I probably shouldn't have bought this head unit.

[dermo]

Hey everybody. So I just bought this head unit without thinking. The only thing going through my head was "I'm not paying OnStar for GPS and phone service when I can get a radio with GPS and Bluetooth for a one-time payment."

Well, little did I do any research to know a dash install kit would run roughly $200. Plus I need an antenna adapter. And God knows what else. My MAIN question is: Will this unit fit? Does anybody know the specific size of the unit that comes with the Chevy Sonic? Should I cancel the order? How would I install it?

Any help would be appreciated. I've done car audio before (and do want to put some rear speakers in at some point). But I feel like I'm getting in deeper than I should and would be better off just paying for OnStar subscription. What are your opinions?

Final note: I don't have a lot of cash, 21 year old who needed a car for work so a $200 dash install kit is a little out of range, I'm fearing this will cost more than originally intended.

 

[gdideric]

meh...return it and get a smart phone with a car kit. or a garmin. the bluetooth works without onstar, fyi afaik.

err...unless you DON'T have the connectivity package...in which case, no bluetooth for you. Sorry. I forgot you can call WITH onstar...which is dumb if you have a cell phone already.

 

[MicroEngineer]

Its going to cost even more in the long run, as brands like that (rebadged head units, etc) will not be reliable. Almost all of the lower-end in-dash video units I've seen have had problems at some point.

So you'd end up possibly replacing it also. I hope I'm wrong in this case but I'm trying to prepare you for that.

 

[sonic007]

Yea id have to say no on that one. It looks like a single din unit with an enlarged face to fit a screen. It mounts just like a single din. It also looks like if it has a cd player its going to be flipping open which means its gonna break. lol..I install units all day everyday and we never get any luck with off brands like this one.

 

[Swordsmith]

I have connectivity package, which comes with Onstar and XM but you can cancel them, and you still get radio and Bluetooth.

I'm killing Onstar but keeping XM, much better than free radio IMO.

Bluetooth lets me use the phone I carry anyway for calls and navigation; Onstar seems completely redundant and costs money without providing anything better.

I don't know much about replacing head units, but I recall reading that the sonic has an unusual shape and it is hard to find anything that will fit. Does the unit you ordered list Sonic specifically?

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

OnStar was a great service when it came out, but now it's redundant. Smart phones do better with navigation directions and phone calls than Onstar ever has and have you ever seen the rates they charge to make a call with OnStar?

Keep your stock unit and get a nice smart phone.

 

[Thaifight-R]

iPad Dash Install - YouTube

 

[dermo]

meh...return it and get a smart phone with a car kit. or a garmin. the bluetooth works without onstar, fyi afaik.

err...unless you DON'T have the connectivity package...in which case, no bluetooth for you. Sorry. I forgot you can call WITH onstar...which is dumb if you have a cell phone already.

I don't have the connectivity package and don't want to pay for OnStar calling but would LOVE bluetooth. OnStar runs out in 2 weeks. What would you guys recommend? I do have a smartphone (HTC Evo 3D modded) with Car Panel but I found it useless, takes too long to setup and then you're relying on your carrier's signal and GPS can take a LONG time to pick up... I think I'm better off with one built-in to the car like OnStar had. And look cool. Plus I'll probably be trading in this car next summer, anything cheap to make its value go up would be nice.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

After market Decks will not add any value to any vehicle. The only thing that can actually add any value to any vehicle from the after market is a bed liner. Yes you can sell a car for more private party to that one person who wanted it so very very bad because they can't find one anywhere else but this isn't one of those kinda cars.

 

[laborsmith]

I have never found OnStar to be cheap, in fact my personal opinion is it is both over priced and over hyped.

I have unsuccessfully kept my disdain for OnStar a secret and firmly believe that on more than one occasion has held up production of ordered vehicles. On the other hand, I also believe it lead to one of my orders being pulled before others (VIN ended 708, in other words my order was the 708th that rolled off the line in the first week of August 2004) but still and all I have no love for OnStar.

That said, Bluetooth will still function whether OnStar is active or is not active.


Laborsmith

 

[dermo]

I still don't have the Connectivity Package, though. I decided fukkit, I'm trading this car in. The transmission SUCKS on the 6-speed.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

I'm guessing you got the AUTO? I only say this because that's what everyone has been complaining about.

 

[dermo]

Nope, 6-speed manual Sonic LT. I'll put that in my signature.

 

[Preloader]

Final note: I don't have a lot of cash, 21 year old who needed a car for work so a $200 dash install kit is a little out of range, I'm fearing this will cost more than originally intended.

Now you're gonna trade it in cuz you don't like the stereo. Seems like you lost sight of the original intentions of your purchase.

 

[Sonic]

I found your problem. I bolded it for you.

"walmartimages.com/i/p/00/87/56/90/00/0087569000932_500X500.jpg"

 

[HareBrained]

He can't change the radio, so he's just going to the next higher assembly...

Some years back, my coworker took his car into the dealer for an oil change. They didn't have a filter and so he went for the next higher assembly, a new Avalon. He was a little impulsive.

 

[Preloader]

Well in his defense, he DID leave with a new oil filter.

 

[dermo]

Now you're gonna trade it in cuz you don't like the stereo. Seems like you lost sight of the original intentions of your purchase.

Everything on this car's a nightmare. It doesn't really have anything to do with the radio. I think the clutch might be slipping, it crunches into 2nd gear, I have a horrible, almost smoke-like smell coming from the defrosters and there's barely 13,000 miles on this car.

 

[sx sonic]

sounds like the clutch got burned up

 

[$ub$onic]

There seems to be a lot of clutch problems with these cars