I just bought another smart ... '09 Passion ... metallic charcoal grey ... 1600 mi. It has become a project car. Took on a Toyota head on. I'm told "ya oughta see the other guy!" We just added an '08 Cabriolet to our fleet.
Will put the poor beasties on the road eventually, but for now I'll use it with my talented buddies, Rick, Roger, Natalie, Hugo and other talented and experienced designers to work out some mods that a lot of you keep saying that smart USA is not offering/and or are not available or what they want from others. I'm asking for your needs and suggestions. bstorck@sprynet.com
We're looking at:
seat raise and tilt
maybe, seat lowering kit*
switch back tilt handles to outside (a lot of issues though!)*
more varieties of graphics and carpets
pet kits (need to know what you're looking for)
roof rack and streamlined roof carrier
sealing kit for dropped tailgate and raised hatch*
Great points forestacademy, and I've got reasons to look at each. Mostly I think each can be done cheaper, better or basicly tailored to the smart.
I'm recovering from my trip north and running a bit, but will post a longer reply addressing each in more detail.
I really appreciate the feedback, and would like more of folks' peeves and ideas.
FYI, I'd like to come up with an adjustable (or at least dropped about 1") steering wheel, move the seat tilt levers to the outside, locate the shoulder harness to a bit more comfortable position, and a few others, but since they involve safety items, the liability concerns aren't worth the hassle.
The solution may be better, but in the current climate, if it's different, some weasel of a tort lawyer will wind up owning your house and pension.
I have some contacts with folks who wrapped our race car and some clever artistic types. Just going to try some other ideas.
You got me on Carpets
Again, I had great success with a floor mat and replacement carpet US based company. Their quality, fit and prices were better than most of the stuff I've seen. Looking at thick pile, plush velour and if demanded, sheepskin.
Looking at things from restraints, carrier boxes w/water supply and non-skid entry w/folding step
roof rack and streamlined roof carrier
Thats a tough one, Racks for the roof are available from Thule and Yakima, But they are not cheep.
Again, I think we can do better and cheaper. First step would be a simple, attractive, bolt on rack that could carry modest lumber, a couple Samsonites, skiis or a surfboard. Then we could look at a fiberglass clamshell secure unit like is so popular for Volvo, BMW and MB wagons.
Same basic idea, but better done and tailored for the smart. We had one in the 50s behind our '55 Pontiac wagon, and it enabled us to load three months of stuff for four boys and a dog and travel half way across the US each summer. My dad claimed it was aero efficient and didn't cost any gas, and was painless to back up.
Idea would be to make a small utility version that would carry a couple bicycles, a scooter or trail bike, or maybe a small jetski or snowmobile. A streamlined version could handle long trips or moving.
I consider the front and roof mounts ugly and likely dangerous. Putting a spare in the storage area defeats the purpose. We're looking at a swing away rear mount for the right side above the bumper, or possibly a pocket in the hatch for a thin Michelin space saver spare. We'd do that on a core exchange basis.
Go ahead, But the car already has an air compressor home. and plenty of folks have gone to junk yards for jacks + a hockey puck
Looking at nice packages with: tire and tool kit and/or clean up kit and/or fire extinguisher and/or first aid kit. Items fit to hatch in secure, rattle free nesting.
Dead pedal
My wife complains the dead pedal is to close, but you cant do much without digging into the wheel well. Its a problem when you wear heals
We're considering a thin rubber pad with a lip around it. Can't do anything about distance, but try sitting further back. Better for air bag safety also.
Simulated rear disk brakes (for those with open styled wheels)
Our goal is $250 kit versus the boy racer $1800-4500 brake upgrade kits. (Kind of expensive for NO real improvement in stopping distance) They make a fake carbon fiber rear disc, but we'd add a caliper. We'd also consider drilled rotors and paint the calipers, again on a core charge exchange basis.
I hope that gives you some idea what we're thinking. Maybe I should have titled this better to get more feedback?
