I am currently in the process of buying a 2002 mazda protege. Nothing too special because I don't have $15,000 to spend on a car. What I was wondering is, how easy is it to swap out the radio for aftermarket? I have a pretty nice stereo in my old car, but it is a normal size stereo (half the size of the the protege stock stereo). Where can I get a nice dash kit? I want something that looks like this...





Here is what my dash looks like.

 

crutchfield or your local bestbuy or smurfy city (circuit city)

 

Your aftermarket stereo should come with the trim around it. The CD tray with cover door you see in the top pic is available from Mazdabut at a price. Part number is BJ1H-66-9M0 and retails for $108.55. Can get from www.onlinemazdaparts.com for $86.84.

 

After some major headaches last night attemtpting to remove my stock head unit from my 2002 Protege I have to admit defeat and ask for help. I understand the whole take off the two side bars ont he headunit to expose the holes where you put your removal tools. I did that and inserted the cloth-hanger removal "tool". I also looked in through the glow compartment and made sure the spring brakcets that hold it in place are bent in so it can slide out. But still the unit would only slide about quarter of an inch out, after feeling around a bit I found that my headunit is screwed to a bracket behing it, the screw has a half inch rubber spacer on it, but there is no way I can get any kind of screwdriver in there to unscrew it from the fastening bracket in the back. I also read on another forum that its easier to remove the head unit if you remove the bezel first, but how do I detach the cables form the a/c-controllers?