2004 Pontiac GTO

[GTOguy]

I've been lurking on this site for a long time but I think this is my first actual post on here.

My GTO is my first car and I really like it. When I first got the car I thought the cars stereo and everything was awesome. From the factory the bass shook the mirrors and everything. I thought wow this is what having a system is like. Then my friends started to get their drivers licenses and cars and with that they got actual systems not just nice stock stuff. In January of this year I bought an Alpine Type R 15. I also bought a 2 channel Crunch 500 watt amp from a friend as a noob to car audio I thought it would be plenty to push my sub pretty hard. I was wrong however and ended up buying a Pioneer GM-D7500M amp from the stereo shop I had my car wired up at. This amp has plenty of power for now. It has something like 400 watts RMS and an 800 watt peak. My car has 4 guage wires running from my battery to my amp again I'm a noob I don't know if that's good or not.

Since I am 17 and this is my first system I tried not to spend to much on it.I think my total cost wired and with extra parts was about $600. I wanted good quality things so I bought my Sub used off of craigslist for $100. I bought my first amp for $75 smh now I realize how bad I got screwed on that deal.

My next plans are either upgrade my headunit, or door/ side panel speakers. I don't know which to buy at all. I like the idea of having a full alpine system but alpine stuff is kind of pricey so who knows I am always open to suggestions. I really like the idea of the SOTM this month. That may solve my desire for new door speakers. The stock ones that pop @ high volume are really starting to annoy me. Its hard when you get a taste of what a good quality stereo part sounds like compared to the mediocre stuff from the factory

here is the amp in the car:

my sub in the car:

a picture of the wiring under the hood:

Here are some pictures of the car as it sits now. Other than the stereo the car has a magnaflow exhaust, slotted brake rotors, painted brake calipers, custom front fender badges(not ones from autozone actual custom GTO badges)installed by the previous owner. I have since owning the car only done a few mods but they are a GTO window banner, 35% tint front and 20% tint rear, Clear side marker lights, and the system pictured and discussed above.

this is how the car looked when I got it:

this is how it looks now:

I like this picture:

The car also has a red interior which is pretty cool with a kind of dull exterior

Nominate Me for SOTM please I know my system is not too exciting but its always worth trying.

[PUNKYOU007]

Great first car man!

If your in it to keep it looking nice and clean..I say stick with your idea of an all Alpine setup. Sure there is other stuff out but nothing wrong with sticking to one brand. Alpine is a good brand and im sure you will be happy with them. I say go for it!

[Stephen_og]

Nice car my dude, to me i wouldnt have gotten the manual but with it being your first car, AND it being a GTO thats pretty sick. I had a 93 honda accord for my first car sooo you definitely got me on that one. But as far as suggestion of brands to go with, pioneer is a good brand as well as alpine. From what i have seen, pioneer is a little bit cheaper but the same quality, but its all about preference. What you have now is pretty good for a starter system tho.

[AlexBryson]

Very nice first car. My first was a 96 geo prizm back in 05 and it only had 42k miles on it when i got it. For a car as nice as yours i'd say stick with stuff that looks sharp. Like a pioneer amplifier may have a sharper more showroom look to it than say an RF T2500-1bd. But that's just my opinion. Car audio is about sounding better than average joe and being unique in what you put in our cars.

[Bship]

sweet first ride, I don't know why you wouldn't want a manual, that dude is crazy. As for the system, take your time, read all you can here and other car audio sites and make the decision on what exactly you want. Alpine would work good for you and it would be a great way to learn what you are doing if you want to get into doing your own work. Let me tell you, installing your equipment is the best part of it all.

[BJD3]

You have a GTO...at 17.

I'm doing something wrong. And yes, I'm jealous.

My opinion, from one nublet to another. If you're looking for a car that you can show off to people, stick with Alpine. Its a name that people recognize. And Alpine makes some good equipment. We tossed a set of Type-R coaxes in the doors of my dad's truck, and while soundstage and imaging is fairly poor (things that AFAIK won't get fixed unless we switch to components), they do sound pretty good. Eventually, I'm probably going to pick up a set of the components to stick in my doors.

Any plans for the future beside and upgraded sound system?

[Stephen_og]

I don't know why you wouldn't want a manual, that dude is crazy.

typing fail hahaha i ment to say i would get a manual, especially it being a GTO lol

[GTOguy]

Just wanted to post a little update of my GTO. This morning I had a Pioneer AVH-P3300BT installed in my car. I also had the wiring done to keep my steering wheel controls functioning. Having Bluetooth hands free in the car is really nice to have and then the sound quality difference between with the stock headunit and the Pioneer is ridiculous. I also had a Line out converter to make the sub and amp work with my stock headunit. Now I have RCA's run to the amp from my headunit. I don't know if this should change the sound quality or if the Pioneer is doing all this either way I'm greatly pleased with my purchase.

I have also made several videos before the headunit change I will post a link to my youtube channel tomorrow. I probably will make a video tomorrow also of my new radio.

thanks to anyone watching my cars build up.

[windycitygtp]

always liked gto's good luck with the build

[GTOguy]

Well damn. I guess I some how turned "tomorrow" into 2 and a half weeks. Well my youtube channel is lownotegoat. http://www.youtube.com/user/lownotegoat Unfortunately I had the bright idea of making a separate channel for car audio vids so I am not subscribed to anyone on this channel if I get a chance I will be converting everything to this channel. Thanks for anyone watching my build again. I learn a lot from all you guys on this forum. New vids of my headunit playing sometime this week. Maybe I'll even record a demo if I give one.