A Happy New Year to everyone.

I'd like to thank everyone for their assistance over the last year as I've worked to replace my car stereo. Everyone has been helpful, and I appreciate the respectful and opinionated posts!

My last post was:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...0&#entry6381140

Since then, I'm happy to report I've purchased a head unit last week: An Eclipse 8445. It's being replaced in the Eclipse line-up, and I picked it up at a shop on vacation for tick over $300. I feel good at the purchase as it's about 25% off. It also has a provided aux output to rca cables for [in my case] and iPod hook up.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/cd/cd8445.html

I'll confess I had an "Alpine" brand preference when I started. The Eclipse head, especially at that price, seemed to compare very favourably to anything Alpine has for sale at this time. Plus, Eclipse warranties the radio for a year against theft! This is something that worries me as the car is a soft top.

The car won't be driven much for the next few months, so I'll be saving up for additonal components.

I hope to buy a Modifry DCI/harness this month, and have $300 put aside for an amp. This will probably be something from the Eclipse range as the Installer is a dealer. The final pieces are a SIRIUS adapter [expect to pay $99 -- but I'm hoping it will come down] and a pair of Focal K2P's. The current price for the Focals are $599. I probably could save a $150 dollars buying over the internet, but I'd prefer the security of an authorised dealer.

I welcome any thoughts, comments or suggestions.