Smartxs's Posts - 451 smart fortwo

I Haven't Died, Just Got to Heaven!

2008-06-09T05:30:00.000Z

Finally, May 21, 2008 smartxs was delivered!

Drove her home and then around a bit that evening so she had 42 miles on the odometer. But then I had to abandone her!

Friday I had to leave for a weekend Optimist District meeting in Sacramento, and I WOULD have taken smartxs but I had two passengers to take along and NEITHER was willing to ride in the trunk!

Sunday we got home and I installed the NAV/Bluetooth/XM radio and the arm rest. A few more miles running around and taking the wife for a test drive and we are now at 200 miles by Monday evening.

Thinking about adding a blog to the 451 site and then whoops! Setback! Went for a drive instead. Then had work get in the way, so had some running around to do for that - ah shucks! By the end of the weekend we had completed most of the planned breakin and had 517 miles on smartxs.

Trip to Belmont CA to get the tinting film selected and trimmed at AutoImage (great shop, by the way), but not enough time to get it installed because I was supposed to be in Riverside CA by 5PM. So, left at 10AM to hit the road for a 480 mile drive down hwy101 to 152 to I-5, to 210, and the 60 to Monster Media, Inc.

We had already done the design for the wrap, but the template they had was of the 450 so the car needed to be measured before they printed the final design. Tuesday they printed and Wednesday they spent the entire day installing (completing the install at 8PM)! Although smartxs was the first smart ForTwo they had done, they had two more ForTwo designs in process.

However, I may have gotten the install cheaper than anyone else is going to, because the installer thought it would take about 7 hours to complete, and it took 11!! When I asked him if he would do anything differently to save time, he said, "I have never done such a difficult car! This has more curves and cuts in the body than any other I have ever done. Could I do anything to save time? Probably not. We would just let the customer know it would take two days to install instead of allowing one as we did for you."

But consensus so far is the wrap is great looking, tells people what our business is (conservative -taxes) but graphics are fun- like the car!

So, back home, then a trip to La Honda CA and smartxs now has 1690 miles on it.

Gas mileage hasn't been great, but then I was constantly accelerating and decelerating and driving at 'accelerated' speeds. First tank was good for 33MPG, second was around town, to Belmont, back to San Jose CA for a fill at 34MPG. Next tank took me to LA for 35.7MPG and the next was the return trip at 39.1MPG. Keep in mind the trip to LA was at speeds in excess of posted limits and I went over the Grapevine (a 4800Ft climb though the Pacific Range of mountains that is accomplished primarily in about 7 miles and is a common spot for cars to overheat) at 75 in 4th gear and could have gone faster but was watching the engine temperature (with my Scangauge) .

The ride home was at a more sedate pace, generally running at xx -xx (still over the posted limit, thank you).

Trip to La Honda, again through the Pacific Coast mountain range, and back, then up to Belmont for the tint installation, plus some around town driving yielded 47MPG with much more conservative driving.

Don't know if you all know this but Premium is running $4.59 a gallon in our area (actually was $4.55 when I left for LA) and they are paying 12 to 14 cents more in the greater Los Angeles area.

Small cars are starting to show up all over, some kind of strange. The smart is one of the smallest, it is also one of the most nicely fitted.

Sometime this week I will install the carbon fiber faux disk brakes on the rear, and may permanently install the scangauge where the passenger airbag light is, but still considering it. Also coming is the installation of the back-up camera, which is wired, but not installed.

So, for those that might have been interested, sorry about not posting sooner, but when you're in LOVE it is too easy to ignore your friends.

I will also try to get some pictures posted of the red (before) and sunset (after) smartxs this week.

Could it Take ANY Longer?!

2008-05-19T06:03:50.000Z

Well, the dealer got about 15 new cars in this weekend. VINs range from 138,000 to 142,000. My vin is 141,630.

Guess which vehicle wasn't in the delivery!

I am sure it also means that mine will be delivered in the next few days.

