The Contour/Mystique "Premium Sound" system has an external amplifier under the dash, above/behind the glove box. It does not handle a high input signal well, causing great amounts of audible distortion. Any aftermarket head unit (well, the majority) had internal amplifiers instead of the OEM one which does not. What happens is the now amplified signal goes to the factory amp which gets sturated and cannot amplify any more, causing distortion. So, we recommend bypassing this amp and running wires rght from the new head unit to the speakers. The easiest way is with a ready made harness that click in place with the right connectors in about 5 minutes or less.
I'd look for a head unit at the local Best Buy/Circuit City/ABC Warehouse. Last years models and open box buys are good deals. Or, if you have a Sony outlet store near you there are sometimes deals. I used a Sony refurbished head unit that I paid i think $140 in 97, transfered it into my SVT, then sold it with the car. i loved that unit, except it was tape (CD controller which I had in the trunk, though). IMO, any head unit made by the more popular brands will be about the same quality, with different features. I paid $106 for an open box Kenwood CD player for my beater car for example and it's fine. Not as nice as some, but sounds good.
