Helpless with a 2010 Yaris sedan

[Meechity]

I know next to nothing about cars: 1)they roll around, and 2)I'm stuck in one for 3 hours daily. I just got my front and rear speakers replaced and will soon be getting a small 4-channel Rockford amp because the new speakers have literally done NOTHING to improve the sound (which is hollow and tinny). I'm almost completely convinced it the head unit's fault; however I was told that it's basically impossible to replace it unit without basically destroying the dash or spending thousands of dollars. Here I've seen photos that say otherwise.

MY basic question is: what head unit will fit in my car and cost between $300 - $500? I have a 2010 Yaris 4-door sedan (NOT the sport model) with a simple audio jack (no iPod integration).

:) Virtual thank-you candy to anyone for your help. I'll keep browsing the forums, though it's very hard for me to follow the technical specs.


EDIT: This is what the center part looks like, with the stereo and knobs and such.
http://www.yarispartsstore.com/images/2010-Yaris-cargo-light-kit-blue-sedan.jpg

[CTScott]

You can easily replace the Sedan's radio with an aftermarket one. This thread has the part number info for the replacement radio trim:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13401&highlight=sedan+radio+trim

[Meechity]

Thank you CTScott! Are there no differences in the wiring or structure between the 2008 and 2010 Yaris?

[CTScott]

Thank you CTScott! Are there no differences in the wiring or structure between the 2008 and 2010 Yaris?

No. 2006 to 2011 cars are the same wiring-wise and trim-wise. You may find that some aftermarket radio wiring products aren't listed for 09+, but that is just because they haven't updated their compatibility listings.

[Meechity]

No. 2006 to 2011 cars are the same wiring-wise and trim-wise. You may find that some aftermarket radio wiring products aren't listed for 09+, but that is just because they haven't updated their compatibility listings.

Fabulous news. It's nice to know I can shop for a unit from 2006 onward...thank you so very much. :)

[rningonfumes]

300-500 is wide margin. What features are you looking for? Decent units cost a lot less than that these days.

[fnkngrv]

Whomever told you that you would have to spend thousands of dollars needs to be slapped...twice if they are family...just sayin.

[Meechity]

300-500 is wide margin. What features are you looking for? Decent units cost a lot less than that these days.


- I commute 3 hours a day, and I love music. I want the cleanest, truest possible sound for me, the driver. I like to turn down the front speakers, so the back speakers come through and the music feels like it's all around me. :)

- I want a nice full range like in a theater. If it's economical, I'd like to be able to adjust the equalizer precisely instead of just "treble-bass".

- I would like an interface for my iPod, but at the very least an audio jack.

- I'm not concerned with aesthetics: as long as things aren't rattling around in the car I'm good. I'm not looking for fancy lights or gadgets or interactivity - just the most delicious-sounding audio within my budget. And I'm not looking for booming bass, just CLEAR bass.

- I replace my car every 4 years or so, so I want to take the amp/unit with me...



Right now, with both CDs and audio through the audio jack/mp3 player is that sibilants are ragged and tinny, there is little mid-range sound, and the bass is weak as a kitten. It literally makes me nauseous.

[Meechity]

Whomever told you that you would have to spend thousands of dollars needs to be slapped...twice if they are family...just sayin.

lol.. no one said 'thousands', not yet anyway. I was under the impression that if I wanted to replace the head unit in this new Yaris, because of some computer/complicated wiring/mounting issues or something, I would need a fully customized console, which would be a buttload of work. Also, I won't be doing any of this myself: that would be a legendary mess.

[rningonfumes]

No such thing about the the complications vs other vehicles.

Thanks for stating your requirements, there are a great many audiophiles here on YW who will chime in soon enough. I definitely don't see you breaking 500.

[fnkngrv]

No such thing about the the complications vs other vehicles.

Thanks for stating your requirements, there are a great many audiophiles here on YW who will chime in soon enough. I definitely don't see you breaking 500.


well said....you can really count on the members here to not steer you wrong. :w00t:

[Meechity]

I really look forward to hearing the responses, thank you!!

[sqcomp]

I agree with the general opinion that you don't need to spend thousands for decent sound.

That being said, I'm probably the antethesis of the spirit of this thread. Still, you have many options available to accomplish your goals. I read that you've already replaced your speakers, yet they still sound crappy. You're thinking about a source unit. I'd seriously look into an amplifier as well. I can guarantee you that you're not going to get the advertised power claimed from the source unit...get some oomph to the speakers and see what you can do about properly tuning the system.

[_S7V7N_]

I was just looking for a head unit for a friend of mine and went into Best Buy to just get a bottom line on pricing, they have quite a few Pioneer , Alpine and Kenwood decks around the 100 - 150 dollar range there. They come with front USB and Audio jacks, you could start there. As far as installing , maybe SQ Knows somebody in that area who can help you out. One thing i did not look at on the decks is how much " tweaking " you can do as far as the internal EQ goes. But if you get a Deck for 110 bucks, a decent equalizer shouldn't run you more than 150 bucks and that still leaves some room for buying an amp and getting the bezel you need for the install. I think you will be under your $500 budget.

[Meechity]

You're thinking about a source unit. I'd seriously look into an amplifier as well. I can guarantee you that you're not going to get the advertised power claimed from the source unit...get some oomph to the speakers and see what you can do about properly tuning the system.

I'm definitely getting a little 4-channel amp. The guy who installed my speakers said Rockford has a little one coming out. I didn't research it (yet).


As far as installing , maybe SQ Knows somebody in that area who can help you out. One thing i did not look at on the decks is how much " tweaking " you can do as far as the internal EQ goes. But if you get a Deck for 110 bucks, a decent equalizer shouldn't run you more than 150 bucks and that still leaves some room for buying an amp and getting the bezel you need for the install. I think you will be under your $500 budget.

I'm already learning a lot. I didn't realize that an equalizer could be a separate piece in addition to the unit. :( Ideally they'd be one piece but it's good to know. And I certainly never thought of Best Buy... everything there is so EXPENSIVE.

If anyone has suggestions for local install shops I'm all ears. My zip is 17972 and a 50-mile radius is comfy for this. :)