Seriously, the dash board of this car is so ugly! [Archive]

1sty

10-01-2003, 10:28 PM

The panel will ofoarse come off but theradio is a molded peice and not a seperate unit as are most radios. THe entire center dash peice would need to be replaced. Also there is a chance that wiring other then audio will be running through the headunit.

No $15 kit is going to let you replace the radio. I doubt anyone will make anyhting to do so for a long time after the car comes out other then a relocation kit.

1sty

10-01-2003, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by RyanJayG
I'd be willing to bet that it's Ford's fault Hardly.

Japanese companies are the ones starting this integrated radio nonsense.

Minus

10-01-2003, 10:29 PM

oh my bad i just noticed

uclap5

10-01-2003, 11:51 PM

earliest example of a non-standard audio set up is the ford taurus. who was the first to make a proprietary setup?

RyanJayG

10-01-2003, 11:52 PM

thats the car I was thinkin of

1sty

10-01-2003, 11:54 PM

Atualy that was replacable. The oval peice had a dash kit available and it was a seperate peice. It even has the standard ford radio removal tool holes.
Japanese companies started the integrate the radio face in to the center dash peice. the Tarus was not part of the dash trim. I have replaced that radio a few times. Also the Civics, Keyless entry wires thought the radio predated the taurus.

RyanJayG

10-01-2003, 11:55 PM

dude, you are closin in on 10,000(wow)

1sty

10-01-2003, 11:57 PM

I am actualy already over it by a few hundred if off topic still counted.

dmurphy10

10-02-2003, 07:53 PM

Back in the 80's my friend had a GM vehical (a buick of sorts I think) had a vertically mounted factory stereo. My friend yanked it and put in an aftermarket HU, but it had to be mounted sideways. It looked goofy, but it worked.

Minus

10-02-2003, 07:57 PM

lol that man must post a lot. i was wondering what he was talking about "10,000" lol

mcstark

10-03-2003, 03:12 PM

I think the new Nissans have an integrated radio as well...looks cool from a design perspective, but totally sucks when you try to personalize your ride. It would be one thing is it was an over the top design that 80% of buyers would be happy with, but I'm sure it's just an "ok" factory unit that will need to be replaced.

For what it's worth, I like my factory 6 disc changer, but am thinking about replacing the speakers and adding an amp to spice it up.

JAC

10-03-2003, 03:40 PM

JAC

10-03-2003, 03:41 PM

I love the 3's interior design, someone will probably come out with a kit or something to isntall an aftermarket HU.

MarkSpark

10-06-2003, 01:10 AM

subject: Seriously, the dash board of this car is so ugly!

umm, no..it looks nice as FUCK.....but yes u cant do much aftermarket

dugrant153

10-06-2003, 01:25 AM

The only solution I see is if you get a tape player adaptor (lowest trim comes with a tape player only I think), or one of those wireless audio adaptors, that you hook up to the Mazda 3 audio system.
Then you use your MP3/CD player as the sound unit.
You could probably add speakers (with some mods)... but... yeah... that's the way I see it.

alexlitov

10-06-2003, 02:07 AM

I think less than 5% of owners change their stock radio. Most people dont' need more than a radio and a CD player/CD changer.

Even if everybody changed their radio on the board that's only ~6,000 member out of around 60-70,000 proteges that are made annualy...

Dexter

10-06-2003, 02:56 AM

all the more reason to do custom work

Rockinblue

10-06-2003, 03:02 AM

Some folks in the 6 forums are complaining about the integrated dash as well. I've seen quite extensive threads regarding audio upgrades for the 6.

I'm hoping the quality of the head unit will be OK, so the only major upgrades would involve replacing the speakers, and maybe adding an amp.

1sty

10-06-2003, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by mcstark
I think the new Nissans have an integrated radio as well...looks cool from a design perspective, but totally sucks when you try to personalize your ride. It would be one thing is it was an over the top design that 80% of buyers would be happy with, but I'm sure it's just an "ok" factory unit that will need to be replaced.

For what it's worth, I like my factory 6 disc changer, but am thinking about replacing the speakers and adding an amp to spice it up.

Actualy there are many car audio veterans that are extreamly well respected, that argue: Most factory headunits are as good is not better then damn near ALL aftermarket units for SQ. They don't try to do 300 stupid little thinkgs like have flip faces and video scrolling or 150 useless boosting circuits.

I have David Navone's areticle on this subject if anyone would like it.

1sty

10-06-2003, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by JAC
I love the 3's interior design, someone will probably come out with a kit or something to isntall an aftermarket HU. If they did expect it to cost several uhndred dollars as it will have to replace the entire center of the dash not to mention reintegrate the heat AC controls.

1sty

10-06-2003, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by dugrant153
The only solution I see is if you get a tape player adaptor (lowest trim comes with a tape player only I think), or one of those wireless audio adaptors, that you hook up to the Mazda 3 audio system.
Then you use your MP3/CD player as the sound unit.
You could probably add speakers (with some mods)... but... yeah... that's the way I see it.
FM modulator that connects directly to the back of the unit will be likely the best option. Just be thankful its not like a BMW or Mercedes where becuase of the Fiber optic radios you can't even do that.
The speakers will not be a major pain as long as they aren't a funky impedance and run off an outboard amp stuffed in the car somewhere. Even then you'll just need to swap the amp to an aftermarket one while replacing the speakers.

