I bought my 99 coupe in March and it's currently equipped with the original C5 cassette h/u, Bose speakers and an Alpine CD changer.
It was also wired for XM but I don't believe in paying for radio and did not like the wires dangling loose, so I cut them off.

I hate the look of the C5 (truck) radio and it gets so/so reception on FM and NO reception on AM. Basically only the Alpine CD changer is decent but I'm surprised that I'm content with the BOSE speakers.

I want to go digital/double din look and have a couple of questions...

1. Is there a wiring harness adapter installed on my car that permits
the Alpine CD changer to work with the BOSE system? Can it be
reused on a new install of a dd h/u? I plan to re-sell the Alpine
changer.

2. I'm tempted to replace all the BOSE speakers and re-sell them
as well. I don't plan to install a sub or amp (I'm into low/moderate
sound levels, mostly jazz music). I know I won't make any
differnce on the rear speakers to go after-market but do you
think I'm going to miss the BOSE Subs in the front doors if I just
go with a decent two way 6 1/2" speaker? What's the best
location for the tweeter, in or outside the door?

I can't do the install myself, so it will be professionally done but
just want to get some opinions upfront.

Thanks, Jerry

 

You must have something installed.

How do you select the changer to play it? FM station, CD changer, other...? What does the radio display while it's on?

Unless you get an alpine Nav unit, most likely the changer will be useless.

If you still have the stock radio now, you'd need to buy some type of interface adapter to install a new HU. Someone just posted one for sale, check out the other recent threads.

You won't get much

Yes!

IMO your best bet would be replacing the twiddlers and leaving the door subs as is. Fronts are 3.5", Boston Acoustic S35 and Polk db351 are popular for the front. Rears are 6.5", but changing them isn't needed IMO if you do the front twiddlers.

 

My Alpine changer runs off an "88" FM radio station on the stock unit.

I know I won't get much $ from re-selling the Bose speakers, but maybe they can help
someone else on a budget.

I've read a lot of posts about replacing just the small 3.5" speakers in the front doors. I guess the Bose speakers are pretty crappy if you can hear an improvement with the
Polks or Bostons.

I guess in a small car like the C5, the rear speakers don't do much to effect the front
sound stage.

Jerry

 

Don't underestimate the improvement of the Polks or BA's over the Bose. The stock bose are craptastic. I firmly believe that the engineers listened to the radio and said,"It's good that the engine sounds so nice."