I like the 'style' of my OEM stereo in my RX7 but the lack of CD or Ipod compatibility is leaving me wanting more. I hate, hate, HATE the look of aftermarket head units though, and I'm wondering if I could take an OEM headunit from a later model Mazda, such as this one and get it to work without too much difficulty? I'll need new speakers as well, but that is less of a concern.

Also, anyone know if that particular stereo I linked is back-lit in red/orange like an S3?

 

There's a write up in the archive somewhere about using a PS2 (the kind of connector for a keyboard to a PC) connector. then you can plug in your IPod or even rig up a CD changer.... Check it out.....it's quite well written and detailed.

 

I almost tried to do that about 5 years ago, a unit came up on ebay, I already had one in my MP5 and liked it and it would get around maintaining the old Clarion in the FB. The dimensions looked just right, like it would fit right in there



In the end however, I went with the old Clarion, haven't looked back since.

http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/h...DSCF1167-1.flv

 

You just blew my mind...I didn't know how to turn off my stereo! I always just turned the volume down!

 

This one is pretty classic looking. IMO it would look really cool in an FB. Insanely pricey though, like $350-400.

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products...-cd-player.asp

 

Just do the AT connector into the back of the OEM stereo. Sounds good and no mods need to be done to the center console.

 

Can you elaborate on the AT connector? I know so very little about car audio.

I like that Mcintosh head unit, but I prefer double din. Any other classy looking double-dins out there?

 

Just get a tape player for your ipod :p

 

I've allways wondered if you could replace JUST the tape deck with a cd unit from a little newer mazda that also had a three piece premium sound system stock. The "premium" system that is, the radio, tape deck, and EQ one.
I never really looked into it, so I'm in the process of adding a line in to mine to plug an mp3 player into. Cassette adapter works fine, but with alot of high end hiss and dangly cord.
I too want to maintain the factory look and would like to replace the speakers, but all the speakers I've seen for sale anymore don't have a low enough rms rating or good enough spl for me to want to use them with the ancient, weak watted stock unit's amplifiers and I'm not interested in converting the interconnected DIN cables into rca to use newer amps in their place.

 

back in the day i put an FC stereo in an FB, the powers and grounds were either the same or really similar. the speaker outs on the FB are weird though, so to put any other radio in gets complex

mazda did standardize the radio size and connectors between 89ish-03ish, so anything in that range does swap right over

 

I have a full after market sterio. The stock system was gutted when i got the car and only had front speakers. New aftermarket ones. I put in new rears and ran wire to them. The fronts worked so i just used what was there. If you get a owners manuel just follow the wiring diagram for the front speakers and power and ground. I didnt have one so i just used a circuit tester to find Hot and Ignition. Grounds easy then i jab the speaker wires into random spots till i found the front speakers. The rears you have to run wire too though.