I'm looking at a new IS250 - base model for the Southeastern region - 18" wheels and HIDs. The only way to get bluetooth functionality is to buy the NAV system and the only way to get that in the Southeast is with ML and Luxury package - which jacks up the price into IS350 territory.

The salesman at the dealership says no bluetooth available but I wondered if there's an aftermarket system that will intergrate with the Lexus handsfree system?

 

thats not true, i got mine with nv, back up cam, blue tooth and no ml the option is $2200 i believe

 

They sale kits, aftermarket but they have them. Google in "bluetooth car"

 

Why don't you just special order with just the nav pkg??

 

If you just want BT handfree calling without paying the insane lexus Nav price you can just buy a nice $300-400 garmin GPS unit. You'll not only get -more- nav features than OEM, you also get bluetooth handfree calling, and for a couple grand less.

(but if you do decide you want to special order in NC, lemme know, I can give you the name of the guy I got a great deal on my special order 350 from in Durham)

 

Ahhhh,

You beat me to it!!! yes, this is the best method. The Garmin is nice and loud enough to both receive and project your voice. Prices have really come down on these units as well.

 

Well--in that case, just buy a stand alone BT unit, or headset. Otherwise, you would have to have the Garmin plugged in and set up anytime you wanted to make a call--or received a call that you weren't expecting. If you are driving to a destination where you don't want or need the nav, who wants the added step of setting it up, just in case someone calls you?

 

get aftermarket bluetooth kit...

I did it for my old IS250(non-nav)

I bought...

CK3100(Parrot)

plug and play harness

KUDA mount for IS250(about $60)

Lexus OEM Nav Mic(about $150)

Lexus OEM Front Center Speaker(about $200)


this is kinda expensive but I did it and looked so good =)

PM me if you want to know more about this setup and where to get it..

i am not in front of my computer, so i don't have my saved links to products..-_-

i have OEM nav in my new IS250

but it was good to use aftermarket setup too.

 

I have the Garmin 680 in mine. By putting it in the front cupholder, the power cord is almost completely hidden - just sneaks out of the center console. And, I can stash it away in seconds when parking in an "iffy" neighborhood. Price < $500.

But, if a GPS w/BT doesn't float your boat, you can try the BlueAnt Supertooth. My wife has this in her Accord and loves it. It clips on your visor and the battery stays charged for what seems like forever. Price <$100 (Amazon).

You can get aftermarket built-ins as well. But those generally require professional installation and are much more invasive. Price = YMMV.

 

Can you tell us all on CL more about your factory center channel speaker upgrade. I am assuming that was a ML since that was the only center channel produced? I think there is a harness already behind the center channel grill on non ML equiped models? What was the speaker size?

 

Yes, if you only want a BT, I got BT SuperTooth from ebay,its a very nice handsfree BT, and for only $70, you cant beat it. Its loud and clarity on both ways (speaker and mic) unbeatable.

 

the center speaker did not come w/ my car from the factory and I know there is a harness that seems to be plug and play.

I tried connecting the center speaker to it but did NOT work.

*Center Speaker ONLY works on ML packaged vehicles.

 

i was wondering do you think the bluetooth integration in the 08 es350's non-nav would work in the 2is with non-nav? i recently was in a loaner 08 es350 with bluetooth non-nav.

 

I'm not sure, but if it's like the system that's in the solara, then I'm going to go with a no, because it's built into the radio itself.

 

Doesn't matter, bc it's not available. The ES, GS, etc have standalone BT available as a factory option. Unfortunately, the IS doesn't