stereo advice
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
stereo advice
Hello,im obviously new here but am hoping for some insight.
I have a 1994 green corvette convertable.
This christmas I received a lovely (yes im a woman) lol new clarion vx400 stereo for christmas and was told it is for my corvette. My stereo in the car does not work . But then I was thinking, is it a bad idea to change the stereo to a non factory stereo. Does the value go down? (Not that i want to sell) But im curious . Any thoughts? I was also told because of the electronics it is not a good idea to stray from a factory stereo. My christmas gift is awesome and im sure would look great but is it a good idea?
Thanks so much for any sugestions or input.
Jenny from Ontario.
I have a 1994 green corvette convertable.
This christmas I received a lovely (yes im a woman) lol new clarion vx400 stereo for christmas and was told it is for my corvette. My stereo in the car does not work . But then I was thinking, is it a bad idea to change the stereo to a non factory stereo. Does the value go down? (Not that i want to sell) But im curious . Any thoughts? I was also told because of the electronics it is not a good idea to stray from a factory stereo. My christmas gift is awesome and im sure would look great but is it a good idea?
Thanks so much for any sugestions or input.
Jenny from Ontario.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Jenny,
A lot of us have changed our stereos out. Nothing wrong at all with it and it will not hurt resale.
I recommend saving the old bose, whether it works or not, in case a future owner may want it. I would throw it in with the car whether I sold it or traded it. Just tell any future owner you have the stereo but it doesn't work. There are places they can get it fixed if it's an issue with them.
I believe that's the route most of us have taken.
I spent over 400 bucks trying to get mine repaired and it blew again so I put in an Alpine with Ipod and Infinity speakers and haven't looked back.
Hope this helps.
A lot of us have changed our stereos out. Nothing wrong at all with it and it will not hurt resale.
I recommend saving the old bose, whether it works or not, in case a future owner may want it. I would throw it in with the car whether I sold it or traded it. Just tell any future owner you have the stereo but it doesn't work. There are places they can get it fixed if it's an issue with them.
I believe that's the route most of us have taken.
I spent over 400 bucks trying to get mine repaired and it blew again so I put in an Alpine with Ipod and Infinity speakers and haven't looked back.
Hope this helps.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
I replaced my HU, speakers and added an amp in my 94. Also added remote start and a real alarm. No problems at all.
It is possible to re-use your old speakers.....but you will not be happy with the results. Find a good stereo installer, not a chain or big box store.
It is possible to re-use your old speakers.....but you will not be happy with the results. Find a good stereo installer, not a chain or big box store.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Hello,im obviously new here but am hoping for some insight.
I have a 1994 green corvette convertable.
This christmas I received a lovely (yes im a woman) lol new clarion vx400 stereo for christmas and was told it is for my corvette. My stereo in the car does not work . But then I was thinking, is it a bad idea to change the stereo to a non factory stereo. Does the value go down? (Not that i want to sell) But im curious . Any thoughts? I was also told because of the electronics it is not a good idea to stray from a factory stereo. My christmas gift is awesome and im sure would look great but is it a good idea?
Thanks so much for any sugestions or input.
Jenny from Ontario.
I have a 1994 green corvette convertable.
This christmas I received a lovely (yes im a woman) lol new clarion vx400 stereo for christmas and was told it is for my corvette. My stereo in the car does not work . But then I was thinking, is it a bad idea to change the stereo to a non factory stereo. Does the value go down? (Not that i want to sell) But im curious . Any thoughts? I was also told because of the electronics it is not a good idea to stray from a factory stereo. My christmas gift is awesome and im sure would look great but is it a good idea?
Thanks so much for any sugestions or input.
Jenny from Ontario.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,889
Likes: 8
From: Whitefish Falls Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Hi Jenny,
I live in northern Ontario, my 84 has a non-factory unit with no problems.. I would suggest you check out the Canadian section for someone near you who might be able to help you with the install or guide you to someone who can, and as suggested keep the old unit.
Ray
I live in northern Ontario, my 84 has a non-factory unit with no problems.. I would suggest you check out the Canadian section for someone near you who might be able to help you with the install or guide you to someone who can, and as suggested keep the old unit.
Ray
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 2
From: Gaithersburg MD A member since 2007 but then the computer crashed and then the car crash loss of memory X 2
Most any aftermarket system , if it works, is probably better than the Bose System I have.
I've replaced the old radio with a '95 CD/Cassette Bose, it worked for exactly 3 days. I'll save that one for the new owner when I sell it too.
I've replaced the old radio with a '95 CD/Cassette Bose, it worked for exactly 3 days. I'll save that one for the new owner when I sell it too.
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Portland Oregon Vancouver WA
Jenny I have been closely following car audio for over 15 yrs and installed many systems.The only other things I can add to besides what was already said is when purchasing a HU(Head Unit) I recommend sticking to Alpine, Kenwood, and only a select few high end Clarion models (RIP Eclipse...clarity and sound quality that is still unmatched to this day). Also a head unit's wattage rating REGARDLESS of the manufacturer is worthless. The real world power is only about a third of what the rating is (ie 50 watts per channel deck is really between 15 to 18 watts before distortion kicks in). Buy a 4 channel "Class A or Class D" amplifier (not a class a/b amplifier as they are only 70% efficient at the very best.) Finally if you truly want audiophile quality sound from your system, you need to purchase quality speakers and they are not cheap. I suggest Diamond HEX series or Focal Speakers. If too expensive for budget than go with MB Quarts or Boston Acoustics. If you still have more car audio questions you can PM me or check a website with certified installers such as this one. http://www.the12volt.com
Best of luck and I hope I didn't overwhelm you.
Best of luck and I hope I didn't overwhelm you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,516
Likes: 1,303
From: Windermere FL
Jenny,
Just swap it out and don't look back. After fixing mine for the second time, it gave out again. Putting in a modern system gives the car a whole up lift. Find a highly recommended local installer to work it for you if you cannot. Yours takes a double DIN, so you can pretty much put any one in there that you would want. I steered away from the ones where the display motored out of the unit since the shifter is kind of close. You will need new speakers and wiring if you have the Gold Bose System.
Just swap it out and don't look back. After fixing mine for the second time, it gave out again. Putting in a modern system gives the car a whole up lift. Find a highly recommended local installer to work it for you if you cannot. Yours takes a double DIN, so you can pretty much put any one in there that you would want. I steered away from the ones where the display motored out of the unit since the shifter is kind of close. You will need new speakers and wiring if you have the Gold Bose System.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 299
Likes: 7
From: Oregon City Oregon
I took the Bose out of my 92 vert and replaced with a JVC unit and Infinity speakers plus an amp. Car Toys did the install it looks very professional and sounds awsome. Kept the Bose for the future. I have not regretted it yet. Good Luck with your switch over. SAVE THE WAVE
