Topic: Your Opinion: Head units that easily replace the stock?

[Signorelli]

Just wondering what head units are good to replace with our stock ones without much difficulty?
I've seen a couple of different postings for a few head units... But they've added tons of things with their modifications (additional speakers, bluetooth, back-up cameras, etc).
What I'm looking for, in all honesty, is just an LED alternative to the current head unit I have that will take minimal modification.

I'm relatively mechanically inclined, but I REALLY don't fancy the idea of tearing apart my brand new car.

So... The more simplistic of a head unit to install, the better. =)

Thanks,
Joe

[Gentleman Jack]

Joe,

There is virtually no way around buying a few plug and play parts to make the rest of the parts work, but what you are looking for is easy.  Others will chime in with their experiences, but add about 300 bucks to the head unit price for all the other parts... especially if you have onstar.

GJ

[Signorelli]

Money isn't necessarily an issue. (I mean, I'm not wealthy by any means, but I can set aside the money when needed)

So if I can find a kit that installs with relative ease, that's fine.
I understand the need to do some modding since my car does have OnStar, I just want to make it as minimal as possible.

[Morfious]

Wiring in car audio is the hardest part.  There is no way around ripping apart your interior, despite which head unit you decide to get.  Once everything is taken apart every head unit is easy to install.  It all comes down to what you want your unit to do.  We have a double din sized radio which makes navigation units a perfect choice.  That was the main reason for upgrading my stereo, was to add GPS.  The backup camera, bluetooth and DVD video playback were just icing on the cake.  So, think of what you want and then shop accordingly.  I can give you tons of recommendations depending on what way you want to go.

[S.P.]

The easiest head unit swap would be to use one from a Cobalt or Solstice. They have the same radio as the Sky's just with different color displays. Cobalt radio is blue, Solstice radio can be had in red or white.

[old goat]

Like morfious said, unit does not matter which you choose none are an easy swap, it all involves ripping out the entire dash, even if you just swapped for another stock unit you would have to rip out the dash, might as well get a nice unit, same amount of work. The back up camera is a lot more useful than you might think. I have an Eclipse, but would most likely go Alpine if I did it again.

[DeepBlueGXP]

I agree with the guys about the ripping the dash apart is required.  If you're going to do that, you may as well add the backup camera and other stuff since it's apart already.  There are plenty of people on the forum that can assist you with getting the right components.  I have a Pioneer installed, same one as Morfious.   I've installed a few others for Kappa owners too.

[old goat]

I agree with the guys about the ripping the dash apart is required.  If you're going to do that, you may as well add the backup camera and other stuff since it's apart already.  There are plenty of people on the forum that can assist you with getting the right components.  I have a Pioneer installed, same one as Morfious.   I've installed a few others for Kappa owners too.

Joe helped with mine, the headunit was the easiest thing we did...

[Signorelli]

I appreciate all of the feedback so far.
So I guess the next step for me is simply finding the head unit to my liking.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Use Crutchfield to do your component locating and it will tell you all the separate items that are required to make it work.  I would only purchase from Crutchfield if you get the complete package as they are expensive for individual components but give you some pretty good deals when packaged together.