How to buy a car stereo: with frame, wiring and fitting
It all starts with the car
A car stereo is chosen for a specific car. The make, model and year decide the size of the slot (1 DIN or 2 DIN), the frame, the wiring connectors and whether you need a CAN adapter. For example, a kit for a 2019 Hyundai Creta will be different from one for a ten-year-old hatchback. So always write the full name of the car in your request.
If the original slot is 1 DIN and you want a big screen, some sellers will offer a stereo with a motorised or “floating” display. This limits the choice, so it is worth discussing the options early.
Android or a regular stereo
Android stereos give you navigation, Wi-Fi, big screens and apps, but they are sensitive to build quality and firmware. For them, state the RAM and internal storage, for example 4/64 GB. Regular stereos (Pioneer, Sony and others) are simpler, last longer and support CarPlay and Android Auto. If using your phone comfortably is the main thing, that is enough.
Separately, say whether you need steering wheel controls, a rear-view camera, an amplifier, a CAN adapter and a frame. In offers these items may or may not be in the price, and that is where two similar figures differ.
What to put in your request
- car model: make, model, year;
- size: 1 DIN, 2 DIN or screen size in inches;
- new or used: and what condition is acceptable;
- features: Android or regular, memory, CarPlay, Bluetooth, GPS;
- stereo brand: for example, Teyes CC3, if you have a preference;
- what's included: frame, wiring, CAN adapter, camera, steering wheel controls;
- fitting: whether you need it or will do it yourself;
- warranty, city, budget.
Example: “I need a 2 DIN Android stereo with a 9-inch screen for a Hyundai Creta, 2019, 4/64 GB, CarPlay, with a frame, CAN adapter and rear-view camera. I need fitting in Melbourne, a warranty of at least 6 months, budget up to $240.”
How to compare offers
Check what's included: for some the price includes the frame and wiring, for others it doesn't. Ask about the warranty on the stereo and separately on the work. If you need fitting, find out whether the steering wheel buttons will still work afterwards and whether the parking sensors will keep working. For a used unit, check the screen, the touch response and whether a factory reset is available.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
Your request on BlaBlaPrice is seen by sellers and fitters who work with car audio. They reply in the chat with the price, what's included and the terms of fitting. BlaBlaPrice shows the best offer first, with reviews beside each. You don't phone dozens of workshops, and your phone number stays hidden until you choose. Read more on the “How it works” page.
If you haven't decided what to buy yet, also look at speaker systems and the main section “Audio equipment”.
