18 month waiting list for Smart cars (Full Version)

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cyberdude611 -> 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 7:08:01 AM)

Want a Smart car? It can take 18 to 24 months to get one as demand soars in the US for a car that can get 40-45 miles per gallon.

http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/164715



kittinSol -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 7:10:13 AM)

They're nifty little things if you're not going to cover huge distances (and, let's face it, if you're on the small side). In Geneva they're everywhere: as a matter of fact it seems like one car out of two is a Smart over there.

Go Smart.



cyberdude611 -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 7:30:53 AM)

Maybe the rise in popularity for this car has to do with this study by GM that says chicks dig guys with fuel-efficient cars...

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/ecogeek/539/ecogeeks-get-all-the-girls.html



kittinSol -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 7:33:29 AM)

Are guys really that sad and desperate that they think they're going to get a chick on the basis of their motor vehicle alone [:D] ?

But you're correct in that a car makes a statement of sorts - personally, I never fell for the men with the flashy cars. They tend to be boring fatuous gits.



MissSCD -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 7:37:31 AM)

Ii talked with a customer last evening who works for the local Toyota dealership, and told me all hybreds were on back order until next year.
At any rate, I am glad to see this movement start.  The hybred is about $20,000 which is not that bad considering it is battery.  It is good for short trips.
 
Regards, MissSCD



DomKen -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 9:43:22 AM)

There was a, IIRC, 9 to 12 month waiting list for Prius when I bought mine. It was actually kind of nice since knowing I had to wait no matter what I could go ahead and get precisley the options and color I wanted.



Mercnbeth -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 9:50:18 AM)

Must be the same corporate manufacturing management as Nintendo does manufacturing their Wii. Or maybe the plant has restricted production to keep carbon emissions at a minimum?

These things are a trip to drive around European cities. There was one model, I think it was called the 'Swatch', that opened in the front. Are they allowing those into the US?  Wonder how they are getting around the collision survivability requirements.



Ahasver -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 10:08:42 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

They're nifty little things if you're not going to cover huge distances (and, let's face it, if you're on the small side).

The new Smart is surprisingly comfortable even for long distances and I am not on the "small" side. If you are simply fat you might have a problem in a Smart [:D]



kittinSol -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 10:15:31 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

Wonder how they are getting around the collision survivability requirements.



Pretty well.

"The micro car, the smallest car for sale in the U.S. market, offers a good level of safety, according to new crash tests conducted by the insurance industry.

The 8-foot, 8-inch vehicle received the highest rating of good in front-end and side-impact testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helping address some concerns that consumers may be more vulnerable in the tiny two-seater.

The tests, released Wednesday, show how well vehicles stack up against others of similar size and weight. The institute noted that the front-end test scores can't be compared across weight classes, meaning a small car that earns a good rating isn't considered safer than a large car that did not earn the highest rating."



petdave -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 10:21:42 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

Must be the same corporate manufacturing management as Nintendo does manufacturing their Wii. Or maybe the plant has restricted production to keep carbon emissions at a minimum?


Must be... can't think of any other reason why they don't have the capacity, considering the financing behind the company, the number of years they've been in production, and the amount of time they spent getting the car certified for U.S. import...

i know somebody locally that paid close to $22k for a Smart... To me, that's a Mazda3, a 50cc scooter (Yamaha, not Chinese), and gas for a year... But i guess that's not nearly as fashionable [&:]



meatcleaver -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 10:51:48 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

These things are a trip to drive around European cities. There was one model, I think it was called the 'Swatch', that opened in the front. Are they allowing those into the US?  Wonder how they are getting around the collision survivability requirements.



Smart cars are basically mini Mercedes and preform well in a collision. The problem is, that no matter what you drive, if you hit something at speed, you are unlikely to survive, big American car or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s



PanthersMom -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 10:55:56 AM)

there's someone local here who has one.  it's a cute car for a single person, possibly a couple, but no way in hell are you getting a kid in that thing.  luggage?  you have to be kidding.  a hefty trip to the grocery store?  maybe for a single person who doesn't buy much.  it's cute and efficient for the person who can get by with one.  if i was single with no kids, i would seriously look into it.
PM



Moloch -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 2:13:11 PM)

I dont know what they did to US version but the canadian and the Euro version has more power and gets much better gas milage, and the tranny is very sloppy for a 12,000 car.



hizgeorgiapeach -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 2:19:30 PM)

quick reply
 
When they start making a "smart" vehical that can tow my boat to the lake, haul sufficient wood to build a deck, carry ALL of my camping equipment without me having to carry it in my lap, and has sufficient room for 3 Large black Lab mixes + a crated cat to go to the vet - I'll consider trading in my truck and minivan.  And I AM single with no kids living at home....



FullCircle -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 2:27:05 PM)

In 18 years you'll need to be getting smart boats. Smart car vs cat in a road accident and the cat will win. Also my legs are too long I'd look like noddy.[8|]

I hear you can park anywhere though.



soul2share -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 6:00:56 PM)

Good Morning America had one on their show last year when Mercedes announced they were going to sell them in the US.  I went to the site to check them out....you could guarantee getting one of the first ones if you put down a $99 deposit.  I've seen a few in the Valley...let me tell you, they are smaller than they look!  My scooter is longer!  And in light of the gas $$$$, the demand is only going to get worse.  Which in turn will probably drive the cost of the original base model at $12,000 to double that.  I would have liked to get one...maybe when all the furor dies down.  For now, I'll stick to my $8 a week gas cost, 80 mpg scooter.



Irishknight -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 7:52:14 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hizgeorgiapeach

quick reply
 
When they start making a "smart" vehical that can tow my boat to the lake, haul sufficient wood to build a deck, carry ALL of my camping equipment without me having to carry it in my lap, and has sufficient room for 3 Large black Lab mixes + a crated cat to go to the vet - I'll consider trading in my truck and minivan.  And I AM single with no kids living at home....

Three lab mixes and a cat???  You have kids right there.



petdave -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 7:58:43 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FullCircle

In 18 years you'll need to be getting smart boats.


Got one. You couldn't ask for better gas mileage... as long as the wind is blowing. [8D]



Irishknight -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 8:10:38 PM)

I they come out with a Forthree or Forfour, I might be interested in buying one as a family car. 



CraZYWiLLiE -> RE: 18 month waiting list for Smart cars (6/6/2008 8:14:27 PM)

Thats why I am glad I own a Harley...safer and worth more..



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