Will new stereo work in 98 Outback?

[BobN]

The CD player in my 98 OBL broke several months ago, and the Suby dealer
says it would cost $400 to repair it. I see a bunch of newer stereos with
built-in 6-CD changers on Ebay for around $100 that seem to fit the DIN-2
format. Would a stereo unit from, say, a 2005 WRX fit and work in my car?
Overall size, mounting bracket design, and power/speakers plug design seem
to be the relevant considerations.

If not, could anyone advise me on which newer stereo units would work in my
car?

Thanks.

 

[MattB]

The CD player in my 98 OBL broke several months ago, and the Suby dealer
says it would cost $400 to repair it. I see a bunch of newer stereos with
built-in 6-CD changers on Ebay for around $100 that seem to fit the DIN-2
format. Would a stereo unit from, say, a 2005 WRX fit and work in my car?
Overall size, mounting bracket design, and power/speakers plug design seem
to be the relevant considerations.

If not, could anyone advise me on which newer stereo units would work in my
car?

Thanks.

If you go to www.crutchfield.com you can enter your car make, model, and
year. They will show you only stereos that fit. As fas as I know all but
the 05 (Forester I know, not sure about OBW) and up have standard DIN
sized openings for the stereo. They also provide a wiring harness that
will be a perfect fit for your car. They also offer install support so
you can call them while doing it for help.

I replaced my 04 FXT double DIN six CD changer with a single DIN sized
unit (Alpine) that only takes one disc at a time, but you can load the
discs with MP3s, so it becomes the equivalent of a 10-cd changer, which
I really like. It came with a cheap little compartment that filled in
the second DIN sized hole left over. I didn't like that one so much so I
ordered a real Subaru compartment (from www.subarugenuineparts.com) with
a door on it that matches my dash. Looks nice and now I have a place for
the MP3 player too.

Matt

 

[Yousuf Khan]

I replaced my 04 FXT double DIN six CD changer with a single DIN sized
unit (Alpine) that only takes one disc at a time, but you can load the
discs with MP3s, so it becomes the equivalent of a 10-cd changer, which
I really like. It came with a cheap little compartment that filled in
the second DIN sized hole left over. I didn't like that one so much so I
ordered a real Subaru compartment (from www.subarugenuineparts.com) with
a door on it that matches my dash. Looks nice and now I have a place for
the MP3 player too.

I think the latest OBW VDC has a 6CD changer MP3 player.

Yousuf KHan

 

[Yousuf Khan]

The CD player in my 98 OBL broke several months ago, and the Suby dealer
says it would cost $400 to repair it. I see a bunch of newer stereos with
built-in 6-CD changers on Ebay for around $100 that seem to fit the DIN-2
format. Would a stereo unit from, say, a 2005 WRX fit and work in my car?
Overall size, mounting bracket design, and power/speakers plug design seem
to be the relevant considerations.

I replaced the original AM/FM/cassette player in my 2000 OBW with a JVC
AM/FM/MP3CD player. It just required a wiring harness adaptor, which was
less than $10 as far as I remember. I don't even listen to regular CD's
anymore, everything that's in there these days is an MP3 CD. I'm even
burning podcasts onto rewritable disks and listening to them on the road.

Yousuf Khan

 

[lkreh]

I have a Kenwood cd/receiver (model KDC-119) in perfect condition with
a quick connect wiring harness already installed for your 98 Outback.
Email me <(e-mail address removed)> if you're interested.

 

[Greg]

In direct answer to your question, yes. I have used the same Subaru radio in
a 96, 98, 02 and 04. Currently I have a 00 Subaru 6 disc changer with
cassette in my 04 OBW.

 

[I'm Right]

paid jerks are always hawking that rip off joint crotchfeel.com

stay away from them,

a $400 repair on a junk radio, only from a dealer.....

ebay used is anyones guess....

a NEW stereo from a LOCALLY owned stereo shop would be the best

 

[John O]

paid jerks are always hawking that rip off joint crotchfeel.com

stay away from them,

I know several people who have purchased from Crutchfield and are happy with
their system. Cost is a bit higher than the locals, but the selection is
better and the support is intelligent.

To each his own, eh?

-John O

 

[uglymoney]

I know several people who have purchased from Crutchfield and are happy with
their system. Cost is a bit higher than the locals, but the selection is
better and the support is intelligent.

To each his own, eh?

-John O

I recently ordered some speakers for my boat. Three, count them THREE
different places had them for sale, I ordered, and then a couple days
later (one was ten days) they informed me that they were on backorder.

I ordered from Crutchfield and had them in 3 days flat, no problems.
So I ordered some other components from them, had to return one
because I had ordered the wrong item and NO PROBLEMS.

I'm just saying. Its a good reputable joint with customer service and
nice stuff. Plus everything you buy from them is covered by a factory
warranty, not true from most internet dealers.

Anyway, whatever. Yeah, I paid more with crutchfield, but I actually
did get the speakers, rather than a notice of backorder, so did I
really pay more?

nate

 

[BobN]

paid jerks are always hawking that rip off joint crotchfeel.com

stay away from them,

How do I know you're not a paid shill for some local dealer, or even an
employee or owner of one? The shoulder chip you are brandishing would imply
that.

I have bought stuff from Crutchfield in the past and think their products
and service are outstanding. OTOH, three local car audio shops I visited
last week had very limited selections and HIGHER prices than Crutchfield.
Not a single one offered an in-dash CD changer. They also had terrible
service and demanded ridiculously high installation fees. At one shop I
browsed as the only customer in the store while all three of the employees
ignored me - for 25 minutes. It was only as I walked out that one spoke to
me at all. I can't think of any reason to spend money with such jerks.

 

[MattB]

paid jerks are always hawking that rip off joint crotchfeel.com

stay away from them,

Well thanks for your opinion. I may be a paid jerk, but my checks do not
come from Crutchfield (or anyone in the a/v industry) and I've actually
been told I'm usually not a jerk.

But anyway, we're all free to do whatever we like. I would have
considered a local shop, but I live in a small town that doesn't have
one (or a Subaru dealer). I also like to do things myself if I can.
Crutchfield's instructions were great for the first one I bought from
them. So when I decided I wanted a different head unit I found one
cheaper elsewhere and used the old install guide and harness from
Crutchfield because the cheaper place didn't come with anything.

Even if I don't buy from them, I think they are a good resource for
what's compatible and other information. They aren't the cheapest but
they offer a lot more on the service side of things than cheaper places.

Matt