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I just bought an alpine head unit that does all of that, its great, its the CDE 114BTi. Its last years model but there are a few newer ones out this year that do the same thing. Great quality head unit and from my experience, a nice leap over the sony.

Firstly i would like to know your budget for it all? Do you plan to install it yourself?

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To save on install $$$, I dont know about other brands but the alpine had ISO?? plugs on the harness, just went to Supercheap and got a subaru to ISO? plug adaptor for like $15 and it was all plug and play. Very easy. I'd imagine it would becoming a standard plug by now.

I'd be leaving the rears stock and getting better quality front speakers.

If your happy with that Sony headunit go with it & get set of JL audio Evolution TR speakers. These speakers work well unamped & are roughly the same price as the sony speakers. This setup will be good upgrade over the stock system but won't blow you away..

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Nice choice on those splits, everyone who buys them seems to rave about them. Hope the install works out well.

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Pretty sure it means function mate, its when the secondary parts of the buttons can be accessed as in number 5/random. This is similar to my 2010 CDE-114BTi, maybe just a bit cheaper. Great units arent they.

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Now you can go mad burning your music to mp3s - sure puts a six CD stacker to shame! lol

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Also mate, go get a tiny USB drive, I got a 8GB for $27. Have an extra 2000 or so songs on tap on top of iPhone and cds

Um... Why? iPod is in the glovebox and can just plug in a USB drive to the front. No idea why anyone would use CDs in this day and age.

But with just the iPod, I have access to more music than I can ever listen to in even the longest drive!

Yeah, I just don't want my expensive iPlod Touch stolen though, and don't want to give someone an excuse to break in. I've got a cheap Chinese 8Gb MP3 player in the car for that. lol MP3 CDs hold many hours of music, and are cheap and expendable - just less of a worry that way. lol

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Hey mate im not sure if they will fit but i still got my stock VRX TL Magna Premium speakers there are 2x 6x9 and 2x6 inch + the original head unit and won't require a amplifier and they go pretty decent for stockies

Hey guys,

I have the exact same car and this thread is AWESOME :)

However, does anyone have recommendations on some subs for the rear? Does anyone even know what size they are (stocks)?

+ Any recommendations on where to get this stuff installed? I was thinking of going down to JB. Either that or get a mate over to have a go at it... not sure how experienced he is though :/

+ Is the head unit really worth it? Does it contribute to the quality of the sound? I have an ipod touch dedicated to playing music in my car (via FM transmitter) at the moment.

+ Any information on sound deadening material for the boot? The back window seems to shake a lot at higher volumes..

Cheers.

Stock headunits are pretty crappy. If you're upgrading your speakers, it's definitely time to upgrade your headunit. Would also ditch the FM transmitter too, you might not notice the difference in sound quality on factory speakers, but there's a good chance you will on aftermarket speakers. At the very least, grab a headunit with a 3.5mm AUX in.

I would be apprehensive about letting most chain stores install audio gear.

Stock headunits are pretty crappy. If you're upgrading your speakers, it's definitely time to upgrade your headunit. Would also ditch the FM transmitter too, you might not notice the difference in sound quality on factory speakers, but there's a good chance you will on aftermarket speakers. At the very least, grab a headunit with a 3.5mm AUX in.

I would be apprehensive about letting most chain stores install audio gear.

Hey mate, who/what do you recommend for the installation? I'm willing to learn :D

Installation of a headunit can be very straight forward if you can get joining looms from say, aeropro. Means no splicing or cutting and soldering (which is the fun part but). If you can for your HU then simply plug and play. Wire up the speakers (will always be necessary if going for better speakers, spend the extra hour and $10 and upgrade the wiring) and bobs you're uncle. Easy one-dayer install and it will sound a million bucks compared.

For installs I have NFI in VIC, I've used Northfield car sound in Brisbane and they were good. $60 for my HU install inc cleaning up a bodgey supercheap auto brand HU install from the previous owner and it took about an hour and a half. Ran MB Quart 6.5" splits and 6x9 two ways off the Eclipse HU and my DD 1512 off a Jaycar sub. Never got it dB tested as Alan (megatron) sound tester died many moons ago, still with the sub and amp it went VERY hard. Perhaps ask an audio forum? I hear FHRX do good installs and sell VERY cheap VERY GOOD gear inc Rainbow, I'd go to them if I was close enough even if I was paying a premium just because I know it'd be kickarse guaranteed.

Where about in Vic are you jack40k? I can lend a hand if you want to give it a whirl yourself.