Now I am REALLY excited! Will probably be heart-attack excited when the car actually arrives!

Time for practicing the breathing exercises. If I don't, I might forget to breathe. breathe, breathe.

I know you are probably tired of hearing about the car not being here. I know my family is.

In fact, I am tired of telling people it isn't here!

The next post will be one of JOY.

The next post will be to tell that smartxs is HERE!

So when you get notice there is a post, trust me, I WILL HAVE the car!!!!!

Thanks to my good friends that have been encouraging me on this quest.

Larry

Here It COOOmmmes!

2008-05-14T02:49:51.000Z

Well, maybe.

e-mail from smart center San Jose today: smartxs unloaded today, delivery to dealer usually takes 10 days and they will get it serviced as quickly as possible and notify me when it is ready for delivery.

and yes, we know you don't want the front license plate installed.

My response: Don't install the front license plate!
Money is burning a hole in my pocket waiting for delivery.
Remember: This IS my Birthday Month!!
Thanks.

So that would put delivery to the dealer a week from this Friday and she should be in May 23, which HAPPENS to be the date the dealer projected about a month ago when looking it up on their computer.

Dare I hope that she will show up a day or two early? Please, Please, Please, Please!

We have now completed the design of the wrap, so it will be ready about the time smartxs gets here.

I still have more stuff coming in - Hey! It's my Birthday Month - allright!? - ordering floor mats from classicsmarts (smartcarsofamerica), got the blue tooth ordered for the Nav, got the XM add on ordered to go with the Nav.

Will probably order a car cover soon. "We have too many cars!" (Wife). Let's see, three people live here and there are 7 vehicles and one motorcycle. What? I use them all! Each (except the cycle) gets over 10,000 miles a year, and the Camry is at 40,000 miles and doesn't have its second Birthday for 9 days!

camry just HAPPENS to be a Birthday Month car too.

So when smartxs gets here, let the contest begin. I was able to average 48.2 MPG at 55MPH (actually between 50 and 60 as I let her drift) in the Camry Hybrid over 1/4 tank of gas (it was actually 4.3 gallons) and then I had to do city driving, so filled up to check mileage.

camry has laid down the challenge to smartxs! "I'm not willing to give anything up to smartie, but do keep in mind I am a bigger car!" says camry -

"Yeah, right, camry, admitting defeat already?"

anyhoo - I got a new dog to fill in the gap whislt waiting for smartxs. Baby is (yeah, that's her name, and?) waiting for the first ride.

Whadaya Mean NO CAR!?

2008-05-11T05:51:01.000Z

Dealer got NO deliveries Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or today - I was SURE it would arrive this week and deliver next (after all I told the dealer this is Birthday Month!) and the dealer wants me OUTTA the showroom!

Yes, it really is birthday month, and YES I really do celebrate it ALL month! My wife will verify this.

So, back to the line, and waiting.

Nav is here, installation kits are here, arm rest is here, scangauge is here, Zimmer's special imitation disk brake drum covers are here, the instrument cluster is here, and I am not sure what else is in that room - it is so full I can't get in anymore. The wrap is being designed, the plates are ordered - I even ordered a second set in case I decided I liked the spelling better! (smrtaxs)

Does this sound like a guy that is going to put the car on eBay or Craig's List and sell it?!

Comeon smart! DELIVER!!!!!!!

Looking on this site and another that will remain un-named but starts with smart and ends with ofamerica.com, reservation 1205 is due to arrive at the dealer. Tracking the VIN; 141,630 is due to arrive!

Let's see, I voted for one of the winners on Dancing With The Stars, and I voted for David Archuletta on American Idol. I went to see Iron Man and Speed Racer - TWICE. Am I forgetting something?

Did President Bush hold up this shipment so it wouldn't interfere with Jenna's wedding in some manner? Was this Homeland Securithy's evil way of getting back at me for a life of doing good deeds? Did my contibutions to the campaigns of McCain, Obama and Hillary get overlooked - or make me appear to be conflicted? Was this a result of the truckers' strike on the West Coast? (Come on guys, I'll kick in for fuel!)

