Filed under: Economy, Etc., SMART
Reserve a smart for $99? Check your email
smart, the DaimlerChrysler brand that hasn't made a profit since it started making cars in 1998, is taking every opportunity to better its chances in America. If you're dying to get in at the beginning of what will surely be a cult following, you can reserve your smart fortwo with your choice of trim level and colors for only $99 at the smart USA site.
Once you do that, you'll be a smart "insider," and you'll get an e-mail reply telling you all the wonderful things you've, well, paid for. That includes an invitation to the 50-city Road Show that smart will be putting on later this year. You'll have plenty of company: 46,000 other people who have registered for the smart so far. And yes, the $99 is applied to the purchase of the car.
Read the email sent to people who plunked down $99 to reserve a smart in the US after the jump...
The secret decoder ring translation of the e-mail received by smart "insiders":
Dear smart Enthusiast,
It has been four weeks since we launched our $99 Reservation Program and we are pleased to announce that the number of reservations has far exceeded our most optimistic expectations. Thousands of people from all around the country, even from Guam and Puerto Rico, have shown their excitement for this unique and amazing vehicle. We cannot express enough appreciation to all the enthusiasts who logged onto our system to place a reservation and who spread the word about the Reservation Program. Thank you!
fun facts
Based on our current reservations, the most popular smart fortwo model is the value packed and sporty passion coupe. The top three exterior colors for the body panels are metallic red, metallic blue and deep black. And at this time, the states leading the reservation list are California, Florida, Texas and the Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut).
street smarts
As you know, the smart USA team has been very busy preparing our cross-country Road Show that will visit over 50 cities starting in May. Wherever the Road Show stops, local Reservation Holders and smart "insiders" will be invited to attend an exclusive event to learn more about our brand and test drive the new fortwo. Stay tuned to www.smartusa.com where we will be posting all the tour information within the next few weeks.
The Road Show will introduce the smart fortwo to thousands of people around the USA, many of whom have never even heard of smart. However, since this car is so functional, innovative, and fun to drive, we anticipate thousands of people will be drawn to it like a magnet and place a reservation after just one test drive.
That's why, if you haven't yet reserved your 2008 smart fortwo, you may not want to wait another day. Please click here to reserve your smart fortwo today, and don't forget to tell your family and friends about this unique opportunity. For product information, color choices and general pricing for our three models visit www.smartusa.com.
Again, we appreciate your interest in the smart brand and we thank you for your continued enthusiasm for this amazing vehicle.
Best Regards,
Dave Schembri
President, smart USA
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
airiox 9:03AM (4/26/2007)
12 grand for that... mmmm no thanks. maybe 8 grand but 12 grand, you could get a yaris for that much.
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Matt 9:13AM (4/26/2007)
I'm going to agree with #1 on this one. That's a lot of money for a tiny car.
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Alex 9:35AM (4/26/2007)
Hmmm... so you want the Yaris, huh? Make sure you're aware of this:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/25/still-on-top-toyota-yaris-remains-most-researched-vehicle-among/
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Owen 9:39AM (4/26/2007)
True, but the mileage difference (When the finally announce it) could be as much as 20mpg. So, as a commuter vehicle, it could make a lot of sense.
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Yggdrasilly 9:58AM (4/26/2007)
It's all about statements.
Sure, a Yaris would get you more car for less money. But a Smart (like a Prius) says to everyone who sees it, "I'm not driving a tiny, weird-looking car because I don't have a lot of money, I'm driving a tiny, weird-looking car because I have money to waste!"
It's a way to boast that you work in a cubicle and not behind a counter or on a shop floor, that you probably have company-paid health insuirance and that mommy and daddy could afford to send you to college. Better still, you can wrap your boasting up in the mantle of eco-rectitude.
And you can still have a second, real car for getting groceries at Whole Foods or taking the kids to their private school:
He saw a cottage with a double coach-house,
A cottage of gentility;
And the devil did grin, for his darling sin
Is pride that apes humility.
--Coleridge, "The Devil's Thoughts"
(Now if you'll excuse me, I need to tell some git in chainmail all about our anarcho-syndicalist commune...)
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Keith M 10:30AM (4/26/2007)
Yaris? Get real - even the name is dorky.
