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Perfect wedding needs a smart car!

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rent iowa
8K views 26 replies 13 participants last post by  dgruis 
#1 ·
Hello Everyone,

One of my best friends will be getting married in Des Moines, IA on May 2nd. Both the bride and groom are very eco-conscious and they would really love to make their getaway from their receiption in a Smart Car!

I've done some Googling and can't seem to find any places to rent so thought I would reach out to the folks in the Iowa Forum to see if anyone had any ideas or can help in any way.

Thanks for reading!

-- Ron
630-776-9420
ron_winograd at yahoo dot com
 
#8 ·
The closest smart center is in Omaha, Nebraska. Its the smart center La Vista.
Ph# 888-870-7299, or the main #402-339-3131. Christina Kadlec is the product specialist. She should be able to help with info. The last time we were there, they had a lot of new smarts and a few used. The other smart centers are in K.C. and Minneapolis, but don't have any contact info for them. It you go to smartusa.com there is a dealer finder to get more info.
Buzzz42........where is that string and case of old cans
 
#9 ·
The closest smart center is in Omaha, Nebraska. Its the smart center La Vista.
Ph# 888-870-7299, or the main #402-339-3131. Christina Kadlec is the product specialist. She should be able to help with info. The last time we were there, they had a lot of new smarts and a few used. The other smart centers are in K.C. and Minneapolis, but don't have any contact info for them. It you go to smartusa.com there is a dealer finder to get more info.
Buzzz42........where is that string and case of old cans
String and old cans will be in tow! Thanks for the tip about the Smart Center in La Vista --I will give them a call to see if they have any ideas!
 
#14 ·
Thanks Jim -- Buzzz42 mentioned one in La Vista near Omaha NE which I think is a bit closer. Someone with a Smart car parks in front of my building often and I thought of asking them but the thought of driving a Smart Car from Chicago to Des Moines sounds a bit much.

But I don't really know -- so I guess I'm curious -- do any of you take your cars out on the highway and how do you feel out there?

And Buzzz... I couldn't help but notice that great looking Smart of yours already in Des Moines!! Did I mention I'd throw in a free full wash/detailing at the detail place of your choice after the bride and groom make their quick getaway? Eh?? Eh???
 
#18 ·
Hit the highway every day on the trip to work and back. The only problem is they like to go too fast. before you realize it, you are doing 80 (or more) Windy days can be interesting but about the same as any vehicle with a large profile. My Expedition moves around a bit in the winds too.
 
#21 ·
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions so far. I did try the La Vista Smart Center but they advised they would not be able to help as they sell everything new so obviously can't put any mileage in the car.

She said to try looking for places that would sell used Smart Cars in IA but so far I'm striking out.

Any other ideas? Thanks all!
 
#22 ·
Yellow Cabriolet near Des Moines

I own a 2008 Smart Cabriolet, and I live approx. 10 miles south of Des Moines.

If you are still looking for a wedding Smart, I would consider renting mine for a few hours. Also, if they are getting married in Des Moines, I could possibly deliver my Smart and pick it up later that day.

Dale Gruis

515-961-7719
 
#23 ·
Budget actually rents smarts at some places. It is hard to find--basically you have to go to budget.com, type in your city, and click on all the locations until one with a smart in their list shows up. The one at the address below rents them for about $35/day

214 NORTH CLARK STREET - C2G
CHICAGO , IL 60601 US

here's a direct link, hope it works

https://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/locationsearch/locationbeforevalidation.ex?locationCode=C2G&locationselected=true&checkPulStatus=%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20false%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&checkDolStatus=%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20false#
 
#24 ·
Update

Thanks so much to all who responded, especially thank you to Dale who most generously stepped up to volunteer his car!

In the end it started getting close to the date and I hadn't yet found any solutions so I did end up renting one from Avis. I have to admit I could really get used to one of these especially as I live in the city! The only sad thing is this is obviously a rental -- by that I mean its transmission has been tortured and when it shifts it is very slow. Even if I only gently nudge the gas, when it shifts it takes maybe 1.5-2 secs and the car lurches a bit forward/backward as it engages/disengages. Thats using the automatic setting not the manual shift.

Maybe I'll try to snap some pictures of the car at the wedding and post as I know how much ya'll love your SmartCar-porn! :D

Thanks again all!
 
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