Throttle

New owner here ('02 Cabriolet). Left my lights on (doh!) and drained battery. After jumping it, my radio (CDR 220) does not light up at all and I cannot get it to turn on. I've searched the forum here and found some advice that the fuse behind the unit may be blown.

I can order the tools for $10 bucks, pull the radio, and check the fuse. But since the radio quality isn't so great, I'm considering just replacing it with something of reasonable quality and possibly with a connector for my iPhone so I can play music from it.

Any thoughts on pro's and con's? Anybody have a replacement unit they highly recommend (remembering, I'm not looking for audiophile quality since it's a Cab).

Thanks, Eddie

Dennis C

I replaced my headunit with a Kenwood double-DIN unit with nav, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, etc. I replaced my speakers and amps with Focal products. I am very happy with the upgrade.

Good luck.

Dstutler

I went with a double din Pioneer. Love the integration with the iPHONE as well as Bluetooth, DVD, Pandora, XM etc. I had tried a single din but unfortunately with the reflection and the mount angle I found it hard to read the screen. IMHO double din is the way to go .....

Long Islander

You can buy an iPod connector from Becker or Discount Car Stereo and they'll both throw in the removal tools for free. Installing the iPod connector requires you to remove the radio anyway, so you'll kill two birds with one stone. I recently installed the iPod connector that I bought direct from Becker ($110 + shipping) and ran the wire into my console where I keep the iPod. The double DIN installations look very nice but the cost difference is about ten to one compared to just doing the iPod cable. Plus, the installation looks a lot more complicated.

Throttle

Thanks, gang. I ended up going with the Kenwood double din with Nav, Bluetooth, USB, etc. Love it. The sound is so much better even though I did not change out the amp or speakers (this car has a lot of speakers and the guy that did the work said they're pretty good; if I was to do anything more, he recommended a higher quality amp but I think it's more than adequate for a convertible).

Gonzo911

I put a Pioneer AVIC-930bt in my cab. I also went with a new kicker amp and new speakers. The sound is actually amazing with the top down at highway speeds. You might be surprised! Anyway, looks really good. Enjoy!

Long Islander

Looks nice, especially the way the button light colors match the amber of the climate control. What's the thingy below the radio -- radar detector?

targa996

I also went with pioneer 3200 double DIN ... updates the interior look. Nicely. But bt sound quality not good. Maybe I need to move mic. Bose speakers are notoriously bad, but since they are low ohm not easy to replace with replacing amp as well .. didn't want to invest that much in the audio .. better to listen to the engine anyway.

Mabuhay

Umm... how did you change the stereo and keep the stock speakers? I thought that there was something "special" about our cars such that you have to replace EVERYTHING (amp, speakers, head unit) if you wanted to change the stereo?

Help and advice please since I've been wanting to change just the head unit for some time now!!! I have the CDR223 with a CD changer and all I want to do is change the head unit to something modern. I am happy with the stock Bose speakers.

perryinva

The frunk amp just takes high level inputs, so any head unit can be used. You just have to splice the wires into the connector behind the unit, andknow what is what. Diagrams online in multiple places. IMHO, the stock speakers suck (don't know about the Bose ones), all I did was replace the subs in the doors (Tang 5" subs) and the dash & rear speakers (Infinity 4x6 plates mated to "blank dummy" grills available) and am pleased with that.

Throttle

I had the work done by Al & Ed's Autosound Santa Monica and I was very pleased with their low pressure approach. Head unit works great with the amp and speakers. The CD changer, however, does not work b/c it's only compatible with the OEM head unit. But since I can now play my iPhone I don't need the changer.

Throttle

Yes, radar detector & jammer. Was installed already when I bought the car (and it has already saved me 1x for sure!).

kenmhall1

I believe you are thinking of 996's with the MOST fiber optic system. I think they started putting them in some cars around late '02. There are still options with the MOST without having to replace everything. Basically involves an FM modulator that connects directly to the antenna, not the crappy FM modulators that actually transmit RF to connect. Several on here have had them installed with satisfactory results.

Steve2112

Can I easily upgrade the head unit to one of these double din models on a car with the Bose premium system? I am not a car audiophile, but heard the system uses a MOST BUS type of system. Can I keep the Bose speakers and just replace the head unit? I would love to have NAV and BT built in, instead of having an external Garmin GPS on my on dash next to my Escort 9500ix.

Thanks!

JasonRadner

I'd like to get rid of the becker in mine. Lost half of lcd screen.....can I pop in a aftermarket radio with the adapters from crutchfield and be on my way or do I have to rewire wiring to amp/speakers. I have the non-Bose system with door speakers and such. Unit from becker is a CDR-220....not so good.