Possible to leave the Bose headunit and speakers in but add subs?? I would probably also add and amp to the speakers. This would be done on a '97 SE. Is it possbile?? Would it be more worth it to just get an aftermarket headunit and speakers.

 

As far as adding a sub to the factory stereo, yes it's possible. I've done it to a '97 SE. Acctually sounded pretty good.

All you would have to do is:
1. Remove the stock deck
2. Remove the speaker plug
3. Find out what the rear speaker wires are
4. Splice an RCA wire into said wires
5. And you can probably figure out the rest

But it is recomended to get an aftermarket deck, makes it soo much easier to add things like amplifiers, subs and so on. Post again if you don't understand this.

 

Well you've got lots of choices: Adding a sub is easy and has many advantages. When you just add a sub to the Bose setup it allows you to turn the bass control way down which allows the existing system to play much cleaner at high volume.It also lets the speakers have a break so to speak since they are now not relied on to produce the majority of the bass you want/need.There will be a small loss of mid-bass but not to worry. You just set(adjust) the amp up properly which by the way most car stereo shops don't know how to do. Installing a sub only upgrade is easy and you only need to tap in at the rear speakers which makes the install easier and saves you time and money on RCA cables as the only need to be a few feet long. You can get the amp trigger from the power antenna,which you may want to fuse at 500 milliamps for protection. This means the only cable that runs to the front of the car is the power wire. Use at least an nice 8 gauge wire with lots of small strands.Run a nice short ground wire of the same gauge that goes to the battery and scrape the metal shiney where you attach it. Also make sure the connection of the power wire to the battery is done well again cleaning the installation surface. Use a gold plated
connector. You can get one for 10-20 bucks.My opinion is also that you spend 500 or less on the amp and sub or basstube with built in amp or whatever you want to buy.Spending more would give you more than you could use with this setup.When you add a sub only thieves see the stock head unit and keep walking. Also remember turn down your stereo in your neighborhood so people don't know what you have and don't show it off to any derelict types!

Part two: You cannot add an amp to the Bose system without replacing the speakers as well. On third gens they are 1 Ohm drivers with a built in amp at the speaker. I think they are the same on yours as well. If you want a super system you need to replace the head unit add amps and speakers and that will cost well over a thousand for anything decent*. I have a pretty critical ear so a 2 or 3 hundred dollar head unit three hundred dollars for front and rear speakers and a 2 or 3 hundred dolllar 4 channel amp plus all the cables and installation would be well over a thousand and not be much better than stock in my opinion.
And you'd still need a sub/sub amp if you want Bass even with that system.
* Most car speakers sound like crap until you get into the 300 plus per pair catagory in my opinion. At least the Bose driver by being a full range driver has less phase distorion and Bose designs the Amp for the Car and the driver(speaker)with their built in EQ circuit in the on board amp.
My suggestion add a sub a single 10 or 12 in a sealed box* which will give you plenty of bass unless you liten to Rap and want people to hear you a quater mile away. Get a nice amp with a sub crossover built in. You can get both for well less than 500 plus install parts and labor.

Ported boxes sound boomey and inaccurate and have no output below the tuned frequency of the port. The back pressure of a sealed box makes it easier on the amp and driver. This is not Gospel it is my opinion after many years of experience. My opinion and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee. Good Luck!

Feel free to email me with more questions