Good but inexpensive in-dash CD player?

This is sort of off-topic, since it's not for a BMW, but I figure the advice is probably the same.

The tape deck on my wife's Sentra has crapped out, and while for me that's enough reason to replace the Sentra with another M3, she has this crazy idea that we should just get a new stereo.

So I'm looking for a decent quality (i.e., not Koss), inexpensive (i.e., in the 150-200 range) CD/receiver. Since I've no plans to upgrade the stock speakers, killer sound quality is a waste. The main priority is that it play CD-Rs, have decent features, and be easy to use. My initial research has led me to the Sony 550LX; any thoughts/alternatives?

There's a lot of good inexpensive Alpine and Pioneer units

I can recommend Pioneer, too You can't do wrong and it's not expensive, as Clem said.

Originally posted by JST
This is sort of off-topic, since it's not for a BMW, but I figure the advice is probably the same.

The tape deck on my wife's Sentra has crapped out, and while for me that's enough reason to replace the Sentra with another M3, she has this crazy idea that we should just get a new stereo.

So I'm looking for a decent quality (i.e., not Koss), inexpensive (i.e., in the 150-200 range) CD/receiver. Since I've no plans to upgrade the stock speakers, killer sound quality is a waste. The main priority is that it play CD-Rs, have decent features, and be easy to use. My initial research has led me to the Sony 550LX; any thoughts/alternatives?

WTF? Time for a divorce duude.

I got my Sony (this is like 3 years ago so I can't remember the model number) for $199, and another $100 for installation (appearantly BMW's proprietary crap makes it doubly as hard to install).

Since it's just a crappy Sentra, I'd go to Worst Buy or CC and buy whatever it is they have on sale on any given weekend. Whatya' got to lose?

;-)

Seems to me Pioneers have an easier time with CD-Rs. Sonys are too gaudy these days with all the red and silver, and even their cheap ones are hard to use.

I don't know what life is like around YOUR house, and I would certainly not try this, but...

You know how they say it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is permission. Go trade the Sentra in on an M3/4 and worry about her wrath later. I mean, she can't stay angry forever, right?

Originally posted by TD
I don't know what life is like around YOUR house, and I would certainly not try this, but...

You know how they say it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is permission. Go trade the Sentra in on an M3/4 and worry about her wrath later. I mean, she can't stay angry forever, right?

I challenge the veracity of your last sentence...

Originally posted by JST


I challenge the veracity of your last sentence...

As I said, I wouldn't try it.

i bought my gf an alpine 7874 for her little toyota for her bday. and i must say i was surprised of the performance from this unit! her stock speakers sounded like they were after market all of a sudden....it sounded so much clearer than when she had a comparable kenwood unit. i bought for 180 USD at CC and you get a lot of options for expanding to a nice system if you wanted, check it out...