Base Stereo or Upgraded Head Unit??
 

Curious to know what other members purchased!

http://i46.tinypic.com/2hyz67a.jpg

or

http://i50.tinypic.com/30j2151.png

I got base, because I am planning on upgrading anyways

I went for the upgraded unit, since I knew that if I got the base, I probably wouldn't end up changing it out. I love the functionality of the Premium stereo, it works really well and the iPod interface is really easy to get as songs/artists/playlists that I want.

I hear the sound of both units is quite good, but I also like the cleaner look of the touch screen. It fits well with the edgy look of the car.

Here's my story...

I ordered a Firestorm 6MT W/Upgrade from DVN on June 9th its been around the 6 week mark and their yet to provide with a vin or eta. I would assume the earliest I would get the car is Mid-Aug.

I now have an opportunity to pick up a Firestorm 6MT (brand new) with base stereo from another dealer. Only drawback is it doesn't have the touch screen unit. I would be able to pick this car up as early as Thursday (2 days).

The base unit is butt ugly imo.

/end rant

it's ugly but it's not bad at all.. the quality is good, but calling from it, outside of 5 speed dial numbers is a pain, but it's not a bad stock unit.. i think most people want to get another unit, i don't think the upgrade is worth what they ask for..

You can just go to the other dealer and ask them to upgrade the stereo unit.
If they dont have the upgraded unit in stock, they can just order it and install when it arrives. But you can finalize your purchase as if you upgraded the stereo.

Thanks for your input, I know I can always go the "aftermarket double din route" but a lot of the units already have usb/aux inputs, which seem like a waste and a bit of an eye-sore.

what you unit did you go with??

I wish it was that easy. In Toronto (Canada) all the fr-s are delivered without a stereo. There' s a local compoud here that physically changes the units. Down the road this may be an option but in the interim it unfortunately is not :(

This^^.
When mine came in it had the base stereo, but I told them I wanted the Premium so they swapped it out at the dealer.

Only thing to watch out for if they do this is that they swap it with an "FR-S" version, as the same stereo is available on the TC, IQ, etc.. Same stereo model # and all.
What my dealer actually did was use an IQ headunit, and as a result I don't have the required FRS setting, closest option with good sound is the TC. I have it scheduled to be replaced this week, but check it first and make sure they get the right unit.

i went with the upgraded touch screen unit, i can't stand the little filler pieces on either side of the unit when you go aftermarket. and the base unit is pretty ugly.

Thats strange both dealers that have the car available for pick up have advised me that it isn't possible to swap out the units.

I actually dont mind the looks or the sound of the base audio. I personally won't fork out another $500 for an upgrade. For that kind of money you can buy something more superior.

i went with the upgraded radio, and the bonjovi amplifier. gay name... but sounds way better than what i heard in the tC demo that didn't have the bonjovi.

all in all... i was used to way better sound quality in my former car (2002 jetta 1.8T with stock audio system)... but hey. the radio is just a minor factor in the purchase of your fr-s. if u got the option to have one now... GO FOR IT !!!! nothing beats the fun sensation of driving your baby fr-s IN THE SUMMER BREEZE!!!

Ahh.. are you saying you don't know who Bon Jovi is?

It's Bonjiovi, and yes, the inventor is a relative of Jon Bon Jovi(2nd cousin. Jon simplified his last name spelling for his career. Bonjiovi is the actual spelling of his last name) Bonjiovi Acoustics is his company, specializing in digital signal processing. See the link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Bongiovi

And since when is naming your invention or company after your last name gay? I'm assuming you're using "gay" in the place of "stupid" and not just homophobic.

With no wheel controls, I find the buttons on the stock unit (track next/prev) are easier to use than skittering over the touch screen and covering it with finger prints.

Even if the price was equal I'd probably stick with the stock unit. For 500$? Forget about it. You can get a superior Avic with nav for that much.

Stock has USB drive/ipod/bluetooth support, and it's actually a Pioneer as well so it's not like you're slumming it. 200W or so I think.

For $500 as a dealer-option, it's not bad. All factory or dealer options are priced higher.

And if I want to upgrade my head unit later, I won't have any problem reselling the Premium touchscreen unit, which can partly fund a new Nav-enabled unit.

If there are any members interested in upgrading their base unit to the touch screen unit, I do have one available. I recently changed it out for a navigation unit.
Send me a PM if anybody is interested.

Alan C

you got pm!

I got the upgraded one. Only option there was

I was given the upgraded at no cost, which at some point in the near future it will be ripped out and replaced

exactly...! sorry for the mis-understanding

upgraded pinoeer and bonjovi too. love the modern look of the deck, but hate the speakers. you could add a bracket for the aftermarket double din just like the BRZ does, but yesterday I saw a BRZ in a Subaru show room and the pioneer deck is not even level.