Bloomington MN smart center...

[2mutch]

...has the BEST customer service minded folks!

During my flawless purchase process a couple weeks ago, I ordered a few accessories that were either out-of-stock (and 1 not yet available in the US apparently - the cabrio 'wind screen/noise reducer' unit that attaches sorta' between the tridion posts). I REALLY wanted the all-weather floor mats being I'm in the all-weather northern tundra. [**note to smart usa: ship extra of anything named "all-weather" to places such as MN and CO...definitely more need/want than the typical barefoot-year-round locales. There's probably less call for these items in Pheonix or S. Cal....although I may be wrong.]

Anyway, I picked up every part ordered today after they all arrived at once. Not only that, Jason and John were eager to assist with the "install" which included a quick vacuuming of my carpets and spot-on install. Jason drove it around to the inside service bay to make it even more convenient. I had also ordered and recv'd the cargo area cover w/mesh storage pocket unit and that got installed too. While I drove around today with my cabrio top down (hey, it WAS above 35 degrees! ), I didn't have them install the wind screen unit just yet.

I just wanted to say to all those with cars-awaiting with Bloomington as their dealer - you won't be disapointed with ANY of the folks that await your presence with eager anticipation. Now if they only had some more cars to deliver and be able to make even more people smile!

Just wanted to say a continued THANKS! for all your friendly help! My experience to-date has been great!

- FRED "2 MUTCH"
Is it a car? Is it a mind set? It's BOTH!

[propes]

My thread got eaten when the board went down, but need to echo this statement. They're all very friendly, and very helpful.

I'm feeling serious regrets at turning down the orphan last week - especially since my number for configuration hasn't come up, and it seems like we're running behind the curve in reservation numbers and configuration.

But they're a great bunch of people, and are really patience when I stop into pine at the cars.

[mvukovich]

We also had very good service with the dealership. I never heard of the 'wind screen/noise reducer'. Our cabrio doesn't seem to be that noisy, let us know how that works out.

[2mutch]

...is not available in US 'directly.' I found the part number (and the poor picture below -modified with my own comment) and the Bloomington smart center folks ordered it up just like any other smart part. It arrived just fine along with the rest of my parts order.

Here's where I found it:

http://www.smart.com/-snm-0135207688...07_ENGLISH.pdf



I am going to have to modify the attachment for my cabrio as this part is currently designed to work in the Canadian/European models only. Those cabrio models have an extra "tab" built into the roll bar upper corners where the molded 'wrap' ends. The bottom tabs are molded into the hinge mechanism cover on our smarts, but the top mount is missing. I'll post pictres and a how-to when I get my solution installed.

We're getting close to having enough MN smarts that we should get our "chapter" organized. Anyone up for a get-together yet?

- FRED "2 MUTCH"
Is it a car? Is it a mind set? It's BOTH!

[mnext02]

Originally Posted by propes

My thread got eaten when the board went down, but need to echo this statement. They're all very friendly, and very helpful.

I'm feeling serious regrets at turning down the orphan last week - especially since my number for configuration hasn't come up, and it seems like we're running behind the curve in reservation numbers and configuration.

But they're a great bunch of people, and are really patience when I stop into pine at the cars.

what were u offered? Why wasn't I offered this orphan??

[propes]

A blue/siver passion with a comfort package. I think they're trying to line up the orphan list with the orphan seekers in some sort of way. Or someone was up before you.

[MinnySmart]

I got my email last week that my blue/silver comfy pack passion has shipped... Now I'm kinda excited and can't decide what I should do... I want the car so badly, but It's just such bad timing... What to do?! Wait.. I decided! I'm getting it... WOOHOO! ) Can't wait!

[hgtan]

I understand how you feels ... as I was in the same situation in January when we got the email informing us that the dealer will be contacting us within the week in Jan; was totally unprepare to get a new car at that time [was planning on getting in late Mar/Apr] - weighs the pros and cons - call the bank, got a loan, call the insurance (GMAC), got the insurance, arrange with the dealer and got the smart ! Now, the smart has replaced the Chev S10 as the daily commute - not a moment of doubt anymore !!! This is the perfect car for our daily use.

Ask yourselves, do you want to wait another 10 -12 months?

[mvukovich]

Originally Posted by MinnySmart

I got my email last week that my blue/silver comfy pack passion has shipped... Now I'm kinda excited and can't decide what I should do... I want the car so badly, but It's just such bad timing... What to do?!

It will save you money in the long run. I was using 4 gallons of gas (10 mpg) round trip to work before my Smart Car. Now I am using 1 gallon of gas (40 mpg) round trip. That's a savings of 3 gallons a day x 5 days a weeks x 4 weeks in a month= 60 gallons a month. 60 gallons times 3 bucks a gallon= $180.00 towards your payment.

[jefferios]

Hey, I talked to Dave today, the orphan wait for anyone who's interested is:

<5 months if one wants a specific color & model
<4 months for a specific model or a specific color