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Permalink Reply by DAVID CZECH on April 10, 2008 at 3:55pm

They must include the added warranty into the price of the car, the Canadian version is $4000-$5000 more than in the USA. We get such a deal here.....

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on April 11, 2008 at 7:33pm

the short warranty is the only way smart can make a profit on the sale. the finance guy plays "hard sell" on 2 warranties, the car and tires. consumer reports say the extended warranty isn't worth the cost. i think if a car has something defective, it will fail in the first 2 years or so.

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Permalink Reply by Dee on April 11, 2008 at 8:03pm

Yes, the CND warranty is 4 years or 80,000 KM -- correct you are. Emission warranty is 2 years or 40,000km and roadside assistance is 4 years from the date of purchase. I suppose that's why our smart is a little more expensive than our US neighbors to the south.

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Permalink Reply by mark vuko on April 11, 2008 at 9:01pm

I agree with Dave 2 year warranty is to keep the cost down in the USA. It don't think it is a bussiness decision, if the cars don't sell very well after two years they can pack up and move out. :)

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on April 11, 2008 at 11:11pm

don't sell well?!?!?! what planet are you on? they are sold out to 2010 and half the people i talk to want one!!!

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Permalink Reply by Dee on April 12, 2008 at 4:53am

The MSRP for the passion in Canada is $18250 -- so we are actually "paying" for this extra 2 years warranty. I mean, the dollar is just about par right now so you would think it would be about the same price... but then again, we have had the smart cars here since late 2004 and there's been no worries at all that they won't sell well. Heck, I've been waiting for mine for a week and they think it will arrive next week but they are not sure. I pick up the dealer's cabriolet today -- I get to keep this until whenever my passion arrives. :)

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Coté on April 15, 2008 at 7:57pm

I suspect there are factors at work here other than just U.S./Canadian dollar parity. Unfair as it is, automobiles cost more in Canada across the board - not just the smart car. Then there's the "green car" rebate smart car buyers get in Canada. That's a pretty substantial savings.

I'm baffled by the length of the smart warranty in the U.S. Before I knew better, I accepted that it was just a marketing strategy and that we'd be able to get a true Factory extended warranty at a reasonable price. I was prepared to purchase the extended warranty until I learned what it really was.

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Permalink Reply by mark vuko on April 12, 2008 at 9:36am

Five years a go when Smart started there USA sales plan they had no idea how well Micro car sales would do in the Sates.They still have to worry about import restrictions after the elections this fall. Lets face it Ford and Chevy aren't doing very well. A Smart company has all of there bussiness angles covered years before they bring there products out to the market place. Maybe in 2009 or 2010 they will raise the price of the car and extend the warranty. My wife say's I live on planet Na Noo Na Noo..

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on April 12, 2008 at 9:43am

naaa.... i say shaaaaz-bot!!!! smart will raise the prices next year, for sure!!! look for a 10-15% increase in prices next year... maybe for those reserving after the price increase date. smart is blazing hot and penske would be foolish not to capitalize on this.

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Permalink Reply by Mike T on April 14, 2008 at 11:58am

Yea, thanks everyone! I forgot about the big price difference. that makes sense!

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