It might be marketed as a funky, niche vehicle but there is nothing funky about the fortwo's 24 month bumper to bumper warranty. Presumably you'll have the option to "upgrade" to a longer warranty at the time of purchase, but personally I find this cost cutting measure rather lame.
I'm not aware of any other new car sold here in the USA that has a 24 month warranty. Given that smart is relatively unknown brand in this country, it think it's a big leap of faith to skimp on the warranty especially given the specialized design of this car. If anything, smart should follow the example of Korean manufacturers and offer a warranty that exceeds the common 36 month warranty.
The official line is that a shorter warranty is a cost cutting measure, but doesn't that imply that they anticipate "costs" aka "things that need fixing" in year three? I realize that the Dollar is in an unfavorable position against the Euro, but I wouldn't have expected a move like this.
4 comments:
I totally agree with the 24 monthh warranty being stupid. I am looking at a smart and this is the main thing that turns me off from possibly getting one. With a new car coming to the states smart should at least put up a desirable warranty to cover any problems the new designed US version might have.
Good point about the changes for the US market. Any time you make even the slightest change in a car's design, it can have unforseen consequences. I'm not sure what the reliablility of the smart has been, but no matter they shouldn't have skimped on the warranty. I have been very jazzed about the fortwo coming here, but this is a dissapointment.
Actually, the dollar is WEAK against the Euro. Meaning that it doesn't cost Daimler much to fix it in terms of their currency. But, I do agree on the lame warranty. Americans tend to turn their cars over every 3-4 years but do they really expect us to get something else in 2??
Foolishness I say.
2 years, 24,000 miles.... yeah.
To me, this says they aren't willing to back their product like they should.
I spoke with my nearby dealership and they offered and extension of 5 years, 60,000 miles for an additional $1500. That means I would have to pay extra for something most other car dealers offer as standard. I would have to pay extra for them to give a darn about the product they make.
And this being done as a cost cutting measure is a load of horse dung, I don't care how currencies exchange. If Kia can sell a new car for near $9,000 and offer a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty, then there's no reason Smart can't up the ante and still keep costs low.
I'm contemplating canceling my reservation because of this.
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