A Newbie who needs help from the experts on buiyng an aftermarket system

[AppleBonker]

The install looks good. It looks like the shop did a good job concealing all the wiring and everything (that's one of my pet peeves). As far as the cost, I definitely don't think you got ripped off on the install. I'm not sure how long it took them to actually perform the work, but that would've probably taken me a good weekend to do (with breaks on and off). For the amount of hours that would take, it doesn't seem like they charged an excessive hourly rate. You may have been able to get the exact same work done somewhere else for about a hundred bucks cheaper (but you would've had to search a long time to potentially find that deal). Also, look around and you'll find numerous horror stories about botched installs on new Altima coupes. Your car still seems completely functional, so you're in good shape.

As far as the equipment goes, I like your choices. The Infinity tweeters can be a bit bright. I like bright sound, so that wouldn't bother me. Others like it more natural, so this could be a problem. It's all about personal preference. As of this point, it sounds like you're happy, and that is obviously the only thing that matters. Although, I do think you have a system that is capable of impressing the vast majority of people out there. Doc and I (and some others) are very rare in terms of the general population. I think most people would laugh at the amount of money we spend on stereos (it really is a curse). Having heard all of your equipment before (although not all at once), I'm sure your stereo sounds excellent. And, on top of that, it looks like you got everything at a very reasonable price.

Edit: Forgot to mention, I'd probably leave the grille on over the sub. I personally prefer the look of the sub without the grille, but where your sub is sitting, it could be vulnerable to stuff in the trunk. My sub has no grille, but with the excursion I don't think it would be possible to find a grille (plus, the direction mine fires makes it less susceptible to damage). Also, the voice coils are basically the magnets at the rear of the sub, so something in the trunk would have a very difficult time damaging them. What would get damaged is the cone. It is possible to recone a subwoofer that has had its cone damaged, but in your case it would probably make more sense to just get a new one if this were to happen. So, I say leave the grille on and protect your investment.
Modified by AppleBonker at 7:41 AM 9/23/2008

[nycelta]

ok, great...so you guys think the install looks pretty good? (and the pictures are horrible -- I need to take some better ones with a digital camera instead of the Iphone). How did you like the look of the soundstage with the sub jutting out, and the amps recessed? I like the look of how they did that. Initially I wanted the amps set up as cutouts facing you when you open the trunk in line with the sub...but they said that could be a pain if you needed to tune the amps, and I think it actually might look better this way...and I still have some trunk space! And no, you can't see any wires that I'm aware of.

I'm glad to know that I didn't get ripped off...that's good to know. They had it for 6 hours on Friday, and all day Saturday (picked it up at 8 in the evening and they were just finishing).

The only probem I'm having is that my normal FM stations (which are very strong signal-wise) are coming in with interference, so I'm going to ask them to fix that (or at least try to). Also going to ask them to set the PAC interface up so that you can use track up/down. Oh -- and also, every once in a while I'll change the volume or presets and the horn will sound (happens occasionally, but is annoying...guessing that wires are touching in there).

I plan to try to try the airbag reset trick when I get time tonight...nothing to worry about with the airbags not activating, right?

If anyone likes their work, the installer was MobileWerks (spelled just that way) in Clifton, New Jersey.

[AppleBonker]

I like the way it looks. As far as tuning those amps, the controls are now on the front facing the back of the trunk. This will give easy access. If they were mounted like you said, it would require pulling them off or using mirrors to tune. Also, for our purposes here, soundstage is used in reference to how the material sounds, not looks. Just a little FYI there.

For the horn sounding, I did this a bunch with my car too when I first was using the buttons. My guess is you're pushing the buttons too hard. They will register, but not quite as quickly as with the stock system. There are no wires they could've really crossed with the horn, so I don't think this is a wiring issue at all.

Also, I don't think you'll have a problem with the airbags not deploying. Although, I obviously didn't test this theory, so I can't say for certain.

