Need Recommendations
 

Hi, I have a 2003 Saturn Ion, and I would like to put a new stereo system in it. Could someone recommend a good system that is inexpensive and yet will still sound good?

I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I don't want to go real cheap with it either. So, if you could, please list the stuff that would make a decent stereo, like the what amp, sub(s), speakers, deck?

I believe the car takes 4 6.5" speakers.

All help would be appreciated!

Come up with a budget so that a system can be designed around it. Are you willing to do it in stages or do you want to do it all at once?

Say $1000 - $1500, maybe a bit more. And yes, I am willing to do it in stages. Actually, that's probably the only way I could do it. :D

Do the cd player and speakers first, or the cd player and then speakers. Then add in the amp to power the sub and the front speakers. Then add a dedicated sub amp and use the old amp to power the front and rear speakers. Do you need things like bluetooth, ipod and usb control? If you are doing this in stages, have a idea on the budget for each stage as well.

Everyone will have their own preferences for each part of the system. I run a bad HU at the moment, and I regret it a ton.
Look at getting a GOOD solid head unit such as the Kenwood x9** series, for around $300 or so.

Then you can probably get a good set of components for around $200, and then with the remaining $500 a 4 channel amplifier, subwoofer, and mono amplifier.

My system I bought all used stuff and it turned out great so far. I bought an Alpine MRP-M650 for $120 1 year old, and an RE SRx 15" ( more than enough bass for regular folk such as myself )for $150 that was 3 weeks old. If you dont mind used gear you can make one hell of a system for $1k, nevermind $1.5k.

No, I don't need bluetooth or usb. I would like Ipod, but don't have to have it. Let's assume about a $500 - $600 budget for stage 1, or the deck and speakers, and probably the same for stage 2, which would be the sub and amp, and then more or less the same for stage 3, which is the dedicated sub amp.

Or perhaps I should put more towards the first two stages?

Get a solid head unit that is going to do what you need now and in the future. Keep it simple on rear speakers, a coax is all you need. For the front, if you have to leave the rear speakers out for now in order to get better ones, that would be the thing to do. Realize right now that the system will not deliver the performance it is designed to until the stages are complete. As long as you proceed with that knowledge, the system will not disappoint you. A head unit and front component speakers is where I would start, if the budget allows for rears, that would be nice but it is the one thing that can be sacrificed to add in later. Add me to msn and message me if you want to talk easier.

Any specific models that you would recommend?

Alpine CDA-9887
Kenwood Excelon Series
Most Eclipse Units
Pioneer Premier Series