Roadster - new options

[bonnie]

Martin E. had said he wanted an all CF Roadster from the beginning, but apparently they had trouble getting large parts to produce good weave pattern.
If you bend the CF around corners and odd shapes sometimes it can end up with ripples and uneven pattern that doesn't look good.
Unless they came up with an improved process, they might have to throw away a lot of "near miss" parts to get a low yield of acceptable parts.
Doable, but it makes the good ones very expensive.

The 'near miss' part could head to the paint bin instead of the clear coat bin.

 

[TEG]

The 'near miss' part could head to the paint bin instead of the clear coat bin.

Not sure - it might be that they don't know how it turns out until they painted it with the clear paint already.
I guess you could paint over the clear, but then it wouldn't be a "normal" paint job anymore.

 

[jordanthompson]

How about hemp parts (just don't smoke in your car or you'll get arrested in most states.)

 

[strider]

The CF panels were outsourced. I believe from France the second time around.

The "clear" CF panels were from a company in France. Painted ones were done by Lotus or one of their suppliers.

 

[TEG]

The 'near miss' part could head to the paint bin instead of the clear coat bin.

If true, that might have made more sense when Roadster was in production.
Now that it is discontinued, the extras would just go into the spare parts bin instead of into production.

 

[TEG]

How about hemp parts (just don't smoke in your car or you'll get arrested in most states.)

Somewhat related thread: :wink:
What have you Smoked?

 

[Andrew Wolfe]

I was at Menlo Park this morning asking about possible sound system upgrades. Apparently one of the things Joost is considering is a factory double-din upgrade. That would be awesome. Anybody know how we prod to get it to happen?

 

[bonnie]

George reads the threads. I also send Joost links to threads where there are requests for Roadster upgrades. Consider it sent.

 

[bonnie]

Double din upgrade response:

The single DIN to double DIN upgrade with full featured Alpine systems will become an official accessory in the next 3 weeks. You should be able to order at that time on-line or at the Service Centers.

 

[Andrew Wolfe]

Excellent! Solves my audio upgrade problems. Afraid to think about what it may cost - but almost certainly the class way to go.

Looking forward to the details.

Thanks for being the conduit to the powers that be!

 

[smorgasbord]

Double din upgrade response:

If it's the same Alpine unit that came with the Roadster, then that's snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Alpine unit really sucks. Don't get me going.

 

[bonnie]

If it's the same Alpine unit that came with the Roadster, then that's snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Alpine unit really sucks. Don't get me going.

Tell us how you REALLY feel.

 

[vfx]

Without GPS in 1.5's?

 

[Andrew Wolfe]

If it's the same Alpine unit that came with the Roadster, then that's snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Alpine unit really sucks. Don't get me going.

Why is that? I've used Alpine before in retrofits with excellent results. Is this the IVA-NAV-10? Are the complaints UI related or sound related?

 

[bonnie]

I'll ask re GPS and which unit.

 

[doug]

Related thread:

Single to Double DIN upgrade?

 

[SByer]

Interesting. I've got the JVC unit. I never use the nav (nav without a capacitive touchscreen is just an exercise in frustration, and my Galaxy Nexus does a far, far better job than any built-in or head unit currently do), the iPod integration works really well with the new-er iPod classic (160GB black), and I never use FM or sat (why? painful sound quality!), and the bluetooth integration with my Android is good, but could be better. I always thought the JVC got a bad rap, because I've yet to see a head unit that did the critical things I think a head unit should do (touchscreen nav w/ Google maps, search, and directions, preferably with voice input too, rock solid bluetooth, dead-on iPod integration, and, these days, some sort of 3/4G based internet connection w/ Google Music, iTunes, Pandora, etc. integration) to be worth switching away from something perfectly serviceable (though with really butt-headed shortcomings - no music volume speed adjust?!?).

We shall see.

 

[smorgasbord]

Tell us how you REALLY feel.

Stop with the flame bait!

Don't bait for my flames!

 

[strider]

Without GPS in 1.5's?

Why wouldn't they just put the antenna that comes w/ the unit in the nose like on the 2.5's?

 

[dsm363]

That would be a little disappointing if it's the exact same Alpine unit. Even if they stick with Alpine there is a newer version of the rather crappy unit in my Roadster with Pandora support.