Cost and wait time aside, have you actually spent any time inside a smart? Like any other car, they aren't for everyone. Assuming you are convinced it is for you, can you afford to wait for yours? (You always have the option of an orphan).
But asking if it is worth the wait is like asking if it is worth the cost. Many, like myself, would give you an unqualified "Yes" (having already gone through the wait, and paid the price). And there have been a number of others who, not being suited to the car, have given it luke-warm to outright unfriendly reviews.
It's all on you to make that decision...
An orphan will probably have a few dealer added extras that will be on top of the sticker but many of those are things you might want anyway (lojack, paint protection, hotter wheels, navigation, etc.), but you won't be charged a mark-up just for the heck of it. Some dealers might be willing to sell you a naked orphan, "as is", so call around. With the economy slowing you might get lucky!
I take it that an orphan is a smart car that the owner decided not to get. How do you find out about them?
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You are right.
Contact your local dealer to see where they stand on Orphans and if they have a waiting list. With the current economic situation as well as the lower gas prices you may be able to get one without all the dodads. Its hard to justify a lojack in IA so many of the extras others get should not be an issue out there.
I am excited about getting my smart but since the wait is over 16 months it will be next Sept - Oct before I get mine. I would just like to get some feedback from owners if they feel that the wait is worth it?
I think it was indeed worth the wait. I would also like to point out this... how many have you seen that were up for sale, used? And how many do you see that are orphaned?
That should tell you how most people feel about their car. More often than not, they love their new baby.
Be patient, you'll see what we mean.
In some areas of the country there seems to be more supply of orphans than in others. I lucked into an orphan back in March, black/silver/red, and the one I originally reserved last November is due in this month. Because of the economy, my wife and I are keeping our 1st smart and passing on the reserved smart. Someone will get a nice car in Winston-Salem this month! A loaded white/silver/leather passion.
Like gbreyers said...Go spend some time driving one if at all possible. I waited 13 months for mine - Loved the idea, the looks, hated the transmission. Sold mine with 1200 miles on it.
This is a difficult place to get an objective review of the car. The build quality seems to be pretty good, The horsepower, while not blinding is acceptable. I thought the car was very comfortable, handled nicely, and did everything I wanted it to - almost.
The smart fortwo is worth the wait. But if you are looking for conventional, reliable, usual point-a-to-point-b transportation there are many alternatives (Yaris, Fit, etc.) out there but they are not a smart. I was attracted to the car when I first saw it in Europe nearly 10 years ago and couldn't wait for the chance to buy one in the US. An orphan passion became available on the first weekend that the Virginia dealership opened and in less than an hour it was mine. My reserved cabriolet came in August and my brother couldn't be happier picking up my transferred to him white beauty. Yeah the automated manual trans takes some getting used to (maybe a week), but you get the hang of the paddles and it is like a bit of F1. For the money it is a good value.
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