Car Shopping: Best "premium" sound system in a mid-price-range hatch?

I’ve been ruined by the Harmon Kardon system in my (now dying) MINI. Just can’t tolerate crappy sound anymore.

Any particular audiophile opinions on the premium sound in moderately priced hatchbacks so I know what to test-drive/listen?

So far the only two on my list are:

  1. A VW Golf GTI/TDI with Fender audio
  2. Ford Focus hatch with the 10-speaker Sony system

Audio A3 and Lexus 200h are out since I’m not a luxury car guy- I offroad these bitches, etc.

Another MINI is out just because I want a change.

Prius Entune is out because Prius.

Any others out there? Good audio seems hard to find in this segment because American manufacturers seem to think that hatch=cheap.

I’m sure you can get premium sound in a VW hatch. I had premium sound in my Pontiac Vibe; a feature that far exceeded the overall quality (and value) of the car.

After driving the MINI any other car you get will not be fun to drive at all.

No clue on sound systems.

http://pierretristam.com/images2/09/0717-eight8track.jpg
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a buddy of mine has a mazda 3 hatch. it has a good sounding system that he seems to love. hes a musician if that means anything to you.

Really have no clue, but Sony makes absolute garbage car audio equipment so I wouldn’t go with the Ford if that was a consideration.

Lynyrd Skynyrd on 8-track is legit. If that’s your car I’m truly impressed.

Really have no clue, but Sony makes absolute garbage car audio equipment so I wouldn’t go with the Ford if that was a consideration.

Yeah, the non-premium Ford Sony I’ve heard sucks. I’ll give the premium version a chance, though.

Subaru Crosstrek? I know they have an upgrade-able sound system, but don’t know the the brand of components.

More often than not, a $500 aftermarket set up will sound 10x better than a premium OEM sound system. I’d buy whatever car you want and replace the speakers, add an amp.

After driving the MINI any other car you get will not be fun to drive at all.

No clue on sound systems.

Bitch, please! I have a Mini(S) and a Golf R. The Mini is fun. The Golf R is frightening. Imagine your best ever moose loving. Multiply that by 10 and you get the orgasmic experience of my Golf R.

I have the Golf R with the premium sound package, which is the same as the premium sound option for the GTI. Best sound I have ever experienced (in a stock stereo system). The only other thing I have ever had that came close was the Harman Kardon system in my Audi A6 4.2.

After driving the MINI any other car you get will not be fun to drive at all.

No clue on sound systems.

Bitch, please! I have a Mini(S) and a Golf R. The Mini is fun. The Golf R is frightening. Imagine your best ever moose loving. Multiply that by 10 and you get the orgasmic experience of my Golf R.

Go drive a MINI Cooper JCW. Golf… Bitch please is right.

I have the Golf R with the premium sound package, which is the same as the premium sound option for the GTI. Best sound I have ever experienced (in a stock stereo system). The only other thing I have ever had that came close was the Harman Kardon system in my Audi A6 4.2.

What year is your A6? I had a 2000 A6 that had the Bose Premium Audio package. That system was the shit! The one in our '08 A4 is good, but nothing compared to that Bose set up. In the market to go to a newer model again soon. Hoping they bring back the A6 Avant to the N.American market, preferably with the TDI.

After driving the MINI any other car you get will not be fun to drive at all.

No clue on sound systems.

Bitch, please! I have a Mini(S) and a Golf R. The Mini is fun. The Golf R is frightening. Imagine your best ever moose loving. Multiply that by 10 and you get the orgasmic experience of my Golf R.

Go drive a MINI Cooper JCW. Golf… Bitch please is right.

Bzzzz. Wrong. The jcw is nice, but just an S with some upgraded parts. But 256 HP in a Golf? Fuuuuu.

After driving the MINI any other car you get will not be fun to drive at all.

No clue on sound systems.

Bitch, please! I have a Mini(S) and a Golf R. The Mini is fun. The Golf R is frightening. Imagine your best ever moose loving. Multiply that by 10 and you get the orgasmic experience of my Golf R.

Go drive a MINI Cooper JCW. Golf… Bitch please is right.

Bzzzz. Wrong. The jcw is nice, but just an S with some upgraded parts. But 256 HP in a Golf? Fuuuuu.

Some upgraded parts? You mean like the engine?

And there’s more to driving than just HP. Nothing handles like a MINI. nothing.

After driving the MINI any other car you get will not be fun to drive at all.

No clue on sound systems.

Bitch, please! I have a Mini(S) and a Golf R. The Mini is fun. The Golf R is frightening. Imagine your best ever moose loving. Multiply that by 10 and you get the orgasmic experience of my Golf R.

Go drive a MINI Cooper JCW. Golf… Bitch please is right.

Bzzzz. Wrong. The jcw is nice, but just an S with some upgraded parts. But 256 HP in a Golf? Fuuuuu.

Some upgraded parts? You mean like the engine?

And there’s more to driving than just HP. Nothing handles like a MINI. nothing.

The mini s handles very nice. My wife owns one and I do all the work on it.

As far as I know the JCW has a different transmission and upgraded clutch, pistons, larger supercharger with smaller pulley, higher flow exhaust and larger brakes. Same engine. Might have a slightly different head due to the larger pistons but the same engine.

I have the Golf R with the premium sound package, which is the same as the premium sound option for the GTI. Best sound I have ever experienced (in a stock stereo system). The only other thing I have ever had that came close was the Harman Kardon system in my Audi A6 4.2.

What year is your A6? I had a 2000 A6 that had the Bose Premium Audio package. That system was the shit! The one in our '08 A4 is good, but nothing compared to that Bose set up. In the market to go to a newer model again soon. Hoping they bring back the A6 Avant to the N.American market, preferably with the TDI.

I stand corrected, it was a Bose. I had to dig up the old paperwork b/c mine was a 2000 as well. Yes, that sound system was insane.

After driving the MINI any other car you get will not be fun to drive at all.

No clue on sound systems.

Bitch, please! I have a Mini(S) and a Golf R. The Mini is fun. The Golf R is frightening. Imagine your best ever moose loving. Multiply that by 10 and you get the orgasmic experience of my Golf R.

Go drive a MINI Cooper JCW. Golf… Bitch please is right.

Bzzzz. Wrong. The jcw is nice, but just an S with some upgraded parts. But 256 HP in a Golf? Fuuuuu.

My Golf R has APR Stage 2+ and a couple extra goodies. I am over 350 hp. I also have the Haldex race controller, so, I can do things in my Golf R that I shouldn’t be able to do.

After driving the MINI any other car you get will not be fun to drive at all.

No clue on sound systems.

Bitch, please! I have a Mini(S) and a Golf R. The Mini is fun. The Golf R is frightening. Imagine your best ever moose loving. Multiply that by 10 and you get the orgasmic experience of my Golf R.

Go drive a MINI Cooper JCW. Golf… Bitch please is right.

208 hp is cute …

256 hp stock (over 350 hp in mine) is frightening. You couldn’t handle it. Not even for a second.

Bitch.