So I bought a car that's in the liminal space between cassettes and iPod hookups. As in, has neither. What price ranges are reasonable if I just want something that converses intelligently with an iPod or maybe even my Android phone through USB? $300? Also, what sort of labour is reasonable for that, on a 2003 car? There does seem to be space in my console where a CD changer would have gone, but I have no issues with losing the existing radio/CD player, obviously.

I don't have any requirement for CDs or satellite radio, or even really care about normal radio. Just want to hook up MP3 sources.

$300+labour reasonable?

ita !, look to see if you have a AUX input (jack) inside the storage compartment of the center console. Most 2003's (if they had them installed) would be there. If it's not there, look in the glove box. It's not USB, but it will allow you to get your music.

If you want more than just music playback, I'd first take the car to the service/parts department of the dealer and see if there's any OEM solution. It will be more expensive than aftermarket. Otherwise I'd take it to a good audio shop and see what they recommend for aftermarket head units. Prices will vary depending upon how much of an audiophile you are. Caveat: your steering wheel controls may not work with aftermarket products. I'd ask before deciding on something.

I have been meaning to do that-- get an aux hookup-- and yelp leads me to think it is under $200.

bon, they're cheap, but they don't allow you anything more than audio playback. If someone wants song/playlist info, the iPod needs to be hooked up by USB.

I don't have a digital display anyway.

My car is a 1998: I am reduced to using the cassette-tape connection to my iPod. It works okay, but I get that hissing sound whenever I use it. And, of course, no steering-wheel controls.

Still, the car has a CD player, cup-holders, A/C, and AWD. I will likely drive it into the ground (or unless I get a job that requires me to commute by car and I have to replace it with something that gets better mileage).

I started with the FM modulators. That quickly became annoying when I'd have to change the FM station 3 times each way on my commute because there's not one frequency sufficient for my trip to and from DC.

ita !'s quite lucky in the cupholder department. The manufacturer redesigned them that year. My mother had a 2002 and the cupholders were basically plastic circles that couldn't support an espresso cup. There were more drinks spilled in that car... and they broke right after the warranty expired.

If the car has a standard sized head unit, then replacing it with an aftermarket unit wouldn't be too bad. I have a $200 head unit (a few years old now) what has CD, USB, Aux, and can stream Bluetooth audio. My 1994 doesn't have steering wheel controls, but there are adapters available for a lot of different cars.

If it's not a standard sized head unit, then the feasibility will vary by the type of car.

ita, I got a little gizmo for my 2002 Prius that NoiseDesign helped me install. I was a bit hesitant on the installation, but quickly saw it wasn't too big of a deal. I think it was a couple hundred bucks, and it interfaced with the computer screen in the prius. It stole the inputs from the CD player, which is fine. Which sounds like you might want to do, use other inputs for your ipod. There are stores here in SoCal you can go to, Al & Ed or something like that. Go in, ask them, they can give you a quote. Or click to Crutchfield, put your car info in, I think they can give you some ideas too.

Best Buy has an iPod integration unit, and apparently they charge $50 on top of that for installation. But it has no aux input, or generic USB, for connecting another device. There's a car audio place near where I used to do krav. I'll check them out. I'm sure they'll be more flexible.

I'll hunt for that aux input, Maria. I didn't see anything obvious when I was in the car, but I wasn't looking in corners. That will certainly be sufficient for a little while.

I was okay with the cassette hookup. It was no big deal, even though the quality wasn't ace. I've tried FM transmission in LA before, and they took the return, full refund. I can't work out how they can sell those with a straight face, or at least how they managed it five years ago. There was no reliable available slice in the band.