Alarm System vs. Two 10" Subs Options

[CelicaBuddy]

...Well this poll is kinda a given... Im sure a lot of you will say the Alarm System should come first. lol And I know it should come first!

But... The other week I was looking at some alarm systems with my dad. Well my dad could easily concentrate on looking at the alarm systems, while me on the other hand.... I was on the opposite side of the store, checkin out all the Subwoofers and amps. My dad just couldn't drag me away from that section. LOL And to make matters worse, I found the Subs and amp thatd go perfect for my car... And now, I really really REALLY want the subs.

Now I know, is prolly a dumb thing to get without an alarm... considering I have a covertible... And if anything its a real stupid idea to get the subs in the first place. As my whole family likes to veiw this situation they say : "Thats just asking for you convertible to be stabbed!"

I know the risks of having these subs in my car without the alarm, but then again, my family hasn't had much luck when it comes to alarm systems. Each Civic my sister had, had an alarm. An somhow, someone gotta round the alarm system and broke into the car. All Im saying is, is that sometimes, it seems like a alarm system doesn't seem as much help as you'd think.

Welp.... But back to the poll.... Got a round $600 and Im gettin paid soon which'll add at least another $200. Splurge on the Alarm System or on the Sound Sysem.

This post has been edited by CelicaBuddy: Dec 26, 2004 - 1:20 PM

[shid]

Alarm.. alarm.. I have an OK alarm. I need a better one- verts not in too big of a risk of being stabbed since the subs are in the trunk (subs in a hatch ImHO are asking for it to be broken into- since they're always in view).. but.. spend a TON on a good alarm system.

[Clipsetuner]

Alarm! the first few lines of coomers artical

First off, when installing an alarm, it's important to note that installation is 90% or more of the alarm's effectiveness. You can buy a $500 alarm with hundreds of features but it won't deter a theif or stop your car from getting stolen if your alarm isn't installed well, while you can spend $50 and some time and have a car that's next to impossible to steal.

Point! Most car alarm shops do ****ty jobs and that makes the car even easier to steal! All my alarms arnt the best by any means but I think I do a better job then any car stereo shop out there. I like all the features of my alarm too, remote windows, remote start, remote hatch pop, Pizo serien, and so on. But Im all about features!

If you chose to get subs I would recomend 2 12" subs, I had a coupe ( dont know how the nosie of the vert compares) and 2 12"s were somewhat enough but I like to crank it up.

2 12" Kicker Comps DVC's
Dual Chamber Sealed Box
Pioneer 600rms amp

Add'd on

1 12" Kicker Comp DVC
2 12" MTX thunder 4500's

That seemed todo the trick (even more so), but I had lost all my trunk space.

DTE

[madmods]

Get an alarm...period. Spluge on the alarm, and a brake lock, and an auto-taser from ebay. Make sure your alarm has a proximity sensor(radar) to it, and if not buy one. With the soft top, you want you alarm warn away to go off when somebody walks a foot away, and the alarm to go off when someone puts their hands inside the car, or face to the window. If you really wnt to get fancy, you can have the windows and top go up(not latched) when the warn away goes off. After your alarm, then get your stereo, subs, rims etc. My alarm is anal 3 shock sensors,
hood lock, proximity, tilt, glass breakage mic, pager+ brake lock & auto taser. I plan on keeping my car. Even if you have insurance, you always lose on theft.

[creis]

I voted for the sterio in the sence that it probilby wont take you long after you buy the sterio to buy an alarm and your car is stock, witch leave is as a low risk as long as you dont park in high crime places.

I think that an alarm is more important in the long run, but subs are sweet, and if your car is not standing out to criminals then its not that big of a deal (just dont promote that you have subs like putting brand name stickers and stuff all over)

But its your choice and I highly recomend that if its a real 50/50 thing to you, then do your resurch on both first.

[Coomer]

I'd go alarm for sure. But only if you're installing it yourself. 95% of the Best Buy/Circuit City/Good Guys/Whatever installs aren't very effective. I mean, where's the incentive for them to hide all the wires like factory and solder all connections and tear apart half the car to mount the brain in the best spot possible and remove body parts to install the siren in a hard-to-find location? There isn't any. The stores just want cars done, and done fast. Almost all the time the end consumer won't know the difference anyway.

So I would take a day, buy a nice Viper 2-way alarm, extra sensors(proximity is a big one on a 'vert) and supplies for $400, and install it yourself. Read all you can on how to install alarms and such(on here, the12volt.com, Google, etc.), get someone to help you out(your dad maybe...does he have some electrical knowledge?), and take a day to install that alarm. Then you can spend that extra $400 on a stereo system, and have peace of mind knowing that your car has its alarm installed right.

[Digndoug]

I said alarm, just cause it wouldnt be much sence ot have subs in your car with out one. I got an alarm way after, but thats cause im stupid... and no-one would touch my old car.

[Scarrell]

get an Alarm first. while systems are nice, it isnt nice when the system is stolen.... you always want an alarm... convertibles are not too good for systems. i would look into filling up your cab... get some good component sets and some midbass drivers to go in there. or you can do like one guy did on here(sorry i dont remember your name) and put some 10" subs behind the back speaker area. this route will need alot of sound deadening material. but if you want subs in the back, you still can, one of my friends has a Spyder Eclipse convertible with two crappy JL W0's(heard/had so many im tired of em) with the new JL amps(like 125rms to each, exact rms they need) and it does the job, you can hear it pretty well inside. you can get a decent alarm for about $400 if you want to go to the Ebay route. or since it is the Christmas season im sure some shops could hook you up. but yes, get the Alarm first.. or both at the same time. also you want one with a pager.

[nitemare]

2 10" subs..
I got 2 10" subs in the trunk..along with 2 amps...in a convertible. The subs make the biggest difference!
I think I put the viper alarm in first though...i paid a total of like $80 for both subs (used polka from ebay)..and used bazooka amp ($50) and a JBL amp (new $100)..along with a new Alpine HU, MBQuart speakers...As u can see...its not that expensive. the viper alarm ran me around $150 with the motion sensor and all...