cd changer for 2000 Forester.

[Guest photo2001]

I'm considering getting the 6 disc cd changer that Subaru sells for my 2000 Forester. It's the one that mounts under the passenger seat with the controller in the dash. To anyone that has one of these, it seems like an awkward place to have the changer. How much trouble is it to load and unload discs? Of course, with 6 discs, you don't have to re-load that often. Is it worth the price?

[Guest photo2001]

In doing some surfing tonight, I have come accross some sites that describe one of the 2000 Foresters' options as a '6-disc, in-dash cd player'. I still have the original Forester brochure, and two cd players are listed, the in-dash SINGLE-cd player, and the one I described in my first message, the 6-cd player that mounts under the passenger seat.

I got my 2000 Forester in Dec. 1999. Did Subaru revise the spec on the 6 disc player later in the model year to one that fit in the dash? I thought that was first offered on the 2001 model.

[Guest Crashton]

I got a WRX 6cd tape & radio from a fellow & put it in. I paid $135 for it. It's a simple plug & play right into your Forester dash. Check out the NASIOC private for sale classifieds forum for one. Earlier this week there were a couple for $150.

 

Look here > forums.nasioc.com/forums/...&forumid=9

[Guest 99obw]

My $0.02.

 

A good MP3 player can be had for less than $200. It requires no external equipment, discs are very easy to change, and one disc hold approximately 10 cd's worth.

 

Yes, you have to burn your cd's to MP3 format, but the reduction in the number of discs that you have to carry in your car makes it worth it.

 

99obw

[Guest Commuter]

I have no experience with MP3 players (well, not in cars), so no comment there.

 

I have a 97 OB. I had installed an aftermarked head unit and 6 CD changer under the seat. It's ok... but I found that the only time I'd think about changed the CD's was when I was driving! I should have bought a second cartridge for one thing.

 

Anyway, it died. I too bought a used Subaru 6 disc in dash unit. You lose the pocket below the radio, since it is a double DIN unit, but no biggy. (I'm assuming the Forester dash is similar.) Having the 6 CD's right in front of you on the dash is a pleasure. The quality of the unit is ok. The price is right. (As mentioned, WRX guys often replace them almost immediately, so you can get nearly new units.) Plugs right into the wiring harness. Even says Subaru on it.

 

Unless you are looking for higher quality, or other features, it's the way I'd recommend to go.

 

Commuter

[Guest photo2001]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've been looking at the changer that mounts under the seat partly because I can get an unused one for about $150. The only problem is that the guy selling it says I may need a special mounting bracket for under the seat. The Subaru dealer says they don't sell a separate bracket, so that could be tricky.

In the Forester there's no pocket under the stereo, so I don't know if the unit from the WRX will fit my car.

I called two local Subaru dealers today and they have the in-dash changer for my car for $495. One dealer said they have the under-seat changer w/in-dash controller for $625.00!

Not sure what to do yet, but it would obviously be easier to have the in-dash unit.

[Guest lothar34]

You don't have an empty compartment under your stereo? What's there?

[Guest Commuter]

Just trying to understand how your dash is laid out.

 

Are you saying that there is no room for a double DIN unit? Is what is in there now single or double sized unit? You might have a pocket with a door to it. It could still be removable.

 

I was sure that some Foresters came with this very same unit.

 

Commuter

[Guest Crashton]

Yes the 2000 Forester will take the 2din radio/6cd from a WRX with no problem. My Forester came with a 1din radio/tape & a 1din single disc cd player under it. I believe the standard setup was the radio on top with a small cubby underneath. The opening is 2din. When I put the WRX 2din in I had to take the brackets off the original radio & transfer them to the WRX radio/6cd. It will fit fine.

[Guest photo2001]

The am/fm/cassette unit sits on top of the single cd-player. Immediately below that is plastic console housing, and at the bottom is the ashtray. There is no visible open space like in the WRX, but there must be enough space there for the double unit.

In any case, I bought the 6-cd changer w/separate controller that is made to go in the 2000 Forester. It's made by Clarion. Someone on ebay is selling brand new units. Got mine for about $140 + shipping. Pretty good price, since local Sub. dealers are selling them for $600. Not sure about the underseat mounting. Someone on another board suggested that if I can't get a bracket, I can try industrial strength velcro, but I don't know how that would be considering vibrations. Should have the changer here in a few days, will know more then.

[Guest photo2001]

The changer and controller were delivered today. In the parts list for the changer is listed a 'tray' sold separately. There's a picture of the tray in the installation instructions, and just as the name implies, it bolts onto the floor under the passenger seat, and the changer rests in it. The opening to the changer facing the back seat.

Unfortunately there is no part number for the tray, so I'm going to call around to the local dealers and see if they can supply it.

Fyi, the controller itself that goes in the dash is a nice looking unit with buttons for changing cd's, and changing tracks. The underseat changer is much heavier and bigger than I expected. It's 8x oversampling.

 

Kevin

[Guest WagonsOnly]

Where on the dash does the controller mount? And were you able to set the changer up without losing the single-disc in dash CD?

 

Thanks, Andrew

[Guest Commuter]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>The am/fm/cassette unit sits on top of the single cd-player.

 

Ah... there was your answer. (I know, too late now.) The double DIN 6 CD changer / tape / radio would have replaced BOTH these units.

 

I highly doubt that the single CD unit will plug into the new unit. Nice thought though.

 

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Immediately below that is plastic console housing

 

Is this part of the dash? Or a pocket? Or a covered over hole? Just wondering.

 

Commuter

[Guest photo2001]

Andrew,

Quote: "Re: CD changer for 2000 Forester Where on the dash does the controller mount? And were you able to set the changer up without losing the single-disc in dash CD?"

 

The Controller replaces the single-disc in dash CD player. I haven't installed it, I'm having it done by a local car stereo place.

 

 

Commute,

Quote:Immediately below that is plastic console housing

 

Quote: "Is this part of the dash? Or a pocket? Or a covered over hole? Just wondering."

 

There is maybe an inch of plastic below the am/fm/cassette+cd player, and at the bottom is the ashtray and cigarette lighter socket. I guess there is empty space behind the plastic.

 

Kevin

[Guest photo2001]

Yesterday I called a Subaru dealer, about 1/2 hour away, and he has the under-seat mounting tray for the changer! In fact, he said he has two of them in stock! They want $34 for one of them but it will make the install a heck of a lot easier, so I will pick one up this week. I was surprised they stocked such an unusual item, probably have had 'em there for years.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

Kevin

[JT95]

I just got a 6 CD changer for my '95 Legacy. It has the factory tape/radio combo w/ the CD controls, but there was no remote CD changer in the car when I bought it.

 

I got a "new" changer off eBay. It came with the wiring harness, which is about 3.5 feet long. I'm curious how you had these wires run in your car. It's not long enough to run far. Did you go under the carpet at the center console? I'm not sure how to install mine the "proper" way.

 

Thanks.