So as you can tell by my screenname to the left, I own a 2003 V6. It's a couple of years old, just barely and for the past couple of weeks the cd player rattles and will sometimes spit my cd's out saying "Disc Error". It will still work after a couple of tries but the rattling and hassle is so annoying. This car is only a couple of years old, I can't believe the radio is already going out. Oh, and I'm just 1,000 miles past factory warranty so that makes me even more steamed.

Any of you had this problem? Anything I can do? If not, any reccomendations for a new stereo (nothing outlandish, I really don't have any money until Christmas)?

 

I've seen the disc error stuff on a number of burned CDs in my '04. I've never heard it rattle though. I've also seen in a lot of audio forums that the factory head units, including the Mach ones (I have the Mach 460) are crap. Don't get me wrong, I've been pretty happy with mine aside from the disc error, but I know there are better ones out there. Hope that helps a little, even if it's just to let you know you're not alone.

 

I appreciate it. It does make me feel better to know that I'm not alone. It's so sad at how crappy our American automakers and American goods in general have become. They better wake up or they'll get swamped for good by cheaper and better foriegn products...it may be too late for a lot of industries.

 

Never had the disk error mentioned happen to me but not too long after buying my used v6 the "premium" (or so Ford calls it) stereo stopped advancing to the next track on both burned and store bought discs. I replaced it with an Alpine 9807 which plays mp3s also and works great. I would also recommend Pioneer. Good luck finding a new unit if it leads to this. www.pricegrabber.com to find the cheapest price and www.crutchfield.com to research each unit should help.

Edit: I can't spell

 

Thanks buddy, I appreciate the resources and will definately use them!