Say Hello to the WheeCar
I fell in love with the Smart car at first sight when we traveled in Italy in 2001. As soon as we got back to the U.S.A. I started researching how to get one. Even then there were rumors it was coming here. At some point there was a mailing list posted where you could keep updated on announcements. Finally at the beginning of 2007 there was a posting sent saying that reservations were going to be opening on March 19th. In order to reserve you had to fork over $99 to prove you were serious. This $99 was completely refundable if you wanted to backout later. They plan on bringing 20,000 cars over this year and have received more than 30,000 reservations. www.smartusa.com if you want to read more.
I waited a few days before committing. I really didn't want to give up my beloved Squalo. Finally I decided that I'd worry about it when the car arrived. On March 26th, 2007 I submitted my deposit. A few months later I was able to actually "build the car" online. Finally in February of 2008 I got notice that my car would arrive within thirty days. I spoke to the dealership in Columbus and told them that I was leaving for vacation the first half of March just for assurances if the car arrived during my vacation they wouldn't sell it to someone else. He promised me that wouldn't be a problem. We were scheduled to fly on 3/3/08 and the dealer called me on 3/2/08 and told me my baby had arrived. We picked it up on the 14th of March after returning from Belize.
Everywhere I go people break their necks looking at the car. Almost nobody here has ever seen one before which I find amazing. They all ask the same questions. What kind of car is it? Is it electric? What kind of mileage does it get? How much does it cost? I keep saying I'm going to make a flyer to handout with the answers. My husband and I have joked about making up answers. We could say its powered by a nuclear fuel cell. It gets 1875 mpg. Its made by the Lego company and it costs $460k.
Once I get the windows tinted I'll post more pictures. So far the only mods is adding a Sirius.
The greatest things so far is I get to keep the Squalo. (Hubby pictured here is taking it over and we've already sold his Mini Cooper) Simon (Boxer pictured) fits perfectly in the boot and loves when the Cabrio top is pushed up so he can poke his head out the back while we motor around. All three of us certainly don't fit in the Miata.
