I know nothing about building a car stereo system. I remember some of my friends spending serious money on their systems to achieve maximum bass. I could hear them approaching from blocks away. What I do know is that having a nice stereo system in the car makes driving more pleasurable. Music that sounds good makes trips go by faster, and you have to love that. Cutting corners in building a good system is a huge mistake. Overspending can be a bittersweet process, so decide what your needs are: bass, loudness, clarity?

The first part of a stereo to purchase is the head unit. Look for ones that have a detachable face plate or some kind of security device. Check to see how precise the tuner is at the store. Be sure to check the AM frequencies, as well as the FM. Some people like to have the display match their dash lights -- not a big deal -- but some say it looks nice. On to speakers. Coaxial speakers have the mid-range woofer and the tweeter built together. Even if you do not understand what the woofer and tweeter do, be sure to ask for coaxial speakers, because they sound so much better. There are so many types of speakers that one can get lost in the choices. Here is one rule you may be able to utilize when looking for speakers: sensitivity is given in decibels, or Db's -- the higher the number, the better. This means the speaker will play louder with less power.

Amplifiers, crossovers, subwoofers and box enclosures are necessary components that can be added later. A multi-amp system is for people who want a system that has both crisp highs and lows. Crossovers, I know very little about, but I have read they are an important part that most people overlook. Subwoofers depend on your car, your preference in bass, your amps and your budget. Box enclosures have three categories: sealed, ported and bandpass. Good luck. Have patience while compiling a good system, and you will be glad that you did.