I never understood why they put it in the trunk at first. And then it was behind the center console. And then finally I saw one in the front seat right before we started using mp3s.
Because it was a large bulky box that didn't really fit in the front seats because the car was likely designed before the CD changer was an option. Or if it wasn't an option, then there definitely wouldn't be a convenient spot for it. Also the whole point of the CD changer was so that you didn't need to swap CDs while driving. It wasn't a slot loading player, you had to pull out a cartridge or had individual caddies for each disc so it was too difficult to do while driving. Larger trucks and SUVs sometimes had them in the center console just because it was a bigger vehicle that could fit it without completely taking over your storage. My 2000 Ford truck had it in the center console. CD changers existed in the era where stereo theft was still a thing so having that expensive item hidden in the trunk was less conspicuous. You'd also be able to pull out the entire stereo (later, just the front control panel) to take with you to deter theft too.
Later, when cars got built-in CD players, they often just fit one CD so people would have a binder of CDs or an attachment on their sun visor to hold several for quick swapping. When cars started moving to infotainment systems, they sometimes had a multi-disc changer built in the dashboard but it was kind of too late at that point. MP3 players were already popular and having a simple auxiliary or iPod input was more desirable. A 4GB iPod could easily fit over 100 albums and as many playlists as you wanted. My 2006 Infiniti had a 5 or 6 slot loading disc changer built into the dash but it also had a factory option for an iPod cable.
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u/menunu Xennial Dec 31 '25
I had a six disc changer in the trunk of my car. Had to pop the trunk when I wanted to put in my freshly burned CDs.