New cars with integrated stereos
 

This weekend I went to test drive an '04 Mazda 3 sport. I am noticing a lot of manufacturers now design their dash to fit only factory radios. There are no more DIN sizing at all. The Mazda 3 stereo was so organic in shape that there is no way an after-market unit would fit.

This somewhat annoys me because I have a really good after-market head unit that I would rather use. Does this bother anyone else?

Actually, this doesn't bother me as much. Aftermarket sound systems are definitely better but I work on a college campus and can tell you that most of the car burglaries on campus are because of valuables left in plain sight or the aftermarket system.

I would get lazy with a removable face so I don't even bother :)

That's why places like 310 Motors is thriving.

If you know how to use fiberglass, you could have a slick looking interior.

There a few companies that make panels that make an opening for a din sized receiver. I think that crutchfield sold them for the Focus when they first came out.


My mom's 02 ES300 has a stereo like the one you mentioned, definately a pain if you wanted to get an aftermarket one!

So what about the '05 Taco / X-Runner?
 

Speaking of 'factory-custom' / non-DIN-standard stereos... I've been pondering the all-in-one center dash 'module' illustrated in the photos of the 2005 Taco X-Runner (unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show this month). It looks to me like it isn't modular (DIN-wise). It also seems to have a distinct vertical curvature to it. I've been wondering how much of a PITA it's gonna be to put aftermarket head units (or whatever) in the '05 dash...

Before my 4Runner I had Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 which didn't have standard DIN-sized stereo. It was more of the double-DIN size, but the good thing is that after GM came out with that stupid design, were there plenty of aftermarket adapters. I'm pretty sure this will be the case with Mazda-type stereo as well. Heck, they even sell "Toyota-pocket" in CircuitCity and BestBuy. :)

-- Andrey

the '03 camry's have a curve like that as well. I'm sure the aftermarket co's will have the problem solvedd before the first trucks are even delivered.

slight digression: anybody got pics of the new Frontier interior? Autoweek coverage was only the ext.

Think that's a pain in the ass? One of the new Acura's has the stereo and a/c controls integrated into one single unit. Not only that, but the unit curves down into a V shape.

-Keith

That can still be done... Just depends on how deep your pockets are :readit: