I'm old

[partsrme928]

Over the weekend I discovered, I'm old.
While waiting for my smart I ordered a sporty little muffler a sporty body kit and sporty springs. So I take delivery of my smart a month ago, I drive the car for about a week then I start by installing the sporty stuff. I get the muffler installed, it sounds OK, not to loud. next the springs go on. by now it's been a couple of weeks secnts I've driven the car. I take it for a test drive. The ride is alittle stiff and I have to turn up the radio, but at this point I'm in denial about being old, so I ignore the stiff ride and the extra noise inside the car. exhaust + radio= extra noise. Finally it dawns on me the car rode better and the radio sounded better than when it didn't have to fight the extra exhaust sound. Maybe the muffler gave some improvment in HP, but I had enough power before. Maybe the car would go around courners better with the sporty springs, but it cornered pretty well on the stock springs. as for the body kit I never got around to installing all of it, I did install the roof spoiler. I like it.
Now I know I'm old. I took all that sporty stuff off and put all the stock stuff back. The nice ride is back and I can hear the radio.

Oh! a sporty muffler, body kit and sporty springs will be on ebay this weekend. you young kids be on the lookout

[NCC1701]

I'm old too, probably older than you You might've saved me some money and effort with your post!
But, maybe if one of your upgrades was to the stereo (especially speakers), then you could have enjoyed the music enough to have it be more than masking of the exhaust sound, LOL
Truthfully, the exhaust is the only one of the three mods I have seriously considered ... for the extra omph! Your post gives me second thoughts and I thank you for it. Hope you're enjoying the tinted windows at least. I know I am.

[JanetMermaid]

I'd much rather have a smooth, quiet car so I can listen to great music. So I guess I'll pull a rocking chair up beside ya', if that's OK with you.

[Bum-bling-B]

Just get another smart - keep one stock and modify the other with all the cool stuff for when you're feeling "young". Problem solved.

[JPaul]

Welcome to the club!
I'd rather enjoy the car as it has been engineered, with its warts and qualities. Now and then, I'd wish for a softer suspension, to handle the uneven pavement with, let's say, a more "LeCar" behavior. But, this smart is what it is, and I like it this way.
As for music listening, I like my home setting. A car is not a place for audiophile refinements, IMHO. Too much road, and traffic, and road work, and ... noises!

[RussBarnes]

Well I'm glad to know that I'm not the lone ranger. I did the DT exhaust, then took it off and sold it because of the noise = old, but being old I could take the $$$ hit. I knew better than to put stiffer springs on, but I moved my ScanGauge overhead where the airbag light is and now can't raise my glasses high enough to read it easily = old. At least my fatter, taller tires soften the ride and us old guys like that. So should we start an "old smart" club?

[Suze]

Sinatra sounds great in my radio 10. sigh.....



But I'm not old.



well....... not TOO old. LOL

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by JanetMermaid

I'd much rather have a smooth, quiet car so I can listen to great music. So I guess I'll pull a rocking chair up beside ya', if that's OK with you.

Pretty eclectic here: Classic Rock/Pop/Country (Late 1950s to 1980s a few 1990s).

Originally Posted by JPaul

As for music listening, I like my home setting. A car is not a place for audiophile refinements, IMHO. Too much road, and traffic, and road work, and ... noises!

I've always enjoyed cruising with the music on, to me it's an integral part of driving pleasure. IMO home vs. auto compares to desktop vs. notebook. All four can kick it in their own way. You might need to get away from the city more often.

Originally Posted by notsobadyathink

Sinatra sounds great in my radio 10. sigh.....

Kinda before my time too (pre-rock) but a couple Sinatra selections in my collection. Fontane Sisters, McGuire Sisters, Chordettes, Drifters, Link Wray, Platters ... all before my time. I don't discriminate by timeline.

[burtandnancy]

After I listen to the complete Emmylou Harris cd, I'll put it back in the smart...

[rwjrn]

Sinatra sounds great in my radio 10. sigh.....

Nancy? Bang Bang, I shot you down....

Sounds great in my car too, but I've considerably upgraded the radio 10.