Autos with stock awsome sound systems; Recomend?

For the most part, the last car system I heard that sounded any good at all was a circa 1975 Nakamichi a/d/s biamped Mobile Fidelity System.

I have heard many after market systems most of which were pretty bad but I am with Cruz123 - most stock systems, especially the upgraded ones are TERRIBLE.

Albertporter, I am shocked. I heard the BMW system in a new M5 earlier this year and thought it as TERRIBLE. Maybe the one you heard was significantly different.

Bose systems? Forget it. TERRIBLE.

And "Mark Levinson" systems? TERRIBLE. No relation to the real Mark Levinson whatsoever.

I have noted only one exception as mentioned by Audiojedi:

Although I bought the car for the interior and the performance, I have been pleasantly surprised with the system in our '07 Volvo V70 R wagon.

It is not boomy or bloated at all, the flat settings on the tone controls sound surprisingly neutral, and in general it is remarkably smooth and fatigue free for a car system. Yes, I believe the speakers are made by Dynaudio.

Have not heard the B&O system or the megabuck Naim systems, but maybe they are good.

Not sure if the stereo was the same, but the substantially similar Volvo R wagon has been made since 2004 so you could search around for a bargain. Practical, nice interior and can easily be tuned to 400 HP.

Albertporter, I am shocked. I heard the BMW system in a new M5 earlier this year and thought it as TERRIBLE. Maybe the one you heard was significantly different

My 4.4 X5 is not new, I can't afford $70K for a new one. Maybe they changed them in the last couple of years. The system in mine is good, especially with the iPod glove box cord and Video iPod files as Apple Lossless.

I get to choose my favorite driving tunes from the steering wheel. On the way home today I was spinning Adrian Belew "Side One" and "Shiver and Burn" by Azure Ray.

My '06 Acura RL Premium Sound System is pretty decent even if it has the Bose badge. I do prefer it over the TL ELS (Elliot Schiener) system.

Buy the car you like and then improve the sound system if needed. Typically head units are pretty good these days. The weakness is amplification and speakers/sub. Find a good Car Stereo shop and buy some good components and have them put in. Even a little over $1K for amps speakers and sub (plus installation parts and labor $) will crush 99/100 factory offerings.

ET

I would prefer the sound of a Ferrari engine on song rather than any car stereo. All those valves bouncing up and down making a noise akin to a group of skeletons having an orgy in a biscuit tin. Music to my ears.