So, How Many Neighbors Have to Complain Before....?

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

I am both a car buff and an equestrian so I get both sides of the story.
Horses will spook at just about anything, from a plastic bag pushed by the wind to a car backfiring.
I guess your neighbors are not car lovers and they will despise anything that is not horse related.
You are not a horse person so you don't think twice about driving around with a louder than average exhaust.
The art of co-habitating will require compromise on both sides; you muffle your car a bit more, and they shut up.
Living in a more rural environment does not give you a license to speed in a loud car, nor does it give horse owners more rights to dictate people what to dive and how. Of course I am taking this to an extreme, and I have not heard your car (although I am sure I'd love that exhaust note).
It boils down to common sense really.

Well said. I especially agree with the co-habiting part. Don't become an accidental a-hole.

[ivangene]

you could call the horse whisperer

well - what you you have expected me to say

[Schmierung]

[Charles Freeborn]

I'm with zippy on this one too.
My rule of thumb is I always drive like a grandpa in my own neighborhood. Actually I drive like one in any neighborhood where there are kids, pets, side streets, people backing out of driveways, etc., but especially in my own hood. You never know when a neighbor will (or will not) do you a huge favor; like call an ambulance or fire truck for you when you need it most.
Out in the open and on the freeway is where you can put your foot in it.
IMHO, of course...
-C

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

I am both a car buff and an equestrian so I get both sides of the story.

You are not a horse person so you don't think twice about driving around with a louder than average exhaust.

Zippy, on the contrary. If I did not think twice about horses or my equestrian neighbors I would not have posted the subject of a quieter muffler. The thread got a little sarcastic, and I was being a highly provocative in an effort to make humor around this subject.

Unfortunately, there are old school neighbors who've been around since this place was all equestrian and avocado orchards. They DESPISE the new folks moving in, tearing out the stables, and building McMansions. The most militant of those lives straight across the road from me. She's hated me since the moving van moved showed up followed by a car trailer (a wife with dreadlocks didn't help either).

There are others with loud cars. I have one neighbor who's a fellow Pelican with a 964 factory RUF Turbo and a Lamborghini, yet his wife has several horses (plus goats, miniatures, etc). When that RUF comes down the hill the backfiring sounds like a Gatling gun with his foot OFF the gas. Another up the street who owns the business Banks Superchargers, who collects Porsche and hosts the Santa Barbara PCA Chili Cook off. We can find a compromise.

I think a quieter muffler is the solution.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Dan J

My wife is a "Horse person" They're all nutty as squirrel turds

Quoted so that I can find it next time I need a favour from you. Something tells me Donna doesn't want to be compared to squirrel turds...

[ivangene]

hahaha

I am not sure I know how nutty squirrel turds are but I am guess pretty nutty

[Josh D]

I mountain bike on trails shared with equestrian. They don't like us either.

[Peter Zimmermann]

If the note was from "anonymous" I'd just disregard it. But, be aware if the Chippies spent the bucks to put their radar toy on a street in a remote area/rural community, the complaints aren't just about you. Others are using that road for high speed runs on motorcycles, and maybe sports cars. My brother's house is in Decker Canyon; you should see the machinery that goes past his place on sunny Sundays!

Don't be the guy that approaches at 85 mph, only to discover that the toy is backed up by a motorcycle officer!

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Josh D

I mountain bike on trails shared with equestrian. They don't like us either.

Me too. I ride an equestrian trail over to a wilderness park. When I come upon horses I get off the bike and sit down until they pass. There's been talk of banning the bikes from the trails. I'm hoping a few considerate bikers will make the difference.

[Flieger]

The muffler on my car I feel is surprisingly quiet. At least when I am standing outside the car I am amazed at how much quieter it is than sitting inside the tin-can interior...

I basically go easy until I get to the canyons so that also helps with the noise.

Not sure how much power you would loose going to the gutted sport muffler conversion.

[will hung]

If you are serious about a quieter muffler, you should get a rally style, 3 outlet muffler from Sycip. They are offered by our host; allow you to cork the center outlets when you want to be quiet; and when you want to let loose, you can uncork the center pipes for a sport muffler. One would look awesome, and appropriate, on your awesome car too.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

If the note was from "anonymous" I'd just disregard it. But, be aware if the Chippies spent the bucks to put their radar toy on a street in a remote area/rural community, the complaints aren't just about you. Others are using that road for high speed runs on motorcycles, and maybe sports cars. My brother's house is in Decker Canyon; you should see the machinery that goes past his place on sunny Sundays!

Don't be the guy that approaches at 85 mph, only to discover that the toy is backed up by a motorcycle officer!

Hi Peter,

The note was anonymous, but I believe I know who it was.

I'm only a few miles from Decker Cyn. Decker has gotten a little out of hand with the rice rockets and is pretty heavily CHP patrolled on weekends now. I still run it over to the coast on weekdays, and rarely see another car, but avoid it on weekends. On a Sunday you will loose count of the Ferrari's and Lambos running Decker back to Malibu and Calabasas.

[RSS]

What street was that posted on? I'm near Westlake Blvd/Decker. Just curious.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by RSS

What street was that posted on? I'm near Westlake Blvd/Decker. Just curious.

RSS, PM sent.

[Mike Masterson]

Originally Posted by pensacola mike

First off, beautiful car! I had a similar experience with my neighborhood but I have been winning them over by taking them for a joy ride in my car.....no complaint's but smiles and waves from then on.

Well that's all fine and dandy, but what about the horses?? Can't fit them in your 911....

[ShakinJoe]

Complainers will always complain. Trying to compromise with them might sound good but most likely will not end until it as quiet as a Prius.

Make it SUPERLOUD for the next six months and then go back to current exhaust explaining to your do-good neighbors that you too felt it was too loud. Then you can all share a Granola bar and talk about how dangerous guns are.....

[bike2ride95]

IMHO..neighbors doesn't pay my bills so what I drive no matter how loud ( within reason ) it is they just have to deal with it. I would love to get along with my neighbors but never to the point that I have to sacrifice to appease them.
To each his own..

[gsxrken]

You can't win a neighbor war, really. When it has become a war, you've already lost.
Why don't you pull right up to their house late Saturday morning- in the car- and introduce yourself. I'll bet they feel mighty sheepish about their little note when they are politely addressed by a gentleman (you), and won't be dropping any more dimes to the Five-O on your account.
What does it cost?

[CCM911]

I must be lucky. A buddy of mine just bought a Harley with an obnoxious loud exhaust. He dropped it off at my place for me to get it running. After a quick carb clean, we all took turns blasting it around my neighborhood. No complaints at all. In fact, I think they actually enjoy the sound of My Ducati. I am totally lucky to be a in car and bike oriented neighborhood.

I would think in California, it would be similar, if not better.

And BTW - LOL at the "wife with dreadlocks" comment. Unfortunately, your neighbors sound like total duds.