car radio help

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

my car radio is busted - yesterday it was randomly changing stations and getting stuck on scan, and this morning it got stuck at one station and one volume level - so i need to get it either fixed or replaced, and i looked back thru the "car" posts and couldn't find any specific radio posts, so - any suggestions where i can take it? i don't need a fancy-ass stereo system, i don't particularly want to buy a radio in one place and take it to be installed somewhere else (unless that really is the best option), and i don't trust myself to diy it. i called hondar house out of curiosity (they fixed my brakes, which was the last significant car work i needed) and the guy i talked to said to go to best buy. o.O but i figured i'd appeal to you guys first.

(i have a '98 civic with a ten-year-old stereo with cassette player, if it makes a difference. i really only ever listen to the radio, and i'd like a way to plug in my ipod, but otherwise i don't ask much from the stereo.)

Comments

[jadia.livejournal.com]

I would check out places like circuit city. I know they install car radios and sell them as well.

[bwilder.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I had a great experience with buying a stereo and having it installed at the Best Buy in the Cambridgeside Galleria. I got a midlevel Sony that had a nice 1/8th" jack for my iPod. I think the whole enterprise cost me under $250.

[nora-rocket.livejournal.com]

*icon love*

"So, David, why a Big Suit?"

[bwilder.livejournal.com]

Use it if you like!

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

that's good to know! how long did it take?

[bwilder.livejournal.com]

Uh, maybe a couple of hours, stem to stern? It depends on how busy they are. I went during a weekday, which I'm pretty sure was key.

Best Buy

[dianamp04.livejournal.com]

I got a new radio in my car (A '98 Civic!) like 3-4 years ago installed by Best Buy and it worked out well. I got the simple CD changer one for like $150 or something like that. The Best Buy guys even rechecked my car for free when I thought they had messed up the wiring to one of my speakers (turns out, my 10 year old speakers just kinda suck). I don't know if it's standard for them or was a deal either, but the installation was free.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

yeah, if you just want to drive your car in someplace and then drive it out with an aftermarket head unit installed, somewhere like Circuit City or Best Buy that both sells car stereos and does installs is probably your best bet.

You'll probably want to get one with a removable faceplate but I think they all have that nowadays except for the very lowest-end ones.

Most of what you'll find out there plays CDs rather than cassettes, but there are cassette units out there if that's what you want.

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

it never would've occurred to me to go to best buy, but that seems like the place. and it's actually pretty convenient, too.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

Installing a car stereo is actually pretty easy, but if you don't trust yourself to do it, maybe you have a 'handy' friend? crutchfield.com has a really great selection, includes a wiring harness for easy installation with every stereo they sell, and an installation manual. Also, they indicate which models will fit your car so that there's no guesswork.

[inahandbasket]

Seconded.
If you're at all handy, or have a friend who is, save yourself some cash and do it yourself.

If you don't mind paying for the convenience, by all means go to best buy, circut city, tweeter, etc. But you'll pay at least twice as much.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

You dont really want to buy a unit then take it elsewhere to have it installed. I did that last year. I bought a super nice Sony head unit at the outlet store and then since they dont do installs I had to call a lot of places until I found one who would do it. Best Buy/Circuit City etc do not install stuff that isnt purchased at their store.

If you dont mind driving down to Wrentham...they have awesome head units at the Sony Outlet store (fully warranteed as well) for CHEAP. I got an awesome bluetooth, CD, mp3 hardwired to the car and lots of cool features for only $125!

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

that's a little more than i need from a car stereo, but damn, good deal!

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

Yea I totally didnt need the bluetooth but the price was so good I got it anyways. I also got my stepson a head unit there for christmas with an amp, speakers and whatever else comes under the "complete new stereo" category lol for $300. They run a lot of specials where you buy two speakers get two free, plus many others.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

Forget Circuit City, Crutchfield and Best Buy. Support local business. Try Krank It Up in Medford. My only interaction with them was getting advice over the phone (incidentally it was regarding a crutchfield purchase I was trying to install myself but had run into trouble) and they were quite friendly and helpful.

http://www.krankitup.com/