Was this GM's retribution for buying a Mercedes?

Or did the ship's GPS not have the West Coast maps in it?

We will never know with certainty.

I can only hope smartxs (smrtaxs?) doesn't remain lost at sea, or the parking lot at the shipyard, or worse was misdelivered to the Santa Barbara dealer.

Perhaps she detoured to the Great Race to watch.

And if she succombed to the charms of Mr Bad Example's Pure?

Lord, we could end up with Pure Passion for a smartie.

Ordering on-line

2008-04-25T03:27:01.000Z

I order a lot of stuff on line, and since I knew the smart was on the way, I guess I have gotten carried away buying it birthday presents. (Can you really spoil a smartie?!)

Of all the items I have ordered, only one transaction has presented a problem. But, I get ahead of myself.

You've possibly read my earlier posts about the mirror accessories, the arm rest, trunk storage unit, the scangauge and Lord knows what else is in the other room! It is getting so crowded I am afraid to go in - kind of like the comedy closet on the old radio shows.

Well, the other day I went shopping for a new stereo/nav/bluetooth head for the smart. CA mandates hands free for cell phone users effective July 1, 2008, and though there are other solutions, I have bluetooth handsfree in my Camry and Acura and believe they are far superior to microphone systems or earpiece systems so wanted to start smartxs with his own set.

After a great deal of research, I considered the Eclipse unit, a Kenwood unit, Panasonic and Pioneer units. Finally, I landed upon the Panasonic CNNVD905U and started shopping it locally and on the internet. After finding one on the internet at a best price, I ordered it and from there things went bad. I won't go into the whole incident, but the dealer was glad to give my money back to make me go away - and I am not certain I will abandon my complaint even now.

Yes, its a $1800 unit, but I found a much better price, and will probably try to buy one on line again in the immediate future. Though I found the Elcipse for about $250 less than what I will be paying for the Panasonic, I have decided I like the Panasonic better for ease of use.

Plus I have also already ordered the accessories to enable the XM, Bluetooth, my wife's iPod; back-up camera, and USB external port for my Zune and software updates.

However! If you are still reading and can tell me where to locate the radio surround, I would appreciate knowing. I haven't found one yet, though the dealer has used one on the installation of the Eclipse unit installed in their floor model.

To make up for this bad experience I have to report that I was treated wonderfully by the GominiGo.com folks when I ordered my license plate holder from them. Already have notification that it is on the way. Great People to deal with.

Oh, I also got started on the design process of the advertising wrap we are going to use on the car. Once that is complete, I will probably order an extra set of 'skin' for smartxs so he can swap for special outings.

If you are looking for a West coast firm for this, check out www.wrapvehicles.com They are a bit more expensive than the Florida firm but are here!

Did you read on the smart site that it takes 4.5 hours to build one smart? That would mean one worker could build two a day - if they didn't take a lunch break! I know that someone will remind me they are built in France and say something about them working more than an 8 hour shift. Come on. Do it!

Delivery date is supposed to be May 21. Dealer got in more cars today and has 31 sitting on lot plus three in the showroom. Deliveries to dealer are picking up. They are having a hard time getting them all prepped and ready for delivery each week. San Jose CA. None of the cars were orphans at this point.

I introduced a friend to the smart car on Sunday, no test drive. The family put a deposit on a white/black/comfort package cabrio. Learned the DDE is August - October 2009 on Tuesday. It stayed the same on Wednesday and today! Even my DDE has finally frozen with April 21, 2008 - July 20, 2008!

Arm Rest, VIN check, and THAT is about all!

2008-04-20T05:37:08.000Z

I received my arm rest from that great eBayer Witold Swirski in London Ontario Canada. Just what was promised and looks of good quality. I am PLEASED by the service and the product. Thanks Witold!

