XMDirect

[technole]

http://www.xmradio.com/xm_direct/factory_installed.jsp

Wonder when Toyota will appear on that list?

With Toyota charging $480.68 for the XM kit, it will bite them in the butt if they don't fix that darn markup.

What I am hearing is the Prius kit is actually the Solara XM kit re-packaged.. http://www.priusxm.com/

[MrMikeL]

$299 PLUS installation. Seems that $560 isn't all that bad considering the installation process.[/i]

[Fergy1020]

I doubt the Solara with the Nav system will make this list. There is a lot of work involved to integrate the XM radio into a vehicle that also has the Nav system but have to say it was well worth it. XM sound quality is very good along with all the variety of stations and programming. Other than the antenna mounted on the rear deck you don't even know the vehicle has XM capability!

[technole]

I doubt the Solara with the Nav system will make this list. There is a lot of work involved to integrate the XM radio into a vehicle that also has the Nav system but have to say it was well worth it. XM sound quality is very good along with all the variety of stations and programming. Other than the antenna mounted on the rear deck you don't even know the vehicle has XM capability!

Do you ever get a lapse of signal when you are under a big tree by having the antanna on the rear deck?

[JadedEMOlush]

The $560 does not include installation at Toyota... that is what they told me a few months ago. I was quoted almost $900 for everything, including installation.

I bought a plug and play unit... installed it myself. Total cost... $100.00.

[mmcdonald]

I called Crutchfield and their plug and play was around $100, but my Toyota (who won't get me in touch with a service writer after 9 calls) wants $360.00 for the unit, with no word on installation. This is a crazy mark-up.

Does anyone have advice on a Sirius unit for this model?

[mmcdonald]

Unless there are more replies regarding after market solutions now, I will spend my cash on the TRD lowering springs and rear sway bar and deal with those problems instead =]

I hope to hear more on this topic though.

[crimson blades]

I just had the factory XM installed on mine. According to the dealer, they just lowered the price to $318 plus install. This was on 9-1-04. The one thing I don't like is the Toyota antenna is very big, but its nice to have it all integrated into the factory system.

[technole]

I just had the factory XM installed on mine. According to the dealer, they just lowered the price to $318 plus install. This was on 9-1-04. The one thing I don't like is the Toyota antenna is very big, but its nice to have it all integrated into the factory system.

Awesome. I'll have to ask my dealer.

Is it on the roof of the car? It looks like its just as big as the ones you see on the Acura TLs and Honda Accords.

[crimson blades]

I have the convertible, so its mounted on the trunk lid. The aftermarket antenna I'm thinking about using is about 1/4 the size of the factory. The only issue is the factory antenna is a two wire one and the smaller one is a single wire, but I think you can get an adapter. I was planning on looking into it this week.

If you like I can take a pic of the two of them side by side so you can see the difference, I just have no way of posting it.

[Guest]

I have the convertible, so its mounted on the trunk lid. The aftermarket antenna I'm thinking about using is about 1/4 the size of the factory. The only issue is the factory antenna is a two wire one and the smaller one is a single wire, but I think you can get an adapter. I was planning on looking into it this week.

If you like I can take a pic of the two of them side by side so you can see the difference, I just have no way of posting it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71532&item=5719686081&rd=1

Something like that should work.

You do know you can paint the antenna, as long as the paint isn't lead based I've seen people do it.

[boaclub923]

hum, i'm just wonder, is it really worth to get XM and pay all the money?
after buying antenna, u have to pay the monthly fee for XM. i just feel it's weird to pay so much money and get a "high quality AM/FM..."

[MrMikeL]

I had an opportunity to rent a car this summer for some driving, and it came with Sirius satellite radio. It's definitely worth the money! No commercials, no loss of signal when you leave a geographic location, lots of channels from which to choose. When I have the $$$, I'm going to get it.

[mmcdonald]

I just "installed" a Blaupunkt America SR04 Sirius sat receiver. The interface on this unit is a little clunky, but for $150.00 delivered from Crutchfield, it was a good deal (it is the whole car kit, not just the receiver.)

I have tuned it to a few stations, and will try more tonight. The station selection is amazing. Go to their web site and see it. It even has a "blue" comedy channel. No commercials and unlimited geographic range in the continental US (contiguous 48).

Anywho, installation so far has been easy. I have it in the bin under the head unit with wires running out till this weekend. I mounted the antenna on the rear deck lid, and ran the cable between the fold down rear seats in a bout three minutes. The antenna cable is about 1/16th inch thick, so it looks like it will be way easy to run permanently. The power comes from a car adapter, so that will plug in to the front bin or armrest bin.

After getting this, I would never get the factory XM since it costs so much for the unit ($350+). One caveat, Sirius activation is $15.00, but when you CANCEL Sirius, it costs $75.00.