what do you have?

[boheme-anne]

My recently purchased 2003 Beetle came with only a cassette player/radio and my late Christmas present is to pick out an after market stereo that has a cd player, radio, and usb port for when I finally figure out my mp3 player. I'm not really up with the tech stuff...I'm only 30 but I just don't get into it because I'm a little old fashion I guess. Anyway, I was shopping on Best Buy's website for a stereo no more than $150 that my husband is going to install for me. He works on rebuilding a lot of electronics at his job so he's confident that he will be able to do it with the tools I am going to purchase off Amazon (radio removal tool, wiring harness, fitting pieces)
My question is what do you have in your nb? If any of you have an installed stereo can you give me any tips on good ones? I haven't bought one yet because it seems all the Sony ones I liked don't fit the car. I'm looking at a Kenwood one right now. Any tips appriciated.

[Smileybug]

I had a Sony unit and I loved it. The blue and red lighting matched the interior perfectly. It fit well too.

[SixChuter]

I put a JVC in mine and really enjoy it.

[IndyTom]

I have an Alpine in mine with built in IPOD Hook up. Works Great and I can even change the LED colors to match the Beetle lights.

[dnyed]

Stock Monsoon, with cassette, and CD changer in the trunk.

[Toad]

It depends on if you want all the bells and whistles you can get, if you're going to be adding a lot of amps and big speakers, or you just want simple and good sound quality for cheap...

For quality build and sound for cheap with usb/ipod input, i recommend the alpine cde-121, which is $110 at best buy.

It's not very expandable (but you can add a sub later on), but it will be the easiest to use and sound the best for under $150 i.m.h.o. Plus it lights up blue/red...

I bought a cde-100 for the cabrio a few years ago and i'm amazed at the sound it makes with the factory speakers...

Edit add:
you're also going to need a new beetle dash kit, vw wiring harness, and vw amplified antenna adapter.

and more info and better pics of the cde-121 compared to best buy's web site.

[sb_beetle]

Get your unit from crutchfield.com and you'll get everything you need for the install!


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[boheme-anne]

After contimplating which stereo to choose I decided to just get an mp3 player and use the cassette player to play the music. I figure this way I'm keeping it with it's original stereo which plays just fine and I get to listen to whatever I want. It was just new for me since I've never dealt with mp3s before, yeah I know....way to enter the new year right? Thanks for everyone who answered though! It's nice to get other's opinion on something nobody in my house really cares about.