[nycelta]

Ok, please don't test out the airbag deployment theory We need you here for A/V advice! Thanks again so much...and now I need to dig into these boards and learn about meets and all of that. Glad to have you guys as such a valuable resource.

Oh -- and do I need an alarm (as was suggested by a previous poster)? Don't we already have alarms on the Coupes?

[shortys408]

my guess is if you do have a factory alarm, it is worthless. After my room mates car was broken into i got the viper 791vx and just added a 140db alarm. If a thieve wants my head unit, he will have to sacrifice the use of his ears foreve.

[AppleBonker]

my guess is if you do have a factory alarm, it is worthless. After my room mates car was broken into i got the viper 791vx and just added a 140db alarm. If a thieve wants my head unit, he will have to sacrifice the use of his ears foreve.

Most factory car alarms are pretty worthless. However, our cars are relatively difficult to steal. The easiest way to steal an A/C would be to flatbed it somewhere. Breaking into any car in the middle of the night is relatively simple. There have been a number of people who have lost A/V gear from their A/Cs. It is doable. A car alarm is up to your personal preference.

The most important thing to remember is that a truly skilled thief will get your car no matter what you do to it. If they really put the time and effort into what they're doing, they can get whatever they want. Your goal may be to make it so that the time/effort does not outweigh the gains from the stolen equipment/car. Also, be sure to have car insurance and keep receipts.

[fyrcomm]

Oh -- and do I need an alarm (as was suggested by a previous poster)? Don't we already have alarms on the Coupes?

most stickers say there's a "security system" on the car.. it's really just an immobilizer.. i paid the dealer to have them install the OEM alarm on top of that, but i hope i never have to find out that it's worthless

but it's definitely a better deal to just get an aftermarket alarm. they'll have better features and may cost less than what the dealer would ask for..

oh.. and it's worth it to get the lo-jack installed... it'll take a chip off of your insurance payment

[rjdmmfl1]

most stickers say there's a "security system" on the car.. it's really just an immobilizer.. i paid the dealer to have them install the OEM alarm on top of that, but i hope i never have to find out that it's worthless

but it's definitely a better deal to just get an aftermarket alarm. they'll have better features and may cost less than what the dealer would ask for..

oh.. and it's worth it to get the lo-jack installed... it'll take a chip off of your insurance payment

I am for getting an aftermarket alarm, but I am against lojack...

If you car gets stolen with lowjack, and they recover it, then they just fix your car... but if you don't have lo jack, and they don't recover it, then you get a replacement check...

I say get a pager alarm... really helps me sleep good at night!

[fyrcomm]

I am for getting an aftermarket alarm, but I am against lojack...

If you car gets stolen with lowjack, and they recover it, then they just fix your car... but if you don't have lo jack, and they don't recover it, then you get a replacement check...

I say get a pager alarm... really helps me sleep good at night!

pager alarm is a good idea.. why didn't i just go aftermarket for the alarm =[

i don't really know much about how lo-jack works (as far as what happens if the car is stolen, recovered, not recovered, etc.) but i do know that some insurance companies will give you a discount if you have it installed. i have State Farm, and i don't think they do that, so i didn't get it.. but my girlfriend just got an 09 honda accord sedan, and the discount that Wawaneesa gave her was definitely worth it.

my driving record is so bad that Wawaneesa won't even give me a quote =(

[AppleBonker]

I believe lojack just works by emitting a signal that the cops can trace. The problem with this is that the police in that area need to have the required lojack equipment. Also, it needs to be activated so you need to tell lojack that your car has been stolen. If your car gets stolen and you don't notice it for about 4-5 hours, there will be a great chance that the criminals have already started to gut it and have disposed of the lojack transmitter. Probably not as good of an option as an aftermarket alarm with a pager system. Some of these (it's been covered before) give you GPS tracking as well, so you can follow the car immediately once it is stolen (so you can make sure it gets recovered).