Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Will this work...

OK, I need a CD player, BADLY! But, I want it to look "factory" (No Alpine, Sony, etc...) and I was thinking Nakamichi, great, looks like the only place I can find them is eBay. But, I want to fill both slots in the dash, Nak Cassette reciever with Nak in-dash CD changer? Good luck finding that. Well, I was on eBay and I found a Bose system from a Mazda, CD Reciever with in-dash cassette, 2 separate DIN-sized units, I don't care about power (since I know that ANY HU is better than what i have now) but I was wondering, would this work? I know I'd have to get some plugs that fit in the back of the Bose unit, and I'd need to get a wiring harness that could hook up to the factory plugs, but other than that, I like it, it has a volume knob instead of stupid buttons, it looks clean, classy, and it has green lighting, my MAJOR concern. Would it be possible for it to work? It's only 50, so I have a feeling that if I bid maybe 75/100, I'd get it, and It STILL wouldnt be as much as an aftermarket stereo. I just want to know if it would work! Thanks..

I would avoid the Bose system at all costs. Bose has yet to make a product that represents at a good value at any level. Keep in mind that Bose' biggest asset is its marketing department, not its R&D group.

The only factory systems that I would consider keeping the components out of, would be the drivers from Volvo's Dynaudio system, and the amplifiers/speakers out of Lexus' Levinson system.

Even at 50.00, (it will go for MUCH more than this on ebay because all stock HUs do), you could do better by getting a used Nak, or Alpine.

Are you just filling the second location, just to do it? Or is there some feature you are looking for? How about adding some LED screens with system voltage and amp temperature? It will add something unique and avoid any needless installation of inferior Bose equipment.

Despite the fact that I really don't care for your posts on the forums I still can't sit here and let you throw away money like this, even if it is $50.

If you are concerned with the green night illumination and having a clean look why would you not consider the Alpine models? An older (3 years, but that really isn't anything for an Alpine HU) could be had for as little as that Bose unit, and would sound phenominally better. The older models (mine at the time was the CDA-7838) The truth is the bose stereo probably isn't that much better than the stock HU in the Contour. Even the best Stock systems are mediocre compared to fairly inexpensive quality aftermarket units.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1382193234

It is the most clean looking Alpine has ever released, has outputs incase you ever decide to expand a little, and it is very reliable. Also, you will never find a green that matches this well. It is one model up from the stereo I originally had in the Contour and is an extremely excellent HU that will sound much better than the bose unit from the Mazda. I know many people who have had thier Alpine HUs since thier first car and have transplanted it as they got new cars.

You won't fill both spots with this HU but please understand that you will be getting something much better in the long run. It is your descision of course but I think you would be happier with something that both looks and sounds good if you have the choice

Understand that when I give my opinion or a serious suggestion, I am not joking around with you. I really do believe this would be the better descision in this regard.

you could make it work but the ass pain that you would go through to do it wouldn't be worth it in my opinion. I say screw the stock look and buy an alpine or pioneer. It will look stock when you remove the face plate anyhow!!! Besides, there is no crime in Fargo or else someone would have stolen the 6000 by now!

Before anyone else makes Pontiac 6000 comments or attacks CBM, don't do it, I will delete them.

He hasn't done anything wrong in this forum yet, so leave him alone for now.

Capp, I think your post was just a joke and not a personal attack, I just want to get the warning out there.

This goes for you, too, CBM. I will not take anything that invites people to attack you. I will delete your posts immediately.

I have never deleted a post to this day, don't make me start.

Here is another, even higher model

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1862848080

Originally posted by dnewma04:

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Before anyone else makes Pontiac 6000 comments or attacks CBM, don't do it, I will delete them.

He hasn't done anything wrong in this forum yet, so leave him alone for now.

Capp, I think your post was just a joke and not a personal attack, I just want to get the warning out there.

This goes for you, too, CBM. I will not take anything that invites people to attack you. I will delete your posts immediately.

I have never deleted a post to this day, don't make me start.

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It's all good, just a friendly joke. My intent was to point out that most people who want head units that look like stock do so for security reasons. It's much better to just not be lazy and remove the faceplate when you leave the car

No, the reason I want it to look stock is because I want it to look classy. I'm not worried about security issues, my thoughts are that if they want it bad enough, they'll get it no matter what. But, the real reason I want it to look stock is because I want my car to look stock, all of it. I don't want anything flashy, no silver or anything. I was thinking of getting the in-dash CD player from Ford, but that's $400 alone ( ) and I am NOT wasting my money on that. I'm still considering Nak, but the reason I wanted this Bose system is because I think it looks cool, and my Pontiac has a factory Bose system in it, and it sounds absolutely perfect (nothing compared to the you-know-what, but it's still pretty good for a 12-year-old system). I mean, the factory system in tme Mystique sounds good enough for me, but I can not go without a CD player any longer, I buy new CDs, and have to take either mom's car or the 6000 to listen to them, taking mom's car is great...if she's nice enough to let me, but those times I take the 6000 just to listen to the CD, I lose all the cornering fun. But, does Alpine have rotary volume knobs? I hate these stinking buttons! The "-" side of the volume in my Mystique likes to act as a "seek" button sometimes, REALLY annoying when you have the stereo near max volume, and need to turn it down cause youre going thru a drivethru. But, thanks for all the suggestions

CBM,
I got a New CD-40Z off of ubid for $141 which is an amazing deal. There are some dealers of Nak online, although finding ones that sell the tape deck HU's can be a little trying. Here's a pic of what mine looks like at night, its a bit blurry (no tripod) but you can see that it looks quite stock.



-Pete

Hey thanks, that looks great!