MP3 CD Help!!!

[adam8080]

I have an '06 Solara with the non JBL CD player and I need an upgrade. It had to be able to play MP3 CDs and still incorporate the steering wheel controls and I really don't know what route to go. I will be upgrading speakers all around and I'm not sure if I am going to be putting a sub in the trunk or not yet.

1. '07 MP3 CD player from a Solara. I have no idea how the actual sound quality is from this unit and if it is like the one I have now then it sucks. On;y problem is that I can't find it anywhere except the dealership and it is like $600

2. '07 JBL CD player from a Solara. I can run the new wires and everything needed, but I would also have to get the JBL amp to go along with it. If anyone has a pinout going to the amp I can use my 4ch amp that I have instead. Better sound quality, but lots of work involved installing and searching for info and parts. Probably about $200 for the head unit, about $150 for the JBl amp or free if I can use my own amp. But lots of work.

3. Aftermarket CD player or DVD player. Best sound quality (depending on which one), but they look like crap in the dash unless I get a DVD player ($$$$). How would I find out if they would work with the steering wheel controls?

4. Or does anyone know of an add on MP3 CD player that will work with my stock setup?

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get any of this stuff, what to get, or any other solutions? Thanks - Adam

[**PoshPepper**]

Easiest (not least expensive) is to get an aftermarket double din head unit. That way it wont look bad in your dash (just get the right dash kit and pay a little extra to get it painted silver). Or you can even order the stock Solara Navi bezel from Toyota (already color matched), but you will have to fill in the gaps on the side of the unit since the stock Solara Navi is wider than any aftermarket Navi unit.
I went with an Eclipse Navi unit... the newer, better Eclipse has a 20 or 30 gig hard drive built in that automatically rips a CD every time you put one in (it converts your regular audio CDs to MP3s and stores them on its HD). You can also upload your own existing MP3s to the unit. That unit looks cosmetically identical to mine... (but you could always go with a double din DVD player without Navi to save some $$$ I think you can get one of those for around $500)

Here is what my dash looks like with the Eclipse:

[theprodigy79]

Go with an aftermarket unit (whether DVD or CD), you will get a lot more bang for you buck and much better quality (depending on what you go with).

As for steering wheel controls; no aftermarket unit will splice in with your factory controls, however if you get a unit that is remote control compatible and a PAC SWI-X Universal Steering Wheel / Radio Remote Control Interface you'll be good to go.

-James

[adam8080]

The Eclipse unit looks great, but I don't think I can justify that kinda price for one right now. Also for the navigation to work do you need some kinda subscription or anything or is it free after the initial cost of the gps unit?

Will the unit need to be compatible with a wired remote, or just a wireless remote to work? Thanks. - Adam Housley

[theprodigy79]

Standard wireless remote. The PAC modules all have a remote eye that mounts facing your headunit and acts as a wireless remote transmitter. You program the functions you want the steering wheel buttons to perform and it sends those signals the same way as a standard remote does (there must be a clear path between the remote eye sender and the IR receiver on the radio itself).

[**PoshPepper**]

^^ I didnt have to use an adaptor to get my new HU to work with the steering wheel controls (just lucky I guess), but like you stated, they sell the controllers for certain makes/models that should work.