I tried to ignore the dentist this morning. The hygienist thinks its funny to give me a mirror so I can watch her poke and scrape at my teeth. She doesn’t think its so funny when I break said mirror over her head. I would prefer a handful of pills to kill the pain.

The most over-used question of the week: “How were your holidays?” – People think I’m joking when my only answer is happily “OVER”. I’m not joking, this is awesome.

I’ve decided that I’m not purchasing a SMART car this year. Financial reasons are to blame. I have the Stunt Kia; it runs great. I could really put the money I don’t have towards other uses other than a SMART car. Maybe, next year; until then, let the covetting continue.

My most recent highlight has been receiving some extra strong anti-cellulite cream in the mail. You wonder why this is such a big deal? I’m 35 years old – it’s all about prevention my friends. Prevention!

I went to the kitchen at work today and found a very large box of truffles sitting on a tall bistro table. Boxes of truffles present huge predicaments because I’m so picky when it comes to what I want and what I’ll eat. This particular box of truffles had no legend to tell me what filling went with each chocolate. I find this offensive.

Since I quit smoking all I can smell is gravy and all I want to drink is orange juice or milk. Suffice to say I’ve been extremely sober.

I finalized my pre-order for my SMART car this weekend -- Excitement has spread througout my house as I prepare to have barely enough room for Me, the Dog and, my golf clubs. Which IS the point; A little car for me, myself and I (I = the dog and my clubs).

Below is my final configuration and color choice.  Holding my breath until January 1, 2008.

Last night was the much anticipated SMART car test drive. I’ve been a reservation holder for a very long time. Little did I know that I was one of the first on the list of 700 for Portland. Funny story, they knew that.  Sometime during the time I was peppering a rep with questions and begging my best friend to take one for a spin a woman walked up to me. “You’re Chantel aren’t you?” “Ummmm, yeah – “

I almost said, yes and who the hell are you but I was glowing from the SMART car shine that I was actually nice to a stranger. Apparently she reads my SMART coverage here and so this is me waving wildly at her, HI!! Trang at KUNI.

I took the little buggar for a test drive. Here’s my review; a 3 cylinder car does run a bit rough. Not smooth like the even firing of a 4 cylinder but its something that quickly diminishes after you get a feel for the car. It’s a quiet car but you can sometimes feel every bump in the road but, I’m a super-sensitive hypocardriac car owner. Its similar to being a Doctor with a cold or, much worse because I’m convinced I can perform surgery and fix it. Bottom line: slight bumpy ride but, WHO CARES!!

The drag from the 5-speed automated manual transmission is something to get used to. I’ve been driving a stick shift since my stepfather put me behind the wheel of his 74 Chevy Van with a three-in-the-tree standard transmission and told me to “GO”. After the crying was over I was suddenly a standard transmission lover for life. There are those few times when I’ve spilled my latte in my lap from 2^nd to 3^rd gear and cursed the clutch wishing for an automatic. In the back of my head I know I would miss the whisper of “vroom, vroom” so I’ve never purchased an automatic.

The SMART goes “vroom, vroom” and has a bit of a lag before the clutch engages. Here’s how it works; Push the gear shift to DRIVE and press the gas pedal. There is shifting and clutch engagement happening, you can feel it. You can also let it happen by itself or use the gear shift on the floor or, the fantastic pedals behind the steering wheel to shift. You choose!! I like choices. I’m sure I’ll definitely be buying more lattes.

Here’s the story; Daimler/Mercedes should have them in the US for delivery beginning January 1, 2008. Pricing was just announced yesterday with the base model starting around $12,000. The price then ranges from $12K - $16K depending on options, etc. KUNI Automotive is also one of the only official Dealer Candidates and is planning a dealership in Portland to begin selling the little darlings January 1, 2008. What I’m saying with this is if you’re buying it from somewhere else, you’re probably buying a “gray market” SMART and, you’re probably paying more than you should.

I never felt cramped in the car at all. I’m about six feet tall in heels and I had to pull the seat forward to reach the pedals. ARE YOU KIDDING? THAT NEVER HAPPENS!! There was also really tall representative sitting beside me as I zipped through Portland and he was lounging as if he were at home with a cooler of beer next to his Barko lounger. I thought he was asleep until I tried to get the freeway……ha, ha – Just kidding!! You should have seen his face. I did ask!!! The dash and interior are well-designed with functionality and maximum space being utilized to give the feeling of ROOM to wiggle your toes. 

I’m impressed overall and I’m still buying one and I can’t wait. What color should I get? Sunday is my birthday, did you get me anything yet?

Your Friday Cocktail brought to you by a girl who’s about to be much SMARTer.
1 part vodka, 1 part champagne and one part lemon sorbet. Serve up in a chilled martini glass. Eat, drink and enjoy.

http://www.kuniauto.com/Kuni-Smart.aspx

http://www.smartusa.com/

I recently received my invitation to test drive a SMART car. They are scheduled for 2008 sales push and I’m super excited. I know as I get closer to the actual purchase I’m going to have to do some research. What kind of Virgo would I be if I didn’t enjoy research so much?

Of course this task will include driving and researching other teeny-tiny cars to comparison shop. Cars like the Toyota Yaris & Prius, VW Beetle and finally the Cooper Mini. The Mini was of course my first choice a long time ago until I heard of the release of the SMART in the US.

Again I’m making more informed choices and good decisions with this car purchase. In the past I’ve trade in a car because the license expired. I really found it a hassle to go to the emission test and then the licensing office so I just got a new one. I will also make sure that I don’t forget a few accessories that I’ve forgotten in the past. I’ve forgotten air conditioning on two cars and of course auto door locks which I’ve almost found necessary in this life. It’s the little things my friends, the teeny-tiny little things that make a girl happy.

I find it a bit distasteful that so many people are still paying up to $25,000 to have them imported when they will be available in the US for as little as $12,000 in less than six months. I’m trying to understand what reasonable person would consider this a good decision. I’m concerned that importers are using tactics that aren’t exactly ethical to convince buyers into such a purchase. It’s a buyer beware culture out there and I’m hoping that people who are buying them today won’t wince in pain when they go on the market in 2008.

SMART USA Website

I just got the update for the Smart Car US Tour. It seems they've scheduled a Portland stop sometime around my birthday.  I'm so excited -- the puppy and I are going to look so cute roaming around in my new convertible Smart Car.

Photo courtesy of Smart Car USA Website.