Avoid at all costs.
Went in to have an aftermarket radio installed in a brand new 2017 BRZ. Was told over the phone that if I bought the unit from Hot Rides, the labor would be free. I thought to myself great!
I make an appointment and go in on a Saturday. I specify that I want my steering wheel controls retained and I am told no problem. About two hours pass by and I am told that he needs to order a module for the controls and it will be $200 plus labor. That's fine with me, it's a new car, chances are there may not be a ton of info on it right now. I am promised that the module will work with the new car. Two weeks go by and I haven't received a phone call. I call and they tell me they had received the parts but just never called me.
During the time I am waiting I notice a few things. First, that Android Auto is not working as they never wired the unit to the parking brake. Next I notice that my new aftermarket shift knob is scratched up pretty badly. I assume this is from resting the stereo unit on it. Shortly after that I notice that my headliner is dented from where the installer was tucking away the mic cable. It is a pretty noticeable dent and is not fixable unless I replace the entire headliner.
Three weeks later, against my better judgement I drive down to get the steering wheel control module installed. I am waiting for 2 hours when the owner tells me that they managed to get the volume, source, and forwards and backwards audio controls to work, but not any of the phone controls. They were also unable to get my cars original 3.5mm audio jack to function. I tell them that $200 plus labor for a module that only half functions is completely unacceptable. His response to me is that it's OK because he just uses the touch screen to control the phone. Great. Thank you for that wonderful advice. I tell him that I no longer want the module and I just want to leave with my car. At this point he tells me that it's not worth his time to remove the module and just lets me go. As I'm pulling out I am stopped and told to wait a moment so that one of the workers can explain to me something about the e brake wiring that was originally missing. He comes out and shows me that he wired in some kind of switch to trick the car into thinking the e brake is off. Fantastic. Just what I needed. A switch that I have to use to operate Android Auto. At this point I also notice that the USB/3.5mm port was installed upside down and the entire area around it was covered in scratches. His response was "those aren't scratches that's just hot glue". Why on earth someone would use hot glue on a car console is beyond me. After further examination I notice that is is somewhat correct. It is hot glue, AND scratches. Wonderful. At this point I tell the guy to get out of my car and leave. I will never return.
TLDR:
Botched stereo installation. Careless work. Multiple interior pieces damaged on a brand new vehicle.
Go to Crutchfield. Buy your own unit and harness. At least if you mess it up you won't be out $500 and stuck with a bunch of damaged interior trim.
Also, the location I went to was in Morrisville although it doesn't appear on Yelp. I was "helped" by Dan. read more
