Bought my car today!!

[jcslocum]

THAT is a good looking car!!!!! Welcome to the addiction and good luck on Monday. Don't get frost-bite standing at the end of the drive looking for the truck.

[dghii]

You can replace the radio with with a double DIN, just understand that you will also be replacing the amp.

If you just want to add BT for audio streaming and hands free calling. Google the iSimple Tranzit Blu. It's about $80 and will work with the Bose system (or any other radio). It connects through the antenna so no over the air FM modulation issues.

I bought this system for an 03S a few years back but sold the car prior to installing. Last summer I stuck it in a 2002 4Runner and it works great. It pairs quickly upon starting the car and the hands free is very clear. Audio streaming is basically FM quality as far as stereo separation and dynamic range are concerned.....not CD quality but certainly listenable.

[PaulE]

Originally Posted by geraintthomas

Unfortunately you're going to be in a lot of pain installing a double din f you have the bose system with an amplifier. You may have to replace a lot (amp, speakers, etc). Have a little look on google at people who have tried a similar thing, it's very difficult!

2003 and 2004 Boxsters have the M.O.S.T. (is the least) fiber optic bus for the stereo. I don't know what that means, I just know my 2003 has it and I believe there is more re-wiring to replace the head unit. It has been done though. Crutchfield stereo may have some good info on their website.

[356Guy]

As far as stereos go this guy is the best (Rod @ Car Audio Innovations). He sells components, kits and installs if you live in Ca
https://cai-store.com/collections/996-986-porsche-audio-upgrades

[geraintthomas]

Originally Posted by PaulE

2003 and 2004 Boxsters have the M.O.S.T. (is the least) fiber optic bus for the stereo. I don't know what that means, I just know my 2003 has it and I believe there is more re-wiring to replace the head unit. It has been done though. Crutchfield stereo may have some good info on their website.

Basically, you've got a M.O.S.T. system (fibre optic setup) rather than a conventional setup, which doesn't allow retrofitting of normal stereos as the wiring is completely different. Normal wiring adapters won't work either due to the wiring being fibre optic.

You've got a few choices:

All new setup:
One of them is to rip out the amp, speakers and head unit, and replace them all with aftermarket kit. New speakers, connected to a new amp, connected to a new headunit. It's basically a full overhaul but it'll be completely doable. Speakers have come on since the Bose system in the Boxster. This would require quite a bit of work.


Adapter (very expensive)
I've heard that here is a company called NavTV that makes an adapter for the Bose setup so that you can plug in your new headunit and it'll be plug and play with your existing amp and speakers, but it's something silly like $700. It sucks, but it's a unique piece of kit that was developed to work between fibre optic and copper wires, so it's not your average wire adapter - it's quite a complicated bit of kit, but it does allow you to plug in your old connections and plug in your new head unit, albeit for a huge price. This is the easier option.


AUX Input
If you have anything other than the CDR23 unit, just plug an AUX adapter into the back of it for very cheap from Ebay. It plugs into the CD changer port in the back of the radio so at least you can play your own music. If I had the Bose system, that would be my choice as I wouldn't spend $700 on an adapter, and I sure as hell wouldn't spend days ripping out an original Bose system. Yes speakers have improved since, but it's a good selling point to the car in the future and a real nice originality part. This is the easiest and cheapest option, but you wouldn't get a touch screen.

Sorry to put a downer on it, but there's your options

[boxxster]

I have the bose system and I just bought a $10 fm transmitter from amazon. The sound quality is as good as the radio. I'm not a huge audiophile so all I really cared about was being able to listen to music on my phone. Plus it just plugs into the cigarette lighter. No need to fuss with anything.

[paulb]

Yeah, on second thought I'll just be adding an aux into the existing head unit. I'm not looking to create headaches. Thanks for the heads up before I spend hours sorting through all the different units out there.

Drive on.

[barkinfool]

Originally Posted by boxxster

I have the bose system and I just bought a $10 fm transmitter from amazon. The sound quality is as good as the radio. I'm not a huge audiophile so all I really cared about was being able to listen to music on my phone. Plus it just plugs into the cigarette lighter. No need to fuss with anything.

Contrarian view, I have tried the FM transmitter route with a name brand and the sound was awful, so proceed with caution if you decide to go this route. I have a direct connection lead into the auxiliary plug and that works well imo. Mine is a '02, so perhaps that is a difference, but I am doubtful on that....

[dghii]

Originally Posted by paulb

Yeah, on second thought I'll just be adding an aux into the existing head unit. I'm not looking to create headaches. Thanks for the heads up before I spend hours sorting through all the different units out there.

Drive on.

I'll bet you have a CRD-23 radio so you will not be adding AUX...sorry! Just look on the radio face to see your model number.

Great looking car BTW! It has my favorite Boxster wheels...

[boxxster]

Originally Posted by barkinfool

Contrarian view, I have tried the FM transmitter route with a name brand and the sound was awful, so proceed with caution if you decide to go this route. I have a direct connection lead into the auxiliary plug and that works well imo. Mine is a '02, so perhaps that is a difference, but I am doubtful on that....

Agreed, from what I've read the transmitters can be pretty hit or miss. I figured it was worth the $10 risk though. It turned out to be no better or worse than the radio in my case but I might have gotten lucky. I would have went the aux route but it is a bit more complex with the CDR23 from what I can recall when I looked into it.

[BirdDog]

Congratulations! That is a fantastic looking car!

Nice job on finding it - it must have been extremely frustrating to have all those people not call you back, then have that one dealer sell the car out from under you, but in the end, you wouldn't have this car unless you went through all that, so it worked out!

Side markers - I'm probably the only person on the planet who likes the cracked egg headlights and orange side markers (I think they look good on my Speed Yellow 01 S), but I think in your case, since you already have the clear headlights, you should swap out the side markers for clear ones.

Those are also my favorite Boxster wheels!

Have fun!

[Crib]

Congratulations on finding your pearl!

The car looks awesome!

Prepare to go from enthusiastic to in love in quite a short while!