Meh. Pfff.

[Dusty Chalk]

I'll post this in portable audio, since I'm going to talk about my car.

My head unit is borken -- it won't play CD's. I suspect it's just an alignment problem, but since it's a proprietary system built by Clarion for Suzuki, I'm thinking I'll probably have to replace it. So I'm having a hard time finding what the dimensions of the unit are without taking it apart. Clarion incorrectly labels it as a Euro-DIN unit, which it's not. Euro-DIN is close to single DIN, but mine is closer to a double-DIN. External dimensions of the faceplate are 3 3/4" x 6 3/4", which is smaller than my understanding of a double-DIN to be (3 7/8" x 6 7/8"). (Car is a 2004 Suzuki Aerio SX.)

I want to get the Sony XAV-W1 (SACD/DVD player), which is a double-DIN. So the question becomes, can I shove it in there? It'll probably have to be a custom hack -- tear up the dashboard, get a new harness, jerry-rig it in there, etc. But I'm thinking I've got a couple more years in this POS, so...why not? My car is pretty safe both at home and at work, but I have had it broken into when I've gone downtown to concerts and such, so I wouldn't mind it being removable.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[laxx]

Suzuki car?

[Nanoha]

Suzuki car?

Suzuki makes cars, yes.

[laxx]

I know that, just didn't know anyoen who actually owned one.

[grawk]

It's the kind of car parents buy their overprivileged kids.

Check with crutchfield.com for what will fit, they're usually dead on.

[Nanoha]

It's the kind of car parents buy their overprivileged kids.

Haha. But what overprivileged kid would want a Aerio though?

Shhhh. I wouldn't know.

[grawk]

Haha. But what overprivileged kid would want a Aerio though?

Shhhh. I wouldn't know.

Ones who's parents either 1) can't afford the lexus, or 2) want their kids to not seem too wealthy

[grawk]

Ones who's parents either 1) can't afford the lexus, or 2) want their kids to not seem too wealthy

Or who are like my dad, and are just cheap...that's why I drove a 74 Datsun B210 in 1986. These days tho, kids in my situation would have a cheap new car instead of a beater.

[JBLoudG20]

The problem is kids nowadays are just too fucking spoiled. When I was 16, I bought my own car. I did not expect one to be given to me. I was at my friends house the other day, and his little sister was on a bitching spree about how her father 'better buy her a car or else'.

[laxx]

Eh, I wanted a car, but never bitched about it. Then one day when I was 21, my father bought me one. Now I'm selling it and giving his money back. =T

[JBLoudG20]

Eh, I wanted a car, but never bitched about it. Then one day when I was 21, my father bought me one. Now I'm selling it and giving his money back. =T

Not singling anyone out. I mena damn if your parents want to buy you a car, then hey great for you! The difference to me is APPRECIATING your parents' generocity, or EXPECTING it.

[Dusty Chalk]

It's the kind of car parents buy their overprivileged kids.

Actually, I bought it myself. It was between that and a Scion xA, and the Scion just didn't have enough oomph for me. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought that $8K used Subaru Forester I saw, or spent the extra couple thousand and bought the Mazda3 hatchback I really wanted (they were actually pretty close in price, but the moonroof/sunroof/whatever is not an option on the Suzuki, hence saving me a little).

Check with crutchfield.com for what will fit, they're usually dead on.

I did. They are always very helpful. Here is their response:

After researching the vehicle I have found that we do not currently offer a dash kit for your particular vehicle. This would also be the reason the website will show the Euro-din style radios. This style of radio is considered a universal fit in most cases. However, for the opening in your dash for the radio, the only solutions would be to fabricate a mounting kit for your vehicle or to take the vehicle to a local installer in your area.

I wish I had better news for you there.

So basically, I need to yank out what's in there, and possibly hack away at the space to make the Sony fit. I actually do know a site that does custom install jobs, but not sure it's worth the extra money, and was looking for alternatives.

By the way, my post above was incorrect, when I wrote "Clarion incorrectly labels this as a Euro-DIN unit", I meant "Crutchfield incorrectly labels this as a Euro-DIN unit".

[ojnihs]

i've never owned a car myself. i've never asked for one either. sure it'd be nice to have one, but i mean, i don't need need one. in the future, when i'm done with residency, i'll buy one if i need it. if public transportation is fine, then i'll use that instead.

[soloz2]

I don't think it'll fit... unless you get a custom dash insert, which is spendy!

[Dusty Chalk]

I don't think it'll fit... unless you get a custom dash insert, which is spendy!

Exactly:

I actually do know a site that does custom install jobs, but not sure it's worth the extra money...

[boomana]