04 Solara SLE is XM radio ready? What's that mean?

by **fotodad** » Sun Sep 28, 2003 3:06 pm

Okay, I'd like to get satellite radio. So I see the JBL sound system in my car is advertised by Toyota as "XM ready." I think, great. Sounds like I'm half way there. Toyota says to talk to my dealer to get it all set up and working. Yesterday I stopped in at the dealer. Long story short, the sales, parts, and service departments knew nothing about how to get it working! So I go to three car stereo shops in my area, none of them knew what I needed. The last store, Best Buy, said I needed to find out from Toyota if the JBL just needs an antenna and activation or if it needs a tuner, also. He went on to say that since there wasn't a satellite antenna on the car, he'd guess I need a tuner. But he can't sell me a tuner because he doesn't know which tuner company Toyota/JBL support.

While I've heard many more good things about Sirius, I'd like to go XM because I don't need to buy another head unit (right?). Or will a Sirius tuner hook into the JBL radio?

Wow! How confusing will this get?!

Please offer any insight and expertise!

by **JoeB** » Sun Sep 28, 2003 3:46 pm

fotodad, sounds like a frustrating ordeal. I think you should talk to another dealer. They should know or be able to find out exactly what you need. My GUESS is that if they claim it is XM ready, you HAVE the XM tuner (that's what it means). You most likely will need to get the antenna and then subscription service. A good test is to go into a Circuit City or Best Buy and ask about a new head-unit that is XM ready. They will tell you the same thing, you need the antenna and subscription.

As far as Sirius, that would be a entire new head-unit. You're on the right track, just be persistant with the dealer. Aftermarket places will probably have a little trouble with it since it is so new, they probably don't have application notes on it yet. -JoeB

by **fotodad** » Sun Sep 28, 2003 4:09 pm

JoeB wrote:fotodad, sounds like a frustrating ordeal. I think you should talk to another dealer. They should know or be able to find out exactly what you need. My GUESS is that if they claim it is XM ready, you HAVE the XM tuner (that's what it means). You most likely will need to get the antenna and then subscription service. A good test is to go into a Circuit City or Best Buy and ask about a new head-unit that is XM ready. They will tell you the same thing, you need the antenna and subscription.

As far as Sirius, that would be a entire new head-unit. You're on the right track, just be persistant with the dealer. Aftermarket places will probably have a little trouble with it since it is so new, they probably don't have application notes on it yet. -JoeB

Thanks again, Joe!

I'll keep you guys updated with this issue as I'm sure other 04 owners will want to use this feature. Like you said, it is frustrating to walk into a dealership all excited to get this working, ready and eager to spend money, and they have no clue what you're talking about. Oh well, I guess I lshould cut them some slack since XM ready is relatively new to Toyota automobiles.

by **Luc** » Sun Sep 28, 2003 7:42 pm

The "XM-ready" sign is all marketing, trust me!!! ANY '98-up Toyota is XM-ready.

It is just an adapter that converts the CD changer port to a proprietary adapter that feeds either the Kenwood Sirius, Alpine XM, or Pioneer XM hideaway tuners. You do NOT have XM built in, since that requires another antenna. The company Blitzsafe is one company that makes these adapters.

by **Jackass-Jeff** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:55 am

hahahahahahahaha Toyota technically lied! *Hit w/ newspaper* "Bad corporation! Bad bad bad!"

by **HKSV6SLE** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 12:31 pm

toyota dealers are dumb asses.....they never know anything...

by **Jackass-Jeff** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 1:13 pm

HKSV6SLE wrote:toyota dealers are dumb asses.....they never know anything...

Some do... but they are usually the young Toyota enthusiast... not some Toyota worker that drives a Nissan... =D

by **Luc** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 4:36 pm

Unfortunately, salespersons in any dealer will neither know nor seek to find out what it is that makes it "XM-ready," or anything that is the trend for car audio/video. They are trained from a script. Just wait for announcements of "TracVision" (mainly for SUVs)...mobile satellite video with DirecTV.

by **c2g** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 6:36 pm

If the car doen't have an antenna then you'll need a tuner most likely some cars like the new escaldes have the antenna built into the top of the roof toyota lists xm as an option under accesories

by **fotodad** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 5:47 pm

The XM/Sirius cloud is beginning to clear. Looks like many of you were right: all XM-ready means on a 2004 Solara SLE is that it has provisions (jacks) in the back of the factory head unit which will accept a satellite input (or any input for that matter). So I can put Sirius or XM in the car. I'll need to buy a small receiver, tuner, and antenna. My dealer called me back today (finally) and told me he could get the parts necessary to install XM in the car. The parts came to $580.00. That price did not include installation! I found a reputable Sirius dealer/installer who can put Sirius in my car for $200.00, INSTALLED! What a rip-off Toyota is! Since most if not all of you recommended Sirius over XM for various reasons, I think that's the direction I'm going to go!

