I am in the process of an audio upgrade -- currently researching speakers. I took the passenger side door card off to remove the speaker and see what the enclosure looks like, and saw that the previous owner had cut the existing basket right off. So only the 'bracket' is left (ring between back of speaker and the door panel).

That's no big deal really, and I wasn't surprised. But is it advisable to get a replacement basket when I get new speakers? Would you guys bother doing this, or just plop the new speaker in the hole?

 

The stock speaker baskets are very narrow/shallow, so most aftermarket speakers won't fit in them. Cutting off the back
of the basket spacer ring is a common mod, though some speakers still won't fit within that ring. If you can't use the cut
basket, you can make one out of MDF or there are various suppliers of pre-made rings including Modifry,
You may want to add some foam speaker baffles for weather protection.