I have a bone to pick with the designers of Mazda. The 6, along with the upcoming 2004 Pro replacement have stereos that are integrated into the dash. This leaves no chance of adding an aftermarket stereo to your ride. I understand that premium stereos are offered through Mazda, but why should we have to settle for what they want us to have? What does everybody think?

 

i dont like the factory HU, but it would be cool to be able to use the same "stealth like" slot for an aftermarket cd player

 

It might not really be as hard to change as you think...I mean it looks like it'd be hard to change that Oval one on the Taurus... but it isn't... but to be really sure I'd have to get my hands on one...

 

in my opinion, it may or may not be difficult to be removed, however be ready with tons of money if it can happen, im quite to sure about this, but does the mazda3 also have that steering wheel radio controller thing?

 

If it does, it's doubtful that it's reusable (in either model). Perhaps if you find the same manufacturer that makes the stock unit. I think the Mercedes C230K coupe guys have tried and failed to get their steering wheel controls to work, except for maybe one radio. Havent' visited those forums in months, in the end the C230K wasn't really a purchase option for me (poor reliability).

I really doubt that it will be that difficult to take out the stock radio, unless the whole thing really is integrated into the HVAC controls...doubtful...that'd be a pointless move. I'm guess you'd just need to get a company to make a new plastic cover...which could be a problem if the plastic or whatever is designer on the stock one.

 

Im sure there will be a company to make dash plates???? or something similar to this.
I did a little photoshop with a kenwood since that seems to be mazdas favorite.
I dont think you can see but the LCD actually reads Kenwood_6

 

See the only problem might be making the replacement plates in that nice silver color. They usally are the black plastic kind.

 

It would have to be someone dealing with mazda to get the same colors and materials and all that. Im not sure I might have even taken out too much of the AC but I havent been in one so .....

 

That is some pretty good Photoshop work, Doesnt look too bad, hopefully it will happen.

 

How good is stock HU on Mazda6?
Does Bose option ($500) only brings in 10" sub with amp and upgraded speakers or....
does it also upgrades HU to a higer specs ???
When will Mazda offer a Sirius or XM satellite radio integrated into Head Units???
Will Mazda3 have it?
Old and barely breathing Cavalier has it!!!

Bose is so overrated in the world of stereos their whole concept is such a joke for snobs.
Their CD Wave Radio should have cost $179 not $500!!!
Electronic components (I.C'S and semiconductors) these days are so cheap and so integrated that a little Bose CDWave radio should never be so expencive!

 

Sub is 9 inches. The system is 200watts in total.

I couldn't really care less how Mazda packages things. I've got it coming as the car has everything that Mazda offers on it. It's also required for some packages to be added.

It's a fine stock system. Nothing will replace an aftermarket system. But for something like that to be put in stock on a mass production model is called 'overkill'.