I'm trying to decide between buying a head unit, some subs. and an amp. or buying a few performance parts, maybe a cat. converter or short ram intake. Which do you think would be a better purchase?

 

Performance parts are more fun in my opinion, Ive kinda gotten outta the stereo scene. Its all about personal preference though really. Id rather not have the extra weight personally, and Id rather have trunk space!

 

Depends, would you more have more gratification with an upgraded sound system or with a few mods that aren't going to increase performance all too much? As far as your first mods, I recommend a short ram/ cold air intake and maybe a quality cat-back exhaust.

 

im much more about go, but i think youd get a lot more out of buying all that sound crap than just those "go" mods bc really they arent, youll get minimal performance out of them. my suggestion is to check out teh vendors classifieds and get several suspension components for cheap from PDXRalliart. it will make a huge difference in handling and will be a lot more fun than the other things you mentioned.

 

^ i'll second that, but i'll also add that you should do what you want. think about what you'll get more enjoyment out of. all us guys on here can tell you what to get or what to do, but after all is said and done.....it's your car, and you're the one driving it. that's all i have to say about that.

 

ur lookin at 800+ for ur audio needs.. with 800+ for performance i would go with performance but its all preference. u can get more than a high flow cat and intake.. u can get headers. or u can just go for some suspension mods and tires.. get new set of tires for 500 and get some struts, sways, and lowering springs and its gonna be fun

 

can't get just struts yet, no one is making them, closest thing is the tein basic kit, RRM has it listed at 880, then there is the full adjustable set for 1200 (i'm saving for that)

 

you can make your own sri for 50, get a custom catback made for 200, get used headers for 250, maf upgrade for 50, and a safc for 250 and you will be faster than most of the NA ppl on these boards, i gaurantee it.

 

you can find the basics in plenty of places for considerably cheaper than rrm sells them

 

yah, that was just the easiest place for me too look

 

I'd go for performance stuff, but thats just me, I'd rather be "fast" than sound fast. For the kind of money your gonna put into the stereo you could get intake, exhaust, header, and some suspension goodies like pgmike suggested.

 

depends on if yo udrive in traffic often. in parkinglot traffic nothing is better than a stereo (and worse than loud exhaust)........so if you commute in crappy traffic get stereo. if you drive alot on open road, go for the performance.

 

Nice comparison. I'd have to second that ^.

 

I did some suspension work(springs and front and rear upper sway bars) and it made driving the car so much more fun....but i also have a tv, ps2 and 2 12's in my trunk, which is also fun. I agree with some of these guys, and just weigh your options and think about it. you can't go wrong wither way.
either way...keep us posted!

 

I'd have to say go performance.