What your car says about you:
Yaris = Wallmart
Smart = Starbucks
Also - lets assume you ask a young lady if she wants to go for a ride. Im guessing if your driving a Yaris you be solo - but if its a Smart, you have a chance. But then again - if your likely to choose a Yaris over a Smart - your general lack of style would have killed your chances anyway.
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Yggdrasilly 11:21AM (4/26/2007)
KeithM: exactamente!
Coffee cup with QuickTrip logo: "I'm drinking a 99-cent cup of crappy coffee because I don't have a lot of money!"
Coffee cup with Starbuck's logo: "I'm drinking a $3.00 cup of crappy coffee because I have more money than brains!"
Now--which guy would a woman prefer to date?
Of course, you can always refill the Starbuck's cup with QuickTrip coffee. But it's harder to do that with cars.
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Nick 11:52AM (4/26/2007)
Smart never makes a profit in ten years. Chrysler loses for a year, and Daimler cuts them off.
Ah, Germany.
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Brooksie 11:53AM (4/26/2007)
Coffee drinker or not, its still a stupid looking vehicle. Doesn't matter on the gas.
No way at 12k. No freaking way.
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james 12:27PM (4/26/2007)
$12k dealers are gonna mark these up so high you wont be able to buy one for under $20 for the first six months.
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James T 12:34PM (4/26/2007)
The real problem is that you can't get a manual transmission. I'd really consider buying one if you could.
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m 1:29PM (4/26/2007)
I know of at least 4 people who are planning on purchasing one or more variants of this vehicle. It is a very cool rear engine 3 cyclinder turbo that gets over 55 mpg. You can get a fully loaded middle model for less than 17 grand. And it is the first micro car on American soil. It may never be the best seller but it is definetly going to take us into a new direction. My family is going to have a passion in white w/ silver shell and everyone in the house is really excited about it coming. Its going to zip us around Louisville to work, school and whatever else we need when only 2 peeps are going.
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Atomicbri 1:32PM (4/26/2007)
Most of you all screaming no way must not live in a big city. This car is PERFECT for NYC and the price in my eyes is not that bad to be able to park the thing just about anywhere and no riding around block after block looking for a space to fit that oversized SUV. They are even pushing to be able to park it on the streets facing in front first to the curb....thus finding even tighter spaces! This car is NOT for everyone, sure. But for where I live in Manhattan, this is a parking dream come true. And it's safe, cause most cars here never get above 40 mph anyhow...by the time you do the lights turning red. So I am all for this in big cities, which is where this car will be sold mainly anyhow. I am looking at it that's for sure!
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Dave 1:38PM (4/26/2007)
hahaha, Yggdrasilly, that was a great statement yourself there...haha bravo!
I think i'll get myself a smart fortwo now.
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BlueNote 2:30PM (4/26/2007)
I agree that dealers are going to scalp these for crazy high prices. I don't have a use for a two seat car of any kind. I imagine that these will sell to people who just use them on weekends for fun or people that live in inner cities.
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(_E=mc2_) 2:37PM (4/26/2007)
Thats not the new model in the photo. 46000 already. Thats more than I thought would sell in the first year. Good for them.
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H 2:41PM (4/26/2007)
#5, you nailed it exactly!
I almost dropped my coffee reading that because it is so freaking true.
I have one on order for the wife. This will be our 3rd play vehicle.
Except, she does work behind the 'counter' of her business. She's going to "autowrap" it with a advertising and graphics.
My office mates are going to buy them too. We all have late model lux cars for our daily drivers so this is just another toy.
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Roberto 3:05PM (4/26/2007)
True I have to agree with number 5 because my parents have ordered three of them one for my mom, dad and one for me. I graduate from college next year so it will be another gift to me. I got a Pt Cruiser turbo for my grad gift from High School. Really like both of them. I also only drink starbucks.
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Cervus 3:59PM (4/26/2007)
Saw one of these riding home from work on my Reflex. Passed it, easily, getting better gas mileage.
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Don 5:14PM (4/26/2007)
Where the hell would you even put a bag of stuff in that thing? The roof?
No thanks...I'll take the Yaris hatchback.
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