QuestionQUESTION: I'm planning to buy a 2009 car in the 40-55k range, and am mainly looking at Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti, Audi, BMW. I'm searching everywhere for comparisons of the high-end factory stereo systems installed in these cars but am coming up empty. Since many of the 2009 cars haven't been announced yet, 2008 comparisons would be fine. Features I'm most interested in are:
1) Satellite radio. Sirius, NOT XM
2) High quality iPod control
3) Touch-navigation
4) Many-speaker high quality audio
I really appreciate any guidance you can provide, including websites that contain these comparisons or even your own personal recommendations.
Thank you VERY much for your help.
Greg
ANSWER: Hi Greg,
I don't know off-hand the stereos featured in any of these cars. I'd strongly suggest if you're dropping 55k on a car that you go test drive the ones you like, and play around with the stereo, and just find one that you like. Even the 'high end' systems put in most of these cars nowadays doesn't hold a candle to even a medium end aftermarket system that would be trivial (by comparison) to have installed into it, so don't get too hung up on the stereo -- especially if you find a not-as-nice one in a car you like.
That said, I've always been a huge fan of Lexus and their stereos, and have no end of electrical issues with Audis, but that's entirely my personal opinion.
Justin
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Justin - thank you VERY much for your thorough answer. My only follow-up question pertains to aftermarket stereos. The reason I've been looking more heavily into factory stereos lately is it seems like it's becoming harder to fit an aftermarket unit into cars, for example the Lexus RX series. That's a multiple part system, so I've been considering that off my list of cars since I wouldn't be able to replace the stereo. If you know of a good way to find out what cars can handle an aftermarket stereo can you please let me know? It would be good to have a list or site that definitively spells out which cars are set up for it and which aren't.
Thanks again for your help,
Greg
AnswerHi Greg,
The best choice for figuring out what fits where is to visit crutchfield.com and select the car. It will usually give you info on what kind of hardware is involved in replacing it. The biggest issue is in the newer cars that have their climate control knobs or alarm routed through the stereo. Regardless of the deck though, as long as it's acceptable, it's usually reasonably possible to replace speakers, and add amplifiers and subwoofers and satellite radio after the fact.
The only issue you might run into is crutchfield may not have researched some of the cars yet due to limited availability -- it's the exact same reason why I'm not versed in them. Most of the people who own 2008 Lexus RX350s still have warranties and are terrified of the thought of screwing with a system that is "good enough", so my exposure is limited.
I wish I could be of more help.
Justin
