QuestionI was recently thinking about switching out the factory brand stereo for something a little nicer, but my a/c unit and stereo are in the same large, round faceplate. Do you know if I can still get a new faceplate and install a different stereo? Or does the a/c mess us this process?
Answersure buddy! there's hope! if you go to www.crutchfield.com and click "find what fits my car" and fill out your year, make, model, etc. they will not only show you the cd players that fit and work with this car but also provide you an new piece of the dash to make it all look perfect. I HIGHLY sugest getting the cd player from them since they offer oustanding warrenty, support, AND if you get the cd player from them they will give you the wiring harness free and 1/2 off the dash kit. plus they will provide you with step by step instructions taylored specific to your car with illustrations for doing the whole job!!
Cant go wrong there right? A general rule of thumb for cd players in cars is that they all sound about the same from 99 bucks to 2000 bucks so the only real difference is features and looks. The BIG difference that unfortunatly nobody lists is how "skip resistant" the unit is. I've found that stereos in the $149 range and below will skip over every large bump or train track which can be very annoying. up in the $300 range you have to hit your head on the celing to make the cd skip. the wattage goes up a little with the higher end units but nothing compared to adding an amp so I woudlnt worry about that either.
my lower end sugestion would be this one:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-rYryDGchBId/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDE9852
for a great middle of the road unit this one:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-rYryDGchBId/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9856
and for a "higher end" but still economical unit this one:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-rYryDGchBId/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9820
yes I'm a big fan of alpine!
good luck and let me know how it goes!
