Car Stereos for Dummies

grungebox

Okay, the CD player on my 99 Civic is now pretty much not reading anything, so it's time for a new CD player. I don't know the first thing about buying car stereos, though, except that all the ones at Best Buy look super obnoxious. Basically, I have 3 requirements:

1) Must fit my car. I don't know if these things are standardized or whatever.
2) Must have a line in for my mp3 player (I don't want a proprietary iPod connector, generic line in)
3) Must look classy (now garish blue LEDs, no fancy LCD screen, no flashing/blinking buttons)

Any suggestions? I don't know the right price for this sort of stuff, but I don't want to spend a whole lot; it's a 9-year-old car that I won't be keeping for more than 3-4 years, tops. Let's just say $300 or less. Thanks.

Also, is it worth getting someone to install it for you (like Best Buy), or is it really easy to do?

mastman

you should be able to get one for wayyy less than $300.

They are easy to install if you're not afraid of wires. You simply buy the connection kit and follow the directions. You'll have to crimp some wires, and rip off your dashboard, but if you're careful it is easy and you won't break anything.

If it is a honda, it will probably be fine whatever you buy, not the GM ones though. Stereos are a standard size

Nova_C

Car stereos ARE standardized, but most new cars have ones that are custom molded to the car. This usually means having to install an adapter to fit the new stereo into the dash. This is either easy or hard. My suggestion is to order your new stuff from www.crutchfield.com (If you're in the US) as they send you instructions and the extras you need at no extra cost.

As far as decks go, stay away from cheaper stuff. Something like this has the aux input you're looking for as well as a USB port: http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=130DEHP590&tp=5684

grungebox

How about this one (a little cheaper):
Sony CDX-GT410U

I know that it's a Sony and therefore might suck, but anyone know if this seems okay? It seems to have everything I want.

Just curious, though, what does an HD tuner get me? I mean, are there a lot of free HD radio stations out there that aren't Clear Channel suckage? I pretty much only listen to Pacifica Radio, NPR, and KTRU (local college station), since everything else in Houston is horrible.

blincoln

The only caveat I will mention about Crutchfield is that their adapters are kind of flimsy. I imagine this may be a problem with most/all brands that DIYers can buy, but it's something to keep in mind when you're doing the mounting so that you don't end up breaking it like I did.
If you're just replacing the receiver (and not speakers, amp(s), etc), mastman is correct, it's dead simple with a kit. Everything is colour-coded and you can crimp all the connections together if you would prefer (I soldered mine). The biggest headache with mine was that Honda designed the dashboard so you had to disassemble a bunch of it to get the factory receiver out. Once that was done, mounting the replacement was easy.