I'm considering replacing my manufacturer's installed car stereo with an upgraded system. I've looked at Crutchfield and a couple other places. I don't want to install it myself and I don't want some hack to do it. So I'm shying away from Circuit City and the likes.

I'm considering Thumpin on Virginia Ave, the place on Burhans Blvd (American somethingorother) and Hunt Audio on Penna Ave.

Anyone have any experience with any of these places in reference to car audio? Or perhaps some other suggestions?

I'm not getting one of those idiot systems that the teens seem all enamored with and I don't want the audio to be heard 12 blocks away. Just an upgraded system from what the vehicle manufacturer provided.

I had an alarm system installed by Thumpin. No complaints.

I had keyless entry, automatic start, and Sirius bought and installed there. All at seperate times. The guy does a wonderful job and is cheaper than anyother place that I checked with.

In a few months I am going to have him install neon lights on my Harley Davidson Road King. He has a great representation and I know for a fact that he does all of the keyless entry installs for Younger Toyota and all of the neon light installs for Williamsport Harley Davidson. Anyone that is not a Harley rider this says a lot about his quality. Harley does not pass out work to just anyone.

Are you talking about Thumpin', hagopinion?

I am talking about Thumpin, sorry for the confusion

i had 2 systems put in my wifes car and my boys truck from thumpin, push a button it starts and push a button the doors open , ive been back 3 times with both of them , they didnt treat me very nice, smart bunch over there after they get your money , thats just my opinion.my boy just got his new radio at circuit city they did a good job , sounds great,

I definitely wouldn't go to American Accessories or whatever its called these days (on Burhans). I have dealt with Thumpin' and never had any problems. They have a pretty good rep and have been around for about 15+ yrs.

As for Hunt, I didn't know they were still around, and I don't have any experience with Circuit City.

Yoss,

Unless it is a difficult install (Crutchfield can tell you) you may be able to do a bang-up job on your own. With install kits it is pretty easy for most cars. If you don't need lots of power a hi-power receiver and good speakers can do wonders.

Thank you all for your suggestions and input. Snoop, I checked crutchfield for my model car, and I stopped when it said "drill out the rivets". Not that I'm not handy, but if it goes beyond duct tape, I really don't want to mess with it.

I'm going to check out a couple places, hopefully tomorrow.

As a guess I'd say Huntt, Thumpin, and Circuit City, in that order of quality -- and probably expense.

Yeah, that's pretty much my take on it too Snoop. I looked at my current speaker setup and it would involve removing the back deck to get to the rear speakers and removing the front interior door panels to access the front speakers. My car's only 6 months old so I don't want to go mucking it up.

Well let us know what you buy and where you go. And how sweet it sounds...

Okay, update... I pretty much convinced myself that I don't need a new sound system in my vehicle. The car's only 6 months old, and I'm kind of afraid an installer will screw up the door panels installing the new speakers.

I got a radar detector instead.

I wouldn't be hesitant to let a good audio shop install stuff. Circuit city people would scare the hell out of me.

With alittle research and the right tools you can do a good job yourself. Door panel removel is usually very simple with the right tool or makeshift tool. Critchfield is alittle expensive but great for people without knowledge. They usually send you wiring harness and radio kit (with most radios) to install the radio and have great phone support if you get stuck.

Yeah, you will nearly always pay retail from Crutchfield, but they have some good things going for them such as

• detailed install instructions for whatever you buy (car, home, portable audio stuff, etc.)
• free wiring harness and head unit brackets when applicable
• lifetime phone tech support for anything bought from them
• what amounts to standard overnight shipping to this area (they ship from Harrisonburg, VA) and many free shipping deals
• friendly and knowledgable staff
• no sales tax, which often makes it cheaper to buy from them than locally

If it's an item I can't find locally or one that every retailer charges close to MSRP, I'll get it from Crutchfield.

I got the RD from Crutchfield. I ordered it Sunday night and had it Tuesday. I probably would have gotten it sooner but I had to call them from my home phone to verify the credit card order. They must be really careful dealing with credit cards.

Very careful. A few years back, I ordered something from them online and entered my cell number instead of my home. They held the shipment until they could reach me because the number I entered during the order did not match the number that was on file with Amex, the card I had used to place the order.

Buy some really good box speakers, put them in your back seat or on the rear floor. Use a switch and quick disconnects so if you wanna you can take them out quick and switch back on the stock speakers. I did that in a pickup once -- had party speakers in the back I could switch on in a flash for outdoor rockin'.