I've been thinking about putting a new high-tech system in my car. I'm looking at these electronic places that have FREE installation with a system $99 and up. I don't want nor can I justify spending crazy money on systems with fancy graphics and fancy prices. so I just want something decent yet not cheap, most likely I'll get one of those weekly advertised systems that are usually $99.00. there are two that I like: one is a panasonic from circuit city (it has orangy red lights that match the dash lights) and the other is I think a pioneer from pep boys. are any of these places good at installing radios, or is it much better to have one of those stereo places do it.

too be honest, one reason I've been holding the radio off is just that I'm hesitant about some place not doing a good professional job. many years ago I had a stereo place put an alpine system in my samurai. I was young and naive, and it was only a few days or perhaps it was a week later that I realized they had put in a display model. I went back to bitch about it, but the place gave me some lame reason. again, I was too naive and accepting to raise a stink over it and just passively accepted it. it wasn't long if I recall that the text and numbers on the lcd screen started breaking up. and hear this! one day I pushed the eject button and the whole freaking system pushed back into the console! I went back and they "fixed" it by doing something and using some folded up piece of cardboard to hold the stereo in place...looking back, I should have known it was crappy installation in the first place when I saw wires sticking out. at the time I just didn't know better; I was just glad to get a cool-looking alpine system with detach. face.

so, yeah, I've always been wary of stereo places or any place that installs systems since then. I was wondering if I should bring in a print-out of the wiring codes to give to the installer. is that necessary, or are the wire colors universal? I also don't want to seem rude by implying that he or she may not know where which wires go etc. currentlt I'm using a portable discman and external portable speakers as my stereo system because my radio does not work.

one last thing, any good radio recommendations? I just picked the two listed above soley on looks and price.