01/04/2007, 3:15pm, EST
Thursday, January 4th
New Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge iPod integration
The integration kit continuously charges any iPod connected to the system, whether the device is playing or turned off. Mopar's audio integration systems support Apple's iPod mini, iPod photo, iPod nano, and video iPod. The digital player track names are displayed on the radio display face, although Mopar notes that radio display and audio prompt features vary between radio models.
The 'Can-B Integrated' kit ($215) is available for the Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Ram, Dodge Durango, Dodge Dakota, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Jeep Commander. The 'J-1850 Integrated' kit ($180) is designed for the Jeep Liberty, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, and Chrysler Pacifica. Two FM-modulated versions are also available with support for Jeep Liberty, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler 300, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Ram, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Durango, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro, Chrysler Sebring, and Dodge Avenger.
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I have been looking for a ipod deck option for my car (no fm tranmitters) and there are many that look great but none that is worth getting.
For example they either do not play Apple's DRM, only display one line of text, are very slow to load, require expensive components, or have very bad navigation.
Alpine has probably the best ipod decks but they still need some improvement. They do only require a direct cable and a compatible deck. I'm hoping Apple shows off a iDeck at MacWorld :)
Per your complaints, the only one that is valid for my system is the lack of info for the currently playing song, but that is hardly the fault of the device. DRM, speed, cost (~$129), and navigation are all excellent IMHO. I really don't have a single complaint about this adapter.
The Alpine is still less than perfect. You get a whopping nine characters of text to notify you of Title, Artist, Playlist, etc. It's scrolling mechanism is archaic; you can't even press-and-hold to scroll through playlists. You actually have to sit there pounding the thing until your playlist arrives (if you can decipher it in nine characters). I have 90 playlists!
With the 2006 model year of the PT Cruiser, things have greatly improved. With the initial test drive of my Inferno Red GT, I was hooked. I took my Dad with me, and he was impressed with its power. This year’s PT GT has as much power as my 1998 Dodge Dakota pickup with a V-8 (230 hp.). While most people see this car as another cute little PT, no one has any idea how much power in its pt cruiser borla exhaust has until I come roaring past them!
Performance behind the wheel:
The power seems consistent throughout the entire application of acceleration. Apparently this is an improvement over the original, 2004 PT GT.
If you choose to acceleration conservatively, the engine performs like a normally aspirated engine. Push the accelerator hard, and the turbo screams to life along with the rumble of the exhaust system.
The Autostick transmission (standard on GT automatics) works surprisingly well. You can use it to hold gears longer and use engine breaking to save the brakes (this is great in stop and go traffic when most autos tend to over shift). If you forget to shift, the system works to up shift (when engine revs to 5400rpm) and down shifts when you come to a stop. Also, the Autostick safeguards from down shifting too soon. If you don’t feel like shifting, simply engage the shifter into “D”.
Steering under hard acceleration produces a fair amount of torque steer (the car wants to veer the opposite way of the intended direction). For this reason, don’t let an inexperienced drive operate this vehicle.
This car rumbles like a Honda with aftermarket performance parts. It is not the quietest vehicle on the market. Under hard acceleration, it is sometimes difficult to hear the stereo.
The car can cruise at 80 mph with little effort. With the turbo, it can easily accelerate at this speed. I hope I don’t get into trouble with this kind of power!
The turning radius is truly awful! With its 17 inch wheels and shallow wheel wells, this PT feels like I am steering my parent's Ram Mega Cab 4x4. Thank goodness it’s shorter than a Dodge Neon.
Overall, I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who is interested in purchasing a PT Cruiser. Yes, I know that the PT GT is significantly more than a standard PT Cruiser, but it makes you realize that having more power makes this vehicle a more enjoyable vehicle to drive. I also test drove PT GT convertible (due to one sales manager’s attempt to bait and switch me in hopes that I would spend even more). While I found it to be a roomy