Well as I mentioned in my first thread, I'm going nuts without MP3 CD playback on my radio. Honestly I don't quite get how they could of built my car fully loaded but NOT put the MP3 Deck on it. I'm contemplating either buying the MP3 Deck off Ebay or just going to best buy or circuit city when they have a free installation sale and picking out a nice head unit and speakers and get it all installed. The speaker upgrade will defiintly be from circuit city or best buy, but the reason why I'm thinking about just going with the stock unit is because the look is so much nicer. I really don't like how aftermarket stereos look installed, they just don't have the "inteagral" look. The only one I know that did was that Pioneer GM fit CD-deck they used to have, but unfortonatly pioneer doesn't make that deck anymore.
The other reason is I hate having to worry about my face plate all the time! But as I've learned the hard way you have to, or otherwise some punk teenager will see it and be like "oh an aftermarket stereo" and next thing you know your making an insurance claim to get your dash fixed. So anyway whats everyone's advice? IF there are some special fit MP3/CD players i'd definitly be interested.
bump... seriously anyone have any advice?
I would say its worth it. Not just for mp3 playback but you get a lot more tuning options to help create a better sound. Also aftermarket units are usually more powerful and you will hear an audible difference, I know I did.
I Have a bunch of stock mp3 cd plaer and after market one if you need one
well here's a question: I realized the theftlock code works differently now. The old stereos you had to put the code in manually the new ones use the vehicles vin# so they can only work in the vehicle they were programmed for, otherwise it'll say "Locked". So how much does a dealership charge to unlock radios?
nothing if you have the codes off the radio they can give you the code over the phone i've done many times before
ur kidding...right? stock stereos suck in JBOs! Definitely get the aftermarket...and don't go to best buy or circuit city where they will charge you $100 for that lame harness to make your driver door speaker ding every time you leave your lights on. go to a real car audio dealer near you.
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well here's a question: I realized the theftlock code works differently now. The old stereos you had to put the code in manually the new ones use the vehicles vin# so they can only work in the vehicle they were programmed for, otherwise it'll say "Locked". So how much does a dealership charge to unlock radios?
if they can just unlock it. its usually free. but the 2K+ cars they usually have to perform a VIN relearn, which reprograms the radio to your car. that costs $90 (or did when we did the 05 sunfire)
http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/my2005cav/my%20car%20the%20bash.jpg
I'll just get an aftermarket radio then when I get money, and get an FM tuner for now for my mp3 player. Sounds like the cost of a factory deck + $90 to reprogram it would be a little too costly when I can just get a nice aftermarket deck
Jack From Elite Lows wrote:ur kidding...right? stock stereos suck in JBOs! Definitely get the aftermarket...and don't go to best buy or circuit city where they will charge you $100 for that lame harness to make your driver door speaker ding every time you leave your lights on. go to a real car audio dealer near you.
That all depends on the year and the radio and such. But, since I worked for CC, I would never recommend them to anyone. I would rather do it myself. But if you are not experienced, a real audio shop is better the CC or Best Buy. They are all scam artists. My manager was not knowledgeable and only one person (ME) was MECP certified.
Sam
Ban low-performance cars, not high-performance ones.
Mp3 Playback
CD-RW Playback
Factory Fit and Finish
Equalizer
Door chimes intact
Outputs for rear speakers and subs
Significantly Less Likely to be stolen
I love mine. Aftermarket will sound better, but this deck sounds phenomenal for my needs and can be found relatively cheap on Ebay. It's all a matter of preference.
Hope this makes your decision a little easier.
Sam wrote:a real audio shop is better the CC or Best Buy. They are all scam artists. My manager was not knowledgeable and only one person (ME) was MECP certified.Sam
So, you generalize a nationwide company based on your experience at one store? Would you store eating at all McDonalds or Burger Kings if one store messed up your order a few times?
-Chris
First of all, it wasn't one store, it was 3 in my area and they ARE the same nationwide. They are all thieves and scumbags as far as I am concerned and I want everyone to know what liars they really are. And it is true that they hire people at low wages who are not very knowledgable. Best Buy does the same, since I have known several people to come from several Best Buys. And a real audio shop is 500% better then any Circuit City and Best Buy. It has been debated on here several times and I am not the only one to think that.
Sam
Ban low-performance cars, not high-performance ones.
TheInfamousEco wrote:
Mp3 Playback
CD-RW Playback
Factory Fit and Finish
Equalizer
Door chimes intact
Outputs for rear speakers and subs
Significantly Less Likely to be stolen
I love mine. Aftermarket will sound better, but this deck sounds phenomenal for my needs and can be found relatively cheap on Ebay. It's all a matter of preference.
Hope this makes your decision a little easier.
Thats a Pontiac Grand Am GT moonsoon stereo isn't it? so it fits in our cavies? I was wondering if the pontiac stereos would fit since I'm considering changing my lights from green to red anyway. So does it need reprogrammed?
oh btw as for the best buy and circuit city, I dunno about the car stereo techs but I was a Seasonal PC tech at circuit city and I can verify thats a scam... I mean we charged $30 just for Windows updates! If thats not a scam I don't know what is! I can imagine the "roadshop" area of circuit city being the same.
I had a guy a Circuit City tell me the Comp VRs were on par with Infinity Kappa. I was going to ask him if he was referring to sound quality, but just let it go. Can't remember if it was CC or BB, but also overheard a salesmen telling a customer that Maxtor harddrives were faster than Wester Digital because they were ATA133 as compared to ATA100. My freaking Raptor doesn't exceed 100mb/s except on burst. $30 for Windows Update?!?! Man that's just wrong.
Yes it is from a Grand Am GT
Yes it will need to be reprogrammed by a Dealer
You should shop around and make sure you are talking to some competent techs
Dealer will cost anywhere from $20-$35. Call several places, compare prices, and let them know exactly what you want them to do.
Test the radio before leaving the dealership. The first time I had it "reprogrammed" it acted strangely and would take awhile before starting normally. Had it reprogrammed again by a different dealer who took a different approach and it has worked perfectly ever since.
Once its reprogrammed it will always work with your car even if the battery has been disconnected for a long period of time. Hope that helps.
Cool. I've found some for pretty cheap on ebay, I think that might be my first mod when I get my tax return