Anyone replacing a 2003 RDS radio?

I've been searching eBay on and off over the past couple months looking for a 2003 RDS OEM head unit. I'd like to get one of the SOundgate interfaces and add XM radio to my Alero, and it will only work with the RDS head unit. If there's anybody out there who is replacing their head unit please let me know!!

Thanks!

Why dont you just get an aftermarket XM ready head unit instead of replacing it with a stock radio. Soundgate makes an interface so you dont have to relocate the stock radio to the trunk. Peripheral Electronics, PAC Audio, Metra, and Scosche also make these harnesses. I would advise doing this because if you plan to use an FM modulator for the satellite radio then it will sound like crap. You dont get the digital quality that you would get if you got an XM ready aftermarket HU. I have Sirius satellite radio and quickly learned from that mistake.

Originally posted by alerojunkie@Jan 9 2004, 12:55 AM
I would advise doing this because if you plan to use an FM modulator for the satellite radio then it will sound like crap.

The Soundgate interface allows you to add a Pioneer XM receiver to the stock RDS HU and make it function like a factory XM install. It does NOT use a FM modulator. It plugs straight into the aux input of the stock HU.

Personally, I like the look of a factory head unit, especially since there aren't any 2 DIN aftermarket HUs.

[Aleromaster]

the radio's not doble din its din and a half and pioneer and Jensen make a din and a half but they still don't look quite right

What year car is yours? If you own a 99 or 2000 there is a little more work than just plugging in the newer radio. if you have an 01 and up RDS came stock on all radios.

[Aleromaster]

RDS dosn't come stock on all 2001+ alero's. There are some that have the radio without it.

Originally posted by 2kalerorocket@Jan 9 2004, 06:44 PM
if you have an 01 and up RDS came stock on all radios.

I have an '03 with the base HU. It does not have RDS. The other optional radio (upgrade) has RDS. I would have gotten it if i had a choice, but I literally took the last one off the lot, so I didn't have much choice. I've actually replaced the radio with one from a Envoy and it works, but not perfectly. Apparently there are some functions that are different (like the dome light stays on when the door is closed, and the retained accessory power is non-existent).

Trying to stick with an '03 from another Alero seems to be the best bet. Anyone got one?

BTW, I thought the Pioneer and Jensens still had a gap, which is why I said double din. That **might** be a possibility if I can't find anything on this board, eBay, or locally.

They do make double din aftermarket HU. I know Boss Audio makes one and I think Kenwood makes a couple. Either way they would look like crap. When I took the stock HU out and put in my new Kenwood I thought it would look like crap but surprisingly it looks a lot better with the new HU. It just looks a lot cleaner.

To tell you the truth, you will probably be spending more money to put in the XM and finding another stock RDS HU unless you have some connections. If you want to go with an aftermarket, you can get a Kenwood and get a free Sirius satellite tuner with it. To get a good Kenwood it would probably all cost around $220 (which also includes the antenna and indash kit). Depending whether or not you want to keep your chimes you will probably spend an extra $50 to $100 on a relocation harness or interface. If you dont care about the chimes you can get a cheap $12 wiring harness.

I actually have the Pioneer XM tuner already. My wife bought it for Xmas not realizing that I would need to upgrade my radio. They just announced that they are going commercial free on the music channels in Feb, so I don't really want to pay $3 more a month by going to Sirius without really gaining anything.

Does anyone just have the part number for the 2003 RDS head unit? I'm finding that salvage yards and the like are able to search better if I have the actual part number.

[Aleromaster]

Originally posted by mosquito@Jan 10 2004, 03:06 PM
They just announced that they are going commercial free on the music channels in Feb, so I don't really want to pay $3 more a month by going to Sirius without really gaining anything.

wow when did they anounce this, man it must havebeen a while since I last listened to the radio. There will also be this option out soo for aftermarket radios. Well that is as soon as I can finish the prototype, kkep in mind it will be availible wit out switches the switches are kind of an upgrade.

[Aleromaster]

also if you want to cut some plastice inside the dash thereare kits that will mount the face of the radio fluck with the back of the bezel and give you a pocket so it looks like factory put it there cause it sits like the factory radio. Unfortunatly most Pioneers are to deep for that with out cutting some plastic behind the radio.