Best CD player/changer option for 1999 Accord V6 LX?

I have a 1999 Accord V6 LX with the factory AM/FM/Cassette player with
changer control. What's the best CD player option for this car?

A local electronics chain quoted about $400 for an Alpine 6-disc changer
capable of being controlled by the existing head unit, including standard
installation, which probably wouldn't cover the console install which is the
most convenient vs. the trunk or some other hard to get at location.

Honda makes or made a 6-disc in-dash changer which I've seen on the 'net for
about $450 or so, as well as a single-disc player, both of which would fit
the single space beneath the existing cassette player (that's how the
neighbor's single-disc player fits their Odyssey, and how they put the
cassette player in my '01 CRV). Most of the places I've seen these two
units are in reference to 2000 Accords, which I think were the same as the
99s from a dash perspective, but I'm a little leary about mail-ordering and
installing something that won't work with the '99 head unit.

I'd kind of like to avoid an aftermarket cd-only player, as I still play
cassettes occasionally and they seem to invite thieves or suggest "more
goodies", as opposed to the boring factory electronics, which suggest a dull
Accord driver. It's probably the best *price* option (as well as providing
MP3 features), but a CD only player would eliminate the tape deck.

I've kind of written off FM modulator options and cassette-deck adapter
options. I'd do a new head unit first.

 

===============

Shawn,

In your shoes, I'd get the one off eBay that says NEW, free shipping.
They are available in the pre'98 and post '98 versions, and any fool can
install them. It's totally plug-n-play, and I'll bet they include the
destructions how to slip your dash apart. It's a brand new single CD
add-on player, and I guess you could 'Contact the seller' to ask about
mp3 capabilities. (not sure if your head unit can handle mp3)

I've bought a couple of used Honda / Acura stereos off eBay and had good
results.

'Curly'
==================

 

A place that sells Honda parts discount told me that the six-disc in-dash
changer won't work with my head unit. There's a single-disc player that
will, I think, based upon the lookalike radio/CD combos I see for sale on
Ebay.

The other option is to "upgrade" to the newer FM/CD (like I have in my '01
CRV) off Ebay.

It looks like the Ebay options are the cheapest. The aftermarket 6 disc
changers are expensive installed -- around $300-400.

 

I ended up finding one new for sale from HandA-Accessories for $200. My
local dealer will install it for a reasonable rate. I could do it myself,
but its just too fscking cold lately, and from looking at the docs I'm
pretty sure I'd trash the dash at the "pry clock out" stage. My time is
worth more than the dealer's charging, anyway...