Honkey, thanks for the advice. I actually read it after I won an auction on a 7835 ($66). Would have preferred rotary volume, but I can live with the rockers and the lack of features, etc. I probably won't get a chance to build this up as I'm planning on selling the car and likely the deck in 3 months (unless I like it so much I bring it back to Canada and put in the Contour).
Now I've gotta buy those Peerless drivers dave recommended.