2007 Optima LX (USA) - Concerns Regarding Car Stereo

[electrokinesis]

Hello everyone!

My name is Josh, and I am new to the forum.

I just purchased a used 2007 Optima LX.


Driving it for the first week was really special. I loved everything about the car; I thought that it was perfect, until I disovered that my CD changer unit cannot playback burned CD-R discs very well.

To add insult to injury, I read in the owner's manual that only standard, pre-recorded discs should be played in the unit.

Is this Kia's way of curbing piracy?

Anyways, I want to find a similar sized unit that will play CD-R discs as well as MP3 formatted discs. I would like a unit that will have a similar three-band EQ with selectable presets (i.e. Rock, Jazz, Pop settings).

I'm not sure what the proper wattage of the factory head unit is.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that the factory unit is Double DIN sized?

I also want to have the unit wired so that it will still work with my steering wheel audio controls.

Is this possible?

Would any of you be able to provide me with any recommendations?


Thank you for reading.

- Josh

[joewb]

This is possible, but you will need to replace the stereo. You can get a number of single DIN units that do what you want. Crutchfield has the units and a dash kit that fits and will give you some additional storage. Look for head units that will take a hardwired remote and you can get a steering wheel control adapter as well.

[bmetelsky]

I have the 2007 Optima LX as well and have no problem playing discs burned on my computer. As a matter of fact, my collection mostly consists of CD-R's.

Can't understand why yours won't play them well.

[yellow tibby]

are you sure that you are not trying to play CD-RW or an MP3 CD? Also change the CD-R brand to a different one. My friend's kia sephia had trouble playing walmart brand CD-Rs but were able to play another brand CD-R disc just fine.