iPod Car Adapter - A few options

If you are interested in connecting your iPod to your car's stereo rest assured that you are not alone - the good news is that you have a few different options. Whether sound quality is your ultimate goal or you just want a better alternative to the radio, we have the solution you're looking for.

USA Spec Toyota/Lexus to iPod Interface
$144.95

USA Spec
Pros: Perfect sound quality, control iPod from stereo, charges iPod
Cons: Pricey ($140-280 depending on your car), difficult installation (recommended that you use a mechanic)

USA Spec is really the option for you if you want your iPod to become a part of your car - if you have steering wheel controls, for example, you could control your iPod directly from there without having to look down at all (which can be dangerous). The sound quality is perfect.

What makes this installation so difficult is that the adapter actually plugs into the back of your stereo (so these kits assume you don't have an aftermarket stereo installed). Since this is not a trivial installation you will probably want to have a dealer or mechanic do the installation.

USA Spec has iPod Car Adapter models available for Mercedes, BMW, Corvette/Chevy Truck, Honda/Acura, Nissan, Toyota/Lexus and VW/Audi.

iQfm FM Transmitter, USB, SD, line in
$49.95

FM Transmitters
Pros: No installation required, cheap
Cons: Poor sound quality

If you just want a fast and easy way to get your tunes on your car stereo and you don't want to mess with installation, an FM transmitter is probably what you're looking for. You simply plug your iPod in with the included cable and choose a radio station (they typically have quite a few options - you want to find a station that doesn't have a normal broadcast on it as this can create some noise).

FM transmitters work really well for some people and not so well for others. There are several factors which can affect the performance - local broadcasts, weather, the type of car you drive. This is one situation where having a name brand can really make a big difference - many people swear by the Monster iCarPlay though it is almost twice as expensive as most alternatives.

VR3 Car Stereo, DVD Player with Built-In LCD
$249.95

New Stereo
Pros: Tons of media playback options, good sound quality
Cons: Difficult installation, pricey (~$250)

If you are interesting in adding not only the ability to play your iPod but use a flash drive or SD card with media on it, consider upgrading your stereo to the VR3 VRVD630. Like the USA Spec installation, this is not going to be a walk in the park (we recommend a mechanic or dealer perform this installation).

To use your iPod simply connect it with a regular stereo line cable - you will have to control the iPod from the iPod itself, but you should have lossless sound quality and a ton more functionality.