Upgrading sound systems

I went to Abt. electronics today (It's a really good quality, huge electronics store.  I don't know how common they are, but I love this place)  looking to upgrade my stereo in the car.  I was just planning on buying some speakers and installing them in the panal.

The salesman I talked to told me that the best way to improve mysystem is to install one of those new radios, that will improve everything, even with the old speakers.  He said that would be a good base if I wanted to add speakers later, and he said adding speakers to the car now, with the original radio, would be a waste of money.

First off, does anyone know how accurate what he was telling me was..

But my main point was just that I would buy one of those new radios, but they just look so stupid, I could never put one of those in my car.  The sales guy talked pretty fast, but he said liek the only way around this (this being keeping the original radio) would be abnoxiosly expensive, I really don't know what he was talking about...But  what do you guys think I should do to improve my system, I don't know how many of you have aftermarket systems. 

By a new radio do you mean a "cd player"?? Some aftermarket cd players have a built in amp which will allow you to get a little more out of your stock speakers.

he meant that you wud have to buy an amp to get the new speakers to work well with the stock unit. The amp can be expensive depending on the one you get.

He didn't really think I'd need a new cd player, he wanted me to buy a radio, which had new speaker plug ins on them I think. 

he was rite in saying that you would need to buy a custom deck as it has a bulit in amp that will make ure speakers sound better, but o great. to get the best quality and sound would be to get an amp, and run the speakers through that. if your looking to get a good deal, i think aquil sells car audio stuff, im sure he'll be able to help you.

Would I be able to get an amp and not need a new radio in my cabin, cuz it would look really bad.  the thing is tho I'm sure the radio I have now is a piece of junk, seeing as it's 14 years old. 

i think there is a converter that allows you to connect an amp to it. i had an amp connected to my stock unit before i changed the stock, and it worked fine. im not sure about ures, it mite work, but if it doesnt, im sure there has to be a way to do it. Take it to a local auido shop and ask them if its possible and how it can be done.

I'm so new to this modding thing, and no so little about how to actually do anything with a car besides running it and cleaning it, that it makes it very difficult.  What makes it worse is I'm still a kid, so it's hard to get help at stores and what not, plus I have limited 2,000 dollar buget.

if you go to a local shop instead of bestbuy or some big place, they will be more helpful. also make sure you dont pay the pricce they ask, u  have to haggle with em. and if you pay cash u usually save quite a bit. with 2k im sure you could get a nice set of wheels and system.

Allrite thanks for all the tips man.
 
I did see this on cardomain...http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2066242/2
 
Oldschool S type, but they have a new radio in the glove campartment, I might look into that if possible.  They also have one of those nice Amps tho...I think they just put a radio in the glvoe box cuz that car didn't have a radio originally.