I know next to nothing about car audio and wanted to get everything written down before I spend hundreds of dollars breaking my car. Any suggestions/corrections would be very appreciated.

I guess the first big question is this: I am comfortable enough with electronics to build my own PCs and just experienced enough with cars to do simple things like install a new intake and plenum spacer. The DiY guides on here look very detailed. Is this something I can tackle myself or beyond my level? My main concerns are everything working (naturally) and getting my dash back together so it looks good and doesn't have any rattles or anything.

I plan on putting this in an '03 coupe keeping the factory Bose amp.

Shopping List...please tell me if I'm wrong

- AM/FM Antenna adapter.
Pioneer Steering Wheel Interface
Pioneer AVH-P3200BT - Head unit. I know nothing about these...is this a good one? My main requirements are bluetooth and front AUX (usb and sd card are bonuses). HD radio tuner would also be a nice bonus, but not necessary. As for budget, this one is about at the upper limit of what I'd like to spend.

As for the double din kit...it's not possible to just buy the Metra trim and JDM A/C controller seperately and then put the two together, is it? I'm guessing not, but I'd love to get the JDM buttons along with the no trim ring look of the Metra. If it's one of the other, though, I'll be going JDM. I also plan to have someone who has soldered before do the dual climate control mod for me.

And now...a final stupid question. On Crutchfield, it says the receiver has a built-in amp. Is that an issue with leaving my Bose amp in the mix? Is there anything else I could be missing? Thanks much for any help!

 

Yep, great headunit if you don't need navigation.

And correct, you can't use the JDM buttons on the Metra. If you don't buy the Metra kit through the combo deal at crutchfield, check for a lower price on the 3200BT through amazon.

The receiver, like most, has a built-in amp, but only four-channels at about 12watts RMS, while your coupe needs 6 channels. If you use the Metra 70-7551 to send the line out to the Bose amp, you'll keep the same sound level as before from all 6 channels.

 

Just to confirm, you're talking about , right? Thanks much...I'll add it to my shopping list.

 

Correct. That's the exact one that I ordered and am using in the "70-7551 works" video I posted the other day.

You'll get the same thing free if you're ordering the Metra kit and headunit from crutchfield.com, but if JDM is the route you've chosen, then definitely go through amazon.