What do you want for your smart? Looking for development projects
My group, Engineering Specialties, has been developing bits to improve race cars and sporty cars since the sixties. Now I have a couple smarts, one currently sadly bent, but that will be a tool to help my talented friends develop new bits. But, we'd like your input.
Edit... merged with the original thread
Last edited by fannum; 10-11-2009 at 08:27 AM.
Reason: Duplicate thread merge
I have some contacts with folks who wrapped our race car and some clever artistic types. Just going to try some other ideas.
You got me on Carpets
Again, I had great success with a floor mat and replacement carpet US based company. Their quality, fit and prices were better than most of the stuff I've seen. Looking at thick pile, plush velour and if demanded, sheepskin.
Looking at things from restraints, carrier boxes w/water supply and non-skid entry w/folding step
roof rack and streamlined roof carrier
Thats a tough one, Racks for the roof are available from Thule and Yakima, But they are not cheep.
Again, I think we can do better and cheaper. First step would be a simple, attractive, bolt on rack that could carry modest lumber, a couple Samsonites, skiis or a surfboard. Then we could look at a fiberglass clamshell secure unit like is so popular for Volvo, BMW and MB wagons.
Same basic idea, but better done and tailored for the smart. We had one in the 50s behind our '55 Pontiac wagon, and it enabled us to load three months of stuff for four boys and a dog and travel half way across the US each summer. My dad claimed it was aero efficient and didn't cost any gas, and was painless to back up.
Idea would be to make a small utility version that would carry a couple bicycles, a scooter or trail bike, or maybe a small jetski or snowmobile. A streamlined version could handle long trips or moving.
I consider the front and roof mounts ugly and likely dangerous. Putting a spare in the storage area defeats the purpose. We're looking at a swing away rear mount for the right side above the bumper, or possibly a pocket in the hatch for a thin Michelin space saver spare. We'd do that on a core exchange basis.
Go ahead, But the car already has an air compressor home. and plenty of folks have gone to junk yards for jacks + a hockey puck
Looking at nice packages with: tire and tool kit and/or clean up kit and/or fire extinguisher and/or first aid kit. Items fit to hatch in secure, rattle free nesting.
Dead pedal
My wife complains the dead pedal is to close, but you cant do much without digging into the wheel well. Its a problem when you wear heals
We're considering a thin rubber pad with a lip around it. Can't do anything about distance, but try sitting further back. Better for air bag safety also.
Simulated rear disk brakes (for those with open styled wheels)
Our goal is $250 kit versus the boy racer $1800-4500 brake upgrade kits. (Kind of expensive for NO real improvement in stopping distance) They make a fake carbon fiber rear disc, but we'd add a caliper. We'd also consider drilled rotors and paint the calipers, again on a core charge exchange basis.
I hope that gives you some idea what we're thinking. Maybe I should have titled this better to get more feedback?
Yes?
Gonna buid your own car, are you? Well, since you're asking for suggestions how about adding a rear seat or larger cargo area (like the old AMX), 6sp trans and a turbo. Also, maybe have a Nav system as standard equipment as well as on-board diagnostics like the ScanGauge, only built-in, along with a retractable Panaramic Roof.
Of course you'll do all this better and cheaper than smart, so we should be able to buy it for under $10K.
Did I miss anything?
oh yea......when you take orders online, you'll only require a $49 Deposit with a promise to deliver within 6 months.
Well, since you're asking for suggestions how about adding a rear seat or larger cargo area (like the old AMX), 6sp trans and a turbo. Also, maybe have a Nav system as standard equipment as well as on-board diagnostics like the ScanGauge, only built-in, along with a retractable Panaramic Roof.
Of course you'll do all this better and cheaper than smart, so we should be able to buy it for under $10K.
Did I miss anything?
oh yea......when you take orders online, you'll only require a $49 Deposit with a promise to deliver within 6 months.
No problem! Your gold plated Yugo will be available by the holidays. It will have an integrated Nav/Scan system in the form of one of those 8-Balls on the dash, and a can opener to operate the roof. (Just don't touch the gold for the first six months or so)
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