85 Bose replacement ???

[bladesC4]

I have an 85 with a Bose system and I want to install a cd player. The system is fine and the sound is good (now) but I know there are problems in the future to look forward to.
My questions are these............
1) is there a (good) direct plug in replacement with a CD player for under $400.00

2) I saw a Pioneer with a Bose kit that replaces the original system. It was affordable but it lists at 45 watts per ch at 4 channels. Is that good??????????
does anyone have experience with this swap. I looked at the other stereo post but it was so old I htought I would generate another. ALSO the individual who posted their replacement from somewhere in Texas..........That looked great !

 

[OSU-VETTE]

I put a new Sony CD/MP3 player in my 85, had the stereo shop use the aftermarket harness that allows you to use the Bose amps in the speakers, so you are only changing your radio, not the wiring and amps. This way you can put the original back in if you want to. Total cost was round $400, and I love it. Tried BestBuy and Circuit City, they were not the most up to speed on not splicing, a local car stereo expert shop was great, prices were the same, and I felt much better about using them. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

 

[gmhowe]

Crutchfield has a Jensen with 60 watts and they have a wiring harness to plug and play with the Bose Speakers its running about $369.00 and the harness I believe was $50.

 

[zog]

Corvette Central has a Pioneer for $269 + a Bose addapter for $39....good deal???

 

[ltcdad]

I'm not a major music officionado but I just had a Blaupunkt head installed in my '88 and used the Bose adapter. Sound is very good for an old guy with years of military hearing loss. Using the Bose head the sound would shift from front to back or from right to left for no apparent reason. The new system works fine and the sound shifts wherever I send it and stays there until I change it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[bladesC4]

I appreciate all your input. I will let you know how it turns out. I just got back from Iowa Corvette show. It was pretty good. They always are. Now back to business for the week. Stereo and cleaning