Aftermarket CD player suggestions?

[xlifeguardx]

Hi everyone. I was doing a little searching around for info on aftermarket CD players for my '98 New Beetle which I purchased last month. The woman who owned it before me did not have a CD player installed so all I have is the stock tape deck which is next to useless as it hates my cassette deck adapter for my iPod even though every other car in the family 'likes' it.

Anyway, I saw the thread here where people posted their aftermarket CD players which was quite helpful as I was wondering how they would look in the oval openings. In my opinion, some of the CD players look better than others.

Do you guys know of any specific models of CD player/AUX jack (for the iPod) that look particularly nice with the New Beetle? I'm looking to spend around $150 tops because I don't have too much money to throw around and it'll cost about 50 dollars to get it installed around here, so that's $200.




Thanks for any help you guys can give me! I certainly appreciate it!

[DistantTwinkle]

Hi Lifeguard and welcome. I also have a 98 beetle, I toughed it out for a while with my factory jacked radio but my dad surprised me with a new radio and tint. The one I ended getting was a JVC KD-AR470, it has an ipod aux jack. I own an Ipod but I haven't bought the cord, working on other things. Anyways the JVC is nice because it comes with a remote, and the color scheme went well in my bug. You can find it for around 110 online, ebay,etc. I think my dad paid 200 at the time. Either way very nice. Only bad thing that some ppl might say is that its a single cd player. I wasn't too interested in the changer anymore, especially if you want an ipod setup. Where are you located Lifeguard??

[xlifeguardx]

Thank you! I'm really happy I found this board! There's a lot of great information on it! I'm located in Connecticut, USA.

That's a nice looking CD player. I'm not looking for a CD changer either. If I didn't have the iPod that would be a consideration, but I don't need multiple CDs loaded at once when I have my whole library at my side in my iPod.

I was looking at one at Circuit City that was $150 ($200 with installation) that I liked quite a bit. I was almost about to get it installed until they told me they had run out of that one. That was a bit annoying, but I guess now I have more time to do my research before jumping in on purchasing one.

What I liked about it was that it had the Aux jack and the back display color could be changed and one of the options was a purpleish/blue that matches the display on the inside of my Beetle.

I believe this is the one I was looking at. There were two versions, one with remote/different display colors and one that was more basic:





Also, while I'm thinking of it, one more question. The guys at Circuit City were confusing and sounded like they didn't really know what they were talking about at times. I don't know if you can answer this or not, but if you wanted to control your iPod through the dash controls instead or the iPod itself, do you have to buy a more expensive cable or is it something that has to be installed when you buy your CD player? I know that you can either control through your iPod with a "five dollar cable" according to the guys, or "spend a little bit more and control through the CD player". I'm guessing that "little bit more" is a more expensive cable, correct?




Thanks again!

[DistantTwinkle]

Same thing happened to me, wanted a specific radio and of course it was sold out, that's how I ended up with jvc. I actually think that might be the same one I wanted also lol. The JVC does light up similar to that one...that red blueish. Anyways like I said I haven't bought the cord that goes with this specific model, but from what I've read in the manual. You can't control your music through the ipod, you have to control through the radio specifically, the plate or the remote. Its seems a little difficult but once you figure it out, I think it would work perfect, especially with the remote, fits right into your hands. The great things about the forums is that everyone has experiences to help others. Its hard when your talking to sales ppl and their iffy on a questions you asked. I think the cord that you need for this jvc model is around $40.00-60.00, in order for your ipod to connect to the unit. Here's a link to an ebay auction for the connector. http://cgi.ebay.com/JVC-KSPD100-IPOD...QQcmdZViewItem
Just research it, like you've been doing and you'll find something great. I happened to just luck into this unit. Good Luck on your search.

[xlifeguardx]

Okay then. I think there are two different ways to control the music then. I remember the guy at Circuit City saying that the more expensive one would be around 50+ dollars and then there was the five dollar version. I think the difference is that the one you posted hooks somewhere into the CD player and must hook into the iPod's dock on the bottom to retrieve the library. The five dollar one must be similar to a cassette deck adapter which plugs into the headphone output and into the front Aux jack. That must be what the difference is! If I'm wrong someone can feel free to correct me.

[katy]

Perfect solution!

The pioneer DEH-3900MP

The buttons light up red (the EXACT colour of the beetle interior lights), and the volume nob lights up blue, the same as the dials! It looks so cool in the dark! (got mine yesterday!)

It has a fron Aux so you plug your ipod straight in! I used to use a proper ipod adaptor (to control it from your stereo) but you just stick your ipod in the drinks holder, and keep a car charger to hand for a few dollars just incase the battery goes!

It's 50W rms, so pretty much as good as it gets.... I got mine from audio66.com for £67.99 + £8.50 delivery. So you should find it for way less than $150 what with the US being more friendly on prices than the UK!

As for fitting, type in 'ISO adaptor VW' on eBay, and you'll get one for a few dollars, then simply plug it in and play. It's really that easy!

You will need a face plate to adapt the stereo to fit in the VW slot, these are really cheap on eBay too.

Hey presto!

[SMG]

I found this one that I'm probably going to buy when I go with Sat Radio:

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...H_P6800MP.html

[iScott]

Alpine. All the way.

[GINA]

Pioneer =

Always had them, always loved them

[The Cheat]

Originally Posted by xlifeguardx

Do you guys know of any specific models of CD player/AUX jack (for the iPod) that look particularly nice with the New Beetle? I'm looking to spend around $150 tops because I don't have too much money to throw around and it'll cost about 50 dollars to get it installed around here, so that's $200.




Thanks for any help you guys can give me! I certainly appreciate it!

Free radio installs for org members if you can do Sundays or Mondays (where in CT are ya, I can come to you or you me)

Take the extra $50, hit eBay and get the most kick-ass Alpine deck with an iPod input and all the harnesses. You can save major coin, and I can even provide you with links for everything. Actually, I may still even have my aftermarket install stuff. I'll check for ya.

[xlifeguardx]

Originally Posted by The Cheat

Free radio installs for org members if you can do Sundays or Mondays (where in CT are ya, I can come to you or you me)

Take the extra $50, hit eBay and get the most kick-ass Alpine deck with an iPod input and all the harnesses. You can save major coin, and I can even provide you with links for everything. Actually, I may still even have my aftermarket install stuff. I'll check for ya.

That's a really great offer, The Cheat, but unfortunately I'm going to have to pass only because I have a phobia of meeting people online, haha! But in all seriousness, that's a great offer and I appreciate it, but I'll have to pass. Hope you understand.



Thank you for the great suggestions, you guys! VERY much appreciated. It'll probably be a while before I even do this now because I'm so busy with school and work, but all these suggestions help out so that I'm not like, "OH MY GOD CD PLAYERS" when it comes time to do it, if you know what I mean. It's going to be a smooth, easy purchase with these tips.



Oh, so Katy, you can answer this for me, the 'real' iPod adapter that lets you control from the dash plugs into your AUX input, correct? Nothing too crazy so that if I wanted to upgrade to the 'real' iPod adapter it'd be as simple as buying one and plugging it in the front, correct?



Sorry for all these questions. This is my first car so I'm still getting the hang of all this right now.

[SMG]

You should get over the phobia, there's no creepos on here and everyone wants to help each other.

SMG

[bugdreamsdocometrue]

I just got a really nice JVC deck installed in Casper, and it is also a 1998.

The light around the knob is blue just like the dash and the buttons are all red...the identical red of the interior lights.

It has a USB input, remote, and I-pod hookup.

It sounds SO awesome...I've never had a car sound this good with an aftermarket unit and stock speakers...I am truely enjoying it...and it also plays wma/mp3 and you can customize the display with your own pics...it's just super awesome!



If you want, I can show you some pictures of the install...I don't have any ready right now...but I can if you want.

[gearhead1972]

hey guys, could some of you that have installed aftermarket radios that have matching colors post pictures of them at night?
Thanks

[xlifeguardx]

Hm, in yesterday's Best Buy ad I saw an ad for 15% off something (they didn't give the product name...) that you could have installed that would hook your ipod up to your speakers without having to take out the original car radio. I think I'm going to go that route now, because I really don't want to mess up the dash of my car and I don't NEED a CD function. I know I'll be using my iPod at all times anyways. I'm going to look into that and make a final decision on the matter.

[Evanrude]

My thoughts... I just installed an Alpine CDA-9857. Great deck. About $300ish.

For $15 you get a cable that jacks into the back of the deck and plugs directly into the iPod, and gives you full, 100 percent control of the iPod. Charges it too. I got it in mine, now I just need an iPod

Pics of it on the following link at night. Also information on a Sony that I used to have that would color match perfectly too, but does NOT have iPod control.

My Post on New Beetle about Alpine

P.S. The sound quality between the stock deck and this Alpine is .... HUGE. The Alpine makes the car Rock

[bugdreamsdocometrue]

Okay...I mentioned to you guys earlier about my SWEET new install of my JVC radio.

One poster was wanting some night pics, so rather than PM, I thought I'd share here.

IGNORE ALL THE DUST on the dash!!! haha...Seriously...Casper's sunroof is still broken, the right rear of it stays in vent mode...so I have HORRID dust...

But, I have 3 pics...one of the install itself...one with the install and it on without the nighttime lights...and one with the nighttime lights...they match PERFECTLY with the VW interior.

Enjoy!

[gearhead1972]

Sweet that looks great, colors match well. Thanks for posting them. Anyone else with matching colors?

[kurros]

Originally Posted by katy

Perfect solution!

The pioneer DEH-3900MP

The buttons light up red (the EXACT colour of the beetle interior lights), and the volume nob lights up blue, the same as the dials! It looks so cool in the dark! (got mine yesterday!)

Any chance of pics?

[ristinkay]

I just got an alpine deck CDA 9857 with Alpine type r speakers awesome sound