The Long Road Back

[—Bryan—]

I prefer mechless units. They are usually slimmer depth, have good BT integration, and customizable displays (colors). I have had good luck with JVC headunits in terms of price and performance, though you you do the same with a bluetooth amp standalone in the centerstack if you don't do anything except play music from your phone.

Do you have the Bose system or regular?

Non-Bose.

I've already got aftermarket speakers. Here's where I started. Original owner had drilled for amp and/or sub in the trunk and ran wires (which were still there when I got the car) even though the equpiment was long gone. I'm amazed any of it worked at all.

[— kung fu jesus —]

This is a solid example of a standalone BT amp. This would be something you may be able to mount behind the centerstack, put a blanking plate were the radio stuff goes and dremel a space for the amp control. It's over your budget, but bridgeable to 90w per side.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113M18...C-M1824BT.html

[—Bryan—]

This is a solid example of a standalone BT amp. This would be something you may be able to mount behind the centerstack, put a blanking plate were the radio stuff goes and dremel a space for the amp control. It's over your budget, but bridgeable to 90w per side.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113M18...C-M1824BT.html

Realistically, I don't play anything but music from my phone, but I would also want a clock I can actually look at (without waking my phone up all the time), so I'm not sure about blanking off and just going with the amp.

[atlex]

Agree on mechless, I used to be a kenwood/JVC boy but I'm now 100% Sony having experienced their better bluetooth integration and less janky android/apple play.

[HarryB]

Not sure if you prefer a 2din with a touchscreen or a 1din unit, but I quite like this one

https://www.continental-automotive.c...-USB-Bluetooth

[—Bryan—]

Not sure if you prefer a 2din with a touchscreen or a 1din unit, but I quite like this one

https://www.continental-automotive.c...-USB-Bluetooth

I'll take single or double-DIN. Just as long as it works well and isn't super flashly-looking.

Dumb question: which version of this one would I be looking for? The 12V or 24V one?

[— kung fu jesus —]

12v

[—Bryan—]

This one looks tempting. Twice as much power as the stock HU and pretty simple looking for not a lot of money with a ton of good reviews.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Looks very similar to the unit I installed in my e30. I had no issues with it and it worked well with my amp, sub, and components.

[—Bryan—]

One of the folks on here had an HU for sale that looked good on paper. Seems like there's a million choices out there!

[—Bryan—]

Need to once again diagnose a sticky clutch. Drove fine for like 20-30mi, sat for about 10min in the drive-thru, and I had to double-clutch it into gear, even once I left. After a mile or two, though, it was as if nothing happened.

Wonder if I need to change fluid.

[—tsingson—]

Just for reference, the head unit I have for sale is the same one the Steven had. He was actually the one that recommended it to me.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

I think I installed that same stereo in my dad’s Miata eons ago. I remember the little flap on the right that covers a USB port for a stick full of mp3s.

[—Bryan—]

I'm a little torn here...having Android Auto (like my Odyssey does) would be pretty sweet. That said, the thought of paying 3x as much does kind of suck. Should probably talk with the boss about it.

In other news, WHY DID I NOT KNOW THIS WAS A THING (spacer for the stock steering wheel):

[— kung fu jesus —]

I made a similar mistake of installing a Car Play HU in my wife's car. I love it so much that I want one for my Miata even without the controls on the steering wheel. 3-4 bills to get one that I would like.