Mikey

Well I have been working on getting the spare tire situation settled. I ordered a steel rim from "Flying Tiger". Eddy seems really helpful and responds quickly. I will purchase an inexpensive tire to mount on the wheel (spare only). I ordered a cover from Mill Ponds to carry it all in so it won't smell up the interior of the car. I think I will order the electric jack that one of the folks recommended.Do not know what lug nut wrench to get so working that out.Someone mentioned a “Block” are you speaking of a wedge of wood or something?My BIG questions remain is how do you change this (even for short drive) with all the monitoring devices on each wheel? Disable them? Will it hurt the car or warranty?I would really appreciate any input from some of you with the experience under your belt.Thank you all and I have been ill so not doing much traveling but it is parked outside my window to enjoy. Thanks

Well I have been working on getting the spare tire situation settled. I ordered a steel rim from "Flying Tiger". Eddy seems really helpful and responds quickly. I will purchase an inexpensive tire to mount on the wheel (spare only). I ordered a cover from Mill Ponds to carry it all in so it won't smell up the interior of the car. I think I will order the electric jack that one of the folks recommended.Do not know what lug nut wrench to get so working that out.Someone mentioned a “Block” are you speaking of a wedge of wood or something?My BIG questions remain is how do you change this (even for short drive) with all the monitoring devices on each wheel? Disable them? Will it hurt the car or warranty?I would really appreciate any input from some of you with the experience under your belt.Thank you all and I have been ill so not doing much traveling but it is parked outside my window to enjoy.

I got my Black Passion in Sarasota, Florida (about 1.3 hours) south of my home. My local Dealership won't open until early March (Lokey MB). Sarasota had my car so my wife drove me down and I drove it home, loved the ride.My big irritation is that I have a rattling sound under the cabin about 85% of the time when I am at a stop. When I pull up to stop at a light or crossing the car will actually "Dip" like it was trying to move forward while the brakes are applied. Weird but not a big deal.

Could it be possible the US alarm chirps and the CDN version doesn't? We've heard some US 451 owners say theirs does.

I am not Canadian but live in Florida and my anti-theft system on my Passion has always (all three weeks of ownership) chirped when engaged (two chirps) and when unlocked (one Chirp).

Here is my VIN #: WMEEJ31X78K083279

I picked up my car in Sarasota, Floirda on January 26, 2008, as the local Dealership wil;l not open until late February or early March. It was an hour + dive each way but that was fund I got to know "Sara" better.

Name came form a friend as I piced her up in Sarasota. Glad I did not pick her up in "Chipley, Florida" as my wife woul not like the name I gave her (ha ha)

bilgladstone said:

Heck with the dealer. Read the warranty. If it says MUST COMPLY WITH MB229.5, don't accept anything else.

So with that thought:

229.5 engine oils must be used with fleece oil filter designed for use with 229.5 engine oils.

AGIP Formula LL DC 5W-30 (I)

Aral SuperTronic G 0W-30 (D)

Castrol DCO TOPUP 0W-30 (D)

Castrol Syntec European Formula 0W-30 (USA)

Elf Excellium 229.5 5W-30 (F)

FormulaShell Ultra AB 5W-30 (GB)

Fuchs Titan Supersyn SL MB 5W-30 (D)

Labo MB 229.5 5W-30 (F)

Liqui Moly Longtime High Tech 5W-30 (D)

Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40 (USA)

Mobil 1 Turbodiesel 0W-40

Mobil SHC Formula MB 5W-30

Motorex Profil M-XL 5W-30 (CH)

OMV full syn MB 5W-30 (A)

Pennzoil European Formula Ultra 5W-30 (USA)

Premium Synthetik Motorenöl 5W-30 (DaimlerChrysler, D)

Quaker State European Formula Ultra 5W-30 (USA)

Shell Helix Ultra AB 5W-30 (Mercedes-Benz) (GB)

Shell Helix Ultra DC 229.5 (GB)

Total Quartz 229.5 5W-30 (F)

Valvoline SynPower MB 5W-30 (NL)

Valvoline SynPower 5W-40

Valvoline SynPower 20W-50

And that was not mounted or balanced. What a rip!!!

I got my Smart Passion last Saturday and wanted to purchase a spare (front) tire and wheel as I have seen on the forums that was the best thing to do.

Well my dealership wants:

The front wheel and price is $486.01 + mounting and balancing and we will have to order those items.

Does anyone know where I can get a reasonalbe tire and wheel , In Florida?

Thanks.

PS What type of jack would you get and wher do you keep it.

Well we drove down to Sarasota, Florida (62 miles) yesterday 1/26/08 to pick up my Smart Passion. My wife drove us down there from Largo. It is about an hours drive. She has a Scion Xb.

The dealership is "Wilde Jaguar of Sarasota". They had about 8 to 10 Smarts of all colors. Any way it has every option I ordered and I love it. Driving home was a real kick. I told my wife not to go here usual 80 to 85 miles per hour as the Smart had only 12 miles on it. We went between 60 and 72 miles per hour all the way home. It handled great and drove like a dream. The shifting from a stand still will take some getting use to.

I have some disappointments in the cost and the dealership. The car came without floor mats and I had to pay for them. I got the rubber ones. In addition the dealership charged me $645.00 Destination fee, $489.50 for dealer prep, cleaning, fueling, preparing documentation. There is a charge (in Florida) for waste tire/lead acid batter, which is $6.50, State Sales tax was $1,010.30, and License plate transfer charge was $125.00.

I was shocked that there is no way to attach my Florida tag to the car as the dealership did not have a bracket to allow this to be accomplished. They will mail me one when they get it.

I wanted to purchase a spare wheel and tire but the dealership wanted $489.00 for them and then wanted to charge me to mount the tire and balance it.

I wanted the "Smart Extended service plan" but was told that there was some problem selling this in Florida. The dealers had their own plan but it was over $1,200.00 for 4 years and the Smart plan is: $695.00. They said I should be able to purchase the Smart plan when it comes available in Florida.

Hopefully when the Clearwater dealership opens I can get better assistance and responses.

Bottom line I really like the car and WOW it makes my house look like a mansion (ha ha)

You are SSOOoo lucky. My day should be here in less than three weeks. Like you I will try to take possession on a Saturday.Congrats to you, you lucky lady!!!

Jon said:

I asked my dealer that question. He said that it was his understanding that the cars going to Jacksonville and Long Beach are shipped directly there from Europe.

My concern is that I am to pick up my car in Sarasota. I bought a Mazda Miata that had come down from Jacksonville via rail. The paint was incrusted in "Rail Dust" which began to rust and create little rainbows all over the paint. I had to fight to get the dealership to do a complete detail to get the rail dust off the car. It took using some procedure involving a clay to rub the paint clean.

The Clearwater, Florida dealership won't even open until late February or early March.

Welcome and I am really happy for you as this sounds like a very good idea:

...getting rid of my dreadful 2000 neon and getting a smart.

Enjoy your Smart!!I should have mine by next month.

Harleyduo said:

Mike, I have gleaned several VIN's or the last few digits of owner's VIN's in the United States, ...

Actually I don't have anything yet. As soon as they contact me I will get the VIN (if possible) and pass it along.

I am so excited and anxious. Hope I get the colors, options, etc. that I wanted and ordered.

I got this email this morning:

Great News! We are excited to inform you that your smart fortwo is scheduled to arrive in the United States within the next 30 days. You will be one of the first customers to experience this amazing vehicle in the United States. Based on your address of record, your order has been assigned to

smart center Sarasota

4821 Clark Rd

Sarasota, FL 34233

Phone Number: (941) 924-3019

smart center Sarasota will be contacting you shortly to work out details of your purchase agreement and arrange for delivery.

The major dissapontment is my dealership in Clearwater won't open until late Feburary or early March.

But I get my car!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!!

I got this email this morning:

Great News! We are excited to inform you that your smart fortwo is scheduled to arrive in the United States within the next 30 days. You will be one of the first customers to experience this amazing vehicle in the United States. Based on your address of record, your order has been assigned to

smart center Sarasota

4821 Clark Rd

Sarasota, FL 34233

Phone Number: (941) 924-3019

smart center Sarasota will be contacting you shortly to work out details of your purchase agreement and arrange for delivery.

The major dissapontment is my dealership in Clearwater won't open until late Feburary or early March.

But I get my car!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!!

I thought it would be a good idea to start a “Florida Dealership" listing.Contact information, addresses, & phone numbers, etc.Here is the dealership in Clearwater, Florida:Lokey Mercedes-Benz19820 U.S. Hwy 19 NorthClearwater, FL 33764Phone: 877-251-6419Here is what I got from the dealership:

The contact for our dealership is Miguel Bartoli. He is out of the office until Monday January 14th. Our SmartCar dealership will not be opening until the end of February or beginning of March. His contact info is 727-374-2326 and email is mbartoli@lokeyautos.com.

YAHOO!!!! I just saw this and today is THURSDAY so I am wating for the phone to ring. I sure hope my call comes in. This is really exciting and everyone of the posts are like kids in a candy store and I like the "Christmas" comment too.I gotta keep my eyes and ears open from this date forward.Thanks for this news!!!!

Nice car and man I can not wait to see mine roll in and get some photos up on the forum.Thanks for sharing and I like the red interior and exterior color combination

Jay Leno is a true automobile collector and he liked the car so that is really COOL!!!

AnitaThanks for the video link it was great and I really enjoyed watching it.I am anxious for the purchase process to move on the the final purchase of my Passion

My guess (and its only a guess) is that the majority of the CsC members are Canadians. So when smarts are available in the U.S., do you imagine that Americans will be content with joining CsC?

I am a very new member to this forum BUT I would not be in favor of a USA forum only. I lke the addiditon of the USA section but I have gathered more informaion form experienced drivers/owners than a stand alone USA site could render.

Just my view.

I like the update but I am not able to identify the Smart Dealership in Tampa from theirr map. I know it is Lokey Mercedes but not from the map. One of you had that list on the old site.

I have always like the term "Black Beauty" for my cars. I always try to buy a black car. My wife thinks (knows) that I an nuts as we live in Florida.

So, cancel away everyone. I'll keep my late reservation though, just so I can tell you how horrible this car is once I get it.

You da man!!!! With 34,000 deposits on some 25,000 you may be onto something

DETROIT, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Penske Automotive Group expects to sell up to 25,000 two-seat Smart cars in the United States next year, as the dealership chain remains on track to launch the car in the first quarter of 2008.

Penske Automotive Chairman and Chief Executive Roger Penske said on a Thursday conference call the retailer had 35,400 reservations for the Smart car, produced by the Mercedes division of German automaker Daimler AG

This is like booking an Airline ticket.

Hope I am one of the 25,000