Stereo Suggestions
 

Just replaced my totaled 2003 350z Touring with a 2014 370z Touring sport, normal factory stereo. Going to replace it and looking for suggestions that will retain the steering wheel controls after installation. Is that possible? The features I care about are a USB plug, either in the front or wired into the center console that will charge and play the phone, front auxiliary plug and camera ready (in case I want to install later) and would be nice to have that interactive with iphone feature. And of course AM/FM. Don't care about Satellite radio or navigation.

I'm female and have absolutely no experience with DIY'ing for my car (my house a different story). I doubt I can install it myself, afraid I will break something. My thought was to purchase somewhere like BestBuy and have them install it. Or is this something you think I can do by watching a youtube video? Would love any input, encouragement or guidance. Thanks in advance!

Best buy actually isn't a bad place to go, they are a large company, have a national footprint and can be services for warranty at any of them so it's not a bad deal.

Keep in mind, if you switch out the deck, things may not sound as good afterwards. Whats the stock system on the car already?

"normal factory stereo"

:icon18:

So is that the bose or regular speakers? Clarity is important.

Hi mrocco,

I'm assuming you don't have the factory nav head unit. If you do, things will be a bit different than what I am about to mention.

Kenwood (JVC) makes good stuff at reasonable price. Installation will require the following:

A double din head-unit (this is the deck itself, double din refers to its size) - $300 at minimum.

Installation kit (wiring harness, face plate, etc.) - $50 at minimum.

Steering wheel adaptor (retains steering wheel controls) - $60 at minimum.

Optionally, you may want a backup camera if you don't already have one - $50 - $$100.

Labour to install will be at least 4 hours. So factor that into the price.

Best of luck!

The speakers are in the front and are Bose. The stereo has no name on it, and the car manual has pages and pages of information for different types of head units but no mention of any brands. Does this mean it's Bose? I'm sad because the manual shows one of the options with a USB plug in the console, but mine only has a cigarette lighter. Here is a picture - I included one of the car just for fun.

When the accident killed my 350 I was SO sad and went on and on about how much better I liked the 350 body vs the 370. It's only taken 24 hours for me to be in love with this 370z lol.

I should have mentioned it's the stock stereo without Navigation.

I thought that clarity/sound quality came from the speakers. If the actual head unit impacts the sound what specs do I look for in a unit to maintain a quality sound?

The deck could be made by a plethora of manufacturers, what matters at the end of the day if its bose or not, bose likes to run their stuff funny sometimes.

Certain cars like my old Infiniti i30 had amps on the back of each speaker while other models had an outboard amp.

Understanding this can't help you understand what parts you need and what drawbacks you may encounter.

I've been doing car audio stuff for a decade now and I've learned a ton over the years. You can definitely reach yourself this stuff but if you do watch videos on YouTube, you need to try to find someone working on a similar year z or what you see can be misinformation.

I typically stick to alpine and pioneer for decks, they make some very solid products.

Go to crutchfield.com and look up your model car, they have some good pictures that come up.

Some others can chime in that know more than I if there is an outboard amp or if there is an amp.built into the deck.

Quality comes from both actually, each plays a part. If the deck has an amp than you put in a new deck but need to be able to mimic the crossover points for the speakers so you don't ruin certain drivers.

You can find cheaper speakers that sound awesome and expensive speakers that sound the same as cheaper speakers. Unfortunately marketing for audio is often misleading, now a days it's hard to know what stats to believe and what's embellished.

It's going to come from both actually as mentioned above. What is your budget total for this build? What features are you looking for? What kind of sound are you looking for? And what music do you listen to? This will help me make some suggestions.

The majority of my music is 60's and 70's (rock, Motown etc) but with Funky Deep House and DJ remix type music as well. I like a very BIG sound. After reading the suggestions here I got in the car and CRANKED up the sound. It sounds great! So much better than the standard audio that came with my prior 2003 350z. Like 100% better. I don't want to mess that up with the wrong replacement. I think all the z's come with Bose? if so, then I have a Bose system.

I think I'm going to go to a place called Beach Auto Sound here in Huntington Beach. They only do car audio (and window tinting) and always seem to know what they're doing (I used them to upgrade the 350). While they might not be the cheapest route, I know I can trust their expertise. My budget is whatever it takes to get what I want. The main priority is the iphone USB (I'm dying without it) and to sound really good when cranked up loud. It's either that or trust a place like bestbuy where I have no idea if the person selling me the stereo or the person installing it are that knowledgeable.

Than you everyone for your input, this forum is a really great resource!

mar

We can help you pick parts and at least take that burden off and just let them install

No they all don't come with bose and thank GOD for that. Because I rip so many out for their poor sound quality. Any new head unit and speaker combo will blow bose out of the water believe it or not.

Hello. Just wanted to share that I've decided to get the pioneer 6200NEX. I'm having it installed at the place I mentioned, not a big box store. As fun as it would have been to try to DIY it I have no extra time.