Newf

10-06-2003, 10:29 AM

has anyone done a Mazda 6 with a new stereo yet? Seems they have the same problem right

And yeah, the dash is one of the main reasons why I didn't wait for the Mazda 3, and just got the speed instead

wongpres

10-06-2003, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by newf
has anyone done a Mazda 6 with a new stereo yet? Seems they have the same problem right

And yeah, the dash is one of the main reasons why I didn't wait for the Mazda 3, and just got the speed instead

No, I don't know of anyone who's changed the headunit on their Mazda6. But after the headunit, yes, I know people who have modded both the base and BOSE systems.

mcstark

10-08-2003, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by 1st MP3 in NH
Actualy there are many car audio veterans that are extreamly well respected, that argue: Most factory headunits are as good is not better then damn near ALL aftermarket units for SQ. They don't try to do 300 stupid little thinkgs like have flip faces and video scrolling or 150 useless boosting circuits.

I have David Navone's areticle on this subject if anyone would like it.

Hey 1st in NH...I would agree with you on the SQ side. I'm just surprised the most factory HU's aren't spec'd with better amps in them. Most aftermarket units put out around 20-25 RMS, while ours is prob. closer to 10. I haven't found any specs on it yet -- any idea on this? By "it" I mean the factory 6 disc changer unit.

I love the design of it, and I also agree with you on the number of buttons and things. I hate the itty bitty buttons on the aftermarket stuff, which is why I might run SL outputs to an amp and replace the factory speakers. I'll ask you about it down the road if I decide to do it.

I'm just not crazy about the idea of Mazda, Nissan, Ford, etc. giving us an HU we can't change out. OR they should give us a number of upgrade options, which I'm surprised they don't. With a manufacturers collective buying power, they could make a nice margin on offering such options. Then you could have the cool looks of the integrated unit with some decent speakers and amps.

Just my .02

Oh, and email/post a link to the article when you get a chance. I'd like to read it.

Eugeosyncline

10-10-2003, 01:17 PM

The interior appearance of the new Mazda3 is of course subject to individual preferences, but I tend to judge such characteristics by way of the interior's component quality.

I was unfortunately most disappointed by the interior quality of the Mazda6-- I found the plastics hard and of poor feel, particularly the steering wheel assembly, which appears too flat and featureless. Control movements also lacked the precise action found in the new Accord or Toyota Camry, in my opinion, and this meant for a most dissatisfied analysis.

I hope very much that Mazda doesn't follow suit with the Mazda3, but judgment will have to be reserved until I can see one in person.

So far, I haven't ever seen or experienced auto interiors better than what Volkswagen is currently building, although their reliability leaves all other things to be desired. Most wretched, to be sure.

Oh yeah! Mazda must get rid of the text, "POS" on their navigational control unit, next to the shifter. What kind of moron would release something of this nature in a culture that already has a clear and known acronym for this term? How is it possible in God’s name that someone at Mazda North American Operations hasn’t told someone at Mazda Japan what “POS” means, here? Is it really that difficult? Such doesn’t endear Mazda at all, and they need to either spell out the entire word, “Position”, which by itself has other, much more appealing implications, (and there’s plenty of room to fit that text on the unit), or figure some other abbreviation out. It’s admittedly cosmetic and of no consequence to fundamental operation, but Mazda doesn’t need to exacerbate its situation by seemingly self admitting to their car being a “Piece Of Shit”. What a bunch of imbeciles.

dugrant153

10-15-2003, 12:41 AM

Also posted on m****************:

Taken from the Mazda Canada webpage:

Modular construction offers easy system expansion with future media.

Easy-to-use piano style-buttons and knobs can be operated without looking away from the road.

A “light bar” of LEDs mounted on either side of the volume control knob responds to operations, giving a visual impression that the car is interacting with you.

Steering wheel mounted audio switches provide easy, safe operation while driving. (Standard on GS and GT models and available with convenience package on GX model.)

Up to six speakers to deliver superior sound quality throughout the vehicle.

Most interesting (I added the emphasis). All this talk about the car seeming to interacti with you sounds cool.

So... the Mazda 3 has a modular stereo system... does that mean that we CAN put an aftermarket stereo system AND add speakers on our own?... while still having the funky LEDs?

