FWIW, I had a 2003 Outback Subaru with a McIntosh stereo. While the car was too noisy when in motion to appreciate it, the stereo was actually good, for a car stereo. And it was designed, if not built, by McIntosh. I used to commute close to two hours each day, and I really enjoyed being able to crank my music as I flew down the Garden State Parkway at speeds approaching 20 mph.
I now drive a 2013 Equus with a Lexicon stereo. It's ok, but the car is so quiet that I can enjoy listening even at highway speeds. Even the Bose in my old Infiniti was respectable sounding. I would never go to car just to listen, but a good car stereo can be enjoyable, IME.