I got the sport package, mainly due to the fact that the touring and GT have the sunroof which I definitely did not want.

The base stereo has crap paper speakers and no external amplifier. The stock Bose system will kill the sound emanating from that miserable base stereo.

On the other hand, upgrading the base is much easier than the Bose. That's what I did and am happy with what I have now.

Even just replacing the speakers of the base stereo will result in significant improvement.

 

I have the Bose system and find it disappointing. I also had Bose in my Miata and didn't care much for it there, either. Unlike many, I'm not a hater of Bose products. I love their Wave radio and their sound-cancelling headphones. But I think their car systems tend to have lots of bass, fairly good highs – and no middle. For the kind of music I like, the middle is very important.

If you're a bass freak, you'll probably like the Bose system. But if you're into musical accuracy, you won't.

I'm into accuracy, myself. If I had a choice, I'd prefer the base system which I'd then replace aftermarket. Replacing the Bose system is a pain and a half.

 

Interesting. Yes, Im a bass freak. So I guess I know what I need to do.

 

Just remember that if you are a bass freak you will be changing out all the speakers in a short time, the bose doesn't hit that hard, and as the base is easier to swap in aftermarket speakers, that may be something to consider.

I also didn't want a sunroof or all the added weight of the electric motors. Alas, I have no subwoofer, but I am about to put some nice speakers in, as audio is where the modding bug is biting next.

It all really depends on what your proirites are for the car.

 

Well, obviously having a good system is what im about. But I love having the luxuries of the interior too. The looks to me are more of a concern than performance because the car can run. I don't have 8-10k to drop in turbos and ****. im not racing it. im 17.

 

Yeah, I would just go with whatever features you want the most then, i.e. sunroof, leather, etc. and worry about aftermarket system later. It will be one of the few mods that you can do on a smaller budget, and is generally something you could DIY and would be a good way to start to get to know the car. Cause replacing the rear speakers is a bitch... I will let you find that out on your own.








Honestly, I would recommend you buying a different car being 17, an older Beamer or something...

 

What are the differences in speakers and placement in the base versus the Bose? I know the base has six speakers, but where are they and what kind are they? Same for the Bose, if anyone knows.

I think the base stereo has sufficient power, just that the speakers suck. A few hundred bucks in upgraded speakers and the sound system should easily surpass the Bose system.

 

Two 6x8 speakers in the front doors, two 2" tweeters in the door sail panel and two 6x9 speakers under the rear parcel shelf. All paper cones.

Two 9" door woofers, two tweeters in the sail panels and a 3.5 or 4" center channel speaker in the middle of the dash. Then two 6x9 rear speakers and two tweeters under the rear parcel shelf. Not sure about what material, but I'd think they are better than the base speakers.

I don't know about sufficient power (compared to what?), but the cheap paper speakers definitely suck the suck out of suck.

Um, not so sure about that. Replacing the speakers will of course bring a world of improvement to the base stereo, but that won't necessarily be enough to beat the Bose sound. Not that the Bose would be that great, but IMO there is a bit more needed than just a speaker swap, such as an amp and a subwoofer to do that.

 

In the Sport you do not get traction control either which is a nice edition, especially for a 17 year old. Also keep in mind, you can also get a Touring like mine, which gets you most of what the GT's have minus the leather interior ( A no no in Texas). My car has everything except NAV (which blows anyway) and leather.

 

Actually, you can get DSC with a sport, mine has it.

 

Yes, you do.

 

base no traction control, sport you do

 

Oh really because I drive a Sport 6 speed with no traction control, no sunroof, no Bose, No fogs, No dimming mirror, No HIDS, etc. once a week (storing another members car).

 

"Base" and "sport" meant different things for different model years. On my '07 sport, it did not come with DSC standard, but it was available with an optional package.

 

The Sport I am driving is an 05'.

 

Mine is an '04 sport and it definitely does have DSC, fogs and HIDs.

 

so how about them speakers lol

 

I'm probably the only one to admit it, but I don't care for the factory Bose. It's just my opinion so doesn't mean I'm right!


There was an option package to add the DSC, HID, and fog lights on a base/sport. Later years they deleted the option and you had to step to the Touring model. Sheesh in 2010, they dropped the Touring so now you have to get an R3 or Grand Touring to get any of these.

I got a Touring because I didn't want leather, didn't want the Bose. Heck, I didn't want the auto dimming mirror, I like the plain one better. Didn't want the six disc either. I really only wanted the DSC, getting the factory HID & fog lights was just a bonus. They didn't have that performance package option in 2009 models.

 

I have an 04' Touring, from what i remember the HIDS and DSC, Bose, etc were all part of that model. But there is a thread for all of this which should clear things up.

 

I think im going to consider this whole thing again... I dont know what the base sounds like, and i love the bose, so idk... how much would it cost to do swap to bose from base?

 

I am sure you could piece everything together, but I am not sure you would end up with a better system than you could buy from the aftermarket. the Bose is pretty good IMO, but I'm no audiophile.

 

Yeah. Im not an audiofile either. I just think music is important and its gotta be bangin' a little atleast.. The bose in my dad's was excellent, thats what i thought. I hear base is better, i hear bose is, but i guess i gotta find someone with a base model to see.

 

I have never heard anyone brag about the Base audio system Then again some may sound better than others, but mine is loud an clear using the factory ipod adapter. Not to mention my exhaust is loud as ****.

 

I have an 04 sport, and it has everything the GT has but the spoiler, sunroof and heated seats and bose system. It has HID, DSC, leather and nav.

I absolutely DO NOT want any car with a sunroof.

 

Bose is far superior to the base stereo but it didn't stop me from tweaking the Bose stereo even more to get the sound I really wanted.

Here's your simple solution: Jedi's Bose Stereo Upgrade