As noted in my last blog post, I got my VIN. I cruised by the San Jose, CA dealer today and noticed he has 21 cars on the lot, so - what the heck! - curious as the proverbial cat, I perused the smarts and checked VINs. Hey! Why NOT?

On one side of the lot were 'old' cars - VINs in the 101-109,000 range and they were either orphans or had customer names on them.

AND THEN I noticed about 13 cars on the other side of the lot (part of the 21 total) that still had scanner stickers on them and I decided they must be the 'new' cars probably delivered about quitting time.

These had VINS ranging from 119,017 - 132,940! - Most were in the 124-128 range; two were in the 132 range, so I am betting the next batch will be in the 135-140 range, though mine might make it!

My VIN is 141,630. I figure that means two more shipments and mine could be here! I had planned (based on the dealer's estimate, noted in the previous post) for the car to arrive about May 17, which would make it too late for the May 18 ralley; at least it would be in town. Ohhhh, that is 4 weeks away!

After checking today, I am beginning to think the car may actually show up the first/second week of May and I will be able to join all you happy smart drivers EARLY!!!

Okay, I am still trying to contain myself, and with all the goodies I have stacking up in my den, I figure my mostly stock Passion will gain about 20 lbs in presents on the day of its arrival!

I am now looking at Nav/Radio systems. Saw one by Eclipse (model 2210P MkII) that looks interesting because the Nav unit can be removed from the radio, but its facia sticks out about 1/2 inch. That has caused me to consider a Pioneer because its programming is the same as my Camry's unit and it might be easier to wrap my old brain around. It also has a more factory look to it.

Still thinking about the instrument cluster, and I will add a cruise control that is under development when it is available. So there are still more things to spoil smartxs with. Oh, yeah! I still haven't gotten my personalized plates from California! Those should be coming any day now, too!

And THAT is about all! - for this post.

VIN!!!!!

2008-04-14T19:38:53.000Z

Well, I got the '30 day' email from my dealer telling me the car was manufactured and shipping to CA and should arrive within 30-40 days for delivery to me. And this after a nasty note to smartUsA about the DDE and inconsistent stories only minutes before.

I responded asking for the VIN and I feel like I have kinda been jerked around the last week, but I HAVE the VIN!

Maybe I will have it by mid-May, and maybe it will be a little later, but I now have something more solid than the DDE which has fluctuated nearly every day.

I will say however the DDE was never WRONG - the delivery date in the DDE has always been inclusive of the new anticipated delivery date. Even though it fluctuated on either end by over a month - Mid-May was always in there somewhere!

So, now I have to find something else to talk about. . .

Bumper car or not to Bump Her Car + Manufacturing video of Your smartie

2008-04-13T05:31:54.000Z

I had mentioned I found suv like bumpers on another site. Well, maybe you don't want them at 200 Euros - plus shipping. But this site has several interesting items that maybe we will see on this side of the ocean some day.

http://www.smartsrus.com/srus/136_Stainlesssteelprotect.html

Do a cut and paste and enjoy.

I also found the link for the manufacturing video and will add it to this blog, but it is on another computer. Here it is:

http://www.smart.com/-snm-0135035552-1207898408-0000002721-0000000984-1208064252-enm-view/derrièrelescoulisses/mpc-fr_fr_FR_EUR_urn:uuid:21ffb15c-c226-51f4-a9ea-bf3d3cae3418

There should be a picture of the factory and several smaller pictures that show snaps of the manufacturing process. Below this there is a link that says view a video clip (in French though so you will have to translate it). Click on the link and the movie will start. Good beat to the music, the video is artsy, but gives an overview of the process.

Enjoy.
Larry

DDE Part 3, or is it 4, 5?

2008-04-13T01:22:40.000Z

I don't know if anyone is following this blog, or even cares about their DDE, but I care about mine, and fortunately the smartUSA site says check back often as it may change! Well, I do check it often, and you will see why.

