New Maxima Owner - Intro and Audio Question

[DeusEx]

Alright so i just bought a nissan maxima 2000. Im 18 years old from Long island, New York. This is my first car. First question; did i get a good/bad deal? The car cost 5500$ but we managed to haggle and buy it for $5100. It has had 1 owner and 120k miles on it. It has a manual transmission and the clutch has already been replaced a month ago. The car has no defects except for some very minor cosmetic damage (some scratches, 1 small dent, 1 small hole on the back seat (size of half a dime)). It looks really great i have to say, runs good also. Besides from some normal wear and tear i think its in immaculate condition.

Second question for you guys: The car has only a very basic audio system. It can only play AM/FM radio and casettes, no cds. My first order of business is to upgrade this, and its probably the only upgrade i will be making. I want to get a cd/mp3 player for about $150-250 and put it in. The only problem is that i dont have any idea what models and brands are compatible with my car and what do you guys recommend ? How do i install it? what do i need? Thanks for the help.

[MattB]

Look for something double-DIN so it will fit into the stock install location better. Also, I'm assuming you don't have the Bose system but if you do you may need an adapter for it to make an aftermarket HU work with the stock speakers.

[DeusEx]

okay, so ill look for something double din then. I already checked out some websites and i know what you mean. also im pretty sure you are correct about me not having the bose, but how could i check it just in case?

Edit: I have found several compatible double din mp3/cd players, but im wondering what if i wanted to get a single din? how much work / tools would it take to do that ?

[MattB]

okay, so ill look for something double din then. I already checked out some websites and i know what you mean. also im pretty sure you are correct about me not having the bose, but how could i check it just in case?

Edit: I have found several compatible double din mp3/cd players, but im wondering what if i wanted to get a single din? how much work / tools would it take to do that ?

Do your speakers and/or head unit say "Bose" on them? If not, you don't have the Bose system. If you were to go for a single DIN HU you'd probably need a dash kit (though you might need one with a double DIN unit too, I'm not too familiar with the Maxima's dash).

[DeusEx]

Okay i checked it and its definately NOT bose, as i did not see that name anywhere. Okay so im wondering if i was to buy

http://carstereo.pricegrabber....19574

this double din mp3/cd player would it work with my 2000 maxima ? What do you guys think of this one, im clueless when it comes to audio systems, but i do like good sound. Is this worth buying ? thank you !

Will my sound be sub-par and low quality even if i get a decent player because i do not have bose?

[MattB]

If you're looking for really good sound, look into stuff by Nakamichi. Looks pretty similar to stock stuff but is very high quality.

[DeusEx]

well im not looking for the best sound possible, after all it is a 7 year old car we are talking about. Just a system that wont fail me in front of the chicks if i decided to listen to music a bit louder

[xerexabante]

i would get all the fluids replaced, filters replaced. check tires, belts before i spend money on a radio. having a new radio with a poorly maintained vehicle doesn't make sense. i would rather have no radio, than a car that would fail me infront of my girl. my 2 cents for you boss.

[DeusEx]

thats a good point. Ill check out the fluids and such the first chance i get. the tires are new so thats not an issue. I do have enough money for everything though, so i want to get an audio system also. So would the one i listed work with my car?

[porabowl8]

you don't HAVE TO get a double din stereo. you would just need to find something to fill the void of the other half of the stereo, which is easy with a trip to the salvage yard...