My stock head unit died a couple weeks ago, so I replaced it this week with a Kenwood KDC-258U unit that I found on sale for $89.99.
I removed the stock Bose amps and wired the head unit directly to the existing speakers. The installation really couldn't have been much easier, especially after I found the PDF showing what each of the existing head unit's wires routed to (i.e. IGN, ground, FL+, FL-, etc.). I wasn't going for audiophile-quality sound, although I could always replace the stock speakers and add a couple amps if I wanted to go that route. But I'm very happy with the sound nonetheless, AND I removed weight (the Bose amps) while adding functionality (the Kenwood unit has a built-in iPod adapter and connects automatically to Pandora as well).
Couple that with the new unit's ability to customize the display color to pretty closely match my other gauges, and I'm really happy about the stock head unit's failure! (I even get turn-by-turn navigation through the speakers via my iPhone, which means no more having to choose between using my Valentine 1 and my Magellan standalone GPS unit in the cigarette lighter.)
Best $90 I've spent on the car since I bought it!
Stock head unit died, and I'm thrilled about it!
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