i was kinda torn in the same direction. i have jl 12w6v2's in my hatchback but it cost me an ass load. i have alpine head unit, xm, and mp3 changer in my del sol. im now running a jl 500.5 on my junk and im about to finish my custom door panels.
anyway i was asking myself, i said "self", "do i want band loyalty or bang for the buck?"
if all things were equal (namely price) i would buy the jl's again in a sec and never look back but since things are not even close....
i bought 3 type r 10's
my thoughts are as follows..
no sponsorship = no loyalty

people were talking about their first systems
well mine was 2 pyle driver 12's in my vw bug with a sherwood 240 amp
remembering that makes me wanna puke!
but in my defence that was the summer of 1988.
i have had 3 sponsored cars since that time and worked on some of the most awsome demo cars around
i have also spent over $100,000 of my own money on car stereo equipment in my life.
never again!!!!

do what you like, and buy what you can afford!

ps. JL if you are listening, its not too late for me to return the alpine subs if you wanna hook me up again!!