1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Is it worth installing a new stereo head unit?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Toyotally04, Feb 23, 2020.

  1. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2020
    128
    16
    0
    Location:
    SoCal.
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I just got a 2004 Prius with at least 183,000 miles.

    The OEM stereo doesn't even work, not even the tape deck.

    Is it worth spending almost $500 just to install a new stereo head unit on a car that may have 20-30,000 miles or roughly 3 years left in it?

    Or am I going to spend my next few years driving with silence?

    Thanks,
    T04
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    6,686
    6,375
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    What's with the almost $500?

    You can get a no-frills deck in there for $50 if you shop. It might only be AM/FM and a USB port for a memory stick, but that's still not awful.

    I wouldn't spend a lot on this particular problem but it's worth doing something. You could even velcro a knockoff pill speaker to the dashboard and put music to it from your phone.
     
    Montgomery likes this.
  3. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    2,002
    745
    0
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    If the head unit itself is the broken part you could also just get a used one installed. Should pretty cheap even if you would have to pay somebody for the whole thing.
     
  4. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2019
    542
    250
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    My 2006 Prius has a working AM/FM/CD MP3 player. But the sound quality from the MP3 player is not great.

    As a result, I purchased a Aigoss Bluetooth Car Speakerphone, Car Stereo Music Receiver Player from Amazon for about $20. See: Amazon.com: Customer Questions & Answers The Aigoss speaker mounts on a visor clip with very strong magnets. Very good sound. I use it primarily to listen to canned music but I have paired my cell phone with it also.

    When the Aigoss is paired with your phone's bluetooth, the Aigoss will play your cell phone on its speaker. Alternatively, you can download MP3 music to a mini SD card and insert SD card into Aigoss. I think I calculated that the 32GB mini SD card can hold about 500 songs. Youtube music (or other YT content such as documentaries, college courses, etc.) can be downloaded from YT and ripped into MP3s for free.

    Just my two cents ("$0.02").

    PS In your situation, I would just purchase a used radio/CD that is working from ebay and also get the Aigoss speaker. Cheapest Prius radio with CD on ebay for 2004 Prius is $45. Just make sure that the radio is sold as used (NOT as parts). Used parts that do not work can be rturned (while items sold as "parts" generally cannot be returned).
     
  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,596
    3,770
    0
    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    I say yes because I did. :p

    Added a sony head unit with volume knob (critical), bluetooth, USB, but most importantly Apple CarPlay so one gets the functionality of a modern car. Head unit, steering wheel control adapter so stock controls including HVAC still work (very important), mounting kit for stock look and pre-wired harness (HUGE time saver; highly recommended); all for the princely sum of $370 from Crutchfield. :whistle: Also, Crutchfield has very good installation instructions for DIY and the GenII head unit is really easy to get to.

    IMG_6569.jpeg

    Still using the stock (non-JBL) speakers since they are still in good condition and the new head unit improved the sound quality enough that I don't feel the need to upgrade those so I saved some $$$ there.

    This is such a great value to me that I'm considering installing another one in my Gen4 level II base that doesn't have CarPlay.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
  6. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    744
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    do it, but buy a cheap head unit.
     
  7. Umerpk

    Umerpk Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2018
    24
    5
    0
    Location:
    Pakistan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I did it, remember you will lose few things.
    1. Intelligent Parking Assist
    2. Feedback sounds
    3. Voice commands
    I have a 2006 Prius (japanese imported) which had these features and I lost all of them.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  8. Minima Domum

    Minima Domum Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2020
    84
    147
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    i-Tech
    I definitely would (and will be doing it soon)

    Modern aftermarket head units have much better sound quality and more connectivity features than our old Gen2 ever dreamed of
     
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I did it to got a nice Pioneer head unit and 2 new front speakers and the steering wheel adapter interface for around $500 installed.
    Sounds great. Best Buy.

    Then I sold the original head unit which worked fine for $50. on CL.