I want to swap out the stock head unit with a unit with a little more flare. I want a tft screen and built-in amps. I dont want to spend big bucks on a whole system (yet). Any suggestions? It can be a large screen or just a small tft screen either or but i dont want a flip up unit (looks cheesy to me).

 

Navigation yeah or neah?

 

nah, no nav. Just want something to replace the dull stock unit and provide better sound. Wont be adding amps (weight). Would like something that adds looks and functionality.

 

why not the pioneer DEH-P80? Its the head unit I have and I love it. Little bit too many options, but once you turn them all OFF. It has very good sound quality. And If you are looking for a internal amp, then this one has the biggest on the market.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IF9UzTg...0DEHP80M&g=300

 

Pioneer Premier series is the way to go. It has that classic, OEM look to it that looks nice in a pricey car. I have a high-end Pioneer non-premier unit in my older Maxima and it adds a flair to the car. But in a Z, it would take away from the car, as will an Alpine or anything else, IMO. The Premier with its simple brushed aluminum exterior will pop, though.

The biggest thing you should keep in mind is that pretty much anything you get will be a single-DIN unit. All double-DINs (Bose stock size) I have seen in the US market are the CD+cassette types (double yuck!). You will need a nice, non-cheesy looking double-to-single-DIN adapter. I prefer one that doesn't just divide in from one big hole into two smaller ones (the Crutchfield one is like that). If you can find a nice one, run with that.

Finally, you will have to change all your speakers, as you probably already knew, as Bose's are proprietary.

P.S: The nicest double-DIN I have ever seen is the Eclipse E5505CMT. No nav, but two small displays that look awesome! Alas, it is only available in Japan. Here's the link:

http://www.fujitsu-ten.co.jp/eclipse/audio/index.html

Roll your mouse over the 5505...and drool!

 

I bought the base model as i knew id be throwing out alot of parts. Is the stock unit double din as well? Are the stock speakers propriatary as well? Im audio retarded unfortunately

 

wow tackett has a great suggestion but that 5505 is amazing and right what im looking for. I bet it costs a ton though....

 

Yeah, its double-DIN, just not as powerful as the one in Touring edition, and yes, speakers are proprietary. You can get a modulating adapter to let you use those speakers with an aftermarket HU, but why would you want to feed 22+ watts per channel (standard in nearly all aftermarket HUs) into speakers that are built to withstand less than half that?

Even a moderate aftermarket sound system in a Bose-equipped car is expensive as everything has to replaced. I would suggest that you either buy a Touring edition OEM Bose unit from a member who has replaced theirs (to give you a little more oomph), or just wait and save some money to do it right. I am not talking anything fancy, but even a simple set up will easily run you $600 even if you do the install yourself, which it seems you may not want to.

 

Yeah, Premier Edition units look like that P80 (I missed his post before submitting mine ). I think all other brand HUs look tacky in newer, nice cars. But there are plenty who get them.

Yeah, the 5505 is expensive at 84,000 Yen (approx. US$720), but what a unit! I hope to get that when I get my Z. The tech behind it is mind-boggling to say the least.

 

I had my pioneer hooked up to the factory speakers (which are made by clarion btw.) before I got my alpine componets and they sounded LOADS better. Granted you couldnt crank the **** out of it, but at normal listening levels, it sounded really good. The double din adapter from crutchfield is what I am still using and I think it looks good enough.

Order from crutchfield and you can install it yourself, its pretty easy. The good thing about crutchfield is they give you tons of directions, and a 24 hour service line.

 

Cool. Thanks for the advice. Im no audio junky but i do want better sound and better interior looks. If i had to replace everything i wouldnt dare DIY and probably wouldnt do anything at all bc id rather spend that kindof cash on performance mods. Guess i need to learn a little more before taking the plunge.

 

what's your price range? single or double din?

for single-din units, I like Clarion. double-din, Kenwood. Eclipse if you want to spend $$.

 

I dont have a price range. If something looks insane and would add alot of functionality id pay for it period. That being said id like to spend as little as possible to achieve what i want. I mean thats the way ive been with my whole car

 

Here ya go.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/avn/avn5495.html

 

mother of god.........So sweet.........

 

Here is a nice JDM double din (WX-S2000)that I think would look nice in the Z, looks like the panel lights match, not bad price even with shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5811063727


Or this one (WX-7700MDX), which I have, but this one has a bad MD player, but price is right:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5810323314

These are both JDM, so radio reception is limited in what stations it can pull, but it never bothered me, and I hooked XM up to my WX-7700MDX, the support for XM is built into the head unit, just need the tuner section. I was even thinking of buying this one for spare parts.

 

Has anyone tried this system out. Doesn't look too bad for $1,000:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-sMeUgpL...&search=alpine

 

Hmmm, I'm looking into a nice headunit with a flip-out touch screen 'n all the goodies like DVD, MP3, yaddy yaddy yad. Any good suggestions? Something that is nice but won't dent my wallet.

 

^^^ You will get what you pay for! Especially with that many bells and whistles.

 

I would not spend a dime on another clarion headunit.

I had 4 of them, and 4 of my friends had 2 of them....all in the span of 3 months. Every, single, one of them effed up. I called it quits after number 4, everyone else gave up after the second one died.

of course this was 7 years ago.