I was wondering since the MY04 stereo also uses the exact same remote controls left of the steering wheel if the new head unit could be retrofitted into the previous year models. I would assume it would be a yes. And if it is, does this mean that XM radio would be usable? Or is XM something a dealership must endorse and put in themselves to make it legal to use in order to obtain subscription? Maybe XM is something a car must come with in order to be usable - I don't know maybe I'm talking out of my ass.

 

XM is something that comes with a lot of aftermarket brands... so I'm sure if you really wanted it you could get the '04 headunit, but you'd be way better off to get an Alpine or something like that.

 

True, but I like the OEM look and it would prolly be a lot easier to get it to work with the remote controls.

 

Here is the way to look at it.

The stock CD player is probably $600~

Good Alpine CD player w/ XM Radio and a DCI to allow usage of our stock audio controls... $400~

The stock radio is weak and doesn't put out a clean signal...

 

Koala is absolutely correct. I just recently installed a new head unit along with an XM receiver and DCI. Sony head unit $200, Sony XM receiver $100, Lucid Sony DCI~$95 and worth every penny.

 

Unlike many cars, aftermarket radios don't look bad in S2ks IMO. Besides, I keep the radio door closed 95% of the time so I could have an Alpine with the DCI or an OEM radio so I'd probably never know the difference except the Alpine would sound better.