Stereo installation in a Sunfire

I was reading through some of the topics on here about stereo installation on 2000 & newer sunfire's and I'm a little confused about the wiring. I'm pretty new to all of this and was wondering if someone could explain why you need to get a +12V switched wire source from the ignition harness or wiper fuse and why you can't just use what was powering the original factory stereo?

Most newer GM vehicles use a radio that only works off the vehicle's data bus. It isn't like a conventional radio anymore. The best thing to do is buy a module that replaces the original radio and retains the integrity of the data bus and chimes in the car. There are many different ones available and make the install very easy. sparky

Is this the kind of module you're talking about? http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soungmchime.html For $90, I'd rather just try what the other posts were talking about with finding a +12V switched source and using that.

The radio is an integral part of the vehicle's data bus system. It must remain in the loop to prevent serious vehicle problems. You can choose the cheap option of relocating the factory radio to the trunk. Wire the radio into the trunk using the orange, black and purple wires. This will keep the vehicle working properly. You will loose your chimes unless you add an external speaker to the front left speaker output from the radio (grey and tan). You can find an accessory switched wire in the ignition switch harness. It is the thick brown one. You can no longer have the retained accessory feature anymore. This is only availabe from the data module method. The module will also retain your chimes. Trust the pros. Do it right the first time.sparky

Thanks for the advice sparkie. Another question I have is that if the wire harness for the radio doesn't have a 12v switched wire, how does the factory radio turn on/off with the ignition?

and what about in two years, when the lease is up, or the wife wants you to get rid of the sportster in lieu of an uninspiring minivan.  you have to consider the value of the factory headunit, when youre ready to move on to your next vehicle, and im guessing thats easily worth the scrillaMECP certified, 5yrs experience, you probably otta listen bitch!!

Would it be more complicated to take the factory HU apart than it would be to get a 12v switched source from the ignition?

The radio is told to turn on by the Body Control Computer. It tells the radio that the ignition is turned on via a data message to the radio. Don't take the factory radio apart. Install it in the trunk like I said or buy the module. It's your choice and you have to live with the consequences. The modules aren't on the market for nothing. They are easy to use and install and do the job right. It's a no-brainer.sparky