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Permalink Reply by toes on July 7, 2009 at 8:54pm

Just to add to the confusion (and opposing opinions) :-): I own an 08 passion and live in a (arrid) hot and cold climate: Colorado. I ordered my passion with the comfort package (and upgraded radio) which includes heated leather seats, auto lights and windshield wipers.

I probably should have ordered the fog lights (more light is always better, even though the stock lights are plenty bright) since they take some effort to install afterwards (lot's of panel removal and I believe some dealer programming).

I did not order the "bugeyes" (clock and rev counter instruments) and those are easy to add later, if you wanted to. I think the dash looks cleaner without them and the info they provide isn't very useful.

Mine is colored black on black, but I would not recommend that for heat and dust collection and visibility. If possible I would not recommend the leather seats either, but to get heated seats (I think that is possible), especially for a convertible, so you can drive top-down more :-).

Aftermarket I fitted a louder, italian airhorn, and an aftermarket Doug Thorley header (which is louder, but provides quite a bit more ooomph) and K&N airfilter (for the standard air box).

One thing to consider with the panel colors is that certain ones are colored integrally (with just a clearcoat) which might be better for little dings and scratches, whereas the metallic colors are painted on.

HTH and enjoy your smart! t.

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Permalink Reply by Alan on July 8, 2009 at 9:20pm

Thank you all.

I greatly appreciate the input and everyone's opinions.

I believe I will be picking up my smart on the 25th. Your advice really made a difference.

Thanks, Again
Alan

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Permalink Reply by Diana & Gary on July 9, 2009 at 9:46am

We have a 2009 Rally Red Cabriolet, with fog lights, their great for night driving, and watching out for animals along side the road, like having your brights on, but doesn't blind the oncoming traffic. We have heated seats, with red cloth interior, we LOVE the heated seats, they are well worth it, since we don't have cruise, (yet), I turn the heated seats on when going long distances, to help with leg cramps ect. it's amazing how good that feels, even in hot weather.
One option I did Not get was the power steering, I wish I had, it would just be easier parking, not that it's that difficult, since it's such a little car, but it would just add to the ease of steering in tight spots.
We did get the tach and clock, we use both, the tach, is just another tool to help keep us from pushing the red line, when we're trying to hot rod her. And the clock is just easier to see than the digital clock on the dash.
We did Not get the comfort package, because we wanted the red seats.

Love! the Radio, that came with it, I tell people we got a big Radio with Wheels.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Nichols on July 10, 2009 at 1:18am

I bought a 2008 Cabriolet last month- used, but virtually new- at the Louisville Carmax with 1200 miles on the clock. No options were on it. Like the 2009 models, it came standard with the full blown factory stereo package, (6-disc changer, subwoofer, tweters),and temperature contolled A/C. The cabriolet has more standard items than the coupes. All in all, I found little to add from the factory. The only thing I would recommend as a pre-installed option are the tach/clock pods. The price on this installed at the factory is less than half of the cost if you buy it later from the dealer, uninstalled. I do plan on picking the pods up soon from the dealer and installing them myself. The car is set up for them from the factory, and it is a pretty easy job if one can handle a screwdriver and a socket wrench- no rocket science involved. So if you find a car that is perfect in every other way, don't turn it down for a lack of pods.

As for the Comfort Package, I'm glad I don't have it. Leather gets stiiff and chilly in the cold, so one might need heated seats with that material. Cloth has always beeen comfortable in the winter for me (I live in Kentucky now, and was born and raised in Ohio). The "orange" and black of my cloth interior is actually quite cheery and is often an attitude changer for me. I'd turn down an open car with dark interior, especially of you plan to keep the top down a lot. On a sunny, hot day you'll wish you had "seat coolers" instead of warmers. The "orange" cloth in my car does a fine job of reflecting- and not absorbing- the sun's rays. The power steering isn't really necessary in the smart. With the car's light weight and the engine in the back, it doesn't take much effort to steer- or parallel park. Initally, if you parallel park a lot you might wish you had it, but it won't take long for your arms to buiild up- then you wont miss it. When you get to these sorts of options, to me it's a matter of personal desire amd taste. To paraphrase the late Bill Lear, the creator of the Learjet, "if you put it on there, you have to maintain it and fix it". Like him I am a fan of the simple, and I like my smart becuse it is simple and lacks a lot of doo-dads. The only doo-dads worthwhile to me come standard on every smart- the traction and braking controls- mechanical stuff.

