My 98 max has the stock bose head unit in it and I was originally planning on purchasing an 01 head unit to replace it (needed a cd player) but being that's 80bucks I was thinking about buying something really nice as opposed to just a regular old cd player/radio.. Problem is I have absolutely no idea where to start, would it be a good idea to replace the speakers in terms of sound clarity or just the head unit? In terms of money I'd like to limit this to maybe 2-300 max, the less the better as I just spent some $$ on a y-pipe. Any thoughts/suggestions for a newb are appreciated

 

If you just want to spend $200 - 300 get an Eclipse CD4000, from pearl96max, and run that with your stock bose speakers, that will probably keep you happy for a little while.

 

I took a look at some of the CD400s specs and decided to do a little looking of my own just for comparison purposes. I found (much cheaper as well )
http://www.cardomain.com/item/CLADB265MP (Clarion DB265)
http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIODEHP4800MP (Pioneer P4800)
http://www.cardomain.com/item/KENKDCMP4032 (Kenwood MP4032)
but I'm really not sure which to go with.. all 3 are well reviewed, affordable and have almost identical specs. Any input?

 

Eclipse would still be better in sound quality, hands down. Next in order would be the Pio, followed by the clarion, for me.

 

I went to crutchfield a couple of years ago and got a JVC Arsenal series and simply replaced the exiting Bose. Think the HU was only about $250 and came with all the wiring harnesses and dash kit. I think it sounds a lot better than the Bose and I just kept the stock speakers. Not too much $$ at all.