I know there are many out there reserving today and they are getting DDEs into 2009 up to 18 months out from their reservation. My reservation number is 1205, I reserved 4/20/07 and have been waiting just under a year. I know I have longer to wait because my dealer said so, and I watch the reservation number deliveries to California on this and other forums. While I feel for those with 2009 deliveries, I can also understand that their DDEs might not be accurate because they are so far out, and would rationally think they would reduce/become more accurate as the reservationsit's year passes.

But, lest they get too excited, here's my story (summarized; you can read more of the thoughts and feelings in earlier posts):

First (4/1): No Data Available, Check Back - okay it is a new system, I might not be in it yet.
Second(4/2): 4/26/08 -7/25/08
Third(4/3): 4/27 - 7/26/08 (I had made a reconfiguration request and advised I should expect a possible delay)
Fourth(4/4): - DDE 4/29/08 - 7/28/08
Fifth: (Dealer) April 7 got email that delivery would be 2-3 months which would make delivery between June 7 and July 7
Sixth(4/7): 3/3 - 6/1/08 (This actually 'stuck' for what seemed like a week and was when smartUSA called to tell me the car was "in transit" and the changes to the configuration could not be made - Okay, I understand that with the 3/3 - 6/1 date.)
Seventh(actual 'sticking time' of the previous was really only 4 days): - (today 4/5): - April 19 - July 18, 2008

Hey! What happened? Did the ship hit a tropical storm?! Did they decide that I would be too disappointed if the changes weren't made to the configuraton? Did they think I WOULDN'T NOTICE?! (Said with a wicked laugh outloud!)

Well, I did notice.

Am I upset? No not really, as I said before, it is all part of the process and I will take it in stride. I'm not unhappy, just confused. I'll take it in stride and without complaint - well not too many complaints. My wife gets the daily report and she is as confused as I am, but it adds to our anticipation.

We may sleep in the car the first night just so it can't leave or change color overnight.

Disappointment - well barely

2008-04-12T04:30:00.000Z

I reconfigured my car, at the last possible minute instead of anticipating far enough in advance to actually entertain a chance they would be able to meet my request.

Well, I anticipated they would meet it anyhow. I thought my DDE had been extended because they were actually going to make the changes. Then my DDE suddenly got much shorter.

Reality was smartUSA called today to let me know the car had already been manufactured and was in transit, so the changes couldn't be implemented.

How do I feel? Sadness that the changes weren't made so the car isn't the 'perfect' car. But the car is still configured the way I wanted it at the outset, and that means it has the stuff that was important to me.

I actually feel happy! I know the car is on the way! I know it is configured the way I originally wanted it! Expected delivery date is in May, or early June, or it might get lost and not come in until July. What do I care?!

Smartie is on the way!! Whoooo Hooo!

Dance a little jig, sing a little song, smile, laugh, feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Oh! In addition, I now have the scangauge, the trash container, and the trunk storage units! The armrest is on the way, and I will order the instrument cluster in the next couple of days (probably along with a miniature smartie).

Then I will wait. I will wait patiently.

Yeah, right.

ALL SMILES!

2008-04-10T04:30:00.000Z

Shees! You can't help but be entertained by the DDE!

If you check my other blog posts, you will see that my DDE has varied, a little but always in the same late April to late July timeframe.

You will also know that my dealer called with a delivery date within 90 days, and even that fell into a mid-July timeframe.

Well, today's date changed on the DDE. Mr Schembri, Thank You! Delivery between March 3 and June 1!!! Perhaps it will be here sometime in mid-May like I originally anticipated - before DDE was even available.

Cynical? No not hardly! Just Darn! HAPPY and even MORE excited. Maybe all the items I have ordered will be here before the car yet. If not, then it will be like getting presents for SMARTXS and sharing them with her.

Hope your days are going as fast as mine!

GO SMART!

DDE fluctuation

2008-04-09T03:14:53.000Z

I've read on this forum and others that the DDE has ranged up to 120 days. Mine seems to have settled for about a 90 day range, but it seems to change every day!

