If this issue has already been addressed, my sincere apologies, I'm a newbie here. My goat, I stuck my radar detector in and low and behold.. No lighter or accessory plug in the dash? :bs: What the F..? No ashtray in front or back? Is this a chessy cost saving move or a worse money making move by GM? I called the dealer and heard what I never thought I would hear " The ashtray and lighter cost extra" WHAT?!?! :zap:
There's a P/N for a ashtray with lighter and additional accessory plug and another P/N for the back of the car. They call it the "Smokers Package". Geeeeze
I don't want to run a wire all the way from the center console to the dash for my detector, so I told the dealer to order the front option. It hasn't come in as yet.
My questions:
Has anyone had a front or rear installed and does the front have 2 accessory outlets?
Did the dealer charge for labor?
How much was the part?
I love my GTO, :D but I never thought I would pay 30K+ for a car that didn't come with an ashtray and lighter. :(

I used the kit that came with my Valentine 1 to hard wire in the power to my detector. Ran the wire up the A pillar and hooked it into the fuse panel. The detector sits next to the rearview mirror with no cords hanging anywhere.

If your detector doesn't have a kit to hardwire it, you can buy a generic universal wiring kit at most auto parts stores.

I love my GTO, but I never thought I would pay 30K+ for a car that didn't come with an ashtray and lighter.


You're supposed to let the rear tires do all the smoking. ;)

Think of it this way. GM is trying to get you to kick the habit so you live a little longer and can buy more GM products instead of getting lung cancer and dying at a younger age. :)

Just have the dealer order and install the Smokers package if you want the extra outlets. I'm curious about the cost myself. Anyone heard how much?

Most new cars are like that, it is now an option to get an ashtray and lighter..and yes, its called the smokers package.. It is showing that most people don't even get it... :afro:

I can understand not having an ashtray, but not having an accessory outlet? come on... I have plenty of legit reasons for using one. I have a little portable air pump that plubs into that outlet and I use it on my f-body whenever I go to the track.

There are a good number of things that need to be plugged into an accessory outlet in order to work.

Originally posted by Orbit Orange@Aug 7 2004, 11:05 PM
I love my GTO,* but I never thought I would pay 30K+ for a car that didn't come with an ashtray and lighter.*


You're supposed to let the rear tires do all the smoking. ;)

Think of it this way. GM is trying to get you to kick the habit so you live a little longer and can buy more GM products instead of getting lung cancer and dying at a younger age. :)

Just have the dealer order and install the Smokers package if you want the extra outlets. I'm curious about the cost myself. Anyone heard how much?
cost retail for front 128.00, dealer is giving it to me for 86.00.

Originally posted by derf@Aug 7 2004, 10:08 PM
I used the kit that came with my Valentine 1 to hard wire in the power to my detector. Ran the wire up the A pillar and hooked it into the fuse panel. The detector sits next to the rearview mirror with no cords hanging anywhere.

If your detector doesn't have a kit to hardwire it, you can buy a generic universal wiring kit at most auto parts stores.
Thanks great idea. Ill have to buy a new detector, I lost all the wires to my old one. Any suggestions? I saw one once that had digital compass but I cant remember the name. :(

I'm going to have my Passport X50 hardwired into the car.
Check out www.speedzones.com or www.radartest.com for detector reviews.
General consensus is the Passport, Valentine 1, and the new Bel are the best out there.
:)

cost retail for front 128.00, dealer is giving it to me for 86.00.


Thanks for the info. Hope the installation goes well. :)

I just put a ligher/ashtray accessory in my 2004. There are two accessories offered my GM currently - Ft and RR ashtray assys. Front is $89. The fun part is the install. You must remove the center console cover (where the shifter is), the radio/cd unit and the upper center cover. then 3 screws take the storage unit out and the ash tray is an easy install. The radio/cd CANNOT BE REMOVED with any tools but the blaupunkt ones. Be sure you have them or that the dealer will loan them to you.

Originally posted by Sam 04 GTO@Aug 8 2004, 08:28 PM
I'm going to have my Passport X50 hardwired into the car.
Check out www.speedzones.com or www.radartest.com for detector reviews.
General consensus is the Passport, Valentine 1, and the new Bel are the best out there.
:)
Be carefull with www.radartest.com. Many of the tests they run have little to do with how cops use radars in the real world. How many cops sit with a radar on 5 miles down a straight flat stretch of road? They hide around corners and what not. Hands down, my Valentine outperforms any detector despite what they say on their website. I've compared it to the performance of other detectors used by people riding in a convoy with me. Everyone finally elected me to lead because I was routinely picking up the radars long before anyone else and I had far fewer false hits.