Basic question was: Should I purchase an iPod2car adapter in order to allow playing my iPod in C5, or just junk the whole Bose setup and install some aftermarket stuff.

What I found is unless you like spending hours learning and fabbing, the cost of all the parts and workarounds makes the iPod adapter the more reasonable choice.

"Best Price" below assumes paying neighbor $300 for labor to install and buying the mounts where available.

Good news is I've always thought the Bose setup sounded pretty good. I'm just a bit disappointed that it's so tough to upgrade!

CarToys Best Price Component Website
$199 $111 Alpine Type-S SPS171A 6-1/2" 2-way Component Speakers System 6-1/2" Component Systems
$107 $64 Alpine SPS-17C2 6-1/2" Coaxial 2-Way Speaker
$199 $176 Alpine CDA-9856 In Dash CD/MP3 Player
$150 $30 Custom fitting component speakers in door http://www.nationalcorvetteregistry....ction=viewcart
$100 work to bypass Bose amplifier
$25 speaker wires
$99 four year complete warranty
$50 40 Install plate for head unit http://maptechenterprises.netfirms.c...caf4f97ffd5cb3
$45 labor for head unit install
$100 300 labor for speaker install
$50 $20 other stuff I can't remember http://www.nationalcorvetteregistry....ction=viewcart
$1,124 $741



I was so disgusted w/ my Belkin fm transmitter for my Creative Zen that when I purchased my iPod, I knew not to try that again. Unfortunately, the iPod Tuner didn't do much better.

 

err...100 to bypass the bose amp? that is B.S. if you are running new speaker wire.

you should just do the install yourself. if you can read the forum..you can install a system in the vette.

also..if you are running components you should get an amp. you can opt to not get rear speakers (you wont miss it after you get used to not having them...it actually improves what it known as the 'soundstage')

 

I'm in the exact same boat. I started by looking at iPods, then realized it would cost me $200 to buy an adapter for the stock headunit. For $200 you can buy the Alpine 9856, so why not do that, right? Oh yeah, then you lose the 8" subs in the front. So why not buy some speakers... and on... and on...

The most cost effective thing to do is probably upgrade the headunit and upgrade the stock speakers to some non-component type and power everything off of the head unit. This isn't going to be as good of sound quality as adding an external amp, but I bet it would be waaay better than the stock Bose. I just can't see spending $200 to adapt an iPod to a crappy sounding system, only to turn around later and spend more money when you decide the Bose doesn't sound very good and upgrade the head unit.

I'd definitely look into doing the install yourself. It's not hard... just time consuming. You'll save lots of money and be more ambitious about your next stereo upgrade.

 

dpg had some coaxials and he says that they sound better then stock bose. so that is a solid option for you.

 

IMO the best way to do it when you arent looking to go full out is to replace the headunit withsomething that suits you and replace the door speakers with 6.5 coaxials (personally I reccomend polks) and do the rear coaxials as well or ditch them its up to you. You may loose a smidge of bass when you ditch the bose but it will sound way better and louder then bose. There is also no need to rewire if you dont want to, you can ditch the bose put in an aftermarket radio and new coaxials front and rear with no rewire its quite easy. You could do it all for under 450 if you did it yourself and its easy to do. Im more then willing to help you out and tlak you through it

 

Actually, I could see $50 to bypass the amps by running new speaker wires to all 4 speakers at a rate of $50 per hr. 1 hr. for labor is not unreasonable, but maybe $100 is too much... and if you are not running new speaker wire... someone screwed you...

 

oh...i read the '$25 for speaker wire' as '$25 to install speaker wire' still 100 seems pretty expensive .

 

So here's the results of doing the install myself:
Friend's son helped me out on head unit install. Gave up after disassembly because uncomfortable w/ tapping into fuse box for power.
Cost: $100 to Best Buy to finish the job.
Installed speakers successfully, but now the speakers rattle in the door and in the back. Frustrating. Should have left the Bose alone!

To top it all off, today I got the "Service Column Lock" error. Now I'm waiting for a wrecker.

 

Matt,

Well, I am glad the speaker plates worked out good for you...

Sorry to hear about the "Service Column Lock"...

You may try add some dynamat or sound deadening material to the door panel or the area of the rattle in the doors... hope this helps!! Keep in touch!!