I specifically limited the style and brand of car based on the availability of certain sound systems. I do not in any way think I can replicate the sound of my home system, but, wanted something pretty highly rated. Most new cars, with integrated head units that control a myriad of things, are poor candidates for upgrades.
I personally was not interested in anything Bose, so that ruled out certain models. I also was only looking for a sedan (which are unfortunately slowly going away it seems). Ford/Lincoln had the Revel systems and I was drawn to it, and ended up with a Lincoln with the Revel 14 speaker (maybe, I cannot recall exactly, there is a 14 and a 19 system) and have been quite pleased. The DAC in the head unit is also quite nice it is a 24 bit DAC by STMicroelectonics (or something to that effect). So when I play off my attached USB drive or via the iPhone connected via USB it comes through crystal clear.
My other car, the sports car (Mustang Convertible - 1983) has all Infinity and Kenwood components but I agree with prior posters, in that car it is more about the air in my face and the sound of the 5.0L V8 that is the music there.
I remember back in the day we used to put 12V to AC converters in our car to run a home stereo receiver, and then put some beat up pair of bookshelf speakers on the rear deck of the car to blast the music ha ha.
