Stereo Mods...Killing the value?

[snampro]

The stock stereo *****, I think we can all agree on that. Its bad enough that I actually pulled the fuses out of the amps in the trunk and the radio only fuse in the fuse box to kill the radio-off noise (EMI). Also, I have side pipes (obviously), high flow cats and borla mufflers, so my car is plenty loud to drown the stereo.

So far I'm content to skip the music and enjoy the roar of the V-10. However, I've been thinking about upgrading the stereo when I bring the car down for a few mods this winter. I'm considering a new head unit, new tweeters and speakers in the door, either one or two small subs in the center between the seats, and a new amp(s) to pump it up. I'm not talking about crazy stuff, just a small amp and 8 or 10 inch subs.

What do you guys think? Am I gonna kill the value of the car with a few mods? I've done stereos before, so I'm not going in blind...

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Depends on how much you cut up the original panels.

 

[snampro]

Cuting the panels will be very minor, if any. I figured splicing wires would be the worst part...

how much can I really hurt the value of a 12 year old car with almost 60,000 miles on it?

 

[HotWheelz]

I just wouldn't do anything drastic "looking". Most people will probably appreciate the upgrade.

 

[snampro]

I figure if I stay with the stock speakers sizes in the doors and just install 8 inch sub(s) in the center (only 2 inches bigger in diameter) it will look fairly normal.

I had also considered using the two center holes for two 8 inch subs and cutting one hole each behind each head rest for additional 6 inch speakers...

 

[IEATVETS]

Do you plan on keeping the car and hope it goes up in value over the next 30 years? If not, who cares. Drop a new stereo in it along with some speakers and don't worry about it.

 

[WANTED]

get used pieces that you would be cutting and take out all the original parts
so you can put it back to oem. cutting wires, no big deal they can be replaced
as well. good luck and lets see some pics before, during and after.

 

[SNKEBIT]

can't put speakers behind seat,, gas tank there.
there is a box behind the rear panel that the factory speakers are mounted in, you just see the grille.

 

[Randy]

Its fairly easy to put an aftermarket stereo in in such a way that the stock unit can be re-installed when needed - as long as you pick a replacement unit that doesn't require major modifications. I did this on my 1995 (auto-hiding face mp3 Alpine unit), and took my aftermarket unit back out before I let it go, and you couldn't tell anything had been done unless you pulled the stock unit out and noticed the taped-off splices.

I've put a slide-out screen navigation unit in my Gen II, but I could put the stock unit back in in less than an hour if I needed to. I wouldn't worry about it, whether it was an issue or not.