Too Much $$$ ?

[PaulSula]

I am in the market for a new head unit. I go through this phase about twice a year but it always fizzles out because I get frustrated. I usually find a good head unit and then go to a major store to price it. (Circuit City/ Best Buy) At first it seems like I can afford the stereo, but then the costs start pilling on. For example, I want a decent radio (Pioneer about $200.00) but then I also want to keep my XM radio and have the ability to run my iPOD through it. Before I know it, the installation costs, parts, harnesses, and other incidentals have the price at close to $500.00! (and that's with the free install on the head unit) What's the deal? Am I wrong to think that's steep? Just wondering what you all think. Any ideas about how I could drive the cost down, including how hard it would be to do the installation myself?

 

[truckhigh]

Why do you want a head unit. if you are just looking for better sound then just add speakers and an amp. I think if you only had like $300-200 i would just replace speakers and/or just add a sub.

 

[tarheeltp17]

There are several things that could be driving your price up.

If you have the JBL, then yes, it adds atleast $100 in pure parts.

Unfortunately you can't use the factory XM brain on any aftermarket headunit. To add XM to it you're looking at $100 for any brand of radio.

The new pioneer stuff comes with an Ipod cable.

Install on the headunit is not free I promise. They just jack up the prices of the parts.

Heres my prices on parts and labor...
Radio - $50
XM - $60
Dash kit - $15
Harness - $15
Shop supplies - $5

So thats approx $145 on top of the $200 for the dec and another $100 for the XM tuner. Brings me to $445.

It's easier to accept the price when you see what you are paying for rather than just being told a price.

 

[toyota03]

I am in the market for a new head unit. I go through this phase about twice a year but it always fizzles out because I get frustrated. I usually find a good head unit and then go to a major store to price it. (Circuit City/ Best Buy) At first it seems like I can afford the stereo, but then the costs start pilling on. For example, I want a decent radio (Pioneer about $200.00) but then I also want to keep my XM radio and have the ability to run my iPOD through it. Before I know it, the installation costs, parts, harnesses, and other incidentals have the price at close to $500.00! (and that's with the free install on the head unit) What's the deal? Am I wrong to think that's steep? Just wondering what you all think. Any ideas about how I could drive the cost down, including how hard it would be to do the installation myself?

Have you tried EBAY!!!!!!:bash:

 

[nserpa9248]

if you strolled into a CC i can verify that a pioneer DEH-P5900ib (the appx 200 radio from CC/BB)
you can def get for 200 even
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pion...71800/catOid/-13089/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
Great radio btw, same one im using

For xm you will need the xm pioneer tuner

Also, if you are getting the DEH-P5900ib it has the ability to accept the new ipod cable that pioneer uses, its $35 for the part (Pioneer CDI200), and usually, if your doing xm and a radio they will charge you like $15 to run it in the area of your choice..

Also, save yourself 6.99 by not buying CC "smartharness"..ask them to solder the connection instead, it saves your 6.99 on the install, and is a much better connection

As far as parts/labor @ a cc, its as follows...

Pioneer DEH-P5900ib 199.99
Radio Install Free
XM tuner 99.99
Install on XM 49.99
Ipod Cable 34.99
Cable install 14.99
Shop feee 4.99
Dash kit 19.99
Harness 19.99

$444.92

and if you decide to get the whole service plan deal (the guy in the store can give details) its
29.99 for two years
39.99 for four years..

Good luck man, keep us updated with what you get.

 

[PaulSula]

Ok well I took some of ya'lls advice and I think I found a pretty good deal. I like the Pioneer Premere DEH-49001B. It is very simple looking and the display is really sharp, and blue...I like blue. Also a HUGE bonus is that Pioneer finally got smart and started including the iPOD connector with the head unit. So that will save my $100 right off the bat. Oh and by the way, it is a USB connection, so I can also connect a hard drive and play a TON of mp3s. I also spoke with a rep from Ultimate Electronics and they can install the head unit, XM radio, and run the iPOD cable wherever I want for under $400. Not bad. I will make sure to include pics when it's installed. Thanks for the advice and responses.