Well I just got some extra money so I'm going to go ahead and buy a CD player. I know I want a Pioneer and I found this one.
Click

Looks good to me, and only $151

I'm willing to spend up to about $250 on a CD player. If anyone is willing to look for a good CD player for me, it would be greatly appreciated. I do want the CD player to have the screensavers and be a max of $250. That's about all I know.

I also found this site with a couple more for great prices. Click

 

I just found this one which looks like pretty much the same thing.

Click

There are so many choices and it seems like there are so many that look alike! Anyone who knows more about this than I do, please help!

 

If I were you...I'd go with Alpine. From my experience working at Circuit City, and owning both kinds of CD Players I would definately say go with Alpine. The ratio of returned HU's at Circuit City is 1:5...for every one Alpine that is returned 5 Pioneers are returned.

They are definately nice HU's but Alpine just makes an overall better product IMHO...

Just thought I'd throw that out there man, good luck either way!

Fink

 

I'm new to this board but I'm a car audio installer and I've owned 4 diff. kinds of headunits. Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer, and Alpine in that order. I would definately say Alpine and Pioneer are the best two and they are equally good but for different reasons. Alpine has better sound quality and the V-drive but pioneer is much easier to use and has almost the same quality. The only thing I would definately recommend is to not buy the factory reconditioned one. Also I wouldn't buy one off the net at all because a lot of people that come in our store have gotten screwed with warranty problems that way. So play it safe, don't be cheap. Just go to the store and buy a new one. It'll be worth it.

 

from personal experiance alpine makes the best H/U hands down, and with those h/u's u linked, i personally think they are kinda ricey, with the lil lcd screen thing, kinda ghetto IMO, i'd say go with an alpine

 

Yeah I see what you mean about them looking a little ricey. But my buddy had one in his F-150 and I loved it, thats why I'm trying to get the same one. This CD player will only be for me, no one else will see it, so thats why I want one with the screen saver. It's really not even necessary to get one, I have a factory CD player, but I think a nice head unit gives it a great customized look.
Just waiting for someone to chime in with a reccomendation of the Pioneer I should buy.

 

hey jethro,
i have a premier DEH-750 and it is the best deck i have ever owned and used....i do agree that alpine has some better sound quality but are you competing for SQ? the pioneer is one of the easiest HU's to use and adjust...plus its reliable...i think that you should spend the money and buy a real good deck becuse a HU is what Makes your stereo
cody

 

I second the deh-p760mp. actually, i have two of them right now. email me or PM me if u wanna buy it.

 

Eww Apline , Sick YUK! Alpine is one of the worst radios out on the market, Pioneer by Far is much much better. I to used to be a car audio installer and we had nothing but problems with apline.....

If your still looking for a radio and you want to order it, call my friend at Auto Radio Stereo here in CA, tell him Greg sent you, He will sell it to you at cost, they sell Pioneer, Eclipse

Anyways, PM me

 

I just got a Clarion DXZ745MP off of eBay for cheap (in your price range). Check them out. I love mine.

 

Crutchfield.com is a place great to fulfill your needs. Great prices, quick shipping (they're out of Virginia), good selection. They send a install kit for free too. This is kind of a mute point since aftermarket radios fit in Toyotas without any kit. You will get a little pocket to fill the gap free though.

And what, is everyone in love with Pioneer? I can't stand mine! The sound is comparable to Kenwood. But with Ken you get the mute with gradual attenuation (ATT) and a random that is actually random. The ATT is great for drive-thrus or to answer the phone. You can take a CD out with out turning on the car. Better equalizer features (last I checked, it has been a couple years).

 

I always found crutchfield to be a bit on the pricey side.

 

Me too. On the plus side, their site is great for research, they have great customer service, and give you everything you need to install it for free. In the end, I don't think they're that much more expensive.

 

I can get any radio / Pioneer / eclipse at cost , so if any of you are looking look me up.....

 

I have the DEH-P7500MP and LOOOVEE IT! It's by far the best unit I've ever used. It's been replaced by the 7600 however. It's super easy to use, has great sound quality, and never fails me. I'd say go with it..thats a bargain.

 

I was actually thinking of going with the Pioneer/Premier DEH-P940MP or the Alpine CDA-7998. Anyone have any feedback on either of these models?

http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/pls/admn/...y=20&p_main=10

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn..._37904,00.html

 

I'd go for the 7400 MP if I were you, as it can play MP3s and WMAs. Over 10 hours of music on 1 disc - can't beat it!

Pioneer and Alpine are both great brands; you'll find 10 people who swear by one brand for every 10 people who swear by the other. I personally have never had any problems with any of the Pioneer decks I've owned. Your best bet is to check out a couple local car audio places and check out their display models - see which YOU like better - the features, ease of use, sound quality, etc etc. And while you're at it, you're better off buying it there, for warranty support, good advice/opinions, and to support them for letting you demo many different head units. That's not saying don't shop around, but there are some categories where buying local is better than buying over the web, and car audio is definitely one of them.

~Bill

 

I've been looking at a couple Pioneer's in stores, but crutchfield doesn't list them as able to fit the 4runner. Is that true? I sound like a tool but I'm new to aftermarket stereos... The crutchfield guy told me to stick with size "J" whatever that is. I take it there are different sizes for different carmakers, is that what's up? Would like to know before I pick one out and find out I need a hacksaw to make it fit, and I don't really trust the punks at Bust Buy... thanks anyone

 

Crutchfield is not the end-all be-all authority to what will fit in your vehicle (especially when it comes to speakers). They are probably about 95% accurate, however. In the end, with a little ingenuity and sometimes a little work with a dremel you can fit just about anything.

But if you're looking at the DIN and a half units from Pioneer, stay away - those are definitely not just a drop in installation in a 4Runner. They are designed for GM cars that have a different opening.

~Bill

 

Well thanks for all the advice guys, just ordered the HU yesterday.
My New CD Player!!
I went with this one instead of the 7600 because I knew I would never play MP3's, and the guy said that was basically the ONLY difference betweeen the two. I also noticed a couple of the buttons are green instead of blue, so no big differences.
I took the advice and let an actual store install it, they do it right the first time and I get the whole warranty thing.
Now the price...It was roughly $370 for the whole setup including wires and installation. $15 for the wires, $15 for a fitting kit so there's no big gap, $45 for installation, and I think $279 for the CD player. Installation begins on Sunday at noon, I can't wait!