<font color='#8D38C9'>Well you can always look into getting used subs and amps and they'll run you chaper, but there's always a chance that they might have been used too hard and will burn out soon... though that rarely happens.
I'd stay away from places that sell all electronics (tv's, pc's, radios, etc), like Stereo Advantage, circuit city and even Best Buy. Try to find a place in your area that JUST does car audio, they'll be your best bet. Also check up on what you want online at the manufacturers site to make sure you won't get ripped off. If you are interested in Pioneer,go to their site and read up. My friend did that and then went somehwere to get a head unit and when she asked the price they quoted something like $300 over the price she saw it was being sold for, they were trying to make a profit I guess. BUT since she knew what it was retailing for she told the guy out and then left and got it somewhere else.
If you have a hatchback, "you'll get good sound no matter what you put in there", a direct quote from the guys who did my set up... I would stay away from Sony for subs and amp (Xplod), though their head units are okay.
I have a Pioneer head unit that I love and a JL Audio sub and speakers, which are also really good, but they run a little high. I have a Coustic amp which is good, but I've heard they arn't as good as they used to be.
Subs: JL Audio, I think Memphis is a good brand which is a bit cheaper, Audiobahn, JBL, MTX and Blaupunkt are good too, Rockford Fosgate too and I've heard a lot of good things about Kickers.
Amps: Audiobahn, JBL, Kicker, MTX, Rockford Fosgate,
Headunits: Pioneer, Clarion, Alpine, Blaupunkt
Check out
http://www.sounddomain.com for some pricing info, or check out the manufacturers sites for some good stuff. Hope I could help and good luck!</font>