Ok, so I'm sold on the iPod-Alpine idea, even though I don't have an iPod or an Alpine. I emailed Alpine but all I got was a canned response saying they don't have any information yet. I called Alpine tech support but apparrently there is so little info available right now that they can't make a sure-fire recommendation on what's compatible.

My existing Sony HU has some issues and I'm not willing to wait a few months for enough info to leak out about which models are definitely iPod-ready, so I've decided to take a chance and buy a 2004 Alpine and hope for the best.

The Alpine CDA-9827 is one of the new 2004 head units with Ai-Net, changer controls, and HDD capability so that's as up-to-date as I can get. Here's what I've found so far:

Crutchfield has them for $260 with zero shipping charges.

Ebay has them for $205 + $22 shipping but I'm leary of dealing with people that claim retail for this HU is $399 when Alpine's web site clearly says it's $260.

Web searches have revealed prices of $215 + $15-$20 shipping, but these could be unauthorized resellers so the warranty is in question.

Right now I'm leaning towards Crutchfield. I'm willing to pay the extra $25-$30 for the confidence of dealing with a reputible company and having a full warranty.

Any other suggestions on where to buy this HU?

Any other info on the iPod-ready stuff?

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if i wanted a good company w/ a good reputation - Crutchfield would by my answer.

 

Your local Circuit City will carry them as well.

 

true, but i seem to recall that CC requires(d) all Alpine purchases to be installed... or at least they did a few years ago... not sure if that's still their policy or not.

 

Nope, nobody from CC will be working on my car, though I may check them out and see if I can buy it w/o installation. Their web site did not list the 9827 as available though.

Since no one has chimed in with info on great discounts I may as well go to Crutchfield. Since this is a mid-priced HU there won't be a lot of money difference anyway. Might be different if it was an $800 unit.