Should I keep my original audio to retain cars value

snshami · Postby **snshami** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:13 am

Hi I have a limited edition NA8 with a CD player. What is the consensus on this forum about how the choice of audio in the car will affect is collectibility.

Would you keep the cars old radio and CD player for its originality or would you sell it.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:47 am

modding the car and how much is the owners choice. Young blokes in particular ( there are exceptions) care about sound systems and some of us do not. My thinking is that by all means make some mods but do so with an ability to reverse them. Eg new set of wheels- retain the old ones- clear repeaters keep the originals- unbolt the plumbing in the back, new gear knob etc etc. It is well known someones idea of a good taste or desirability is another's cringe factor. Cutting holes in door trims etc means a replacement panel should ideally be obtained. I would keep the radio/ cd player.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:52 am

It's all depends what the buyer is going to do with the car.

When I bought my NA (a few years ago now), I wanted an original car (including all original interior & alloys). The plan is to keep it forever (financially permitting). I feel it will be more valuable and desirable in the next decade or two if the car was all original.

But if I want one for racing, I wouldn't really be fussed about the audio (so long as the aftermarket one is of good brand and fitted well). But I still want it mechanically original.

If you wish to change audio but retain it's value, why not simply keep your OEM radio, when fitting a new one. Then if you decide to sell in the future, you can offer the original radio with the car at buyers choice.

91 Malibu · Postby **91 Malibu** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:10 am

As others have said I would keep the original so I could put it back in for resale, paticulary with yours being an LE. When I replaced the radio in my 1st NA6 I chose 1 that was very good quality but looked cheap & kind of original so it wouldnt attract unwanted attention it was completely black & very plane looking.

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:06 am

If you have a mint condition, ultra low kilometre limited edition model that you intend only driving on sunny Sundays then yes I would keep it stock. If you have average kilometres and intend to drive it every day I'd say replace the head unit with something that's low key and is sympathetic with the rest of the dash. Install it properly and avoid hacking up the dash and door trims. You will more than likely improve resale as the new buyer will appreciate the improved sound quality and functionality (ie CD/Ipod connectivity/blue tooth etc) over the original stuff. Car stereo's and people's expectations of them have come a long way since 1997.

Alternatively if you really love the look of your stock dash and/or dont want to encourage theft you could fit new speakers and an amp. While not as good as an aftermarket head unit you will improve the sound quality markedly. There is a space between the boot and cabin to fit a small amp so it's a stealth installation and you keep all your boot and cabin space.

91 Malibu · Postby **91 Malibu** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:18 am

91 Malibu wrote:As others have said I would keep the original so I could put it back in for resale, paticulary with yours being an LE. When I replaced the radio in my 1st NA6 I chose 1 that was very good quality but looked cheap & kind of original so it wouldnt attract unwanted attention it was completely black & very plane looking.

Thought id edit this before some other smart a#se beats me to it. It was plain looking not plane looking it didnt have wings :mrgreen:

ForceMajeure · Postby **ForceMajeure** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:05 pm

My 98 NB8A apparently came with a cassette player! Luckily someone with sense put a nice Kenwood head unit in the car but kept the original speakers etc.

Personally i would not pay extra for a car that came with an original cassette player unless it was a museum piece i was never going to drive.

Having said that i would also not pay extra because a car had woofers cut into panels, amps and giant speakers in the doors either.

Certainly i would of preferred if i also had the original head unit when i bought the car as an extra but it wasnt. Im sure i could always pick one up at an antique store if needed. :lol:

KISS is the best policy IMO.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:05 pm

91 Malibu- well picked - so easy to do - same pronunciation but different meaning and of course the checker does not flag them.

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:37 pm

I agree with the general consensus here. Reversible modifications, particularly since being a limited edition it could have some collector's value in the future if it's in original condition. If you want better sound, I think speakers will make a far bigger difference than a head unit, but if you want MP3 or iPod capability or whatever then obviously you'll need a head unit.

On the other hand, I'm generally of the opinion that if you're in a sports car, you shouldn't be so bored that you're listening to the stereo all the time.

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:09 pm

Could go the cig lighter powered FM transmitter route for connecting portable MP3 players. It's what I do, but because my aftermarket headunit has gone dodgy & doesn't like CD's anymore.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:24 pm

If iPod connectivity is what you're after, you could use one of these....

It cost about $10 delivered from eBay. This is how I use my MP3 player with my OEM NA8 cassette/radio. It surprisingly works very well.

ZR · Postby ZR » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:16 pm

For me, I'm keeping my NA8 clubman original

I think they are perfect

So I wont be doing any modifications.
It will be a sunny weekend drive.
I plan on keeping it forever and maybe pass it onto a museum or something :lol:

For my stereo I'm using one of those FM transmitter.

If you plan on selling it in the future, best to leave it original

It will be more desired (well for people like me :oops:

)
but in the end its up to you

do what makes you happy.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:24 am

Check this link.
Cheers.
Greg.
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=45205#p571215

RobH · Postby **RobH** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:35 am

I would install a nice headunit and keep the original in storage for if it is ever required again. As long as the installer does not butcher the wiring it should be easy to reversed in the future. I had an NA6 stereo (double DIN with tape player) floating around my garage for 10 years and may still have it somewhere (can't remember if if it got turfed in any recent garage clean ups).

Speakers should be easily replaced without being seen under the door trims. The original paper speakers are the first things that should go.

snshami · Postby **snshami** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:50 pm

Hammer wrote:If iPod connectivity is what you're after, you could use one of these....

It cost about $10 delivered from eBay. This is how I use my MP3 player with my OEM NA8 cassette/radio. It surprisingly works very well.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just bought one on ebay for a grand total of $1.23