recommendations for sub and amp

hey I'm trying to get a friend a sub for her birthday but like most stuff with cars I wanna know whats good and whats bad. I'm going to build the box and just need to get a sub and an amp, looking to spend around $250 ish. I've got ebay and a real good discount at an audio place. I was looking at alpine type-r's($105) but with 500 rms watts the amp would probably cost to much. I was considering maybe a type-s but want to know about otherstuff, pioneer or kicker maybe.   Any recomendations for this kind of price range is much appreciated.

works awesome with even 200 watts http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=31

i bought a kenwood amp 500 watts max and i think 170 x 2 RMS and it came with 2 free kenwoods 12" and it sounds just fine to me.  and i myself am not looking for loudness for everyone to hear and earpopping noise.  but they are pretty loud...cuz you can still hear them outside the car.  it was a lil kit deal at crutchfield...and it even comes with a little remote that you can control dB and frequency.  good buy i think.2002 zx2

id do those alpine woofers if you can get them on the cheap from a local shop. you will avoid any future headaches. establishing a good relationship with a good local shop is one of the best things you can do if you are serious about your audio