'Cause Stock Still Sucks!
I get really bent out of shape when I read magazine reviews or newspaper articles on the latest car audio and mobile electronics innovations being offered on new cars, so please just consider this my rant of the month. The key thing that bothers me is that somehow the automakers have the stones to advertise any electronic feature in their new cars as if it is a revolution they invented. In reality, most of the past 20 years of electronics entertainment and information technology in the vehicle is 5- to 10-year-old aftermarket stuff.
For instance, the latest offering is remote starters in new cars. The aftermarket remote starter category started at least 20 years ago with a remote control range of about 50'. Just a few years ago, the carmakers with their massive engineering strength began to offer remote starters with 50' range and no extra output controls, while the aftermarket is at about 1,000' of distance and lots of feature control. It's not just about range, like PCs aren't just about processor speeds. This spring I got my hands on Code Alarm's fantastic new SRT 6700 remote starter and security system that has just about everything that any automotive enthusiast would want. At this rate, the carmakers won't offer similar features until the year 2030 or later.
Every time carmakers offer lame products, aftermarket steps in to kick it up several notches. For instance, if you were to order a new Chevy Malibu from your local GM dealer, your preferred package (the one without all the overpriced factory options) would cost you about $17,865. To get the Malibu version with the remote starter "factory installed" adds $6,255 including the other excess option baggage you're forced to take just to get remote starter features. But for about $169, you can get Code Alarm's CA 410A remote starter upgrade, which gives your factory remote starter a bunch of new options that GM probably won't think of for another decade.
I believe that the audio or video systems and other accessories offered by carmakers,are better than similar aftermarket offerings in only one way -- they make some of the highest profits for the carmaker. If Code Alarm started making tires to go with their electronic products, would you buy them knowing that tires aren't a strength of Code Alarm? When you see a company selling a bunch of stuff outside of their core business (like Home Depot selling appliances and flat screen TVs), you know it isn't because they're passionate about anything other than sheer profit. I recently looked at the new Escalade EXT as a possible project vehicle and was shocked to see that they're still using an ancient two-disc in-dash navigation system. Is this why as soon as American International, the aftermarket kit manufacturer, advised me about their new GM-K264 audio replacement dash kit for the '07 Escalade, I grabbed one immediately? Yes, but also 'cause stock sucks!