stuck with my prius... mp3 mod??

lazyleo · 01-03-2007, 10:34 AM

Hello everybody, I bought a 2004 base prius a couple years ago. I had to have a new car in a hurry and it was the last vestige of my good credit before my wife ran off, I got a divorce, and ran into financial problems. Wow, what a year 2006 was! Anyways, I didn't really like the car to begin with, but I needed something with good gas mileage. I couldn't buy a new prius, and since they were so hard to come by (i.e. 2 month waiting list), I drove out of state to get the one I have. It's a silver one, base model, nothing fancy. But now I'm finding that I'm stuck in the car and am going to have to learn to love it. It has grown on me a bit, especially since learning how to get the best mileage out of it. My question to the forum here is this.... I've noticed the newer Prius's coming out with mp3 players in them. Is there any way possible to get such a player for my car? I don't have the nav system, don't have a need for it, but the mp3 player would be awesome. I'd like a different stereo in the car altogether, but that's not possible, so... I've searched the threads here but haven't found anything regarding this. It seems there should be some kind of software upgrade I can make to the car for the mp3 player to work. Also, about 2 weeks after I bought this car I caught a rock from a semi in the very upper right hand corner of the windshield. The crack traveled 8 inches in 4 hours and over a foot by the time I got off work that day. The windshield is ruined. My insurance won't cover it as I'm told a new windshield will cost around $400 just for the windshield itself! Then add the installation and my deductible won't cover both together. Are there any good places to buy a new windshield?

Ok, another question, I caught a few of the threads regarding interior molding. Since my Prius is the base model, the molding on the inside, even on the doors is just plastic, dark gray plastic, which marks up easily and appears very cheap. I have noticed some cars with what looks like a thick black type of grained leather on the upper portion of the doors and dash. Is such a modification possible? If so, how would I go about it?

I guess this is good for openers... Thanks!

**efusco** · 01-03-2007, 10:47 AM

First, click the prius accessories tab at the top of the page.
Next, take a look at Coastaletech.com
Finally, do a search for "MP3 mod" or "Ipod mod" and you should get a plethora of hits on the site discussing all the various options available to you.

tumbleweed · 01-03-2007, 11:05 AM

I don't understand your windshield/insurance problem. Forgive me if you already know this but comprehensive is the part of your insurance that covers glass breakage. It is almost always $100 deductible or less, as opposed to collision which can be up to $1000 deductible in most states. If you have comprehensive you should go to your insurance company and talk to them again, rocks from trucks is exactly the kind of thing that is covered. The new windshield should cost you the amount of the deductible and that includes installation.

lazyleo · 01-03-2007, 12:28 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Jan 3 2007, 10:05 AM) [snapback]370088[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I don't understand your windshield/insurance problem. Forgive me if you already know this but comprehensive is the part of your insurance that covers glass breakage. It is almost always $100 deductible or less, as opposed to collision which can be up to $1000 deductible in most states. If you have comprehensive you should go to your insurance company and talk to them again, rocks from trucks is exactly the kind of thing that is covered. The new windshield should cost you the amount of the deductible and that includes installation.
[/b]

it's a $500 deductible, glass included.

benlenz · 01-03-2007, 01:43 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lazyleo @ Jan 3 2007, 07:34 AM) [snapback]370075[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I've noticed the newer Prius's coming out with mp3 players in them. Is there any way possible to get such a player for my car? I don't have the nav system, don't have a need for it, but the mp3 player would be awesome. I'd like a different stereo in the car altogether, but that's not possible, so... I've searched the threads here but haven't found anything regarding this. It seems there should be some kind of software upgrade I can make to the car for the mp3 player to work. [/b]

OK, maybe you know this already, and I'm just getting hung up on semantics (as I often do), but . . .

Newer Prii do not come with MP3 players. The '06 and forward have an AUX plug that makes it easy to play an MP3 player thru the stereo. So no, there is no software change that will fix anything in this regard. As already posted, search the forum on "iPod integration" and you should get an idea what's availible.

Cheers

galaxee · 01-03-2007, 01:57 PM

i think he means mp3 cd's. in that case, no, you can't upgrade the head unit or replace with a newer year's version. this was discussed by us jealous 04/05 owners when the 06s came out and as it turns out i think the connectors were different or something.

is the $400 for an aftermarket windshield? or oem?

and finally, in the 04/05 models, the trim is different than the 06/07s. the 06/07s have textured plastic, and i'm sure if you really wanted to upgrade you could buy the pieces from a junked prius or get them from toyota and just remove/replace.

Charles Suitt · 01-03-2007, 02:29 PM

The textured plastic interior panels, glove box covers, etc. seem another example of Toyota 'listening' to their owners. In the Prius, the 2007 Touring Edition has 16" wheels, Bridgestone Turanza tires, mudguards, factory leather available, backup camera and improved suspension [many of these were "added" by previous model Prius owners].

Pinto Girl · 01-03-2007, 05:30 PM

The new OEM Toyota windshield is almost $1,000, not including labor.

I, too, am confused about why your insurance company would not pay for a replacement. It's the part about "Then add the installation and my deductible won't cover both together..."

Are they saying that the part and the installation are two different claims? I'm not an insurance agent, but this sounds odd to me.

