I have a Alpine 9827 HU and Ipod KCA-420i adapter (out of my other car) that I am interested in putting into the Element, but when I spoke to the Best Buy dude, he said that I would lose the steering wheel controls!! Is this true? What options are out there to retain these controls?

Thanks.

A few people have used the PAC interface but I'm not sure if it's compatible with your Alpine model. http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=118900&i=127SWIJACK&tp=476

Yep I used the unit on a JVC I had in my 07 earlier, it works great. Now I have a Pioneer so I have the one for Pioneers and that works great as well. I don't know whats up with BB and CC. They told another member he couldn't put a Pioneer AVIC D-3 in his E, it's like an hour job, and that's hiding the GPS and Sirius antennas? Drew:)

If PAC makes one that's compatible with Alpine, then you can get it working on the Element. I have the Pioneer/Sony version (SWI-PS) and it works like a dream.

BB and CC are useless. I had to chime in there because I'm that passionate about it. They couldn't install a TV in an empty room, let alone a proper stereo. It's never that it's impossible, but as soon as something is non-standard, they bail. In the case of the D3, it's probably the VSS wire that scared them away. "Oh, your car doesn't have one of them..."