Stock Bose or upgrade?
 

I have been out of touch in the car audio world for a long time now. I don't really have time to spend doing research, install, etc. So I need some quick help from those of you who are in the know currently. I am trying to decide whether to buy a Sport pkg and then upgrade the whole system with an aftermarket nav head unit (I have looked at a couple writeups here on this forum and they look very nice), speakers, and sub; or do I just buy a Sport+Touring pkg and either just live with it or add a simple sub to the factory Bose system. This will be my daily driver and I put on about 100 miles a day of freeway miles. I don't need an incredible system, but I would like something that sounds nice. I only spent a few minutes in a Touring pkg car at the dealership and noticed a significant improvement of the Bose stereo over the cheap base stereo. All I really want is XM radio, Bluetooth, and a decent sounding system. I listen to a lot of old 80's rock, and new hard rock stuff. No rap or really heavy bass music. I have a Blackberry now, but am planning to get an iPhone4 in about 2 months. I really want some sort of iPod interface with whatever system I am running, not just a simple aux input cord. I want to be able to toggle between playlists, songs, etc. using the steering wheel controls, and use the source button on the steering wheel to toggle between XM and the iPod. I don't really need nav, but if the iPod interface is significantly better with either the factory nav or aftermarket nav I would give it stronger consideration. I just don't know what the interfaces are like on any of these systems. I would also like to mount an iPhone holder somewhere in such a position that I can see the screen for incoming calls, etc. Any ideas? As far as subs go, I really don't want to use up any more trunk space than necessary. I like the enclosure that puts a sub in the spare tire well yet retains the spare tire. Can an amp be mounted under the rear hatch covering somewhere to power such a sub without having to move the spare tire?
Thx everyone.

upgrade. I have a nismo with the crappy speakers. I bought a decent pioneer deck, and some polk DB components off craigslist for 75 bucks. All together it was 220 bucks for a new setup with harness and all. I can almost guarantee thats better sounding then the bose.

Upgrade hands down better than any bose system

The sport package has many other options that make the sport option worth while. The factory Bose headunit and the Nissan factory Nav is nice, I would suggest you install an Audison Bit One to integrate with the factory Bose system and then replace all stock speakers powerd Via a nice Amp. Upgrade the sub also with a CAS enclosure and one subwoofer 10 or 12 your choice. This would allow maximum sound with minimal disruption to the factory interior of the car. Do install some sound deadening materials as it really cuts the noise as well.

As for parts options that's up to your budget, I would go with the Audison Bit One for factory integration though as it's really nice to have remote control function for tweeking the system.

At the minimum get the Touring model Z, unless you really want to custom it out and upgrade everything to your liking then get the Base model. But it sounds like you would be most happy with the Sport model and do some factory upgrades. Taking out all the Bose in a Sport with Nav not sure how that looks, the Nav takes up a bunch of dash space IMO.

Unless they are really going to get serious about car audio I would stay with the mtx req5. The audison is very nice but you are not going to hear the difference running a alpine amp and polk speakers or something of the sort.

Well speaking from experience owning an Re-Q which is pretty much the same thing I would far rather have the added remote adjustments the Bit-One offers plus it gives way more long term connection solutions for future upgrading the Re-Q5 is very basic integration plus they are never in a place that's easy to adjust if you want to.

The Bit-One would me my only choice if I was looking long term Bose integration.

Thanks for stopping by, was nice meeting you and your wife. Hope you were not dissappointed! I forgot to show you where i hook up my Iphone in my car. The wires are in the glove box, but some put it in the center holder above the stereo. I've been very happy with the factory Bose system. It will be cazy to see another 370 in the Valley...

Thanks Stacy, it was great to meet you. Shortly after making this original post I discovered that the factory Bose system actually does have a small sub mounted in the spare tire well(didn't realize that at first), and then I met Stacy and he let me listen to his system and it actually doesn't sound too bad. I think I can live with the stock Bose sound system, just wanted to know more about the iPod interface. I searched around more and found the USA Spec iPod interface cable for the factory Bose system without Nav, and it looks like it will fit the bill perfectly for my needs. Thx again everyone, and thx again Stacy for letting us stop by.

welcome sounds like your going in a good direction for the sound.
you will love the iphone the ipod on the iphone works great.

my base with sports package sounded like crap. the versa sounds better.
the first upgrade i did were component speakers jbls the sound difference
was amazing. it sounded so much better i'm having second thoughts about
changing out the HU. and if i do the only reason will be for the bluetooth
and to add a small sub.because i hate having to hook up the aux line every time i won't to use the ipod on the iphone

wow you guys must have some crappy bose systems, i love mine, tons of bass, great treble, and that was before i put in my pioneer nav. in my 350z i had all factory stereo until i put in my pioneer, but after that install the sound quality increased TREMENDOUSLY over factory, even with factory speakers. unfortunately i live in hawaii and my car stays in kansas with my parents, so they are the only ones who get to enjoy my car and have heard the difference with the new pioneer system. a head unit can improve your sound a lot just by itself. for my avic x710bt with bose integration, ipod cable, wire harness, and dash kit it ran me about 700 new, ebay is the beez neeez

I don't know I like my Nav with BOSE! I have USB, bluetooth AP and two subs.. Very nice setup I love it.

Well, I ended up getting such a good deal on a 370 with touring + sport + Nav from a forum member here, I couldn't pass it up. I am happy with the Bose system; I know I could get much better sound by going aftermarket but the lack of any hassle is pretty important to me these days. And the factory Bose system is good enough. I really like having the Nav system with bluetooth and iPod integration; much nicer than I originally anticipated. Thx everyone for your help.