Usually people write "unfortunately I HAVE a Shaker!"
While you will probably receive tons on PM's offering to sell you a Shaker 500 don't bother and get a quality system and speakers.

 

If you do get a Shaker, try to get one out of an 07+. They started putting an audio input in the center console, and since you're a college kid, I assume you have an IPod or some other mp3 player. All I ever use, pretty much, is the input jack and the satellite radio, and I've had no problems with the Shaker 500.

 

I dont think that was directed at you

 

oops! my fault

 

That's not really a good selling point. 90% of aftermarket CD players have audio input ports that will connect to the back of the radio, and you can run the input port anywhere in the car. Besides which, the input port qualityreally isn't all that great on the stock stereo/Skipper 500/1000...I have to turn the volume WAAAAAAAAY up on mine to get any quality sound to come through from my satellite radio/iPod/PSP/auxiliary device, and even then, it sounds muffled compared to my normal FM stations or CD play...

If you want my advice on audio (and it's not worth much more than a wooden nickel), check out somewhere online like Crutchfield and see about buying a head unit that fits into the GT specifically. I think you'll be a LOT happier than buying a Shaker, and you'll probably end up spending less.

 

The only benifit to the skipper 500 was the door sub enclosure. You are wayyy better off with after market equipment. The shaker is a decent factory system but if you go after market you will be much happier.

 

I think mine sounds OK for a stock systemand it is a great starting point to start changing things around when time and money allows it. I just hate the boring, ugly look of the stock stereo[:@]. That would be one of my main reasons for the change.

 

I enjoy my shaker 1000.I enjoy the sound that I get out of it and the bass works well with it.Of course if you get an aftermarket one it could sound better but over all for me I'm glad I got it with the car.The only thing I plan on changeing is the front face to a touch screen dvd player.but the shaker 1000 works fine for me.

 

If you change the HU you almost have to change the speakers becuase the stock 5x7/6x8 wont handle the wattage coming from the new HU......they are rated for like 25 peak

 

Great pic of your car btw; TR is an aweseome color for sure;
...anyway I do have to disagree with you a bit on the "benifit to the skipper 500 was the door sub enclosure". Maybe "the enclosure" with different speakers and grills. The OE grills besides being just a "kicker for the skipper" are down right UGLY. I'll take the std radio and clean door panels over that MickeyMouse setup anyday. Those grills look likeparts out of theTitanic engine room.