I damaged my OEM CD AM/FM radio in my 2005 Accord LX. Display screen was shattered and while radio and CD work, I just now have what looks like an ink blot for a display. I have checked after-market products and seen poor reviews of the Metra replacement conversion kit and for the kits that install in the storage compartment below the current radio location. Anyone have any experience with this? Is my only safe option to go with factory OEM replacement (been quoted $400.00 for radio without installation). Ideas/opinions appreciated.

 

For $400 you could get a prettyGood headunit and really good speakers. Or a touchscreen display headunit.

 

i don't know how the dash is in your 05, but it's extremely easy to do the work yourself if you can find a dash kit replacement.

Tools needed:
- Solder Iron/Gun
- Solder
- Phillips Screwdriver
- About 30-45 min of Time

Look at the Upgrades > Stereo section of my link collection: http://docs.google.com/View?docid=djndq42_0zrxs9q

After you get it all out, it's a matter of getting the car harness soldered to the radio harness (the car harness should go from the car's harness connection to bare wires, and the radio go from bare wires to the radio harness.. you solder the bare wires together).
For me both harnesses had identical coloring, so it was literally put shrink wrap over one end, twist, and solder, and heat wrap... took me like 10 min to do that part.

Then the actual replacement took some time to read the directions, but in reality it was 2 screws, and plug 'er in!