I just realized how long it’s been since I did much blogging. On 5/31 I received an orphaned smart fortwo. It isn’t yellow like the one I wanted, but it did fit all the other criteria. I have about 2000 miles on it, it runs great, better all the time.
I’ll try to get some pictures posted.
BTW, it’s silver/black.
First you place a $99 reservation. When your number comes up…meaning they are about to put your car into the production process…you go through the configuration process.
In the configuration process you select the model and options you want. This way, they can build exactly what you want.
I configured on March 23, I’m getting a yellow/black Cabrio (convertible). I’m very excited.
From this point, there is a bit of a mixed message. Initially, the story was that it’s typically about 90 days from configuration to delivery. That would put me in late June. I’m still perty excited.
smart launched their Dynamic Delivery Estimator (DDE) at about the same time I configured. The idea with this service is that they can tell you within a three month window when you will be getting your car (based on your reservation).
Based on the DDE…I’ll be getting my care between November 2008 and January 2009. Now, I’m not so excited anymore.
I talked to the folks at the Smart Center of Laguna Niguel (the local Smart dealer). They are getting factory trained on January 12 and expect to have their demo cars delivered then. The cars should be available for test drives on the 15th.
They also said that they’ll be hooked up to the corporate computers and think they’ll be able to look up reservations to see how far down the list someone is.
Perty cool, I’m very excited. I see a Smart fortwo in my future…
I came across an interesting comparison…back in the early ’90s, Chevrolet came out with the Geo Metro (also called the Chevy Sprint, but I think Suzuki actually manufactured them). This was a small hatch-back with a three cylinder engine. It was rated at about 50mpg, a truly great rating.
These were fairly successful, I still see them on the road from time-to-time. I’ve often wondered why nobody has created something similar…especially with our current gas pricing.
As Smart USA is about to release it’s fortwo in the US, I found it interesting that somebody (Soren) created a comparison of the two vehicles.
You can find the comparison at http://shocauto.com/blog/2007/12/15/08-smart-fortwo-vs-92-geo-metro/.
I made a couple if interesting observations in the comparison. First, even though the engines are about the same size, the fortwo has about 40% more horse power, and 20% more torque. The fortwo’s mileage is lower.
The other thing I find interesting is the performance. One of the topics that comes up in every fortwo review I’ve read is the low acceleration. Yet, the Metro is slower on both the 0-60 and 1/4 mile.
Anyway, I think the Smart fortwo is going to do fine. I’m still looking forward to mine…
I found some videos on the fortwo from smart usa
smart ride along with Anders Jensen
environmental benefits of smart
smart USA President, Dave Schembri provides a brief overview
a Concept Creek venture
Powered by WordPress