If i were you, i'd put the deck in first. If that scares you, then hire an installer to do the amp and speakers. but it's my bet that this will build your confidence and you will be able to do the entire install yourself.

quick question tho ---> where are you mounting the amp? do you have an amp rack? this is important and the most custom aspect of your install.

the speakers are a cinch and the wiring isn't that complicated especially considering you know how to read. the most time consuming part is running the speaker cables to your doors. ----> get KY jelly and take your time.

fear is the biggest detering factor, the work itself isn't that bad.

 

One thing about the big stores is they will generally put things back to stock for free. And they'll, hopefully, be around in the future if you have any issues...

 

Circuit City's install fees are suppose to be uniform, but it may fluctuate depending on the location you are at.

At my store you would pay:

Head unit: $50 (out of store, bought in store $99 and up labor is free)
4 channel amp: $70
Seperates: $45

So you're looking at a minimum of $115 and a max of $165 if the head unit is not purchased in store, thats just labor.

Now you have to consider your interconnects...amp wiring, wiring harness', etc.

$200 is definitely out of the question for parts and labor. You could cheap out on the wiring and cables, but remember, your sound is only going to be as good as the weakest link...many things in life work like that.

Keep in mind though, at CC the work is gauranteed for as long as you own the car. Have trouble 10 years down the road and you still have the vehicle...bring it in. Also, think of the money as not only giving you the security of knowing your install is gauranteed for life, but if they break anything while doing it, they pay for it. You break something, you pay for it. Its not common, but it does and will happen...no matter how good of an installer you are.

Ive done well over 6000 installs since Ive been with CC the past 4 years and out of those 6000+ vehicles, Ive damaged 1.

Another thing is we do replace all of the factory equipment for free if you decide to get rid of the vehicle or whatever.

If your looking for custom work, many chain retailers like CC do employee people that are more than capable...Ive got tons of pictures on our CC site with installers from all over the country doing custom work on every level of vehicle, from lamborghini diablos,, to lotus elise' to old dodges. The only thing is, being we're a fast paced company, the custom work is few and far between because its just not profitable for our line of work. We mostly deal with people who want their stuff yesterday.

Doing the work yourself will definitely be more rewarding and save money...but if you dont quite know what your doing, it could get ugly and costly.

 

Good to hear from someone who works at a place like this. I wouldn't have had any problem leaving my car today if the guy there was like you... quite honestly, I could tell he just didn't want to work on my car for whatever reason.

I see your labor costs broken down there... what would you say the cost (good parts included) should be for the job? Also, what would a place like CC do about mounting the amp in the spare tire well?

 

Well, depending on the size of the wire the amp required:

8 ga. kit: $49.99 / 4 ga. kit: (basic kit) $69.99
rcas range from good, better, best: (4 channel) $49.99-$129.99
Wiring harness to plug up to stock harness: $15.99

The harness' are a bit pricey, but they incorporate CC's exclusive smart connectors. No splicing or soldering together. Its all plug and play. If you have a brand of stereo we dont carry, we wont have a smart harness for you, so splicing together would be a must.

The amp kits and rcas are both priced competitively, both being manufactured by tsunami, a metra based company...all good stuff.

They'll mount the amp wherever you want, spare tire well isnt a problem. Depends on what you want...if its going to be hidden, they'll most likely do what most do...mount theamp to a board.

 

Ishift: What store are you at? I used to be at Dublin #236. Things sure have changed since I left in 99! What the hell were they thinking ditching Viper and Alpine?!!!

My best memory of CC is when I beat a roadshop manager that was always a dick to me at a CC dB drag event! I had the EXACT same setup as him and got 2nd place at 145.5 dB or so while he scored in the 130s! It probably helped that I had an Integra and he had a Thunderbird but those were good times!

 

Im at location 1607 in NC.

alpines contract just ran out and from what I got out of it, both parties decided not to renew. Good stuff, but less profit...plus alpine is really finnicky about how they want their product displayed, installed, etc. Big headache.

We picked DEI back up, The python and valet series once again...

 

Hmm, okay...

What I've taken from this is the price at Best Buy wasn't SO out of line... the first guy was just a moron for quoting me $150.

I'll keep everyone updated on what I end up doing. Might install it myself this weekend; might take it to Circuit City and see what can be had there.

 

If that's not a total sales pitch from a CC sales guy I'm not sure what is but that's what I would expect from a CC lifer...

and just so everyone knows this is the guy that's been banned 4 times... you need to get a life 'shifty'

 

Well now we know how to find you Thanks!