Over the course of the past three decades the choices and options in car accessories has grown exponentially to the point where it is now where the list of choices that are available is almost endless. It started out with eight track tape players, air conditioning and custom "ooga" car horns and has blossomed up in to a whole industry that caters to the car owner who is driven to add their personal touch to their automobile, truck or RV.
In fact, it has come to the point where you can buy almost anything that is designed for a car if it will fit and what it really boils down to is what you can actually afford. Some car accessories are easier to adapt to your car then others, so this is something that has to be taken into consideration when you are "dreaming" up ideas.
Its so easy to go to a catalogue or websit and work up a list of "must have items" that you absolutely have to have in or on your car or truck but then there is something called "reason" and "logic" that must be called into play. For instance, if you are going to dump a bunch of money into your vehicle then logic would have it that your "first" priority should be a high quality alarm system.
You might also want to equip your vehicle with an "anti theft" device also such as a hidden "kill switch" that renders your car inoperable when flipped. Then your first order beyond that might be a custom sound system. Before you decide on exactly which direction you are going to take with your sound system, consulting a car audio expert is highly advisable.
A knowledgeable car audio expert will be able to help you make make reasonable decisions with regards to the amount of money that you have to lay out for your total system. After you have your alarm, anti-theft and audio needs met then the world is your oyster with regards to whatever else you decide to plug onto or into your vehicle.
Rule number one is to never walk into a car accessory shop and shop spontaneously, so leave your wallet and credit card at home and have your celebratory libations "after not before" you shop, so you have a clear mind at all times. There are deals to be had on used car accessories but be careful when you buy them. Hydraulics and electrical components for instance, can seem like great deals at first, until you go to install them and find that they are leaking and missing parts that are impossible to find.
Also, pay close attention to the details when you are making your purchase to be absolutely sure that what you buy will fit the exact year, make and model of the vehicle that you own. Installation is a big deal also and many times you can get free instalation at a parts supplier if you negotiate properly.
If you haven't ever installed what you are purchasing then you will be most likely in for a painful learning experience when you do go to install it. Keep it simple if you don't have a lot of tools and do your best to find a "qualified" installation technician to do the work for you if at all possible.
