I went to Car Toys today to ask about installing an Eclipse CD5444 HU installed in my Z. I didn't expect the response I got from Car Toys--just to give you a few quotes:

"You can't pull out the Bose head unit without ruining your AC controls. They're integrated together"

"You may have a check engine light error from pulling out the Bose head unit"

"No dash kit or harness is available, so it will be an extra $500 for them to install the head unit"

After I got done laughing at them, I explained I had already purchased the American International dash kit and harness, and the Bose HU will come out just fine.

Car Toys quoted an install of the Eclipse CD5444, Focal 165V2 components, Focal 165CA coaxials, JL Audio 300/4, and installation for $3300. Seems way too high. I guess they just don't want to do business with me.

I think I'll find the Eclipse HU somewhere else.

 

whats up with car toys..seems like a lot of people have problems with them.

 

I hate car toys, I like to install things myself and frankly, I am better at it than them. They don't even want to talk to you if you are not buying something big. They are way overpriced anyways. Mobile one has always been good when I go there, try them.

 

**** Car Toys! Like my signature says below, don't mess with those teenage idiots.

My Z was a week old when they started working on it. They scratched my bumper, side sills, and scratched 5 separate panels inside inlcuding my glove box door. They replaced eveything but said all of the exterior scratches were not done by them. One of the ****ing salesman said the customers must have scratched it because your car was the show car everyday it was here. Customers would come into the install bay to see the install.

I was so pissed at those ********. Even Corprate wouldn't do ****. Needless to say, everything was fixed, took me 3 months to get it repaired or the scratches buffed out.

I will never step foot in another Car Toys type store ever again to have something installed! And I did write a formal complaint to the BBB, like that did anything anyway!

So **** Car Toys! End of Rant!

 

I may get flammed for this but I had a head unit put into my dad's and my sister's car at Best Buy off I-10 west. They charged alot for the wiring harness and bracket so you may want to pick that up someplace else before you go in. But they seemed pretty with it and didn't screw anything up. I would trust them with my car if that means anything to you.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I talked to Customer Car Stereo in Houston and found out they sell Eclipse. I've heard good things about them, so I'll talk to them next. But I may just install the HU myself. It doesn't look hard despite what Car Toys told me.

 

if your talking about custom car stereo (never heard of customer car stereo) they are very good and have experiance working on expensive cars

 

Sorry. Typo. Custom Car Stereo quoted me $2900 for the Eclipse 5944, JL 300/4, JL ZR650 Components, JL TR650 coax, and install, including building an amp rack for the 300/4 & my 250/1 and custom face plate for the Eclipse.

Good price?

 

those electronics most likely cost them about $1000 - 1200 wholesale so you may be able to get them to come down on the price a little. I assume that $2900 install would include dynomatting as needed or the amp rack must be very fancy.

Where are you having the amps mounted?

I wouldn't say go to someone else just yet but you may have to pay for that companies good reputation.

 

hell if you get everything drive out here Ill install it for a 6 pack of belgium beer, (~$20).

 

I talked to Custom Car Stereo about installing the amp rack in the compartment behind the passenger seat. They said a new cover can be made which will look factory but allow for cooling.

I think their install prices are fair, but they want too much for the amp and speakers. The JL stuff is easy to find discounted. The Eclipse HU is a good price and rarely found discounted.

I think I may only buy the Eclipse HU from them and hunt for another installer. I've heard Executive Motoring in Houston does good work too.

 

Basically if you get someone to install it for you, they'll rip your head off. I only trust doing things myself.

I do recommend Mobile 1 though. They gave me decent customer service.

 

I really doubt it gets too hot in the glove box for those amps, I don't think you will need that custom door with vents.

 

Don't go anywhere in Houston besides CCS!

Executive motoring, supposedly the only other decent place in Houston ****ed up my brand new car all up on an alarm install. I took it to Custom Car Stereo and the fixed it up and it works and looks great!

BTW this reminds me, I either need to sue or file BBB complaints against that Executive place.

 

Jupiler huh? I lived in Belgium for 3 years!

 

I have family in germany so ive beena big german beer guy untill recently the guy at the local liquor store asked me to try some grotten. haha