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Final Take on a Radio

WV Wonger - 2012 VS
Okay, there have been numerous dicussions regarding the installation of a radio, so my advance apologies for yet another trivia question about it...I love music and I know you all do too, but is it practical or is it just an unnccessary option:

1) Those who have chosen to include a radio in their recent VS purchase, what is your honest opinion of the option/quality Kirk has in stock and does it include an input for your iPhone or iPod? Let's be honest, no one really listens to the radio much these days.

2) Whether you had a VS installed radio or your own third party option, have you any regrets with installing a radio? Seriously, can you even HEAR your music with the top down? It ain't cool if music is blasting out so loud and all can hear you at a stop light.

Thanks to all my SOC buddies for your recommendation(s) as I am days away from making my purchase with VS.

-wonger
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WV Wonger - 2012 VS
Okay, there have been numerous dicussions regarding the installation of a radio, so my advance apologies for yet another trivia question about it...I love music and I know you all do too, but is it practical or is it just an unnccessary option:

1) Those who have chosen to include a radio in their recent VS purchase, what is your honest opinion of the option/quality Kirk has in stock and does it include an input for your iPhone or iPod? Let's be honest, no one really listens to the radio much these days.

2) Whether you had a VS installed radio or your own third party option, have you any regrets with installing a radio? Seriously, can you even HEAR your music with the top down? It ain't cool if music is blasting out so loud and all can hear you at a stop light.

Thanks to all my SOC buddies for your recommendation(s) as I am days away from making my purchase with VS.

-wonger
MusbJimMusbJim'14 VS SoCal Supporting Member
Michael - FWIW I have the basic radio/CD that VS installs. I added a (powered) Bazooka Subwoofer on the back seat that allows me to hear good sound without having to crank up ear-bleed decibels. The subwoofer is easily removed if I need the additional luggage space.

When I'm just cruising (which is most of the time), I enjoy some tunes to feed the stoke of top-down driving. When I'm at highway speeds, I simply turn off the radio to enjoy the exhaust note of that sweet-spot RPM.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it...I'm just saying.



Radio/CD on...(playing the Liza Minelli Show Tunes CD borrowed from Marty)




Radio/CD off...(A1 sidewinder/MagnaFlow muffler singing it on a winding mountain road)


L LessIzMo
Michael, I don't even have a Speedster yet, but have been lurking here to find out as much as I can about these cars.

I'm starting to think I will order a new VS this summer and will probably not order a radio with it.

We drove a Miata for 15 years - almost always top down - and I think we turned the radio on about three times in those 15 years. The stock Miata was probably a quieter car than any Speedy, but it was the wind noise that made a radio pretty pointless most of the time.

When we finally sold the car, the new owner asked if the radio worked, and I realized I hadn't tried it in over a year.

Take the money you'd waste on a radio and buy something more practical that you'll always be thankful you have - like a case of good wine.
S Steve56
I added the radio to the bill of material when I ordered my speedster from Kirk in December. I figured at a minimum my kid can sit in the car and have something to listen too while I'm in the supermarket getting my tri-tip and merlot, or at the doctor's getting treated for the resulting consequences... its nice to have options, and they do come with an on and off switch :)
BADSPD - StephenBADSPD - Stephen
I would say at least have it wired and the box installed for one. I put the Alpine CDE-126BT in my car (mine was manufactured in 2003 so you can only imagine what was installed). The Alpine I installed has Aux input, USB input, Ipod/phone interface, and Bluetooth that runs through speakers. $175 through Amazon. I did get remote since my stereo is tucked under the dash just a little far to reach. Bluetooth works well around town when top is down and ok when top is up at 70mph. other end says there is background noise but that they can hear and understand me. have not messed with it that much so i might be able to fix some of that with adjustment.

BADSPD



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El FrazooEl Frazoo Supporting Member
OK, you have the basics here pretty well. A radio in a Speedster is useless with top down, unless you get serious with amps and other speaker options in the rear. The old-fashioned radio look-alikes (Alan's concpet) are really cool, and would give you a serious step up in the authentic look contests. I got a radio w/ my new Speedster, and it is a nice modern one w/ CD player and stuff I don't even know about, even yet. Nice sound -- when you're sitting still, and so good for that. Can be heard OK with top up and gentle cruise. It is installed way under the dash, so not very visible and not competing w/ the otherwise traditional look of the interior. And now the truth: I have not played it very much, and overall paid more for it than what I get out of it -- but it is there, and is handy now and then.

The music in a Speedster comes out the pipe(s) in the rear . . .
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