Discussing buying car audio, bad investment?
12-12-2009, 03:33 PM
#1
500 Watt CAFz'r
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 849
Discussing buying car audio, bad investment?
I was talking to my brother today about an alarm system for my car, and he said why, I said plan on putting an audio system in my new car. He said "That is a really bad investment". But to me, it really isn't. Audio is very important to me and I plan on buying equipment that will be used in the next cars I buy.
I will never buy an audio system and sell it with the car again...NEVER! I did that with my Cavalier, I spent around $800 for car audio in that car. I sold the car for $1,000 because it was a smashed car and needed some more work. I really should have took everything out
.
I do realize that car audio is very expensive, and buying expensive equipment is a risky business with all these people around that want to steal your stuff. I think if I buy some more audio equipment for my car and get everything installed, I should call my insurance company and get them to adjust the premium for my equipment in case it gets jacked. Although it would raise my insurance bill but I am not sure by how much.
I really want to hear what you guys think on buying equipment for your cars. Do you use it for the next car you buy? Or do you rip it out and sell it for a price that is way lower than what you payed for it. Hence bad investment...
I will never buy an audio system and sell it with the car again...NEVER! I did that with my Cavalier, I spent around $800 for car audio in that car. I sold the car for $1,000 because it was a smashed car and needed some more work. I really should have took everything out
.I do realize that car audio is very expensive, and buying expensive equipment is a risky business with all these people around that want to steal your stuff. I think if I buy some more audio equipment for my car and get everything installed, I should call my insurance company and get them to adjust the premium for my equipment in case it gets jacked. Although it would raise my insurance bill but I am not sure by how much.
I really want to hear what you guys think on buying equipment for your cars. Do you use it for the next car you buy? Or do you rip it out and sell it for a price that is way lower than what you payed for it. Hence bad investment...
12-12-2009, 04:17 PM
#2
I gave a friends friend a lift once and he says "that's a nice deck, I have the same one, I stole it", it was $1000, my car was stolen the same month. I'll be buying an alarm & tints before anything and I'll build a box that you can't take out unless you take a door and the rear seat out, it's not even a discussion.
12-12-2009, 04:39 PM
#3
Thats like saying a car is a bad investment. Unless you're buying a Corvette and plan to keep it for 30 years, your resale value is almost destined to fall. Even then, Vettes depreciate in value before going up again. Maybe a rare amp or really powerful one might yield a return, but if you're looking to car audio as a money maker you want to invest in, you should really fire your financial advisor. MRS Inc has a mutual fund bundle called a Money Maximizer. If you want to invest with the intent of getting some return, buy that. If you want something to enjoy as you use it, buy a subwoofer and amp...or a hooker.
12-12-2009, 05:09 PM
#4
12-13-2009, 10:19 AM
#6
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
A car alarm is an interesting purchase, it is an investment in paranoia and fear. it will not make your car run better/ faster nor will it make your stereo sound better/ louder.
But it is as necessary as insurance. I had my stereo stolen somewhere around 1992, I did not have an alarm. And it happened right after I gave a 'friend' a ride where he was very interested in my stereo, everything that he was impressed by was taken. I felt used and violated, and more than a little mad. I searched every pawn shop within 10 miles for months but no luck. I didn't get back into car audio till 1998 or so, that was how deeply I was offended by the thief. If I had an alarm they would have drawn too much attention to do the smash and grab in the crowded parking lot.
I highly recommend an alarm for systems with $$ invested, I recommend a back-up power supply, and I recommend an ignition kill. I also recommend window tint. I hate thieves as much as I hate liars.
A good alarm will cost what? $300? It makes sense if it is protecting a $1000 purchase but not a $500 purchase (but add in the cost of a new window, maybe paint repair...)
But it is as necessary as insurance. I had my stereo stolen somewhere around 1992, I did not have an alarm. And it happened right after I gave a 'friend' a ride where he was very interested in my stereo, everything that he was impressed by was taken. I felt used and violated, and more than a little mad. I searched every pawn shop within 10 miles for months but no luck. I didn't get back into car audio till 1998 or so, that was how deeply I was offended by the thief. If I had an alarm they would have drawn too much attention to do the smash and grab in the crowded parking lot.
I highly recommend an alarm for systems with $$ invested, I recommend a back-up power supply, and I recommend an ignition kill. I also recommend window tint. I hate thieves as much as I hate liars.
A good alarm will cost what? $300? It makes sense if it is protecting a $1000 purchase but not a $500 purchase (but add in the cost of a new window, maybe paint repair...)
12-13-2009, 12:32 PM
#8
500 Watt CAFz'r
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12-13-2009, 05:58 PM
#9
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16,855
Car audio (for most) is a hobby. By and large, any hobby is a poor investment. You spend your money for the enjoyment of the hobby, THAT is the return on your investment, not the resale dollars.
I like to think the gear I have will transfer over to the next car, but it never does. By then I want new stuff
I like to think the gear I have will transfer over to the next car, but it never does. By then I want new stuff
