This is kinda a long story but bare with me. I am waiting on an approval from my bank on the loan I applied for so I can get a left over '04 Xfire. Well, I decided that I needed to drive home (Indy) from Ball State so that if I did get approved I could go pick the car up tomorrow and take my family with me. When I got home there was an ad on the kitchen table saying Dannica Patrick was going to be signing autographs at the HH Gregg down the street from my house. I think she is incredible and I really wanted to meet her. I asked my dad if he would go with me so we could determine if she was as hot in person as she is in all the pics. Let just say my dad was more than happy to ride along with me to meet the hottest thing in racing. We drove out there and when we got there we were informed that she was unable to attend. I was pretty disappointed, but I understand. As we were walking away a spokesman for pioneer asked us if we would like to try to win some prizes since we didn't get to meet her. I figured it wouldn't be a waste of time and we would atleast get a few Pioneer shirts. Both my dad and I had a single chance to win all kinds of prizes like Indy 500 race tickets and a Pioneer AVIS-N2 in-dash Navi system. I got my prize first, I wasn't a winner and all I got was a stupid T-Shirt. My dad went next and while my back was turned I heard the spokesman say "Congrats sir, you have won!" Right when I turned around the guy handed my dad the box with the AVIC-N2 in it. My jaw dropped. My dad just won a $2000 In-Dash Navi system with just about everything you could ask for. To my amazement he turned to me and goes "Here you can have it, I already have Navi and your mother wouldn't know what to do with it." Next thing I know Buddy Rice comes out of know where and shakes my hand and says "Come with me sir." Both my dad and I got autographs and pics taken with him and all the Pioneer race cars. I even got Buddy to sign the AVIC-N2's box! They also took a pic with my dad, Buddy, and Jimmy "Mad Dog" Maddis from the Bob and Tom show. I'm assuming that they are going to put that pic on their website tomorrow since it was sponsored by Q95. I am so glad I decided to come home and ask my dad to go out there with me. I am so excited to see the Navi unit in action. The only thing that could make this weekend better would be if my bank approved my loan and I could go pick up my Xfire tomorrow. I will be sure to post pics of whatever car I stick the system into, whether I get the Xfire or keep my SRT-4. I can't tell you guys how excited I am right now, I can hardly sit still!!!


On a side note, I did have the thought of putting the system on eBay. I could really use the extra cash. But after thinking about it for no more than a few minutes I figured that would be pretty disrespectful to my dad. He didn't have to give me the unit, he could have easily put it into any of his cars. I would never want to hurt his feelings or insult him by selling a gift, no matter how bad I need the extra cash.

 

dannica patrick races for bobby rahal which is located in my area in ohio. bummer you didn't get to meet her but congrats on the win! a neat story.

hope all goes well with the loan approval!

 

Thanks!

I really wish I could have met her as well, but I'm glad things worked out like they did. Hopefully she will do another promotion before she races next weekend. I would gladly drive just about anywhere around Indy just to see her in person...

 

I had the same pioneer system installed two weeks ago in my company car. It is an amazingly good system. I've been testing it in the NY NJ area and have yet to be sent to the wrong location. I'm sure that for less money you can get good systems but I like the pop up/down screen. I didn't win mine but I got a great deal from a sale on e-bay. Hope you enjoy!

 

If you don't mind me asking; how much was the install?

 

I'm jealous, My wife wouldn't let me get one, I have to use my dell axim GPS. I hate the holder it came with you suction cup it to your window. However It is great when I travel on business. I don't know How we ever got around using mapquest in the past.

 

The total install was about 540.00. I purchased the Sirius Radio unit so here is the breakdown:

Radio Roadshop install 55.99
Shopfee Shop fee 3.99
Navigation Roadshop install 250.00
DSRdirect Roadshop install 49.99
DSRantenna Roadshop install 30.00
SIRPNR1 Satellite radio 99.99
City advantage Protection plan 19.99

Sales tax 30.00

It is expensive in a way but I drive so many miles each year and drive the same car for at least 200k miles before trading it in, the cost will amortize very well over the next 9-10 years. I find it really does a good job getting you were you need to go. I did not get the rear camera because the Acura RSX I drive now does not seem to have any real blind spots but in our Crossfire that might come in helpful.

Oh, by the way, if you decide not to keep the unit be mindful that the units sell for 2000 at most all stores and they cost the stores 1400.00 wholesale. If you sell it, that is the baseline idea for what it is worth.

 

Wow, looks like I might need to save up awhile before install (or talk some of my friends into helping). I plan on getting the iPod interface, too. So total I would have the Navi, Back-up Cam, MTX sub, and the iPod interface. Something tells me that having a shop install all of this will not be cheap. Punkin, Thanks for the post. Hopefully I can talk my friends that know 12-volt into helping me with the install...

 

Whatever you do I'm sure you'll really enjoy it. Good luck and be safe with the crossfire and yourself.

 

I went up to Circuit City today and got a quote. Here is a breakdown on cost:

Navi Install: $50
iPod Interface: $100
iPod Install: $20
Sub wires, fuses, etc.: $80
Sub Install: $60

Total: $310

I am going to have to wait until my next paycheck (or maybe even the one after that). I was also told I could wait on the iPod install if I wanted and cost wouldn't change but it would be easier if I did it all at once. I think I decided against the Back-up Cam, there isn't a good place to hide it and styling would be compromised. I will keep everyone posted and be sure to put pics up after install...