smart value decrease of 45% w/i year????

[gotta have a SMART]

I would like to hear other people's thoughts on the smartimes Spring '07 article, on page 13.
I was "flipping through" this on-line issue and read this short article about an aussie stating that his smart car's resale value had decreased 45% within one year (just based on the market NOT the condition of his smart.) Does anyone have any additional history on this situation? I realize it was last year in 2007, and in Australia BUT I am somewhat concerned that the lack of parts, smart centers' knowledge... may affect us here in the states at some point. What do you all think?

http://www.smartimesmagazine.com/wp-...pring_2007.pdf

[jwight]

You can test this out by going to the ones on eBay & bidding at 55% of the car's MSRP. If you win the bidding, you'll know.

[gotta have a SMART]

Yeah- but that's TODAY. What about 12 months from now???

[jwight]

Don't know - crystal ball is in the shop for repairs.

[donnyonee]

imho. i think this car may be worn out in a few years, 4-5 yrs. there should be some new fuel vehicles and better milage ones at that time. i bought this 1 for right "now" cause the price of gas is a killer. im just going to have to accept whatever happens, but for "today" ive done about all i can.

[jwight]

At least 18 months backlog right now - sold out through 09, maybe into 2010 at this point. Still have the MHD and all electric versions waiting in the wings, plus who knows what else. I don't think R. Penske would have signed up to import a car that would tank within two years. Just my .02.

[MPrice2984]

Most cars loose 40% as soon as you drive off the lot. That is what most dealers would give you in a trade. It does not mean individual sellers will not be able to get close to list if they sell themselves. Unless the smart proves to be junk or Mercedes decides they don't want to market here, these cars will emulate what the mini has done. Just look at how a mini's value holds up on Kelly Blue Book.com.

[Rmichael1]

Frankly, if all those big car makers could do it (make something more fuel efficient/alternate fuel/etc) don't you think they'd do it? I don't know what's stopping them but something must be. People thought the New Beetle wouldn't sell, but it did and still is. If some alternate fuel car comes out in the next 5 years we can't all get them at once so I'll be happy to have my smart.

[Smart Enuf]

If you only want your smart to appreciate instead of depreciate, you'll have to kill the smart's designer (assuming he/she is somewhat famous). Back in 1988, I was offered a chance to buy a used Ferrari (the model used in Magnum PI) for around $30K. As a newly minted engineer at that time, I probably could have made the payments at some pain, but I declined. Months later, Enzo Ferrari died, and that car later listed for close to $200K (it was bought after a furious bidding war).

[CruisingAZ]

Look at chevyvolt.com, the volt is an all new electric that will be out in 2010 or 2011