Radio Swap with a Buick (?)

[Flybrian]

Well, my radio is having E22/E23 issues and I took it to the dealership where I bought it today. They're a Buick/SAAB flagship dealer, so they offered to swap mine out for one from a '97-00 Park Avenue.

The tech told me the only difference would be the faceplate (d'uh) and that everything else (steering wheel controls, antenna, DIC) would work fine.

My question is, seriously? And is this a better solution than getting an old Olds unit that might screw up again? The dealer also has an '01 Aurora that's going up for auction, so they offered to take the one out of that. Would THAT work better?

BTW: This isn't something happening tomorrow or anything since they need to find an appropriate PA to strip it out of.

[stevensolds]

take it out of the 2001. my CD deck wore out and no longer plays CD so thats why i am spending like $1000 getting all new speakers and everything, its gonna be pimpin

[JimW]

It SHOULD work, have they done this swap before? Explore the Ebay option as well, Aurora OE head units run for pretty cheap, and its a direct replacement.

I suggest looking around before deciding on the Buick HU...also, any wreckers near you?

[scottydl]

Hmm, are you paying for this swap or are they offering it up for free? Either way, get them to guarantee it will work so you don't get screwed. Aftermarket head units have obviously been known to be incompatible with keeping the date on the DIC, as well as losing steering wheel controls (which you mentioned)... so I'd say it's fair to assume non-original GM equipment might do the same.

[Custom88]

I don't think it'll work. My Riviera has the same radio as the PA as far as I know (as long as we're talkign a pre-2000 radio here) and it has a wire harness on the back of it. The 2001+ Aurora doesn't have a wireharness that plugs into the radio. they're "dock and lock" with no harness to attach.