my cd player hasnt worked since i got it. I finally got it taken into the GM dealership here in town, they say its $375 for a rebuilt stereo, thats a hell of a lot of money. so I started to think about getting a deck from best buy and they install for free. but then i have to worry about someone wanting to steal it
so i was talking to my sis tonight and here b/f was saying if it was his choice he'd get factory because anything under $400 is crappy for a cd deck.
what do you guys think, either....
spend $375 for a rebuilt factory stereo????
or....
spend $150-250 for a best buy cd deck that could get stolen????

P.*. i only plan to keep the car for 2-5 years

What the hell??
Maybe he works on commission at a stereo shop?

Personally, I'd say go with a aftermarket deck that makes YOU happy-to hell with everyone else. I put a Kenwood KDC-2022 in my 96 after the factory CD player i bought crapped out. Cost my ~$150 from Crutchfield; they sent me the adapter plate and wiring harness plug for free--took me about 30 minutes to install, and another 5 to program the PAC SWI-X unit (wanted to retain my steering wheel controls)

All total, spent just over $200, and I think it sounds good--not gonna win any stereo competitions, but thats not what I intend to do with my car...

YMMV
Jim

I say go aftermarket.. dont let him kid you... sure the ULTRA high end audiophile decks might cost $400 or more... but a decent quality deck can be had for between 2-300...look for Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood, or even Panasonic.... they all make decent CD players...if theft is a concern get one w/ a motorized hideaway face or a detachable face.

Keep your car for 2-5 yrs!?!?! Damn thats NOTHING on these cars. Why give up so soon? Im hoping to get 300K + miles (yes miles, not KM) outta my car b4 i give it up (if i ever do) Im just curious....

LOL dude dont listen to that guy'* BS. there are so many good aftermarket decks for $200 on up you'd be amazed. he either is a complete moron and likes to talk out his *** to make you think he knows what hes talking about, or he is totally into the stereo competition thing. i just got a rockford9200 off of ebay for $170 and its awesome. and by the way, EVERY stereo Can be stolen although the aftermarket is more prone to theives, if you were to have it installed by someone who knows what they are doing it would be just as hard if not harder to steal than a factory deck. justa though

If your that worried of someone stealing your HU, get one that has a removable face. A head unit that has no face is useless.
There'* some other audio shops in Mankato that have better stuff than Wprst Buy, last time I was in there they had a paltry selection.

Factory decks are available for reasonable prices on eBay. You can send your factory deck to be repaired for much cheaper than $375. Be aware of the electronic climate control display dimming problem with aftermarket head units.

whats witht he dimming of the climate control?

well then i might just have to make a trip up to kato then and see, because its starting to get really old not having a cd player that works. would ya be willing to help me install it if I did get one up there?

it runs good, the only reasone i'd give it up is because after a couple years out of college the general plan is to have a newer pick-up.
not to mention it'* already 10 years old, it will still be running good in another ten years its just i dont really want a car that old.