New to this whole thing, need help!

[Martin Calvillo]

Hey, I just bought a 2000 honda civic. I need help figuring out what stereo to put into it. Im a student, so i don't have that much money and since this is my real first car that is mine i want something that is good, but also cheap. It doesn't matter if it is meant for the car, i am thinking about redoing the bezel out of fiberglass since its cracked. But yeah, please any suggestions?

[knowledge]

a system is depended on ur budget and whats ur goal with it. a 2000 civic u can get away with two nice stater 12's hell even one if ur on tighter budget, u need a nice amp to match the power ratings on witch ever woofer u choose and then u need all the little stuff, wire, fuse holder, fuses ring terminals etc..

[Martin Calvillo]

cool thanks, does the type of Head Unit matter that much. Obviously not one from Walmart but like an o.k. pioneer

[WhiteMax87]

Pioneer or Kenwood are the usual norm of what people use for cd players/decks or dvd/navigation screens. What's your budget? What all are you wanting to upgrade/replace?

[Martin Calvillo]

Right now it's like $500. It's gonna be a long process though i understand that. I just want a good head unit that is less than like $200. I did a search the other day for the best head unit and it was like $1,500. That's way too much for a honda. Thanks again!

[WhiteMax87]

Just in my opinion, I'm partial to pioneer head units, get either a Pioneer deh-x6700bs (which is their higher cd receiver) or one of the bhs series screens if you wanted to spend a little more (search around for a good price on one). After you get the head unit, I would buy up some door speakers and rear deck speakers. I use to have a 2000 Honda prelude and don't quote me on this, but your car should have the same size speakers as mine did, 5.25" front doors and 6"×9" in the rear deck (look up your speaker sizes though to make sure). Get something like some alpine type s, Rockford Fosgate prime or punch series, focal auditor series, JL audio tr series, etc (just to name a few) coaxials or even some components for the front and coaxials for the rear. You could wire everything to the stock wiring for now off of your head unit power and then later add a 4 channel amp (after saving up a little more money) wire all your speakers to it. I would also invest in some sound deadener to put around the mounting holes for all your speaker locations and even add some to your whole front doors, whole rear deck and your trunk lid (If you plan on getting subwoofers). Some sound deadener companies are sky high car audio, second skin, stinger roadkill (which I've had great luck with) and there are a couple other good ones. So, pioneer, Kenwood or other head unit $69-200. Front and rear coaxials $120-$250 for some decent ones (probably spend a little more if you want components in the front doors. Sound deadener $50-100. In my opinion that's what I'd do first, then you can start putting a little money away and do some research and figure out what subs, box and amp you'd like to run. All the prices I said are just a guesstimate, it all depends on what specifically you get.

[fredz89]

make sure you invest in an alarm especially Honda Civic.

[Hifonics]

Buy used gear off here or CACO or your local classifieds. You can get some really good deals on some awesome equipment.

[Ahmed Johnson]

Kenwood and Jvc are together so if you could save a couple bucks on a Kenwood by going Jvc I would do it. Also, the as far as HU goes the sony cdx gs500 is very good for the money you spend on it.

[philrab]

Buy used gear off here or CACO or your local classifieds. You can get some really good deals on some awesome equipment.

Great advice here. I pieced together my system over a couple of months hunting for deals.

Kenwood Excelon 997 - $150 factory refurb. Looked and works perfect.

JL 320.4 - $75 shipped used

Kenwood XP500 mono amp -$120 scratch and dent/open box. Not a mark on it

Infinity 6.5" components and coaxials - about half price. Last year's Reference series, being superceded by the new Reference X

Infinity 860W 8" sub- $65, believe this is being discontinued as well

If you have to have it right now, retail is the only way, or if you want all your equipment to match. If you are tight on money, look for a deal and be patient and stuff will just fall into your lap here and there. The only things I paid full retail for were RCA's and wiring, cause I just don't want/trust that stuff used.