Advice on stereo deck

[shellback]

I read Zoso's stereo write-up and his Clarion looks awesome. I checked with Crutchfield but honestly I wasn't planning on spending too much.

Here are my requirements:

1) all red/amber lights
2) play recorded CD's
3) price not to exceed $175
4) Fits a E30 :rolleyes: and as close to flush or stock as possible when finally installed

Thoughts?
Thank you,
Chris

[Zoso]

Crutchfield is always very expensive.  You can get the 645MP on ebay for $125.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&catref=C6&satitle=clarion+DXZ645MP

[ak96ss]

Yes, but...  I chose Crutchfield for my JVC KD-AR5500 not because it was cheapest, as it wasn't.  I wanted a valid warranty in case there were problems. JVC, like other stereo manufacturers, won't honor the warranty for stuff sold from non-authorized dealers.

http://www.clarion.com/us/en/support/authorized_retailers/index.html

I seriously doubt that I will need to use that warranty, but I didn't want to take the chance.  Up to you, I guess.  I had an issue with one of the caps I bought - I called Crutchfield, had a new cap the next day, and mailed the defective one back, at their expense.  Try that on eBay.

I've sold lots of stuff on eBay, bought even more, but electronics I try to stay with authorized dealers.

Having said that, I have a JVC KS-FX490 I will be putting up eBay shortly. Nice deck.  Not as nice as the AR5500 I bought, but still not bad, and it plays cassettes!  

[dude8383]

Alpine CDA 7894. Amber illumination, aux output, MP3 and XM ready.

I fucking love mine. You get find one on ebay for like $150-$185

*EDIT* just noticed your ceiling of $175. I got mine for $163 shipped...im sure you could score one for the same price

[Zoso]

The newer alpines have too many angles for me and look to out of place in a car... but they function great.  I got the Clarion because it looks more simple and matches the interior better, IMHO.  Even the newer Clarion units are a bit too flashy for me - with silver and too many angles.

John is right about the warranty.  I got burned on that once with the Kenwood fold-out screen in my other car.  However, if getting the until from a certified dealer means the unit is $200 and it costs $125 through eBay, I'll take my chances.

[shellback]

Zoso,
would would be the equivelant to your Clarion deck? Seems like Crutchfield has some different/new year models.
Thanks,
Chris

[dude8383]

The newer alpines have too many angles for me and look to out of place in a car... but they function great.  I got the Clarion because it looks more simple and matches the interior better, IMHO.  Even the newer Clarion units are a bit too flashy for me - with silver and too many angles.

John is right about the warranty.  I got burned on that once with the Kenwood fold-out screen in my other car.  However, if getting the until from a certified dealer means the unit is $200 and it costs $125 through eBay, I'll take my chances.

thats why i mentioned a specific model..the newer ones suck anyway. This headunit was released i think 2 or 3yrs ago.

[D. Clay]

The prices on ebay always seem to have inflated shipping costs. A lot of items are the same price locally after you add shipping to the total.
Most of the newer in dash units have selectable colors for the faceplate illumination. I think an important feature is an AUX input for MP3 players on the faceplate. My wife and kids love this feature. Just plug in your IPOD or other player. Eliminates a CD changer in the trunk and carrying CD's in the car. Even my 58 year old wife makes "car" compilations. Her foot gets heavier when Tom Petty comes on.

[Zoso]

Zoso,
would would be the equivelant to your Clarion deck? Seems like Crutchfield has some different/new year models.
Thanks,
Chris

The Clarion DXZ465MP looks the closest to the one.  The models below it only have 1 set of pre-outs.  This model is more "busy" than the older model I bought  and it can't change the color of the screen and buttons.  The ability to match the interior light color was important to me.  It does have some better features such as a higher resolution screen and iPod controls.

The Clarion ProAudio DXZ665MP looks to be the next model up that can do variable button/screen color... but that one is way too expensive.

Is a warranty that important to you?  I bought mine from Audio Warehouse Express.  They aren't a certified Clarion reseller either, and I wrote them about the warranty.  They said that they offer their own 1 year warranty on the unit because Clarions didn't apply.  

Personally, I'd just get the unit from the cheapest place possible and take my chances without a warranty.

[shellback]

Mike,
you are right. I'll check that link to el ebay you sent.

hey, who cares about warranty anyway! It will probably get stolen anyway....

[Zoso]

Mike,
you are right. I'll check that link to el ebay you sent.

hey, who cares about warranty anyway! It will probably get stolen anyway....

Does that kind of stuff really happen in Puerto Rico?  :p

[318iEnthusiast]

I read Zoso's stereo write-up and his Clarion looks awesome. I checked with Crutchfield but honestly I wasn't planning on spending too much.

Here are my requirements:

1) all red/amber lights
2) play recorded CD's
3) price not to exceed $175
4) Fits a E30 :rolleyes: and as close to flush or stock as possible when finally installed

Thoughts?
Thank you,
Chris

http://www.bestbuy.com search headunits... I have a kenwood... it's silver... it was $112 after tax.. here's a quick pic...



it's flush as can be, and easy to install... plays cd-r and cd-rw...

[shellback]

Wow enthusiast, that's really stock looking :rolleyes:

[shellback]

Does that kind of stuff really happen in Puerto Rico?  :p

no joke - our garden hose and christmas ornaments were stolen from the front of the house :eek:

[Zoso]

no joke - our garden hose and christmas ornaments were stolen from the front of the house :eek:

That's sad!  I would have expected that you'd be housed in a base that was secure.