car audio questions

[jberry]

Thanks to you all. We are a little afraid to pull off door panels and possibly cut out for speakers so probably won't do a self install.
Soonerbulldog, why upgrade the alarm?
I will check audio extreme. Have been talking to a guy about a deal on equipment and install, but will definitely check out shops mentioned.
What about specific brands. Any suggestions?

 

[soonerbulldog]

Clifford is my suggestion. Most factory alarms won't go off unless door is unlocked. Put on a proximity sensor. I was robbed twice before. Sucks but it's bound to happen if you let it was the lesson I learned.

 

[NightShade]

Should be no need to cut out for speakers unless you go for a larger than factory size. Crutchfield will usually send adapters if needed to fit the speaker into the factory location as well as a splice for the wiring. Literally plug and play, in fact one of the things they tout is the ability to replace the system on a lease vehicle and not void the lease as you can replace the factory stuff when you're done.

As far as the alarm if your going to put money into a stereo system it makes the vehicle that much more of a target for theft. And there is going to be people lining up to take that nice new stereo off a thief's hands. If there is no alarm currently then anything will be a deterrent, but an alarm is only as good as it's components and how hard it is to get to the siren and other parts. I put buried mine so far in they will need one of those inspection camera's or a sledgehammer to find it.