So how in the hell are you supposed to put an aftermarket stereo in these cars?
I hope its possible.

 

Someone will probably come out with a piece that replaces the center stack face entirely.

 

Metra has a kit for the 2010 which is right here http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.ph...tid=13875&js=n
Scosche is developing a kit with touch screen climate control.

 

That's really cool, but it's a pretty penny...

 

You can always look at the Scosche web site. With the S197 the panel was an entire replacement. It's not cheap and the kits look like crap. I had to do one in a Taurus years ago and the kit looked terrible, the wiring for the A/C controls is cheap and the plastics look cheap. If you are getting a base model then maybe it's OK, but I never recommend this to anyone.

 

Just one more reason for the EP.

Just upgrade the speakers and go.

 

What do you expect. As far as I'm concerned anyone who gets a Premium and wants to change the head unit is a retard. Until someone makes a kit to keep Sync, the Electronics Package remains the best deal. Any aftermarket "dash kit" that incorporates wiring and software to interface with the factory AC/wheel controls (and match the factory dash) is going to be a ton expensive. Add on your aftermarket double din navigation and you're probably at around $2k before installation charges. And at this point, you still lose Sync. What is the point??

Get the Electronics Package. Get an Audison Bit One. Add whatever amps/speakers you choose. Simple as that.

 

And that Scosche piece is advertising dual zone climate control. Um...you only get DZC if you get the EP. So again. Why would someone spend $2300 on the EP, then spend another $2k+ (even at dealer cost on audio equipment) to get a smaller screen, lose Sync and have crappier build quality??

OP, just get an Audison Bit One or similar tuning tool and add on your own amps and speakers. Keep the factory head unit. Until someone comes out with a kit to allow Sync to interface with an aftermarket double din radio/navi unit, it isn't worth the headache. And even then, I still would get the EP because it looks cleaner and will probably work more hiccup free than an interface kit (and who knows how much such kit would cost).

The only reason I'd change the head unit would be if I got a Base car. But then I hate the steering wheel and gauges, and I want the 8" door pods to swap in some better subs, so I would just get a Premium.

 

This or the JL Cleansweep or I'm sure Audio Control offers many dsp based OEM integration units at this point. They are the best way to go for HI-FI Audio with OEM interfaces, i.e. EP or Shaker. Either way you go, to do it right, it's going to cost you. If you are trying to do this to save money, just pony up for the EP, if it's for sound, go with a DSP style control system and use it as a master volume.

 

Links?

 

JL Cleansweep
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?page_id=94

Audio Control - Bulletproof Audio
http://www.audiocontrol.com/t34/1761...tegration.html

Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...s.asp?cat_id=1

Audison Bitone
http://www.audison.eu/index_main.php?Section=BITONE

 

The Bit One gives you SO much more tuning control than those other interfaces. More than most people need. But I'd rather have more control that I don't use, than spend money on something that would leave me wanting.

 

Don't get married. . .

 

This.
And this.

 

I'm not against you Patrick, I'm just giving the guy some options! At the point in which you will need as much control as the Audison gives you, you are more in the SQ Competition realm. I like control also but I'm old school, I can use a 30 Band Parametric and be fine, it all comes out on the Audio Control reading anyway. Just because my skills are stuck in 1990 doesn't mean it's not relevant!

Enjoy whatever you choose!

Still not against you Patrick.

 

Haha no prob. I was just pointing out that if you're going to spend the money, you might as well get the most bang for your buck...

And Jerry, I'm really considering NOT. Lol!