Stolen car radio antenna

[FLBK7]

Someone stole my car radio antenna today--just unscrewed it off the base and took off within the 1.5 hour period where I was at a work assignment in a not-so-good neighborhood. I drive a 9 year old car, so I assume whoever stole it must drive an old car too. In my darkest moments before and during my BK I never stole a thing from anyone, so yes, I'm blazing angry --- but I guess it would have been worse if they had stolen my tires?

Anyway, I don't know much when it comes to cars or radios or antennas and I have a question: Are car antennas sold/installed ONLY at dealers or car audio stores? Is there such a thing as a generic antenna for a given make and model car? I did a search at discountautoparts.com (they have stores in my area) and only found antenna relays, etc. Does anyone know anything about replacing car radio antennas?

Driving home without music was unbearable.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

You should be able to find one at Auto Zone or Wal-Mart. I have replaced a couple. Chances are it wont be the nice steel looking one that was most likely taken. They are fairly easy to install. Assuming you can operate a wrench and plug something in. The pain in the butt part is if you have to take the whole part out and the antenna comes unplugged.

I suggest Auto Zone. I love their customer service. I have always had a positive experience in ever auto zone I have ever been to.
FYI... If you or anyone has a check engine light on.. Go to Auto Zone and ask them to pull the code for you. They do it for FREE. $250.00 if you take it to a dealer to find out why the check engine light is on.

[AngelinaCat]

Mi Bankruptcy is correct. You can go to any auto parts stores or Wal*Mart. Since you're in Florida, K-Mart is an option also. We have two two Advance Auto stores in our area--one about 5 miles straight down the road from our home. So we tend to favor them. We also have an Auto Zone, but we have to travel aboout 14 miles to get to them.

Good luck. It's a shame.

[FLBK7]

Thanks, Mi Bankruptcy and Angelina. There's an Auto Zone less than 1/2 miles from my office so I'll be going there tomorrow after work. I searched their website online and it looks like they do have what I need. I realize you said WalMart and KMart also carry antennas, but in my mechanical ignorance I think I feel more comfortable with an auto parts store.

Thanks again!

P.S. Thieves suck.

[AMISLANDER]

They probably needed it as a pusher for their crack pipe

[WoodSprite]

this is about baseball

I'm really sorry to hear that happened to you, FLBK7. I can totally relate to that furious disbelief: back when I used to live in the city, some reprobate broke the antenna off my beater civic just for entertainment. Of course I couldn't afford to replace it - now why the heck would you pick on a rusted out beater in a church parking lot?

It was one of those antennas that extended off the roof, just above the driver's side window, and I remember driving through a blizzard on a lakefront freeway during the 1997 World Series, with my thumb frozen to what was left of the antenna, trying to bring in the AM radio station broadcasting the game. It's a miracle I didn't end up in Lake Erie, driving in a blizzard with one hand and the other hand sticking out an open window. I did manage to get home in one piece and watch the rest of the game.

I should have kept both hands on the wheel: Cleveland became the first team to lose the World Series after carrying the lead into the bottom of the ninth inning of the seventh game.

[FLBK7]

Hi everyone!

I went to AutoZone, got excellent service from the salesman who actually went outside to look at my car, purchased the antenna, and this morning at 8:00 a.m. my mechanic installed it. Total cost was under $50 and driving is fun again because I have my music. Thanks to everyone who chimed in!

WoodSprite, you sound like a fellow diehard baseball fan. I remember that the Marlins won in 1997 and we hometown fans were so elated. I, however, consider the 2003 Marlins' victory much more valuable and worthy than the 1997 one. Are you watching the playoffs this year?

[Mi Bankruptcy]

Hi everyone!

I went to AutoZone, got excellent service from the salesman who actually went outside to look at my car, purchased the antenna, and this morning at 8:00 a.m. my mechanic installed it. Total cost was under $50 and driving is fun again because I have my music. Thanks to everyone who chimed in!

WoodSprite, you sound like a fellow diehard baseball fan. I remember that the Marlins won in 1997 and we hometown fans were so elated. I, however, consider the 2003 Marlins' victory much more valuable and worthy than the 1997 one. Are you watching the playoffs this year?

Glad to hear FLBK7 they lived up to their reputation. I always get nervous when I suggest some place and then they get that one person that doesn't provide excellent customer service. One of the things that impressed me is I can always send my wife there to get a part or even to ask a question and she is always treated with respect. Fortunately, I don't have work on my own vehicles that much anymore.

[JRScott]

Good to hear you got it fixed