aftermarket stereos
 

Does anyone have experience with an aftermarket stereo?

What are the pros and cons. You can get them with GPS, bluetooth all kinds of features. How much can they be integrated with the onboard systems? Hands free mic etc..

I think adapters can be purchases so that your blue tooth phone wil work through the radio and using the built in mic.

You can get aftermarket head units that will do all you mentioned and then some. For example, I put a Kenwood DNX8120 in my H2 that has built-in Garmin nav, iPod operation on touch screen, bluetooth, Sirius, intergrated to backup camera, steering wheel controls and operation of RES.

Pros: MUCH better sound quality and functionality
Cons: More funtionality, more $

does your kenwood have the pop up screen or does it fit the factory hole?

If cost is not a limiting factor I really like http://www.oeradio.com/product_GM-5100.html
fits in factory spot, can add turn by turn nav, has bluetooth for handsfree calling, touch screen.

It uses the same space as the factory unit. It is touch-screen so, there are no knobs or buttons. Alpine makes similar units.

How does the sound quality stack up against something like the Kenwood DNX8120

Getting a high quality aftermarket deck is definitly an easy upgrade. The main things you want to get, if you are installing it yourself, is a wiring harness adapter and a faceplate install kit. The wiring harness will run about $190 but will keep all functionality like OnStar, seat belt chimes, ect. and the faceplate install kit is usually $20. With these two pieces, install should only take half an hour. If you skip out on these then you will regret it!

Holy crap, when did wiring harnesses get so expensive! They sure like to get you on that stuff! As much as I'd hate to do it, for $200 I'd just make something up, or start cutting/splicing! (no, not using those pos scotchlok things either, lol)

The onstar compatible harness's usually have some sort of electronics associated with them to facilitate the communication between the built in onstar system and the aftermarket radio, its not the usual wire to wire type harness.