I need help!!!! (more ways than one)
If you had to choose between Clarion and Alpine would you spend the extra bucks for the Alpine? I trying to decide between one or the other for a AM/FM/CD/MP3 unit. I don't see an advantage for the Alpine.... is there one?

 

I own an Alpine and am really pleased with it. I am not too familiar with Clarion, but Crutchfield had a model with all the features you are looking for with a signal to noise ration of 108!! It was right around $300. They were closing them out. I almost was tempted to get one, but decided to hold on to the old Alpine model I got because it is still working well. Lastly, if you heard of McIntosh, who makes home stereo equipment for years, started back in the mid 90's doing car audio, they are the ones who make Clarion I was told. The place where I used to work sells both Clarion and Alpine, but I haven't been in there in years except to buy wires for my current set up. I didn't listen to them, just looked at the new line of products that they carry.

Mister T

 

Upper end Claron is fine hardware- they manufacture much of what is seen under the McIntosh label for McIntosh. Upper end Alpine is mightly fine also.
I never like the which is better type of questions, but in this instance the answer it pretty good- both make good hardware, so it is a question of how much you are willing to spend, and most importantly, what feature are you after and who has them..
Let us know which you do decide on, honestly I doubt you will go wrong either way...