I just bought a 2008 Chevy Impala. After seeing the dash damage I caused my 1999 Intrigue over the years, I was determined to to do the same to this car. My goals were simple, integrate my iPhone as cleanly as possible without too much modification to the car. Thankfully, companies have been working on solutions that work pretty well. My goal was obtained with two products, a vehicle specific mount (VSM) from PanaVise, model #751102305 and a stereo integration component from Neo Car Audio, PODGM1GV6.

PanaVise 751102305

The Panavise product is awesome! It was less than a 5 minute install. Just pop off the dash around the stereo, remove 1 screw, install the VSM with the 1 screw, and pop the dash back on. A nice clean look, with no additional holes drilled into the dash. Some velcro and a slot-mount and the phone sits nicely just to the right of the stereo.

Neo Car Audio PODGM1GV6 Review

The Neo Car Audio product was almost just as easy. Disconnect the car battery, remove the dash around the stereo, remove 6 screws holding in the HVAC and Stereo, remove the stereo. Then it's a matter of disconnecting the stereo wires, connecting them to the Neo "Y" harness, then connecting the other ends of the harness to the Neo Gateway and stereo. Connect the iPod cable to the Neo Gateway, and put everything back together.

The Neo Gateway is almost perfect, with one wire, it charges the iPod and transmits the music. In iPod mode it displays the track information on my stereo, and you can navigate playlists and songs with the stereo controls. It will also auto-resume when you plug your iPod back in. However, it lacks the ability to shuffle songs and completely ignores any podcasts or audio books you have, unless they are in a playlist.

There is an AUX mode that allows the iPhone's iPod app to have complete control. This allows full control through the iPhone, shuffling songs, and playing podcasts. However, in this mode song titles are not displayed on the stereo, and the stereo controls do not manage the iPod.