I own a 92 GXE. The tape deck basically quit working -- a tape will play for a few seconds and then a loud static/rumbling/eletriconica type noise will start coming out of the speakers. Anyway, I've pretty much decided to replace the unit. I need to make it clear that I'm not an audiofile, or much of a car enthusiast either. I just want to listen to my CD's on my way around town or on a trip. I've seen these deals at Best Buy where they'll install a $99 unit for free. This seems fishy to me, since there's a minimal shop charge and and extra charge if a "wire harness" is needed in the fine print.

So, I'd like to put a cheap CD player in my Maxima. Does anyone have any suggestions on a unit, or the Best Buy deal? I've seen an on-line tutorial for replacing a head unit on one member's site. I guess this doesn't look too hard, but if a pro can do it I'd prefer that.

This site has always afforded me great suggestions and help in the past. Thanks in advance,

John

 

The best thing to do is go to Wal-Mart and get yourself a stereo installation kit, the harness adapter and the cd player you like. Then all you have to do is match the wires from the harness adapter to the new stereo (color coded, red to red, black to black, etc.) plus the book with the cd player will tell you what wire is what. This is the same thing that "Worst" Buy will do for you. This is actually going to be the cheaper route, they will charge you like $40 - $50 just for the install kit and harness adapter, at Wal-Mart you will spend probably $20 on the two.

 

Not trying to knock you, but do you have any electrical experience at all?

If you have any at all, you'll be able to tackle a car stereo install.
Theres a tuturial around the net that shows you how to disassemble the dash to get the radio out, then just splice together the wires from the harness onto the harness of the radio you buy, plug each side in and viola.

Its seriously easier than it sounds. I'm not gonna explain it in depth because there are far enough resources at your disposal, just use Google.

As for as the cheap radio, theres plenty out there..you can go to ebay and get a basic CD player with am/fm for about 30-40 bucks..if you want MP3 compatability it'll cost you a little more..and If you want an auxillary connection for an MP3 player/cd changer, that'll cost a little more too. Just remember, you get what you pay for. That DEFINATELY applies to car stereos.

"Boss" is a decent "cheap" car stereo manufacturer..Pyle isn't bad, Jensen is the higher class "cheap", they also make great cd players.

Good luck

 

like stated earlier if you want just a basic CD player just pick one up like at walmart or any local stereo shop. Install is EXTREAMLY easy!!! Assuming you DON"T get some crappy Rampage brand ( or comparable ) You can get a decent CD player from 75 -150 for a basic stereo. here is a link to a example of a basic CD player http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4456987. buy a wire harness adapter and a antenna adapter and it's about $100. take the wire harness adapter match the wire colors together (from deck and harness adapter), splice together, next remove 2 screws from ash tray area take out the tranny switch thing. pop stereo bezel off disconnect hazard lights. remove 4 screws around stereo/change holder remove 2 screw from side of stock stereo put new stereo in same spot put screws and now work backwards done takes 30 if you take your time and not too sure you know what you are doing!

 

Thanks for all the replies.

After looking at the walkthrough I found on-line, I am capable of doing this myself, I believe. If anyone has any favorite links to this procedure I'd be very grateful.

Being a city-dweller, is there a place other than Walmart that anyone would suggest, maybe even a reputable on-line source? Also, is the harness specifically for a 92 GXE?

Thanks again for all the help.

John

 

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pione...oductDetail.do

A little cheaper too then outsoursemart

 

there are quite a few.

http://www.sounddomain.com
http://www.crutchfield.com
http://www.bestbuy.com
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com

 

To be honest, I would shell out an extra $50 or so to have a shop install it. They will do a better job and everything will be really clean and if there are any mistakes, they will have to fix it.

I actually paid a shop to do some of my install because it is time consuming and tedious work. Maybe I am just getting old and lazy.

 

old and lazy?? So I'm not the only one on here that falls into that category?? :-)

 

circuit city does free install on stereos over $100
they offered to install mine for free that I just bought as a donor.

 

http://www.crutchfield.com has 7 CD-players at $99 or less. They are brand names also - JVC, Clarion, Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony.

They will include the wire harness and the detailed instructions for free.

I bought from them in the past and they're great. They even included a return shipping label with the shipment in the rare event that there's a problem with your shipment and you need to ship it back.

 

Well, after reading all the comments I'll probably have Circuit City install a unit that I buy from them.

thanks again for all the help!

John

 

Circuit city will charge you for the wireing harness. It might be a little cheaper to pick one up at autozone / pepboys.

 

Call me fickle.

I've been at the Crutchfield site and have, at this point in time, changed my mind. They're geared towards helping an inexperienced dyi-er, and this unit:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fcSfdC2...500CDE9843#Tab

seems like a good deal, since it was reviewed by 46 people.

Thanks again!

John

 

Have you considered ebay? You can get a good unit for cheap that way. I'm looking for one myself to replace a stolen one. Imho, Pioneer gives the best value for the buck. Both the older and newer models are really good. I have heard that Clarion has some good units as well.

Note: I'm new here and I hope to post later getting people's opinions and impressions of the '92 (-'94?) Maxima SE.

 

I would recommend going around to various electronics stores in your area, be it Best Buy, Circuit City, etc...and just play around with various head units they have on display. Find the one you like, and that's within your budget that you have in mind. I would go ahead and let them install it since it seems like you haven't ventured into the car audio realm (no offense). This way, when something is wrong, you can take it back to them to let them fix.

I personally would not go to Walmart for car audio electronics. The stuff they have there are entry level products IMO...I'd just pay the extra for a nicer unit so that you don't have to replace sooner down the road.

 

go with crutchfield i bought my Alpine there and the instructions were very easy, the radio was a good buy too.

 

I'll stick to the radios that come in cars I sell
actually my shiney grey max had an alpine in it that we rebuilt from a buddy of mine

Free stereos FTMFW!!!