Add Cassette Deck to 2004 Accord

[entropy2002]

Hi Everyone,

I just purchased a 2004 Accord and I'm EXTREMELY happy with it except for 1 major aggravation the &^#$$!!! price of the add-on cassette deck. Needless to say, I didn't opt for that because of the draconian price Honda wants for their cassette.

I would like to add an aftermarket deck (unless someone can point me to a VERY deep discount on the real Honda parts.)

1. Ideally: I would like to put one in the CD pocket below the factory CD receiver and plug it into the receiver like the Honda part is supposed to do.

2. Next best solution: Mount a replacement unit in that CD pocket, disconnect the factory unit and plug into the factory harness. (I'd much rather do Option 1, but this solution is ok also).

3. Least favorite solution: Pull out the factory unit and replace it with an aftermarket cassette receiver. I'd REALLY rather not do this, but if that is my only choice, it may come to that.

Someone out there must have done this, and hely, suggestions, recommendations, etc would be GREATLY appreciated. Other than this one major aggravation, I really love the car - why did Honda really have to stick it to their customers so badly with a simple cassette deck.

Thanks in advance,
Pete (entropy2002)
email: pj1999pj AT yahoo DOT com

I really don't need high quality sound out of the cassette deck, I just listen to books on tape during my 2 hours/day commute.

[wave9984]

hey pete sorry i cant really help you with your answere cause i dont own or know anything about the 03 and up. but another option you have is you could use an fm modulator. they have two kinds: 1 connects to antenna input or wireless. this would leave you wiht the stock look but the disadvantage is you have to plug in your own casset player. like a walkman or something. cause the fm modulator has a headjack input and you could plug anything. it doens't look cleann but you could get it for very inexspensive price and you dont need that high of quality. sorry i dont know more about your 04.

[Inspector1]

Hey Pete,
Check out this link for price..... if harnesses are included its not a bad price... under 185 + shipping I would call before ordering to make sure harnesses come with it if I was doing... Hope this helps

http://www.handaaccessories.com/accord.html

I1:)

[entropy2002]

Hi Wave,

thanks for the idea, I'll look into it.

Best Regards,
-Pete

[entropy2002]

Thanks for the tip. I looked at their site and part of the listing said "Includes all parts needed for install." so I guess that means it is complete.

I appreciate it.
-Pete

[BenjiBoy650]

I must say I'm kind of shocked at this. It seems like a step backwards for Honda, since the 2001-2002 EX/EX V6 had 6CD and cassette which is what I currently have. However, I can't imagine any situation you could fix up besides a Honda cassette deck. I don't think you can hook up a different receiver completely and I don't think there is a stand-alone cassette deck offered by aftermarket manufacturers. An FM modulator was a good idea, probably your best bet. Unless...

...You want to take those cassettes and burn them onto CD-R. You could do that, but 1) it would take time, 2) I don't think the audio system will read CD-RW.