Charles Suitt · 01-03-2007, 06:27 PM

<_< OEM Windshield cost may depend on your location. Total cost including labor in Dallas, Texas was ~$640 of which I paid my $50 glass breakage deductable. Cost of a PPG replacement was about $75 less expensive but I insisted on OEM to preserve the original specs.

The glass company was able to preserve my inspection and license stickers.

lazyleo · 01-03-2007, 08:02 PM

no, the total of both the glass and install would be just over what my deductible would be. Here in Wichita the quote I was given was around $475 for the glass and $50 for the install, so by making a claim and everything after my deductible I'd be saving just under $50.

01-03-2007, 01:57 PM	#6
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,081 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 21	i think he means mp3 cd's. in that case, no, you can't upgrade the head unit or replace with a newer year's version. this was discussed by us jealous 04/05 owners when the 06s came out and as it turns out i think the connectors were different or something. is the $400 for an aftermarket windshield? or oem? and finally, in the 04/05 models, the trim is different than the 06/07s. the 06/07s have textured plastic, and i'm sure if you really wanted to upgrade you could buy the pieces from a junked prius or get them from toyota and just remove/replace. __________________ black 2005 prius, tweaked just the way i like it my diagnostic guy on electronics: "lack of troubleshooting ability is due to a high common sense rejection ratio."

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01-03-2007, 10:34 AM	#1
lazyleo Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 9 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hello everybody, I bought a 2004 base prius a couple years ago. I had to have a new car in a hurry and it was the last vestige of my good credit before my wife ran off, I got a divorce, and ran into financial problems. Wow, what a year 2006 was! Anyways, I didn't really like the car to begin with, but I needed something with good gas mileage. I couldn't buy a new prius, and since they were so hard to come by (i.e. 2 month waiting list), I drove out of state to get the one I have. It's a silver one, base model, nothing fancy. But now I'm finding that I'm stuck in the car and am going to have to learn to love it. It has grown on me a bit, especially since learning how to get the best mileage out of it. My question to the forum here is this.... I've noticed the newer Prius's coming out with mp3 players in them. Is there any way possible to get such a player for my car? I don't have the nav system, don't have a need for it, but the mp3 player would be awesome. I'd like a different stereo in the car altogether, but that's not possible, so... I've searched the threads here but haven't found anything regarding this. It seems there should be some kind of software upgrade I can make to the car for the mp3 player to work. Also, about 2 weeks after I bought this car I caught a rock from a semi in the very upper right hand corner of the windshield. The crack traveled 8 inches in 4 hours and over a foot by the time I got off work that day. The windshield is ruined. My insurance won't cover it as I'm told a new windshield will cost around $400 just for the windshield itself! Then add the installation and my deductible won't cover both together. Are there any good places to buy a new windshield? Ok, another question, I caught a few of the threads regarding interior molding. Since my Prius is the base model, the molding on the inside, even on the doors is just plastic, dark gray plastic, which marks up easily and appears very cheap. I have noticed some cars with what looks like a thick black type of grained leather on the upper portion of the doors and dash. Is such a modification possible? If so, how would I go about it? I guess this is good for openers... Thanks!

01-03-2007, 10:47 AM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,253 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	First, click the prius accessories tab at the top of the page. Next, take a look at Coastaletech.com Finally, do a search for "MP3 mod" or "Ipod mod" and you should get a plethora of hits on the site discussing all the various options available to you.

01-03-2007, 11:05 AM	#3
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,006 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I don't understand your windshield/insurance problem. Forgive me if you already know this but comprehensive is the part of your insurance that covers glass breakage. It is almost always $100 deductible or less, as opposed to collision which can be up to $1000 deductible in most states. If you have comprehensive you should go to your insurance company and talk to them again, rocks from trucks is exactly the kind of thing that is covered. The new windshield should cost you the amount of the deductible and that includes installation.

01-03-2007, 02:29 PM	#7
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The textured plastic interior panels, glove box covers, etc. seem another example of Toyota 'listening' to their owners. In the Prius, the 2007 Touring Edition has 16" wheels, Bridgestone Turanza tires, mudguards, factory leather available, backup camera and improved suspension [many of these were "added" by previous model Prius owners].

01-03-2007, 05:30 PM	#8
Pinto Girl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,372 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The new OEM Toyota windshield is almost $1,000, not including labor. I, too, am confused about why your insurance company would not pay for a replacement. It's the part about "Then add the installation and my deductible won't cover both together..." Are they saying that the part and the installation are two different claims? I'm not an insurance agent, but this sounds odd to me.

01-03-2007, 06:27 PM	#9
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	<_< OEM Windshield cost may depend on your location. Total cost including labor in Dallas, Texas was ~$640 of which I paid my $50 glass breakage deductable. Cost of a PPG replacement was about $75 less expensive but I insisted on OEM to preserve the original specs. The glass company was able to preserve my inspection and license stickers.

01-03-2007, 08:02 PM	#10
lazyleo Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 9 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	no, the total of both the glass and install would be just over what my deductible would be. Here in Wichita the quote I was given was around $475 for the glass and $50 for the install, so by making a claim and everything after my deductible I'd be saving just under $50.