How do they handle it when it gets to be 2009 and they have imported all the 2008 cars for year 2008 ? Would you have to be reconfermed for a 2009 or will they just keep making 2008 models untill all the orders are filled even though they are well into 2009 by this point ?
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I was told by my dealership that the 2008 will likely sell out by June or July and then if you want one, you'll have to wait til September when they get the 2009 in. Once the 2008 are gone (sold out) that's it. And since the province of Ontario has the new eco-friendly rebate for certain cars including the Smart 2008 and the rebate doesn't apply to the new 2009, these cars are selling very quickly in Canada. The rebate is $2000 so its not chump change. Hence the reason I'm picking up mine right now. Luckily my dealership is the head office and it isn't franchised like some stores and therefore they have inventory available to them from across Canada. But my car is still in Halifax right now waiting to be shipped -- the 2-day old showroom model was SOLD when I was in the dealership yesterday.
BTW, did you put a downpayment for a 2008? Or are you on a waiting list of sorts for the 2008? How they do it here is if its available, its yours... even the ones in the "production" line can be held for you as long as you leave a deposit.
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Dee - From what I've read, if you have made your deposit and it looks like your reserved 2008 smart won't be produced in 2008, then the dealership will send you a certified letter notifying you that you will getting the 2009 model along with any price changes, new features etc. I'd check with dealer about reconfiguring your selection. Hey, they may have more color choices & worked out the kinks by then! Still waiting in Sacramento!
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That would be cool if you could get the 2009 for 2008 pricing... but I suppose since they are pretty "available" they won't be doing that in Canada. I think the people wanting to take advantage of the "green" rebate of $2000 from the government are the ones snatching up the smarts this year since it is only good for the 2008 model (so far). IMO anway, its good either with or without a rebate. You'll helping to save the environment and you're saving money on gas.
How long have you been waiting for yours Bob?
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Dee - First of all, I live in Northern CA and I put in my reservation on 4/18/07 and my reservation # is 1203. I configured my smart fortwo on 12/6/07 and I am expecting my smart this coming week!!!! Officially, the smart car USA is estimating that my vehicle will be ready between 4/12 and 7/11/08. However, most reservation holders are getting their cars close to the early part of the range. My car of choice is a Passion coupe, black with a silver Tridion cell and all black leather interior. I also ordered the comfort package, anti-theft system, fog lights (a MUST for people living in CA's Sierra Nevada mountains), analog instrument package and premium sound system. I haven't been this excited since I bought my first VW Bug in 1968!!!!
How about you? Do you think you can get a 2008 and take advantage of the rebate? US dealers have set up "Orphan" smart fortwo lists, and many later registrants have gone that route and appear very happy. Can you just go down to a dealer and try to find a car on the lot? Our local dealer in Sacramento told me he has a 2-year waiting list for smarts. When I went for test drive #1, every smart fortwo on the lot was spoken for. Hopefully, prospective buyers in Canada will have it a little easier.
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Well, we in the north are a little luckier as the smart is not new for 2008 -- I believe they have been around here for at least the last 3 years... though only just recently have been popular because I guess in part the rising gas prices. Mine is a white passion coupe with silver tridion and black design interior. It comes with none of the extras... but only because I want it NOW and I'm not really willing to wait for them to add stuff to it. :) I should at the very latest receive mine in May as it is only in Halifax. I would have gone with the black, but apparently they all come with the tachometre and I don't really like it. I have driven manual for over 8 years and it will be nice not having to think while driving -- especially with a 4 y.o passenger fulltime. LOL.
For sure I'll get in on the rebate -- as long as its a 2008, then its all good. In Canada, they SHOULD have the 2008 model until June/July but I don't want to wait til the last minute and end up with something I don't really want (like yellow or red).
As for a on-the-lot smart -- they had one in the showroom the day I was there, and after I sat in it, they guy locked the doors and slapped a SOLD sign on it! They don't stay on the lots very long. That one was there for 2 days. Sounds like your smart is all souped up and ready to go -- I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you get it this week.
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Thank you! I'll keep you posted and try to get some pics online asap. White/silver tridion is way cool and hi on my list as well. With a little one in the car, I can fully understand the need to concentrate and not be bothered with the tach. As an experienced manual driver, your ears will tell you if you're maxing out your mileage.
We ordered the extras because my wife and I want to use it to take car trips and we wanted the comfort and diversions for long trips. Now that I've been involved with the Internet sites and smart forums, it's pretty obvious that every day new devices and options designed specifically for smart fortwos are coming onto the market. I'm waiting for one manufacturer to come out with a GPS device specific for our model.
Good luck and may the head winds subside so trucks can get from Halifax quicker! Make sure you post pictures when you come in to possession!
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Looking forward to your photos Bob and I will be sure to post my own once I get mine. Yes, I'm an experienced manual driver and I got a pretty smooth ride on my over-1-hour test drive. My friend on the other hand did not fare so well. The car's lurking just about made us both sick!
I read somewhere that the US models don't have the option of the Bluetooth add-on. Why is that? Is there some law that you can't drive and talk at the same time?
I'm calling my dealer today to ask when they expect my car to arrive... I hope its soon!! Heck, its only 2500km (1500 miles).
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What if the 2009 model has 4 doors and weighs as much as a Mini? That's what we should worry about! Probably even more worrisome is the price of the dollar. If Penske doesn't raise his prices, there's a point where he'll go bust. One alternative is to stop importing them and sell something else, like Hummers. Hummer "forten". Now that has a nice ring to it. Maybe they'll just slide your reservation over into that line.
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Thanks to all of you for your reply's to my quuestion. I'm sorry I havn't been able to work at this for a while. I did put down the $99.00 reservation amount on 3/1/08 at the smart dealer here in Boominginton, MN. But after reading about the production limits to the USA this year and how long it can take even just to get to confermation, It seemed a real possabillity to me that they may run out of time to produce the 2008's. Heck they got to start making the 2009's sometime or they will end up behind on those to. I wish I had gotten wind of the smart sooner so I could have ordered in 2007 like the you lucky one's that have your's now. Still I am not diisscourged and I am keeping the faith no matter what happens. I do hope if it is a 2009 that it won't be much diffierant size weight looks. But I woulden't mind factory cruse control or tempomat.
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Hey there notsosmart, any chances that you can get one from Canada through a car broker? We have plenty of 2008 at least til July. I don't know if the same regulations apply to the canadian model as they do to the american model... but canadians who want to spend less usually go through a broker to buy a car from the US then bring it back to canada to license. But look on the bright side, if you do end up with the 2009 moddel, it will probably have more bells and whistles!!
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