Kenwood merges GPS, music for small cars
updated 10:05 am EDT, Tue May 8, 2007
Kenwood MNA-350
Kenwood this morning released the MNA-350, a two-DIN head unit for small cars or other vehicles where multiple receivers are impractical. A GPS receiver is built-in and has a fixed, 3.5-inch display for navigation no matter what else is taking place with the stereo; an SD card slot lets the mapping component add new maps without affecting the rest of the system. Controls and an LED display on the right can play CDs (including those with AAC, MP3, or WMA songs), FM radio, or attached iPods without interruption.
Supporting up to 200W of total power, the MNA-350 should now be shipping in its home of Japan for an unknown price. The chance exists for the receiver to land in North America, though no confirmation has been made about international versions as part of the new release. [via Akihabara News]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
1990 Yugo 55 Koral small
Hope I could get this GPS for my small car.. It is very cheap to drive and maintain, not attractive to thieves. It's quite a small car, but I manage to go on a holiday every year with my family of 4. Don't ask where we put all the things.
It's not a big fuel consumer, but you have to be kind to a gas pedal. It's drinks about 6-6,5 liters per 100kms fully loaded on an open road (speed up to 90kms, average about 80kms). In a city it can drink up to 10 liters during the cold winters, but the advice is not to drive with choke on more than 1-2 minutes (it' hand controlled).
The eibach springs and suspension is OK for a small car, but it leans a lot during fast corners and hard stopping or fast starting. A few changes have been made since the car was bought, and it's time to replace shock absorbers. The Chasity could be more rigid, you can fell it "breathing" in small sharp corners.
Regular service cost around 15€ (4 liters of engine oil, engine oil filter and air filter). The sparks (Super Bosnia FE 65 CPD) cost around 5€ (set of 4 pieces) etc., etc.
The seats are not comfy, but you can live with them. When the driver is taller then 180cm there is no place on the back seat except for small kids.
The transmission is reliable (it never broke, and I replaced the oil in it only twice for 18 yrs.) but it is difficult to put it in a right gear. During the years your learn how and where so there are no big problems.
The engine is good old fiat sohc code named 128A064 (made in Belgrade by the fiat licence), it goes and goes (and likes to rev a lot) and still doesn't make any problems. Only replace timing belt every 40,000kms and oil every 5,000kms.
The body is still in a good shape, small amounts of rust are there on the right door and back door, but it can be easily fixed. I think I was lucky because I saw very rusted models.
Ate the end I can say it never left down, for 18 years I fired it up millions of times and went where I wanted, never used road assistance or similar.