Have it all, 0-fer again

One of the things that kept me pushing my Camaro purchase back were the added geek features that came about with subsequent model years. For example I decided I wanted a 2011 when I found out it came with a HUD (heads up display) and the ability to be remotely managed with your Iphone.  Then the 2012 models were announced with rear back up cameras integrated into the mirror, another reason to wait.

Well back in 2005 they didn’t have all of this cool stuff in most cars, including the SSR.  It’s one of the small compromises I had to make by getting a 6 year old vehicle, or maybe not.

During my research into upgraded radio options for the SSR I realized I can have my cake and eat it too.  I can get one of the cool touch screen units that does it all, cd’s, dvd’s, MP3/Iphone interface, Bluetooth, rear back camera, satellite radio and gps turn by turn navigation.   It would basically geek out my SSR to the level of the Camaro, almost.  I still wouldn’t have HUD but the Camaro doesn’t have an in dash video/nav system either.

Of course all this tech would not come cheap but I am happy to save up my fun money to handle that.  I was also happy to discover that ripping apart the dash to install such a unit is something that should totally be in my wheel house.  It doesn’t seem that bad at all.  I am pretty excited about the possibilities.

I have found SSRFanatic.com is a fantastic resource and filled with very knowledgeable, friendly people that are happy to help.  The forum got me hooked up with a guy that runs the parts department at a Chevy dealer out west that gives SSR owners a break on part costs.  For example a part that I was quoted as costing $50.56 from the local Chevy dealer will only cost me $31 from this place.  A $147 quote from the local dealer was $94 from the same SSR loving source.

I forgot to mention that we had exactly zero Halloweeners this year, just like the 5 or 6 years prior.  Oh well, we’ll keep buying the small bag of candy just in case.  The first few years at our house we had a few kids stop by but for whatever reason it all dried up.