Hi,

Was reading a few different threads on satellite radio. Sounds like XM works better with the Lexus, uses the fin so nice clean install, better tuners for Lexus, etc so going with XM. Mostly use the radio for music listening.

My question is I read the dealer will charge $700 to install if you've already purchased, is this true? Looks like invoice is $389 (MSRP $489) on it if you buy with the vehicle, and I believe they still install it at the dealership anyways so the $700 mentioned confused me. If it will cost $700 to get it installed at dealer AFTER purchasing I'll get it with initial purchase of car at $389-$489. But if price is always the same $389-489 no matter when you buy it and have it installed at dealer will wait and maybe get it later.

I also read the DIY with parts being about $300 but honestly that looked a bit complicated.

 

There is another way to go...Vaistech....you can get Sirius, and use the Sharkfin...(I like Sirius programming better personally)...It will be about the same in parts and will be fairly easy to install and it integrates perfectly with the stock radio. You can also get the iPod controller as well and have both installed....I plan on doing that...iPod and Sirius.

 

Honestly Sirius or XM does not matter (believe both about same for music needs) too much if both can use Sharkfin, just concerned on installation pricing as I highly doubt I can do it myself in any sort of a decent timeframe. If either will be over $389-489 including installed, seems wise to get it with the purchase of the car now. Would it be more than that getting it installed by dealer at a later time?

 

I second that!!!!

 

Do it later.

I find the $500 price too obsurd. Sure, I'll pay $250 to integrate it to the Audio/Nav.

Personally, I just got an old Roady and I installed mine through the Aux. I keep it on my cupholder mount. Total cost: $20.

 

I did the same Phillip, my dealer wanted $800 and when I asked for the "Tuner Box" price, they said $450. I asked if that came with a a bowl of soup. WTF, I decided to run it through the aux and it was fine. I had the wining noise and had the TSIB done with the in-line noise filter, and it is fine now.

 

I just bought the XM kit and installed it in my wifes car for Valentines day. It is a very easy install that anyone could do.

Bill3508

 

Check out this thread for a detailed XM DIY installation.

I installed mine and on a scale from 1-5 (5 being the most difficult) I would rate it a 2. $700 appears to be the going rate for dealer installation but you can buy the module and the required installation kit for around $300.

 

Can anyone comment on the sound quality from the stereo with the actual XM tuner box installed from Lexus or DIY? I have never heard how this sounds with the direct connect and I am sure it is great. Is it the same as having a cd playing?

 

buy instualled

 

Satellite radio is compressed. The quality is not as good as CD or iPod, but it is still pretty decent.

The DIY I referenced is the same tuner that would come pre-installed or dealer installed, so there's no difference.

I would anticipate it sounds slightly better than consumer units connected via the Aux input but probably sounds identical to any OEM units that connect directly to the factory amp.

 

If it's $389 when you buy the car, and the parts alone are like $300, I'd just get it with the car. (My purchase was $X above invoice so adding options didn't impact the price beyond the invoice cost of the option)

it's PIO by the way (port installed, so at the port the car arrives at in the US, not at the dealership)... at least it was on mine.

I guess if you don't mind doing the DIY and want to save roughly $89 then do it yourself... and that's certainly a good way to go if the car is already owned and didn't come with it, especially if you want to use the AUX for other things, but it wouldn't be covered under the bumper-to-bumper that way.

 

Hey guys....I heard there is like a monthy charge/subsciption you need to pay for in order to use the satellite radio.

Does anyone know how much the charge is monthly for this? $$?

 

XM is about $12.99 a month not including activation and if you want the premium chanel package which is Ala cart. I believe Sirous is similar.

 

Yeah about $10 a month. There is also a one time lifetime fee...like $250 I think.....at least Sirius has this, not sure about XM.