Do you care about car audio?

I rented a base model Ford Ranger the other day and the stereo had an option to optimize the sound for the driver or both the driver and passenger.  When set to driver, it actually threw a soundstage with width and depth.  It sounded pretty good.  In a Ford Ranger...

(I've said this in this forum before, so if you've heard it, bear with me.

Back in the 90s, Richard Clark had two cars that were simply incredible on the IASCA circuit. A Cadillac and a Buick Grand National. The GN was the later car for him. But you could be sure of one thing. If you were competing in his power class and you saw the Grand National roll off the trailer (yes, it was trailered to every show), you knew the best you could do on that day was 2nd place.

Those cars opened my eyes to what was possible with high end audio in a car cabin. Still some of the best sound I've heard anywhere, including many high end home systems.

Oz)

   As a car audio enthusiast I remember that car. Clark’s team had compression drivers in specially made horns under the dash, pro audio eq, crossovers, time alignment rack units wired to run off 12v in the trunk. 
The doors and voids in the body were filled with cement, I’m not sure if the car ever moved under its own power. 
I think that particular example was unrealistic in a (real) car. But it was a winner, on all the magazine covers, and the sponsors were happy.
The stock premium system in my GTI is plenty good enough. I have a set of separates running off a NOS A/D/S Power Plate 80, and an 8in woofer in my F150 that has a clean sound.
I have exhaustively sourced a close to period correct system for my 86 BMW 735. It consists of a pair of A/D/S 320i separates for the front, A/D/S 300i plates for the rear, and a pair of early Cadence 12’s. A couple A/D/S PS5 amps for the highs and a Precision Power Art series for the woofers. Also an Audio Control crossover, although I’m still on the fence regarding a head unit. 
To say an ungraded car audio system is useless when you are driving is a stretch. Music and fidelity is as important to me in my car as it is in my home, even if it can’t be perfect, it can be better. 

Audio matters to me wherever I am.  I’m surprised to read comments here, where many spend a lot for small improvements in a great home system but aren’t interested in large improvements that can be achieved for less money in a car.  It’s a challenge, though.  It is rare to find auto experts who are critical listeners.  And it’s tough to have any idea how a product or system will sound in a car.  Still, I wouldn’t mind spending a reasonable amount to quiet the car and improve the sound.  I spend too much time in the car not to care about the audio.

4 Lexus v8 coupes since 1998. 3 were Nakamichi (sp?) which were all Wonderful. the latest has 15 speaker Mark Levinson, which is pretty good. car audio was very important to me as i spent 1hr to and from work every day. 24 hour trips to Fla every year to visit parents. twice a year as their health failed. picked up a Infinity fx-35 awd winter vehicle. neglected to check out the audio system. 11 speaker Bose system. the most Gosh awful car audio I've ever heard. only good for talk radio. less as Rush has passed. retired 12/31/20. planning to pick up a lightly used LC500 to travel the country. the ability to connect a hi rez music player is a must have. 

Even the finest car stereo does not compete with a good home system. 
Playing loudly enough to appreciate a high end car stereo is at the least distracting if not isolating.  Both are dangerous.
Drove over 6000 miles in 16 days and did not listen to the Porsche/Bose stereo at all. Glad I did not spring for the Burmester.