is it worth the wait?

[Jimbo]

The worst part of the long wait is not having anyone at Smart to talk to about your specific questions. Their customer service people are really nice and they try to be helpful, but they can only do so much with what they are given to work with. Plus the DDE on Smart's website has been such a moving target since it was added... I finally got a phone call from T.J. in La Vista on Monday, sounds like my car is supposed to be in the dealership some time around the end of January 2009. This is the first time since July of 2007 that I actually thought the process was going to really happen. So, I'll find out in 7 or 8 more weeks if the wait was worthwhile. BTW, Black/Black/Black leather, comfort package, radio 10, additional instruments, alarm, no fog lights.

[doenut]

Originally Posted by hopefullysmartinIA

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?

Yes! Yes!! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!!!!!!

I've had mine for nearly 6 months (June 20th) and could not love it more. She was worth the one year wait, and has delivered far more enjoyment than I could have expected!

Good luck, and don't forget about possible orphans!

[K P Smartcar]

Originally Posted by hopefullysmartinIA

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?

It's fun and great around town but driving any distance even to Omaha or Moline is a very bumpy and unpleasant ride! Our little Miata convertible is better on the highway.

[sheureka]

Originally Posted by K P Smartcar

It's fun and great around town but driving any distance even to Omaha or Moline is a very bumpy and unpleasant ride! Our little Miata convertible is better on the highway.

That's really very subjective - it's one of the most comfortable cars I've ever had, primarily because the seat is so deep and there's so much leg room. - sheureka

[Jimbo]

I just picked mine up Saturday. It took 571 days from the reservation date to the call from the dealer saying it was in. Then another 11 days until I could get my tail to the dealer to pick it up. Maybe a Buggatti or a Ferrari or a Maserati or a Lamborghini would be worth that kind of time to wait. But it is a great little car and I am glad own it, and I'm glad I held out for what I wanted. The transmission thing is a non-issue. The bumpy ride was expected. It's worth more than I spent, I believe. But time will tell if the mechanics are durable enough so that I can say the same thing in 4-5 years.

[MyPrecious]

We just turned down our ordered car in St Louis dealership. We picked up another one used (600 miles) also in St Louis. Ours was on order since April 2008. The dealer is Plaza Motors in Creve Coure (St Louis) on Olive Road. They may still have it as just turned down yesterday . . . but I am sure a waiting list for their 'orphan cars'.

Thanks

[padi176715]

We got an orphan after waiting for a year. Great car to drive and has more room inside than you would believe. Does not feel like you are driving a small car. The orphan we got was very close to what we had ordered. I would not get a car just because it is on the lot, but wait for the one you are looking for. Best of luck

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by hopefullysmartinIA

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?

Why not skip the wait & grab an orphan. There are a ton of them out there. I can't imagine that you won't find one configured the way you want. Buy now & start saving money at the gas pump immediately.

[Jimbo]

Update! After having the car for 6 months and 16,000 miles, YES I would definitely tell you to buy one. And I think that it was worth the wait. As I said before, the most frustrating thing about the wait for me was the lack of information and misinformation about what to expect. That, with the spiking of gasoline at $4.50 during the wait didn't help. I'm given to believe now thought that the wait may well be quite a bit shorter due to the economy and the pace of orders slowing down. When you do get the car, be prepared to give a lot of public education about safety, gas vs electric, top speed, mpg, fit etc. I thoroughly enjoy driving this car. Just about everyone thinks its cool, and the ones that don't well, I don't spend a lot of time with them. The cargo space is sufficient for me to fit my tuba(5/4 sized VMI 3301 in gig bag), music stand and accessory bag, plus an overnight bag for me and my wife, so it will pack home the groceries for an average size family. On my one and only speed trial, my speedometer said 93 before the rev limiter kicked in. It commonly beats 43 mpg on 91 octane, 20-23 bucks fills the tank. The wind and transmission issues are non-issues. Tranny actually learns how you drive and tailors the shifts to you, I hardly even notice now. Still have to get through an Iowa winter, but since they've been selling 450's and 451's in Canada for several years now, I'm really not afraid. Still hanging onto my old pickup just in case though.

[roobi9]

Jimbo you will LOVE this car! Post a pic!!