Yippy! Satellite radio here I come!

by **Luc** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 6:56 pm

I've installed both XM & Sirius units, and both are comparable. The subscription to XM is $2 USD more per month, it just depends on what stations each offer. FYI, for $200, what you are getting is NOT an add-on to the back of the CD changer port, it's just a FM-modulated system, like the Kenwood or Audiovox systems. Those hideaway units will easily cost $200-up, plus the cost of the adapter can be up to $100. True, dealer parts will always cost more since they don't offer discounts. So $580 for parts only at list price isn't far-fetched.

by **fotodad** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 8:43 pm

Luc wrote:I've installed both XM & Sirius units, and both are comparable. The subscription to XM is $2 USD more per month, it just depends on what stations each offer. FYI, for $200, what you are getting is NOT an add-on to the back of the CD changer port, it's just a FM-modulated system, like the Kenwood or Audiovox systems. Those hideaway units will easily cost $200-up, plus the cost of the adapter can be up to $100. True, dealer parts will always cost more since they don't offer discounts. So $580 for parts only at list price isn't far-fetched.

WOW! Thanks for bringing up the FM modulated system! Why did the guy say he'd have to take the factory radio out of the dash to hook up the Sirius stuff if it works via wireless FM? This is the equipment he quoted:

Panasonic CR-SRF100
Panasonic CR-SRT100
satellite antenna
installation
=$200.00

Is this a good deal or am I getting ripped off? Is Panasonic a good brand when it comes to Sirius stuff, or is there someone better out there?

Thanks again for the help!

by **Luc** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 9:24 pm

I just took a look at those Panasonic products. The SRF100 is the SRT100 + the FM modulator. He has to take the radio out to integrate the modulator with the factory antenna to tune to a specifc FM frequency. Then, the modulator allocates that band for the Sirius (or XM) tuner (SRT100) to play through the factory electronics. There are wireless FM modulators out there, but I haven't seen any. It's great for ease of installation, but could be problematic since it IS wireless and could pick up interference.

The SRF100 lists for $230, SRT100 is $160, and typical antenna is $40. So with installation of $200, that isn't bad. FYI, we carry Audiovox and Kenwood Sirius pieces, and there is a promotion of the free equipment as long as the unit is installed by us. So, the equipment is free, but labor is not. Otherwise, if self-installed, the equipment would NOT be free. It could extend to the Panasonic equipment also. Thus, that would explain the price. I've installed an Audiovox unit for about $150 out the door, that's with $200 worth of free equipment.

The equipment are all comparable, there isn't really a "better" piece. It all depends on how good the tuner of the OEM radio is. If it's good, then you'll have clear sound, if not, then you won't.

by **fotodad** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 5:17 am

Luc,

Thanks again for all your valuable expertise. I'm a little leery of using an FM modulator for the reasons you suggested: interference and not as dependable a signal transfer as a hard wired setup.

So, let's say I want to hard wire the Sirius/Panasonic equipment right to the factory head unit (I'm leaning heavily in that direction). What should I expect to pay, and how will the equipment be different from what I listed above (if at all)?

Sorry if I seem to not "get it." But I've been told so many different things by Toyota, my dealer, and area car stereo salespeople that my head is beginning to spin. I appreciate all your help. I'm sure this info is helping others as well!

by **Luc** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 6:01 am

To wire up directly to the headunit, you will need the receiver/tuner, like the SRT100, plus an appropriate adapter and the antenna, of course. The adapter is what interfaces with hideaway tuner with the OEM radio, so you can SEE/READ the channels from the tuner on the OEM radio display. That's what the display for the FM-modulated unit does. Again, you can check with Blitzsafe. Last I saw, though they listed Kenwood & Audiovox adapters as "XM," but both are Sirius. Only Alpine & Pioneer (so far) use XM. I didn't see any Panasonic adapters.

The Kenwood model is KTC-SR902 and can be found here.

The Audiovox piece is SIRCK2 and can be found here. This kit comes with RCA output, thus you can actually just get a CD changer-to-AUX adapter from Blitzsafe again.

I know we have both the Kenwood & Audiovox pieces in stock, the adapters are relatively new, so haven't seen them yet. But we can definitely get them.

04 Solara SLE is XM radio ready? What's that mean?

04 Solara SLE is XM radio ready? What's that mean?

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