I love my 82 Volvo DL wagon I've had for about 25 years, but I really dislike the radio I had to put it in.

For some reason I decided to put a new radio in it about 10 years ago. I thought it needed replacing recently so I went back to the same car radio shop and had them replace it again.

I very much wanted a basic, easy to use radio with large buttons. They didn't have one. I looked at Best Buy they didn't have one. I called Crutchfield and didn't have much luck either.

Is it impossible to buy a radio for this Volvo that is easy to use for senior citizens like myself?

I understand I can try to find a radio at a Volvo junk yard but my Volvo mechanic says they are hard to find.

The radio I settled on was a Pioneer DEH-X4800BT. I do not like it!! You can't read the stations in the daylight, the buttons are so small I don't know what I'm pushing and I have to turn to look at it which is an accident waiting to happen.

Is there any solution to my problem short of buying a new car?

I'm very frustrated and annoyed as you can tell! This is just another example of how newer products are much worse than older products.

Thanks,
Ginny

 

i usually end up with pioneer or kenwood stereos, the controls *are* kinda annoying on them, but eventually you learn your way around by touch. I prefer to mount the stereo in a 240 down by the shifter instead of up on top of the console, its both more shaded from sunlight during the day, and less annoying at night.

 

Do you think the car radio installation place will agree to put it down by the shifter? Do I understand you correctly that I will be able to see the stations during the day?

Thanks!
Ginny

 

I installed my own stereo down there. our 240 came new in 1987 with a 'pocket' in the upper slot, and nothing in the lower one (we declined the dealer-installed stereo when we bought it as it was a piece of junk). a installer? it will probably hinge on whether or not they can still get an adapter as that slot is larger than a standard DIN mount stereo.

it appears this kit lets you install a stereo in either place.
https://www.carid.com/images/metra/s...structions.pdf (thats the install instructions).

 

Thanks so much for the link and encouragement. If the guy that installed the two radios won't do it, I should be able to find someone. I just do not want to have a radio that I use all the time, with station information I cannot read! How could Pioneer do this? I assume this is another problem with modern technology!

Many thanks again!

 

frankly, i hardly ever look at the station display on my cars... I have the 3-4 local stations i listen to all programmed, so button 6 gets me KPIG-FM 107.5, button 1 gets me KZSC-FM 88.1, and button 2 is KAZU-FM 90.3. if I'm on a road trip, I listen to music via the 300 or 400 complete CDs stored on a 32gb USB Fit stick stuck into the front panel USB port.

 

Being on the other side of 70 I can sympathize with you. I changed the unit in my 262 a few years ago to one that was easy to use and had hands free phone. Looked everywhere for the model number but no luck. I got it from Crutchfield so I gave them a call to see if they knew what it was. Yes they knew but it was no longer available. It was a Sony.Best advice is to call them and talk to a live person, telling them your needs. As far as where to put it go too the top.so much easier to see/operate. Also I bet you can install it yourself.

 

Thank you again Pierce and Volvodok for your great ideas. I'm encouraged that I don't have to buy a new car (ugg) in order to enjoy a radio! I have a USB port so will fill a stick with music (Christmas at this time) so I don't have to fiddle with my iPhone and it's music.
I had a 5 disc CD changer which they took out and left with me a 1 slot!

I really appreciate your help!

Ginny

 

if you can find them, the Sandisk USB Fit sticks work great for this, as they are very short and don't stick out.

a Fit on the left, and a regular USB stick on the right...

 

I'm ordering one today, thanks!