new car stereo and hands free

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sun 4 Sep 2005 23:35
new car stereo and hands free - happy guy
OK I am probably going to buy a new car soon

Likely to be something like a new corolla (probably) or new astra

I would like a hands free kit for the phone and a DAB radio fitted

I have a Nokia Cark91 car kit in my existing car which I wouldnt mind swapping across if it saves any money

SO
do I keep the toyota radio and get one of these new fangled DAB radio add on things? are they any good ? anyone tried?

or do I get a new head unit, any recommendations, as I understand some of the cheap DAB car radios are poor

What kind of radio ariel do I need and where does it go?

Do I keep and swap across the phone kit I have, or is the hassle too much, and do I get a new one and if so which one (dont really want a bluetooth one, rather have a physical connection to the phone and a car disk ariel with charging)

how much approx ? do I let the dealer sort it? or pay someone else? if so who?

midlands if you want to recommend anyone

cheers

Do I
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 5 Sep 2005 00:37
new car stereo and hands free - Colonel Panic
Vauxhalls used to have VDA connectors behind the glovebox.
A simple plug in adaptor and it will connect straight into most car kits such as the nokia ones, and come through the speakers and mute radio etc.. Not sure its on latest models as bluetooth seems to have come of age, but like you I prefer a proper connection.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 5 Sep 2005 01:57
new car stereo and hands free - Aprilia
Got DAB and its a bit of a mixed bag really. Some extra stations, although they aren't that good unless you're into 'yoof' music. When reception gets poor it doesn't degrade gracefully like FM, you get pops and 'stuttering'.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 5 Sep 2005 14:01
new car stereo and hands free - Happy Blue!
I much prefer a 'proper' hands free kit like the Nokia CARK 91 as well. Should only cost about £100 to swap over.

For me well worth the money.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 5 Sep 2005 15:28
new car stereo and hands free - Stuartli
If you want to find out just what standards (!) are maintained by DAB stations see:

www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/digital_radio_samples.h...m

tinyurl.com/9m9zx

tinyurl.com/bhczw

Ironically Freeview radio stations are of a much higher standard than DAB in many instances...:-)


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 5 Sep 2005 19:37
new car stereo and hands free - blue_haddock
Swapping your existing phone kit over will be a hell of a lot cheaper than a genuine Toyota kit - the basic one starts at £300 and a decent one is near £400.

If you remove the standard headunit on a corolla you will lose things like the trip computer as thats all done through the stereo - if your not bothered get an aftermarket stereo (i've heard some of the blaupunkt DAB units are quite good).
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....