GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I'm new here and thinking of buying an '06 Vibe. I'm a Pontiac guy so the Matrix is not an option. My issue is the stock head unit. My wife uses cassette's and needs a cassette player. I use CD's. I want a combo head unit and I don't like how aftermarket looks. I know a Matrix combo head unit can bolt right in, but I want the orange lighting like the stock Pontiac would have. Are there any options for this? Thanks in advance for any info that can help me out.Thanks,Andy

there is a combo AM/FM CD-Cassette unit on Ebay right now.*I am NOT the seller*.

You may want to check the Wiring harness on that, I dont think it is the same for the Matrix and Vibe. It would most likely be a custom wiring job that would need the Toyota wiring harness.

Quote, originally posted by Toolman »You may want to check the Wiring harness on that, I dont think it is the same for the Matrix and Vibe. It would most likely be a custom wiring job that would need the Toyota wiring harness.If they are both double DIN, which I assume they should be, then you shouldn't have any problems. I'm not positive on this, just making an educated guess!

Further info on the matrix radio http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=19401

I have a 2004 vibe and bought the matrix radio with the cassette player and it was plug and play - no problem. The screen on it is the same (red) as the one in the Vibe. HOWEVER - the 2004 model did not offer ON STAR, and I believe now that the Vibe does have ON STAR the radio is not compatible because of the electronics needed to work with ON STAR. I am not an expert, so definately check with someone who knows for sure before you buy a Matrix radio.

My bad, pre 05 they were the same. Should work then.

I have a CD/tape unit from a Matrix in my Vibe, both are 2003. In 2005 Toyota went with their own head units, so the connections/look are different. I would think that a CD/tape from a 2003 or 2004 matrix would fit a 2006 Vibe no propblem. If would not support XM or OnStar, as has been said.Today there are two Matrix CD/tape units on ebay.The first one, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW is wrong, too new and won't just plug in, and may possibly not have the red look you want. looking at the picture I am not sure that one is really a tape deck, althogh the listing claims it is.The second one, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW is what you want, one that looks exactly like the stock 1CD Vibe head unit, except it also has a slot for a cassette.On my Vibe, it was just unscrew, unplug the old radio, plug and screw in the new one, no wiring changes at all. I have also done this in a 2005 Vibe, no problems. 2006? I would think that it should be the sameI won't say if the price on that second ebay unit is good or not, I've seen them go for more or less than that one, but I suppose that since Toyota isn't putting them in Matrixes anymore, the supply is probably limited. They do come up from time to time though.

Wonder if anyone makes a cassette to CD recorder? That might be the better resolution toi wife has cassettes, I have CD's problem.

cassette to cd, would usually have to be done on a pc. where you input the cassette and record to say mp3 files and then burn those to cd's with ur fav. cd burning software ie. nero burning rom. if you want to make it easy just go to a computer store (compusa, best buy etc.) they have hardware/software like pinnacle stuff that can make it easy for ya.

Thanks for all the info. I could copy everything to CD for her, but that would involve my having the initiative. I'll have to check out those used Matrix head units. I wouldn't get Onstar or XM anyway, so that seems like a good idea. Now to just get to the dealership so my wife can test drive it. Thanks again,Andy

Quote, originally posted by AndyLT1 »Thanks for all the info. I could copy everything to CD for her, but that would involve my having the initiative. I'll have to check out those used Matrix head units. I wouldn't get Onstar or XM anyway, so that seems like a good idea. Now to just get to the dealership so my wife can test drive it. Thanks again,AndyPS- you could probably get decent price on your 2006 stock 1CD (which should pay for the CD/Cassette combo) as the 2006 1CD has MP3 capability. Probably some members here who would find that very attractive.

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Wonder if anyone makes a cassette to CD recorder? That might be the better resolution toi wife has cassettes, I have CD's problem. There is a product available that might do what you want. It is called the Plus Deck 2 and fits into a 5-1/4" drive slot in the PC. More details at http://www.a1-electronics.net/...shtml

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wow. i haveen't heard of anyone using tapes in years.

by the way. welcome abord. i'm in yonkers.

Quote, originally posted by mcgusto82 »by the way. welcome abord. i'm in yonkers. Yonkers is a bit far from Rochester I just moved to central Ohio from Batavia, though, so that would be pretty close to the guy

That cassette thing for the computer is pretty coool.

BTW Andy, if you really want to see if you like the Vibe, if your dealer won't do an 24 hr test drive, you can always rent one from Enterprise for a day or 2 to make sure it suits you both.

Are there any new cars that offer cassete players today? With everything going to MP3's, cassetes are soon to go the wat of 8-tracks.

Quote, originally posted by BOZACK »Are there any new cars that offer cassete players today? With everything going to MP3's, cassetes are soon to go the wat of 8-tracks.Some low end Kia's (no, I'm not trying to be redundant... ), Hundais still have am/fm/tape decks on their base configs... Although you'll be hard pressed to find one on a lot with it.

My dealer will give me a 24 hour test drive when I want one. I'm waiting for an AWD to come in. Since we'll be replacing my wife's Cherokee with the Vibe I want the AWD.