ch.x.webb@gmail

Hi guys, I’m a total novice with cars and car stereos. I went to a car audio place that was recommended to install a simple Bluetooth stereo. Just the stereo part – no speakers. The car already has speakers (nothing special).

They quoted me $350 CAD (about $255 US). He said about $250 ($18s USD) for the stereo and $60 - $100 ($45 - $75 USD) for installation.

I wondered why I needed a $350/$255 radio and started looking online and found Amazon sells radios that claim they are compatible with my 2001 Toyota Echo (I only drive a few hours per month, so no reason to get a nicer car, really) that go for around $90 – $120 USD:



My questions:

1 - Am I wrong in thinking that just because they say this is compatible with a 2001 Toyota Echo that these stereos would work in my vehicle? Is it really that simple?

2 - Is there any good reason I should not just purchase one of these cheaper models and bring it to the shop to install since that would save me $100-$140 USD after shipping? Is that extra $100 - $140 worth anything? Or better yet is this ordering and bringing the stereo worth the $140 saved, in your wise opinions?

3 - What if I also wanted to replace the two FRONT speakers (that rattle a bit). Is there a CHEAP pair I could buy that you guys could tell me works with my car model?

4 - Is this easy enough for me to install and how could I find out how to do it (esp with the wiring of my 2001 Toyota Echo)?

Thanks in advance. Gotta love the Interwebz.

1uvakind

iTrader: (1)

Well for one... you never mentioned which stereo they were installing in the first place. We cannot make a comparison if we don't know what the shop was installing vs what you found online.
Again, it's just like saying, I just want a car to take me to work, why are they charging me so much for a Cadillac when a Toyota Echo is way cheaper. There are big differences between a Cadillac and an Echo. Same could be for the stereo they were installing.