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Ramon
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 29, 2004, 2:27 AM
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stereos and safety with ragtops - advice needed
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New to the forum, and to the cruisin life with my 2005 toasted almond (it's champagne, who are we kidding?) PT convertible... I have the base model which comes with a pretty horrible stereo - tape deck/ radio. I really want to upgrade this, but am worried about having an expensive piece of equipment like this in a ragtop. I'm in LA and have never owned a convertible so don't really know the dangers of theft through the top but am kinda expecting them to be pretty high... hoping someone can enlighten me. Also, I'm not very good with remembering to pull the face plate off (of those models that do that,) and was wondering if there was another option that would keep me from getting ripped off. My car has an alarm and lo jack, but if anyone has any suggestions for not having a stereo stolen, and what I might buy, lemme know...
appreciation,
Ramon
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(This post was edited by Ramon on Apr 29, 2004, 2:29 AM)
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Posts: 5 | From: Los Angeles
| Registered: Apr 28, 2004, 2:47 AM
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nfocusdesign
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Jun 6, 2005, 4:04 PM
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Re: [Ramon] stereos and safety with ragtops - advice needed
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Did you ever get a new stereo? I know what you mean about the one that it comes with. I just had one put in mine. As far as theft, if someone wants it bad enough they are going to get it. I don't think having a convertible makes it that much easier unless you are leaving the top down. I copied and pasted a post below that I put up about my experience with installing a new stereo. All is well now though.
If you have the factory stereo replaced, be sure the installer knows how to remove the window switches correctly. I took my car to a Circuit City to have a new stereo put in along with an iPod adapter in January. I have a convertible and noticed the last month or so that when I put my top up and go to roll up my windows, the back passenger window hesitated. I pushed the switch again and it went up. I thought maybe the motor was going out or something. It didn't do this all the time, but enough that I decided to take it to the dealership to get it checked out. The dealership told me that the dash had to be removed following the diagnostic directions noted in SB# 08-037-04 Rev. A and that the person who installed the stereo didn't remove the switches correctly. This caused the tabs on the switches to break and this is what was causing my window to malfunction from time to time. Since Circuit City caused the damage, it isn't covered under warranty. The cost to repair is going to be about $150. I went to Circuit City (different location because the guy who installed the stereo was a jerk, but that is another story) and explained the problem to the manager. I gave him the repair estimate and they paid me cash on the spot and said if it costs more to come back and they would pay the difference. I was shocked. I figured I'd have to wait on a check from corporate, but they took care of it. So, if anyone is having window problems and you've installed a new stereo, this may be your problem.
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Posts: 44 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jan 25, 2005, 7:37 AM
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MrBastage&WendySMF
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Jun 22, 2005, 8:22 AM
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Re: [Ramon] stereos and safety with ragtops - advice needed
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We were worried about the same thing. In our PT GT Conv, we asked the dealer to put in the nav system. It's crap, so low on the dash that it's hard to see when you're driving and the 1.5 Din size is really rediculous as the map is tiny. The map screen in our 2003 Acura TL Type-S has a larger nav screen and it's at the top of the dash front, so that's what we were used to. We had them take it out and got our money back. That's when we decided to go all out. We got the Pioneer Avic-N2, XM Nav Traffic unit, a rear camera, 4 new MBQuart component speaker system up front, MbQuart coaxials in the back, a Rockford Fosgate 12" Punch subwoofer in a sealed enclosure in the trunk, all powered by a JL Audio 6 channel power amp. We bought the Pioneer iPod adapter and the display options are crap so we're having it taken out and just having an IP Bus to RF adapter put in so the iPod can be controlled by the iPod itself when plugged into the headphone jack.
Now after installing almost $5,000 of new stereo components, we decided that taking off the faceplate would be a deterrent, but it's not good enough. Our installer recommended an alarm system with intrusion detection for a convertible. It's a Viper system with an LCD remote that notifies you up to a quarter of a mile away from your car if someone is trying to break in. It's got of course protection if someone tries to open the door, but it also has hood and trunk pins in case someone tries to get in that way. Also, they installed sensors under the car that will make the alarm sound a warning if someone walks within 1.5 feet of the car (it measures a change in air pressure around the car. They also installed a sensor inside the car that does the same thing. So if you park with the top down and set you alarm, as soon as someone sticks their hand anywhere inside the car with the top down, again the alarm will sound. I think it's a must have for any convertible owner. They charged us $600 for parts and labor, but the peace of mind is great. Spending $600 to have an alarm that will sound before anyone has a chance to cut through the top is a must have in my opinion.
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Wendy & Greg, Members of the PTCC, PTOC and Del Val PT Cruisers
2005 PT Cruiser Convertible GT
Dark Plum Pearl Coat, Dark Slate Gray Interior, 5-Spoke Chrome Wheels
Audio/Video/Navigation
Pioneer Hardware: AVIC-N2 Head Unit, Steering Wheel Remote with Voice Command, XM NavTraffic Unit, iPod Unit, Premier 6 Disc CD Changer, Rear View Camera.
Speakers: Front - MBQuart Premier Series 6.5" Component Model PCE 216, Rear - MBQuart Discus Series 6" x 9" Coaxial Model DKE 169, Subwoofer - Rockford Fosgate 12" Punch Model P212S4.
Power Amp: JL Audio Slash Series 500-5.
Add-Ons
Exterior Chrome: Side Spear Covers, Full Beltline Kit, Fuel Door Cover, Valve Stem Caps w/ PT Cruiser Logo, Headlight/Taillight Trim, Washer Covers, Handle Recess Trim, Rear Bumper Trim and Center Insert.
Interior: Billet PT Cruiser Cigarette Lighter, Brushed Billet Door Locks, Cruiser Seat Belt Covers, Windscreen.
  
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Posts: 187 | From: Philadelphia, PA Area
| Registered: Jun 22, 2005, 8:03 AM
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