OEM Stereos: Keep for Posterity?

"With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username" (with-a-g) 12/09/2014 at 13:44 • Filed to: None

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I've got a '91 Miata and I'm getting tired of:

having no AUX input and having to use a cassette adapter, and

the entire stereo not turning on after it rains ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ).

So, I've currently got my console torn apart and the head unit out in order to perform the humidity power-on fix and the AUX input addition, but I'm wondering why don't I just replace the head unit? Is there really any good reason other than sentimentality and some vague notion that "pure stock" is superior when my car is recognized as a true classic someday?

shop-teacher > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 13:47

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It's a Miata, its not like it's some rare car, that will be worth a lot of money someday. I wouldn't bother saving it, personally.

E. Julius > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 13:47

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If you consider selling it, keeping things like this can help convince a potential buyer that you take care of the car and it's worth the price your asking.

505Turbeaux > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 13:48

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just dont hack any wiring. Get an adapter and be careful with the dash so you can put it back in before you sell it, if ever. I +1 any car with a stock stereo because it means you young whippersnappers haven't gotten your hands all in it and pumped up the bass.

...Offa my lawn and such

MonkeePuzzle > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 13:48

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

tee hee, butts

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 13:49

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Your best bet would be to upgrade but keep the stock head unit. If you sell down the road you could easily switch back to the original and keep your new one!

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > 505Turbeaux 12/09/2014 at 13:49

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Yeah, I'm actually buying connectors off of digikey to fashion my own cable for a fully removable plug-in AUX port, and it's gonna all be behind the dash.

505Turbeaux > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 13:52

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nice, perfect. I am playing with a bluetooth adapter that plugs into the mobile phone interface on my W210 benz wagon so it all stays pretty stock and I can keep the bose in there rockin

5-Speed Gangsta > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 14:02

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I replaced the head unit in my e36 because it sounded terrible and not only was it missing an AUX input, but the cassette player was broken so I couldn't use an adapter. Just make sure to keep the old one and use a proper adapter so you (or the next owner) can always go back if desired.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 14:04

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Upgrade if you want but keep the stock one and don't ruined the stock wiring. Some buyers (such as myself) will turn away a car if it has an aftermarket system because they usually look tacky and not well implemented into the interior.

Mattbob > 505Turbeaux 12/09/2014 at 14:06

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did you already get the bluetooth adapter? If not, I was going to suggest one I used for a project that I got from parts express. it was similar to this http://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-…

505Turbeaux > Mattbob 12/09/2014 at 14:13

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wow now that is cheap enough. Good rec, thanks!

Axial > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/09/2014 at 14:17

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This. I turned away many a C4 Corvette two years ago that otherwise met my criteria simply because they had aftermarket head units and were ugly as fuck .

Mattbob > 505Turbeaux 12/09/2014 at 14:20

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this one will probably have better sound though for a few dollars more. http://www.parts-express.com/bluetooth-v40-…

Definitely a better unit.

505Turbeaux > Mattbob 12/09/2014 at 14:22

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huh yeah for just a few bucks. Cool, thanks again

Local Miata Bro > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 14:24

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Well unlike most opinions here I actually like aftermarket head units, there are adaptor kits for the wiring that make it easy to do

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 12/09/2014 at 14:41

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Couldn't you get a newer OEM Mazda radio used to put in the place of the current stock unit? I'd imagine it might be cheaper than aftermarket, and it would keep the OEM look.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > 505Turbeaux 12/09/2014 at 16:24

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I just re-read this reply and the "W210 wagon" finally clicked in my head. We're practically brothers, what with my W211 wagon. Does the bluetooth dongle fit in the jack even with the glovebox closed? That's a sweet idea.