Buying A New Car Is Stupid - DIY Android Auto

Summary

The video details upgrading an older 2004 Honda Civic with modern technology. They replace the stereo with a touchscreen head unit for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, add a backup camera, and install a high-quality dash cam. They walk through compatibility considerations, wiring, and some installation challenges. Overall, they find it is a worthwhile upgrade that significantly improves the driving experience and functionality of an aging daily driver.

Takeaways

• 😀Upgrading old car with modern tech like Android Auto makes big quality of life improvement
• 🛠Installing new head unit with Android Auto/CarPlay compatibility relatively easy DIY project
• 🎥Adding backup camera improves safety and visibility
• 🎥Dashcams like Viofo A229 Pro have excellent image quality for accident recording
• 🔌Tapping into fuse box provides clean power source for addons like dashcam
• 🖥Many head units still have physical buttons, better than touchscreen only
• 🚘Aftermarket head units much cheaper than built-in car infotainment upgrades
• ⚙️With some basic tools and skills, most car tech upgrades very DIY friendly
• 🚨Backup cameras and dashcams become more useful as OEM infotainment stops upgrading
• 💰Added features help justify keeping an old high mileage car longer

Q & A

What was the main issue with Plouffe's 2004 Honda Civic?

It was very old with over 250,000 km on it, but still ran reliably so he didn't have a good reason to replace it. However, it lacked modern tech features like Android Auto.

What head unit did they install in the car?

They installed a Sony XAV-AX6000 head unit with features like physical buttons, Android Auto support, WiFi connectivity, and a USB-C port.

How did they install the backup camera?

They ran the camera wire through a hole punched under the trunk, then along the rails and through to the back of the new head unit. For power they tapped into an unused 12V accessory fuse.

What dash cam did they use?

They used the Viofo A229 Pro dash cam which features a high-end Sony image sensor and records video in 4K resolution. They powered it by tapping into the cabin fuse box.

Why didn't they connect the dash cam to the head unit?

The all-in-one A229 Pro wasn't compatible with their new head unit. But they only needed the dash cam footage in case of an accident anyway.

What other upgrades could they do?

They suggested potential future upgrades like adding power locks, power windows, remote start, better speakers etc. if the video performs well.

What was wrong with the backup camera in Linus' Porsche?

The image quality was terrible and there were no guidelines, making it very difficult to use compared to the excellent backup camera in Alex's Chevy Volt.

What subscription management service did they promote?

They promoted Rocket Money, an app that analyzes your subscriptions and spending to help you cancel unwanted services and save money each month.

Why might upgrading an older car be a good idea?

As car software changes over time, upgrading with new tech could future-proof an older car and provide an alternative to buying a whole new vehicle.

Where can you find links to the products mentioned?

Links to all the tech accessories and tools used in the upgrades are provided in the video description.