Miata Mailing List: September 1992, Message #64
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   From: (none)
Subject: RE: CD changers
   Date: (none)

If a dealer is quoting you $1000 for a disc changer, he must think you 
are a bozo.  I got the 6 disc mazda changer for $450.  Since you can 
get the sony 10 disc changer for that price, I'd recommend you buy that one.

> What has been the experience with CD's in the miata:
>	1) changers vs. in-dash

A friend of mine has the 1-disc-in-dash variety, and this causes a few 
minor problems.  First, he has to change discs 6 times more often than 
me :)  Second, they mounted the cd player above the regular am/fm/tape 
player, and now he can't change tapes when he is in an odd numbered 
gear, the shifter is in the way.  Third, he doesn't get that cool 
"glove slot" which is handy for gloves, pencils, stuff.

>	2) is there really room in the trunk anyway ?

There never was, so you might as well put a changer in there :)  
Seriously, if you stick to soft luggage the 6 disc changer is no big 
deal.  I saw a guy with a 10 disc changer (sony) and it did take up 
maybe a quarter of the trunk (it was BIG!) but he bought it several 
years ago - maybe the 10 disc players are smaller now.

>	3) the sound quality when you tune in thru the FM radio ?

It's like being at the concert (with an 80 mph wind and boiler engine 
in front of you :).  I've never had any static at any volume.

>	4) does the rough ride of the miata (at least the way I drive)
>	   cause a lot of skipping ?

My player is mounted in the middle of the trunk, and I've only heard it 
skip once in 7500 miles of CONSTANT use, including some rough roads.  
My friend with the 10 disc player is not as lucky.  His is mounted on 
the right side of the trunk, and reports two guaranteed ways to skip 
his player.  One, run over the road bumps with right tire when changing 
lanes at about 35-75 mph (this sucks).  Two, drive on the 
concrete-slabbed Interstate 5 in Seattle at 55-65 mph (solution - he 
drives 75 mph).  His player is old, maybe there are fewer problems now.

>	5) where do you put the wireless remote ?

In the cool glove slot?  In the ash tray?  In the console?  I have a 
wired remote, I just toss it in the glove slot. Somebody else on this 
list put velcro on the remote and put it at about 1:30 next to the 
shifter.  I'll do this someday too.

> Thanks in advance for any reflections,

Collect some good opinions about the 10 disc changer (mine are 
mediocre) and then buy the thing.  The 1 disc player blows, in my 
humble opinion.

Matt "Miata convoy to Mt Ranier this weekend!" Skew
mattsq@microsoft.com

P.S. the spare tire is a great CD carousel!