TheMAN

10-15-2003, 02:34 AM

replace the whole dash? WTF are you smoking?
the center dash piece is SEPARATE from the dash itself.. who the hell would make a dash like that? All you have to do is remove the shit and you can get a dash kit to install your beloved aftermarket radio, DUH... and the radio portion of the dashboard is SEPARATE from the fan controls too, DUH... do you see those little gap lines around that part of the dash? yes, those are separate plastic pieces... naw really?

and anyone who owns a mazda6 and bitches about how they can't change their radio is a fucktard... mazda at least SELLS the fucking dash kit to let you put in an aftermarket radio!

oh and if you think the dashboard is ugly, when was the last time you looked at a cavalier's dashboard?

oh I forgot... you smoke crack, nevermind

MackDadam

10-15-2003, 02:42 AM

with all these integrated radios in the dashes it would jsut look ugly to take out the stock radio and replace it with an aftermarket. I think aftermarket manufacturers are giong to have to start making special headunits for cars now just because of this

1sty

10-15-2003, 03:41 PM

That section(s) of the dash, and yes it not the entire dash, can be removed. However you willl need a blank or totaly non cut replacement peices (there are 2 parts to the radio afterall) and then you can put in a new radio.
However the radios readout is to the LCD display above which will go dead without the facotry radio.

Given the size and shape, not to mention the finish of the dash, I highly doubt any one will both making a kit for this car for atleast a good year to put in a new radio. Hell it took them a year to make a wireharness adapter for the new style protege plug.

The 3 will be easier to replace then the 6's radio although not by much.

TheMAN

10-18-2003, 08:21 PM

you doubt? how come mazda started selling their dash kits the first day the mazda6 came out?

Originally posted by 1st MP3 in NH
That section(s) of the dash, and yes it not the entire dash, can be removed. However you willl need a blank or totaly non cut replacement peices (there are 2 parts to the radio afterall) and then you can put in a new radio.
However the radios readout is to the LCD display above which will go dead without the facotry radio.

Given the size and shape, not to mention the finish of the dash, I highly doubt any one will both making a kit for this car for atleast a good year to put in a new radio. Hell it took them a year to make a wireharness adapter for the new style protege plug.

The 3 will be easier to replace then the 6's radio although not by much.

dugrant153

10-18-2003, 08:50 PM

I really hope that Mazda comes out with a stereo kit for aftermarket stereos for the Mazda 3... and a body kit, and a turbo kit... hehehe :D :D :D

If I end up with the CDN GX trim, I get a tape player and 2 speakers.... even my 1985 car has more speakers than that!!

Question:
-Is it possible to add more speakers yourself?
-Will some trims not have places for 3rd and 4th and 6th speakers?
-And yeah, what to do with the LCD screen??

Onizuka

10-22-2003, 12:42 AM

geez pls post some pics, picture worth thousands words ppl

It looks good to me, no need to have aftermarket crap no more, carrying face plate around is pain in the ass!

http://members.shaw.ca/bobomyfriend/mazda3/MAZDA3_CD2_27.jpeg

http://members.shaw.ca/bobomyfriend/mazda3/MAZDA3_CD2_26.jpeg

Onizuka

10-22-2003, 01:00 AM

http://members.shaw.ca/bobomyfriend/mazda3/mazda3_38.jpeg

Khoifather

10-23-2003, 11:48 PM

That is so ugly!!!! I would expect a nice more metallic looking trim. I'm not really feeling those huge circular knobs. Ehhh bottom line, its too plain.

spec5protege

10-24-2003, 11:07 AM

I really like the dash, actually. I'm tired of the "same old, plain old" 2-knob fan red/blue temp control unit that's standard on every car you can shake a stick at. :rolleyes: Also, the spot for the LCD is sweet, because even if you don't purchase the navigation option, you could buy an LCD unit on the cheap and slap one in their to run your psx or a dvd player off of...

flat_black

10-24-2003, 11:39 AM

Speaking of non standard stereos, the first one I remember seeing was in my old 1986 Buick Somerset... Talk about odd. It had a 'pod mounted' chunk, about seven inches by four inches by two deep mounted in FRONT of the dash... The dash itself was COVERED in climate controls, so you couldn't even cut anything out to mount a good stereo... It was INCREDIBLY annoying, but a lot of GM's from 1975 - 1988 had that issue. What a pain.

1sty

10-24-2003, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by TheMAN
you doubt? how come mazda started selling their dash kits the first day the mazda6 came out?

What dash kit?
Do you have a part number?
Is it a blank peice for the radio for the 6 buit has the heat and AC control locations cut in.?

Why don't you describe it so it can actualy be relevent information otherwise its pointless.

I know of not a single person with a 6 that has even known of a blank (no radio contol) dash panel.

Ultra vires

10-26-2003, 04:36 PM

(wow) I love it. It has the same sporty look as the RX-8's dash and console. Very modern and hip!

mnkyboy

10-26-2003, 09:04 PM

Are you sure those pics are for the production cars? Looks like a concept to me. Most concept cars dont make it because they are impractical.

Onizuka

10-27-2003, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by mnkyboy
Are you sure those pics are for the production cars? Looks like a concept to me. Most concept cars dont make it because they are impractical.

yes they are for production cars, what makes you think Mazda wont put these design into the real thing? geez....you sounds like you believe new cars will never be concepted.

what do you mean impractical, we are not seeing star trek cockpit here, it is just normal new design combines with Mazda6's and RX-8's. Have you seen RX-8 interior? it looks much aggressive then Mazda3's, and it is on production already, I think you should do more research b4 asking the question.