Maybe this should be on the Electronics forum, but it's not really about electronics. I'm following up a similar post buried deep that didn't get much attention.

I'm wondering about everyone's opinion of the circular-theme trim plate over the stereo system. Around the CD slot and audio controls. Personally, I think that style is kinda goofy but I've heard no derogatory remarks from anyone about it. Does it look cool and my sense of taste is all outta whack? Seems like a style out of the 80s when CDs were just making the scene.

Please post your opinions about alternatives. I've heard there are two standard DIN slots hiding behind that trim plate but you can't really use them as the faceplate is so customized. I'd rather abandon the stylish look, replace with something classy but more conventional, then be able to install my own electronics (though this thread is about the faceplate, not the electronics. Let's try to stay on-topic.)

Lest there be any doubt, this is what I'm talking about:

I have to agree with you on that. The circular trim over the controls is kind of cheesy, but it's not THAT bad of an eyesore.

i love it! looks great excellent form to function ratio and a hell of a lot better than all those little tiny buttons you see from some euro manufaturers!

I kind of like it too. It is surely unique!! Like the rest of the car. :cool:

I also like it. It breaks up what would be an otherwise drap center stack.

I'm ambivalent - I kinda like the look, but from a practical POV I'd rather have standard DIN slots to ease the pain of upgrading.

perhaps you should have added a voting option for:

"Buggered if I know, I've only seen it in 3 inch photo's"

does look a little odd compared to your average matt german offering, hope it's not going to be too shiny, particularly in view of adverse comments regarding the finish to the transmission tunnel (preproduction).

I wonder what the far east owners think?

It looked OK, in the super huge photo in X-Men 2 :) I saw the flick last night, and they make a point of the stereo trim. It looks less shiny in the movie than in the pictures and perfectly useable. I like it OK.

I don't know, I guess it looks OK, but I share eccles sentiment that it seems like it would be a pain and eyesore to upgrade with any aftermarket stereo :(

I do not like it for the fact that it would take a ton of work to get an aftermarket head unit in there.

I imagine someone will have a carbon fiber replacement for that area soon, but what about 10-15 years down the road? It would be very hard for folks then to track down this aftermarket part, so they would have to fab one up themselves.

Unless mazda, themselves, offers the trim peice that allows a standard 2DIN unit to be installed in place, without upsetting the "flow" of things.

Originally posted by rotarynews.com
Unless mazda, themselves, offers the trim peice that allows a standard 2DIN unit to be installed in place, without upsetting the "flow" of things.

Browsing Crutchfield's site the other day, I saw that they offer panel trim for lots of makes and models (No RX-8 yet), though most are VERY rectangular and dull. I did see one there for the RSX that actually looks like someone made an effort to blend it with car. So, perhaps down the road they might be a good source, too.