Smart Madness is the Best!

[Neonspinnazz]

So, if you've read my engine knock thread, you'll know I've been chatting to our awesome friends at Madness Autoworks. I've been searching the local dealers for the Tachometer and Clock pods with less than satisfactory luck.

First I called Lake Bluff - The first time I called, they said they couldn't find any information about the Pods for the years 2011-, but that they could sell me 2008-2010 Pods (they think they'll fit on the redesigned dash)...

Next I called Lincolnwood - They said that they could only find the Brabus Bluetooth Pods and that the standard Tachometer and Clock Pods aren't available anymore. They said the Pods alone cost $369 and that it would take 4 hours to install. At their shop rate, I don't think so!

In order to get the Brabus Bluetooth pods anyway, I'd need a Highline headunit...so no...

At this point I just decided to buy them from Smart Madness.

Now, looking for Pod rings (Smart Madness doesn't show the black ones on their site), I called back Lake Bluff. This time they found the Pods but qouted the price of $300 + $42 for the rings. I didn't even ask about the install.

Smart Madness charges $292 for the pods (shipping + tax included) and they'll be shipped to my door.

So I call Smart Madness to ask about black pod rings and it turns out they don't carry them. And they say it shouldn't take anywhere near 4 hours to install the pods, at the most, 30 minutes.

So I've decided to source the pods from Smart Madness ($292), and buy rings from my dealer ($42). I expected to pay $400 for the pods in total but it looks like I'll be getting away with $334. And I'll be installing them myself (Madness says it's extremely easy and requires no tools).

The Madness rocks!

[sheureka]

Neon - Did you win the lottery? I thought you were having a rough time just getting the money together for the car and had people donating through PayPal. Now in the first couple of weeks you've owned it you can afford to do all these mods? None of my business I guess (since there's no way I would have made a donation) but I find this really curious.

[gstreetcomic]

Originally Posted by sheureka

Neon - Did you win the lottery? I thought you were having a rough time just getting the money together for the car and had people donating through PayPal. Now in the first couple of weeks you've owned it you can afford to do all these mods? None of my business I guess (since there's no way I would have made a donation) but I find this really curious.

There is a reason why the Smart is such a low cost maintenance vehicle and that post Neon made certainly proved it. BTW it sounds like the guy did his homework before shelling out the excess money to the Smart dealer. I would have done the same thing if i wanted to get the tach pods for the car.

[sheureka]

I would never have posted if it had been just the pods - but he also has installed a HID kit, Bosch exhaust, and window tint. And brags about having extra money to go to RedWing. I guess I'm just an old fogey, but I can't even imagine having a new car at Neon's age. And I would have killed my kids if they had whined about not having any money on some internet forum.

[Neonspinnazz]

Ah, no lottery. it's a refund from my Grant. Community College is dirt cheap, yet you still get twice the cash you actually need!

Cool thing is that the current grant season is over...starting in June I just nab some more up!

As far as the mods go, the HIDs were free (thanks Uptown Dog!), I'm buying the pods and exhaust, and tinting has to wait for...like...ever?

[wrumbarger]

Go for it Neon

As to smartmadness being the best? Was there ever any doubt?

[Neonspinnazz]

Oh and a $300 mod is a lot easier for me to come by than a $3,000 down payment (especially since the parental units stopped "borrowing" my paychecks). But yes, after I use up my excess I'll be right back to normal Neon.

[smark]

Neon at least your paying for your car. My daughter drive our free. She does pay for her college, which is a lot more then the smart car.