Your annual Virginia State inspection.

gstreetcomic · 07-10-2009, 07:04 PM

This is to the owners who had their Smarts for a year and had taken their car to get it inspected for the annual Virginia State safety inspection, or emissions whichever came first. As you know the inspector has to drive the car into his bay to do his thing. Anyway, what kind of reaction did you get from the person who did his thing? The guy at a Shell Station in Fairfax came up to my car and was in complete awe when he got in my car. He had seen many cars before but it was his first time ever inspecting a Smart let alone being behind the wheel of one. He had all the usual questions about it, but think he was like a kid in a candy shop going all over my car. For a moment i thought he was going to take it for a spin around the block. Anybody else have similar experiences?

faith in dc · 07-14-2009, 12:02 PM

yes, and thank God I'm a car nut (thank you Daddy the mechanic). I got a nail in my tire and took it to my local tire place. I gave them make and all, and they send out the largest mechanic they have. I had to snicker, as I'm 5'2" and here's this large dude. So I ran over and pushed the seat back. I explained the automated clutch so he wouldn't be surprised.

anyway when it got up on the rack, I stood outside. The manager and another one of the guys came over, and were like wow, and asking questions. One said "Look Look (pointing) the alternator is only this big". That is how the whole visit went. Comments on look only five lugnuts, look at the engine.....

It's fun. I get inspected this month, got to do it this week, but I'm planning on hanging out there. As I explained to the mechanic, it's not that I don't trust him, it's that I know it's not normal and want to be there for questions. The tip really helped his annoyed attitude.

BTW Gstreetcomic - I think I saw you Sunday on Sleepy Hollow. My first Smart car that waved and acknowledged me. Mom was laughing that Smarts have their own little wave and sign. hehe

Old smart · 07-14-2009, 02:20 PM

My first re-inspection (JUL '09) will come with my 1yr/10K mile service (whichever comes FIRST) next week, so it will be no issue at the smart center. scVAB will probably get the job in JUL '10 also (end of warranty) - after that, my local independant may get it. But he has had smart seat time in Europe, and by then he may well have gotten his smart for his CARQUEST business' delivery service.

Ron F · 07-14-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old smart

My first re-inspection (JUL '09) will come with my 1yr/10K mile service (whichever comes FIRST) next week, so it will be no issue at the smart center. scVAB will probably get the job in JUL '10 also (end of warranty) - after that, my local independant may get it. But he has had smart seat time in Europe, and by then he may well have gotten his smart for his CARQUEST business' delivery service.

Took mine to Casey Toyota up the road in Lightfoot last week. Lots of interest and curiosity and a great desire by the order writer to take a drive---didn't happen. The guy from VAB Smart called me a few minutes ago to say congratulations on 1 year anniversary.

Best regards.

gstreetcomic · 07-14-2009, 07:32 PM

I was in that general area, I was coming from Washington Dc on a little trip around the mulberry bush. What time was it on sunday? I was down route 50 to the side street towards Annandale Rd

BTW Gstreetcomic - I think I saw you Sunday on Sleepy Hollow. My first Smart car that waved and acknowledged me. Mom was laughing that Smarts have their own little wave and sign. hehe[/QUOTE]

HerrZ · 07-14-2009, 07:59 PM

"look only five lugnuts".... you meant three, of course.

forestacademy · 07-15-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerrZ

"look only five lugnuts".... you meant three, of course.

I would leave a place if they can't count to 3

faith in dc · 07-15-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstreetcomic

I was in that general area, I was coming from Washington Dc on a little trip around the mulberry bush. What time was it on sunday? I was down route 50 to the side street towards Annandale Rd

BTW Gstreetcomic - I think I saw you Sunday on Sleepy Hollow. My first Smart car that waved and acknowledged me. Mom was laughing that Smarts have their own little wave and sign. hehe

[/QUOTE]

This was around 2:15-2:30 on Sleepy Hollow Road, it was coming from Columbia Pike heading out. Whomever it was waved and I beeped and waved.

gstreetcomic · 07-16-2009, 07:34 PM

Now i recall, and i see those cars in some of the darnedest places. I am either waving at the other Smart or sticking my hand out with a thumbs up. You gotta love those cars, even though my jealous coworker struck again and referred my car to a manager from the competing rep group in the Home Depot as "The Fart Car"

I look at it this way, he is driving a Used 03 PT Cruiser by a car company that is going under and getting bailed out by the Italians, you know them as Fiat. He has always gone green since i got mine and that is about a year ago. WHAT A JERK

This was around 2:15-2:30 on Sleepy Hollow Road, it was coming from Columbia Pike heading out. Whomever it was waved and I beeped and waved.[/QUOTE]

Smrt Bee · 08-10-2009, 01:49 PM

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I just took 'Him/Her' in to the dealer for inspection and Killed Two Stones With One Bird.

Got a free wash!

Smrt Bee