The smart has a number of dealer installed accesories. Unless you can make them part of the deal. you'll find the price likely won't matter if you get them at delivery, or pick then up as you go along. I'd recommend living with the car for a while and then seeing what you'll use. Just about all of them are friendly do-it-yourself propositions, anyway- easily detachable and re-attachable when needed. I've bought three accesories so far- cargo cover, rubber floor mats and ashtray/lighter. The cover is pretty useful, as it not only hides things, but allows you to keep things in the back without them blowing around with the top down, not to mention the added storage you get with the nets behind the seats- truly a plus in a convertible. The mats do a fine job of protecting the carpet, and are thick and durable. I've always found the idea of carpeted floormats somewhat oxymoronic anyway, I mean, if I want carpet on my feet, just take out the rubber mats. Also, my experience with carpeted mats in my company cars has been poor, as I drive over 100,000 miles a year in them, the carpeted mats always wear clear through to the floor carpet- rubber backing and all! The ashtray is a nice touch, but overall it is about useless for me. With the turbulence in top-down mode the ashes all go outside anyway.You need a pretty short cup in the cupholder for it to flip out all the way out (I'd expect a similar problem with the CD holder, but who uses CD's if they have a iPod?). It does make a nice extra bin though. I'd use my head when accessory shopping, as the cargo net would be negated with the cargo cover...

Aside from the aforemetioned pods, the only "must-haves" I need for my smart are the cruise control and the screen that cuts back on wind and noise with the car open. As for the cruise control, it's an interesting case There is no "factory approved" unit. All deallers seem to be willing to sell you one and install it. But there are two aftermarket types made for the smart, the MDC and the area 451. A dealer may install one or the other, or both. From what I've read this can lead to warranty problems. Despite language in the warranty booklet that seems to "approve" the addition of a cruise, in the real world it seems to be the dealer's call from my reading the blogs. So, your dealer may install a 451 unit and will do warranty repairs with no problem. However, if you are out of town, another dealer may sell the MDC system and may refuse you a warrraty repair. Or vice versa. Chances are there would not be a problem, but this cruise situation is muddy enough that I'm inclined to wait out my warranty. At that point, my choice would be the MDC, chiefly becuse they have been used on smarts for several years and are easier to install yourself.

Since I bought used, I can load up my smart with stuff and still come in under the deal price for new one. I do have to give kudos to my dealer, smart Center of Louisville. They've been helpful in not only answering my questions (although I bought used), but also in service. My 2.0 upgrade was done pleasantly in a little more than 30 minutes, under warranty. It'll be a bit more than DIY, but I plan on going back for service and maintenance- of which I expect more of the latter than the former.... :)

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Permalink Reply by Julie on July 12, 2009 at 12:15am

Alan,

I live in MN. I drove my cabrio all winter. Didn't need snow tires! Would not give up my heated leather seats, no way! I love the tach and clock pods. I couldn't read the time on the dash without my glasses if I had to! Can't drive with glasses, so it's a personal issue! I've seen the Scangauge, again hard to read! Not something I want. Mats, gotta have the rubber floor mats. As far as the dealer's options for the rear storage. Nice but expensive! You'll need something back there or your items will hit you in the back. for $15 I bought a rubbermade tub that fits perfectly, add a little velcro and it's all good!

Good Luck. You will love this car!

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Permalink Reply by Alan on July 26, 2009 at 7:20pm

Once more, thanks to all your input.

My cabriolet will be delivered tomorrow morning.

Everyone's comments and experience have greatly helped me to feel like I was well informed and I've made solid decisons for my needs. I appreciate your gracious sharing.

I will post photos after delivery.

Best,
Alan

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Permalink Reply by Brabus007 on July 27, 2009 at 10:32pm

Maybe you need to MOD your Garage Door...!!!...???...<:-))

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Permalink Reply by Alan on July 28, 2009 at 12:06am

Too Cool

Brabus007 said:

Maybe you need to MOD your Garage Door...!!!...???...<:-))

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Permalink Reply by Alan on July 28, 2009 at 12:12am

I took possession of my red and silver cabriolet today after it was delivered by Sacramento smart Center.

Great experience and I was much more informed because of everyone's help. Thanks again.

Alan

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Permalink Reply by Twistedspoke on July 29, 2009 at 2:37pm

The wife and I just got our Cabriolet yesterday using the Cash for Clunker program. We ordered the car two weeks ago and added these extras which were very happy with yesterday when we were driving the new ride home. Heated seats with our red cloth seats, tach and clock which helps with shifting if using the paddle shifter. You can see the RPM's and when the best rpm to shift at instead of watching the speedometer housing. Make sure you get the power steering which is really electric steering. It makes a lot of difference. I will be ordering the MDC cruise control which is an after market product and installing that myself. From other comments made I have read about this product, it seems to be easier to install and has a few more benefits for it's price. It's a great car and has better performance and handling than the 08 we were allowed to take home for a day before our car arrived. Good luck with your search.

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Permalink Reply by Brabus007 on July 29, 2009 at 3:42pm

YIKES...!!!...<:-))

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