Ok, I am thinking about getting an aftermarket head unit for my bonnie, and I was wondering what experiences you guys had. What brand have you found to be good/bad qualities when it comes to installation, sound quality, looks, graphics, etc. Also, where have you guys bought yours (website, store etc.) I will probably order it and do all of the work myself, I have already taken out the factory unit a few times. I have already looked a few units online, and I think I am going to put the price ceiling at $300 for the unit, not including the adapters and stuff. I would prefer one with cool graphics, I looked at some JVC models that are MP3 compatable with the moving graphics, but I want everyones input before I do something.

Well.. ensure there'* enough pre outs @ 4V so you have room for additional hook ups for future amps.. the last thing you need is having to get a new deck everytime you decide to add more to it.

I've had 3 decks so far....First one was a Sony Xplode (sucked and it broke - replaced it and the replacement stopped working too) Second was a JVC one, dont remember the model but it was a pretty decent one (small road like graphic to show the sound bouncing - played really well and hardly ever skipped) My last one was a Kenwood kdc series ( really good cd player, had it in my lowered nissan truck - rough suspension 'never skipped', and the 40x4 built in power pushed a pair of my Mtx 6x9'* real well. although it didnt have any moving graphics.... it was still my favorite so far. Next deck im getting will most likely be the new Rockford Fosgate....the buttons are all red and so is part of the display, which will match the lights in the dash. it bothers me to have a certain colored dash lighting and have a total different cd display color, just throws the whole look off, know what im sayin?

I agree with you , LowLyfe, I want to get one that either you can change the color of the display or the whole thing is red.

I've always liked Pioneer Cd players. It matches my Buick well because the display on the cd player is blue and green.

www.ikesound.com

I prefer Kenwood /Alpine for the head unit. Polks/MB Quart for the highs, JL/Apline/Phoenix Gold for the amps. But I think it is the Alpine were you can order different colored cap to change the display color. I cant remember, but Ill try and find out.

Ive had a few decks in my life... to be honest with you it really depends on what you want to do with it...if you just want to listen to cds at good level with ok eq built in...with pre outs for a real basic system...i found that walmart decks work just fine...i put one of them in my moms car cuz i drove that for a while and found that they work just as good as a $300 for like 1/3 the value...they are only like $99 bucks at walmart...but if your lookin for a good nice lookin deck...id suggest a panasonic...i got one of them in my car....heres the link to the one i have...

http://www.crutchfield.com/*-0vMpYur...asp?i=133DF783

its the Panasonic CQ-DF783U.... I found this deck is really cool lookin...its a blue color...display...and at night there is like a rim of blue around it....its really bright...it lights up my hole car at night...i found this deck is really nice little slow on reading mp3s but i figure all decks are light that...it also has 3 sets of preouts with 2 sets of preouts comin off a build in amp theres one for a changer, subs, and one ofr like a playstation or something an aux one....and the ones for the speakers are like on a different spot of it as you could see on the pics of it...but its a good overall deck...just one suggestion...STAY AWAY FROM KENWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenwood'* a good make.....

no offense or anything but kenwood sucks

Sony decks have the flash and pizzaz but ive owned 2 decks and a friend had one as well and they all sucked.heres to sony decks. .both of mine where broken within a year got replaced and sold them .I still have a early 90'* clarion deck and the sucker still works fine.