If I hadn't been printing out the page, I might have thought that I was losing my mind, but today the delivery period changed again. Someone at smart must have been reading my posts, because instead of extending a day because another day has passed, the entry day stayed the same and the exit day DROPPED!

Now is April 27 - July 25, 2008.

Along with the news that I ordered the arm rest last night is the news ForTwoday.

I love reading the hypermiler posts, though I doubt I will try to get in league with them. My normal driving allows me to beat EPA and most other drivers of the same car, so I will probably stick with my style.

I have read of other Camry Hybrid owners getting 48, though I have only gotten 42.5. But I can get 40 plus regularly, and do 41-42 with a fully loaded car at 75MPH. Around town durning the summer I will get 38-40. I bought the smart expecting to do about the same in it in a eye catching, fun car.

I wonder, though if some of the variance in mileage is more than just light feet and good feel for the car. Perhaps, just perhaps, the variation also results from build differences and factory set-up.

Wait a Day, Wait a DAY! Part 2

2008-04-07T23:25:52.000Z

Someone MUST have dropped off the reservation list - behind me - again!

Checked the DDE today and it slipped ANOTHER day; two actually! Now is 4/29/08 - 7/28/08. Ah well, not to fear I am okay with it, as long as it doesn't KEEP HAPPENING! (Thank you very much!)

The bonus is, today I got the 90 day email from my dealer! Aha! smartUSA has informed Steve they have begun building my smartie and it should arrive at the dealership in 2-3 months! He also invited me to add several thousand dollars of accessories, but I think I will pass since I have the Navigation unit and Blue Tooth accessories covered already. My portable XM radio will plug into the accessory outlet in the glovebox, and I don't think I need the 10 inch sub-woofer - I am a little old for that, I think.

So, here we go, now I can get excited and anxious for real.

Deep breath, Larry, you know this doesn't all become real until Steve calls and says, "It's Here!"

Hard not to get just a little bit excited though!

tingle - no not tinkle! TINGLE as with excitement!

Could I wait until 2009? If I had made my reservation in the last couple of months perhaps.

Am I glad it will soon be on its way? Get serious! Of Course!!!!

Now let's see, do I have all my accessories?
XM radio - check
Blue Tooth hands free? - check
Little convex mirrors for left and right side? - check
Smaller flex antenna? - check
Trunk organizer? - ordered and backordered check
Scangauge II? - ordered and shipping check
Car Cover? - Not yet ordered
Floor mats? - not yet, need to get some measurements
Model ForTwo in appropriate color? - Oh My! where am I going to find one???

Other suggestions?

Yahoooooooo!!!! Jump Jump! Let's do the wave! Ice cream for everybody! Yahooooooo!

Wait a day, Wait a DAY!

2008-04-05T02:07:47.000Z

I had mentioned that I had re-configured my smartie the other day, and then went from April-June for the DDE to April 26-July 25th DDE.

Well, I read on another forum that two reservists had dropped out and decided to see if I had moved up in my dellivery date!

No, the dates are now Arpil 27th - July 26th. I then checked their reservation dates and they were both higher than mine. My date got sucked the worng way! I would appreciate those with numbers higher than 1205 NOT cancelling their reservations and causing this to happen again - PLEASE!

Maybe this reflects a slight delay in the production date, but of far greater concern is the date will slip a day for every day that passes!

I really don't think that is the case, but could you imagine? Wait a day, Wait a DAY!

Then again, it might just reflect the delay caused by the re-configuration.

Still no VIN though, so the production hasn't started yet - right?

Keep smiln' the anticipation is almost as much fun as being able to drive it - yeah, right!

Last night I ordered an organizer for the trunk from The Company Store, and the ScanGauge II from Amazon. Maybe will get the convex mirrors and a stubby antenna over the weekend.

