Do you care about car audio?

OP, I had always felt the same as you; whatever was stock was good enough and usually not all that bad. Until one year ago when we bought the new 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx edition. Fantastic suv with incredible performance in snow and icy conditions and rough terrain. A tremendous amount of technology is used in the vehicle to the point that it is annoying at times with its excess of electronic “smart” features. I did not even bother testing the audio system on the assumption that it would be more than “good enough”. Big mistake. It is the worst sounding car audio system that I have ever heard. Tinny and harsh sounding; almost unbearable to listen to.  Go figure. To add insult to injury, the “upgraded” audio system is not retrofittable. Live and learn.

If money is not a constraint, Emphatically yes. Just on a different scale. We all know that improving sound in any system is an exponential adventure. That said, I love home theater as well. After you blow $100K on Pass Labs, Focal Maestros, an elaborate streaming system, ASC tubetraps, etc... what's $8K on a great car stereo or $50K on an amazing 15.4 atmos home theater system. I get more enjoyment out of the $8K car stereo than I would trying to improve the $100K 2ch setup. Trying to improve that rig would take $30K or more to notice a difference. 

 I enjoy good sound everywhere. My AMG had Burmester... complete crap. My RAM TRX had HK.. also crap. I have heard the Ford B&O... same thing, crap.

Give me some Focal KRX3s, Audison BitOne processors, decent amps, JL Audio 10w6v3 subs... game changer while waiting in traffic or just driving to work. I swap every factory system out.

I get the comment about listening to the engine and sometimes I do enjoy the sound sound of a blown 702hp hemi in the TRX. Other times, I want a great sound (for a car environment).

I like my Toyota Rav4 18.
Wish I can improve that awful sound.
Any ideas?
Thanks

Typically I only buy nice sports cars (Audi, BMW, Porsche, Maserati), I keep the factory radio and upgrade the amp and mid/tweeter,  sound deaden the doors and rear deck. A lot of bang for the buck if you know what to buy. I like Alpine and Pioneer.

Only in the car.  I enjoy Using Plex app to stream my music via CarPlay with album set up on the dash.   Didn’t have that as a kid.   Just radio.   Then cassettes then CDs.   Why should cars be any different?  Especially if you spend time there or on a road trip etc.   Does it sound as good as at home?  No.  Then there is that noise floor.  But so what?  A good car stereo is always a treat compared to the alternative. My current Acura system is the best I’ve had from a dealer but I had some nice ones put in in the past.  Nakamichi with MB Quart system in a Toyota 4Runner was dynamite.