Need advice: reasonable in-dash audio for Impreza

Hey:

DD#1's 2002 Impreza has pretty much retired from playing CDs. She gets Error 6, which is a read error. I tried a variety of laser cleaning methods but none worked. I figure a used OEM unit is likely to suffer the same problem.

Can anybody make recommendations for a plug-n-play replacement unit that handles at least 1 CD, and has a front face USB input for integrating with her iPod?

Does not need many bells and whistles, but offer reasonable performance. I have been out of the audio market for so long I have no idea who the players are any more.

Thanks!

Clarion CX501

I am no audiophile, but I love my CX501. It has built-in Bluetooth and a mic so you can talk hands-free. Connects to my iPhone without fuss every time. You can plug the iPhone/iPod into it and control it through head unit, which is nice. It also plays MP3s from USB or CD and has a "headphone" jack so you can plug just about any audio device into it. Lot's of features for the money.

not to whore my own E36 M3, but I am going to whore my own E36 M3.

I have an Eclipse CD1200 headunit for sale. Simple, understated looks, easy to use, has the USB on the face plate, comes with an auxilary cable that connects to the rear of the stereo for Ipod hookup. Green or red button backlighting for your oem dash light matching needs. CD player reads MP3's and WMA files. Will just need to add your own subaru dash kit and wiring adapter.

I had one of these in my miata a while, liked it so much, after I sold the miata, got the same radio for my grand marquis. Reasonably priced new, and for the price I thought the unit put out great sound quality. Comparable to Alpine units IMO. Sounds great with some aftermarket speakers. Unit is only a few years old and lightly used, looks like new. Has a case for the detachable faceplate.

Im looking for $50 shipped per my GRM ad: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/pantherp71-parts-logitech-dfp-other-stuff/52459/page1/

Here are the specs from eclipse's website http://www.eclipse-web.com/us/cd/cd1200overviews.html

In reply to failboat:

Aren't we all whores in our own way...

Also, believe it or not there are some decent Dual head units out there. I have the $70 Bluetooth one and am pretty happy with it. The BT audio is fairly low quality but in the MR2 it doesn't as I get soo much road noise it makes it ok. All other audio quality is solid.

With that said. I would buy failboats eclipse.

duke, you can have my 6disc oem if you want, pay for shipping

Well that's a start, I assume it works? What is it from? Thanks!

Are you sure you want USB or is 3.5 mm auxiliary input satisfactory? We have one vehicle with a USB input and really crappy controls or user interfaced for the USB. Every 2nd or 3rd time you restart it goes to the first song on the memory stick. It takes 5 minutes to get back to where you were. Other vehicles of ours have 3.5 mm input and we plug an MP3 player into it and control it with the MP3 player. It is easier to select an album, artist, or song than the USB option we have.

No specific brand or model recommendation, but I got the one in my Miata from Crutchfield.com and with the installation kit I think it cost less than $75 shipped. Single CD, removable face plate, front 3.5 mm auxiliary input. Installation kit included wiring harness plugs, dash storage pocket (double DIN to single DIN receiver), and trim plate.