Motor Trend has a video on their web site of a BMW factory tour. The automation is incredible, and interesting to watch. One of the shots was of their 'body warehouse' where purchasers had changed or cancelled their order after production had begun and the bodies (not the customer's) were pulled out of the assembly line and STORED in huge storage racks a la CostCo!

Drive happy! Drive safe!

No More Carping!

2008-04-03T22:30:00.000Z

I checked the DDE today and there was actually a date! (Well a range of dates, acutally.)

Previously I just had April through June, but now I have April 26th through July 25th, so I must have hit the 90 day window for production.

Was it caused by my re-configuration? Was it going to happen anyway? Was it because I joined the 451s forum?

Bigger question might be if this is the post-re-configuration date or if it will be revised to reflect a delay caused by the 'act!'

Whatever! I feel like I am a little closer to what others have reported and I had yet to experience. Still a virgin, though, I don't have a VIN. When that comes, I'm getting everyone a drink!

Hmmm, I wonder if it is because I have this blog now, and the bosses realized I really am a fan?

Rooting for everyone to get their dream car: a smartie ForTwo!

smart Update

2008-04-03T03:00:00.000Z

Well, I got antsy yesterday. After seeing the upgraded interior at the meet in SF last weekend, and reviewing the accessories I had already purchased, I called smartUSA and they told me the car hadn't started production yet, that Yes, I could change the options and it may or may not delay the car.

After waiting a year, I didn't want to delay any longer, but was told; a) they wouldn't make the changes if it had been scheduled and had actually started the production run (I assumed this meant the 'just in time' supplier production as well). So I asked, "How long?" Nice guy that he was he told me it could delay the car from a couple weeks to a couple months, but even at that there were no gaurantees.

Your worst fears are realized. I re-configured my car! No April fool's joke. I decided to add options that I had thought I wanted, but didn't get, and the net increase was only $410. I figure in the long run I will be happier with the car, adding the comfort package, fog lights and instrument cluster than always looking back and wishing I had done it.

Now, if the car is REALLY en route - heck I don't care if it has the additional features, so I will still be excited and happy about getting the car.

I have seen the Scangauge II and what it does, and have already decided I will install it - whether or not I get the instrument cluster. In fact, I am thinking about installing it in my Camry Hybird that already has the information center, because of the additional information it yeilds.

So there is my update! The DDE still shows delivery between April and June 2008, and I expect it to change (but HOPE it won't).

Red, Black Tridion, Comfort Package, Instrument Cluster, Fog Lights. Res #1204, Deposit 4/20/07; Original configuration 12/14/07. No VIN notification to date.

Smile, I am EXCITED about my smartie coming, even if it is delayed! After all, I read today that Lambroginis are sold out through 2009, I think that puts us in rarified company - imagine a smart being equal to a Lambo (if only in wait time)!

My Firsts ForTwoday

2008-04-01T04:30:00.000Z

Visiting this site this morning. Signing up for membership tonight. Checking my Estimated Delivery date on the smartUSA website (first available today). Writing a blog here!

I guess that is about it.

smartie will be red with black tridion, beige interior, power steering and heated seats. I will be adding the instrument cluster once I have the car, and will probably add a Scangauge to monitor the vitals. The car will be used for daily driving around the San Jose CA area, but also for advertising.

I expected to receive it, according to the rate the cars seem to be arriving, in May and my estimated delivery window is Arpil - June, so May still seems to be about the right time to expect it.

It is sooooo hard to contain my excitement about my smartie!

I first saw one in Europe shortly after they came out and knew I wanted one even then! I saw one of the sport cars in Mexico and loved it, but realized it wasn't entirely practical for me (is the ForTwo or is it a fun and entertaining indulgence?) but became one of the early reservers, though not as early as many.

I attended my first smart rally in San Francisco last weekend. And saw some of the first cars delivered to Northern California.

So the last couple of days have been filled with firsts, good ones all!

I can't wait for my first drive in SMARTXS (smart taxes) when she arrives!