The Alpine PDX-5 can be had for between $300-$400; more if you buy from an authorized dealer. This thing does not get hot, though, which is why one might consider buying an amp from Best Buy, or some other good-warranty return business. I think with proper venting (like stacks of checkers, or otherwise), and realistic sound levels, you would not be unwise to buy the amp off eBay and save at least $100-$200 (retals for $599 at Crutchfields).

The seat does no hit the amp when full forward. There is about 1-2mm to spare. There was no thick pad under the carpet, but I had planned to raise the amp anyway, to achieve an air gap and to clear the RCA's in the front. I was going to remove some of the foam to the rear of the amp, but I realized that was unnecessary and it is designed to line up with the sear rear kick plate when the seat is slid completely forward.

I used home stereo shielded RCA's, as excellent quality shielded ones are significantly cheaper than the smaller-plug versions of the auto-specific RCA's. They wanted a mint$ for 3, 6' dual RCA cables that are sold for automobile applications. I couldn't justify spending $200 bucks for auto shielded RCA, when I spent about half that on two sets of home stereo shielded composites cables and remarked them.:bgwp: