I was just thinking about changing out the radio in my 03 vert.. It has an Alpine in it from a previous owner that has too many bells and whistles on it. I was debating about replacing it with a stock am/fm/cd. Would going stock help in retaining the cars value any or would it be a non issue? Is the quality of the stock radio far as sound good? Thanks for your opinions ahead of time.

 

Depends on the radio and how clean the install is. If it's an old cheap ugly head unit from Walmart and the install was a hack job, then you're probably better with a factory unit. If it's a quality unit with a clean install, then it likely wouldn't have a negative effect on value, and may even add some (although very little) value.

 

The sound quality of the stock system is less than desirable. I don't know about the value of OEM?

 

My personal opinion - without even seeing your radio - is that the stock almost undoubtably looks better... IMO the only after market radios that look good in those cars are the double din (where the center console has been modded to accept it). It just doesn't look right with a single din (i'm assuming you have a single dinn with a big black blank surround).


The only single din's that even look passable to me are the ones with that custom surround that has the light up "corvette" in the blank black area around the Head unit. Even then I prefer the stock look personally.

The stock HU can be modified to do almost anything an aftermarket will do (mine has bluetooth both for phone and streeming audio and aux input for less than $50). And unless your really serious about sound I think the stocker can give decent sound with replacement speakers and adding a sub.

That being said. It's only ever that - opinion. However. I doubt having a stock radio will push off buyers where having an aftermarket may.

If you do decide to go stock be sure your system wasn't gutted to add the new system. There are 2 ways basically to add an aftermarket head unit - one is using an adapter that allows you to keep the existing bose amp and speakers, the other involves adding all new speakers wires, amps, etc. . if your system was gutted you may not be able to just "plug in" a stock HU anymore

 

These cars are not worth anything anymore, don't worry about the value. Having and OEM system vs an aftermarket one makes no difference (in terms of value), it's more of a personal preference.

As for sound, the stock system is less than desirable..but you will have to replace all the components to correct it.

 

That's one item I am worried about, whether I'll need a new wiring harness or not. Judging by the way the XM radio was installed and radar detector I should expect the worst. They disconnected the cigarette lighter for a power supply source for one of the these not that I smoke but would of been nice to have used it for my ipod.

 

I might have a tin ear , but I see nothing wrong with the stock radios and with mine it has the cassette player which plays the tons of classic oldies that I have and I still have the multi disc player in the trunk. And I think that the original radios are much easier to use. Bigger buttons for us old guys to see.

 

value is in the eye of the beholder.

you have a reversible mod. the only mods that can be a value kill are un reversible mods where the car is cut up, welded on, altered etc

 

Good point.

 

I didnt buy my Corvette for the next owner... its mine and I am going to do anything I want to it and I am going to to enjoy it !! I have been a gear head all my life and in my opinion the C5 is one of the best value and fun per dollar cars out there. Have u seen what these cars are selling for nowadays ? Bottom line its your car, do whatever you want to do to it and enjoy owning it

 

As much as I mod my car, I'm not about to cut anything up. Everything I do can be reversed. I even bought a second radio bezel for my future double din install. Up here in BC, collectors plate status = cheap insurance BUT.... everything has to be period correct.

 

I guess I have a tin ear also, I like the sound of the stock system. Must be my age.

 

I've seen some butt ugly single din radios installed in C5s that look like a big zit in the console.

IMO, it's not really worth moving off of the stock OEM 1.5 din head unit unless you upgrade to a double din head unit with the modified center console.

There are many beautiful examples on this forum, mostly from DD Mods and a few from others such as Apsis where the double din and NAV system looks better than OEM or at least on par with OEM.

I had one guy at a show ask me what interior package I ordered from GM.

 

I pick this C5 because I feel it is a lot of car for the money. I'm surprised they haven't held their value better. The nicely kept ones are doing pretty well.

 

Everyone's so worried about there car losing value....Its a C5 it has lost all the value its going to....unless you install **** carpet and paint it zebra striped

 

depends on what you put through it. news and less demanding music like sinatra it's not bad with

try fast paced rock or trance/house and the limits really start to show

 

This isn't a c1/c2. Whether you keep it bone stock or not, Its still a modern mass produced plastic car that is going to continue depreciating. You might as well mod it to your taste and live life and not be one of those who consider their C5's as an investment and keep it locked up in the garage and worry about the smallest thing killing its value because its already losing value as it sits.

 

"The stock HU can be modified to do almost anything an aftermarket will do (mine has blue-tooth both for phone and streaming audio and aux input for less than $50). And unless your really serious about sound I think the stocker can give decent sound with replacement speakers and adding a sub."

I would be curious to learn more about this upgrade, with the exception of the sub and amp

 

And if you want to be sure you put something in the car that will not only look good but sound good, contact Dennis at Double D Mods and he can recommend a good system for the car.

 

Funny , I heard the same things back when the C1's and C2's were the age that the C5's are now and everybody was putting fender flares on them. Nobody was thinking that they would be worth what they are today so the modded them to death. But even after that some people kept them stock and now are happy they did. Now they are hearing ca-ching ca-ching .