I have two solutions that have worked wonderfully for my vehicles.
For my Buick, I have an AuxPod adapter made by PAC Audio. I've also seen the same device called the iPod2Car or the Neo iON (both are more expensive, however). I believe all are made by Perhipheral Electronics.
The AuxPod plugs in to the CD changer cable in my trunk, using the specific adapter for my Buick. It then has a standard iPod dock connector to hook up to the iPod. My stock head unit sees it as a changer, and therefore it can change tracks by using the buttons on my head unit, and my steering wheel controls, which was very important to me. It also recharges my iPod, and turns the iPod on and off whenever I turn on and off my head unit (or the ignition). Sound quality is as clear as a CD in my head unit.
I paid about $180, plus $10 for the vehicle specific cable at SoundDomain.com, though I have seen it for about $30 less at other sites.
My girlfriend recently got an iPod Mini, so I decided to set her Saturn up with a similar unit. Since her Saturn doesn't have steering wheel controls, I opted for the AuxBox (also made by PAC) which is a similar device, but only with RCA inputs, not an iPod dock connector. Setup was much the same, but just an RCA to 1/8th inch Y-adapter to hook it all up. Sound quality is great, and she's very happy with it.
The best part, is that it was cheap. I paid $50, plus $10 shipping on ebay for the AuxBox, and a $10 vehicle-specific cable. For $70, it's a fantastic setup.
Both were easy to set up, and it was simple to route the cabling under the carpet for an überclean install. I also like the fact that they use the stock deck, because it keeps the clean sleeper look on my Buick, and keeps my girlfriend's Saturn to not be a target of theft.
:-)
For my Buick, I have an AuxPod adapter made by PAC Audio. I've also seen the same device called the iPod2Car or the Neo iON (both are more expensive, however). I believe all are made by Perhipheral Electronics.
The AuxPod plugs in to the CD changer cable in my trunk, using the specific adapter for my Buick. It then has a standard iPod dock connector to hook up to the iPod. My stock head unit sees it as a changer, and therefore it can change tracks by using the buttons on my head unit, and my steering wheel controls, which was very important to me. It also recharges my iPod, and turns the iPod on and off whenever I turn on and off my head unit (or the ignition). Sound quality is as clear as a CD in my head unit.
I paid about $180, plus $10 for the vehicle specific cable at SoundDomain.com, though I have seen it for about $30 less at other sites.
My girlfriend recently got an iPod Mini, so I decided to set her Saturn up with a similar unit. Since her Saturn doesn't have steering wheel controls, I opted for the AuxBox (also made by PAC) which is a similar device, but only with RCA inputs, not an iPod dock connector. Setup was much the same, but just an RCA to 1/8th inch Y-adapter to hook it all up. Sound quality is great, and she's very happy with it.
The best part, is that it was cheap. I paid $50, plus $10 shipping on ebay for the AuxBox, and a $10 vehicle-specific cable. For $70, it's a fantastic setup.
Both were easy to set up, and it was simple to route the cabling under the carpet for an überclean install. I also like the fact that they use the stock deck, because it keeps the clean sleeper look on my Buick, and keeps my girlfriend's Saturn to not be a target of theft.
:-)