them in this sub-forum under another thread.

The finance manager (Jeff?) was a little arse-y about accepting a Capital One auto loan check. But that all cleared up. Delivery was a snap otherwise. Oh, they did submit my address incorrectly to DMV though.

Vinnie and Mindy both great.

The one person who gave us the manual and keys wasn't knowledgeable about the smart. But that person should know more by now.

I went back twice for services. Carrie is the smart SA. 1st time, they don't have the sunshade in stock. 2nd time it took them 3 hours to do a 20min-job.

The parts department requires a bit of pushing and chasing to get things done. Arturo is the manager who can order smart parts.

bottlerocket · 07-24-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolthompson323

Now I have one more question... have you had any difficulty with the Passion getting on the freeway in terms of its pick-up -- that's the one concern I have about the smart. Also, have you ever driven it in any of the canyons? It's the HP that worries me I think.

Let me put it this way: I get 35-40pmg, mostly because of the way I drive.

I have absolutely no problems getting on the freeway and I let it fly on the canyons.

carolthompson323 · 07-24-2008, 05:34 PM

Thanks, Bottle Rocket and thanks, Vince as well.

Bottle Rocket: Is that mileage based on mostly city driving or a combo of city & freeway? I'm curious.

Vince, Thanks for the good info about the dealership. I HATE _ _ _holey credit managers -- they're the worst!! One doesn't need to encounter an attitude in that situation. Oh, well. Hopefully, as time goes on, the parts and service dept. will get stronger.

bottlerocket · 07-24-2008, 07:00 PM

Combo city & freeway, almost always starting quick off the line, quick getting into freeways, quick darting around SUV's, etc.

People that don't drive like i do get 40mpg or more, and some people that only do city driving and heavy A/C use can get less than I do also.

mroland · 08-01-2008, 10:04 PM

i got my cabrio from beverly hills dealer. vinny was super helpful and hillary was very helpful and helped me a lot.
the service department seems to not be all together. there's one fellow there that knows about the smart car.
i also got rear ended one week after i purchased the car and the service department was nice in looking underneath to see if there was any damage. the car held up well with minor protrusion on one side on a rear end collision at about 10 mph with me being stopped.
i thought beverly hills (vinny and hillary) was very professional in the way they handled the sale.
i love my smart car.