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The mere sight of this mainstay in my car leads to uncontrollable urges to rush to the local audio shop and have it swapped out.
For some reason, 90% of GMs cars and trucks get the unit above or one of 2 other similar looking choices....
Does AC Delco or GM generic radios inc. or whoever even have an R&D department or designers still on the payroll? I've seen this thing for the last 5 years I think. The 2004 Malibu, on the other hand, has a nicely integrated unit (I have no idea if I could swap it out even if I wanted to though...) I think the Caddy CTS is the same.
http://gallery.domestictunerz.com/categori...s.php?cat_id=49

Now compare to the 2003 Mazda 6's radio unit. Not an extremely expensive car or anything:

And a 50 dollar radio at WalMart:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp...4%3A3983%3A4527

Now, believe it or not, the Chevy SSR I sat in had the radio in the top photo, or something similar to it. Why does the Mazda 6 get such a nice looking unit, and the SSR get a cheap-o krapmaster unit like that? Parts bin sharing? OK, I'm down with cost reduction. But GM needs to develop an interchangeable head unit that LOOKS MODERN. If WalMart can make even 20 dollar radios that look more up to date....please. Bob Lutz once said the "interior seals the deal", I believe. Somehow the radio got overlooked...or shoved in last minute by a beancounter.
How much can a little chrome and silver paint cost anyway?
:microwave: