Stereo Cassette Adapter Where can I get a replacement stereo for my 2002 Prius without going to the dealership?
My 2002 Toyota Prius came with a tape deck instead of a cd player and according to all the car stereo establishments, they don't make install kits for the 2001-2003 prius and the dealership wants to charge in excess of $1,000 do put in a different one. Who listens to tapes? I have a cd player plugged into the cigarette lighter with a cassette adapter in the meantime but it sucks!
All Classic 2001-2003 Prius came with only an AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit. As an optional accessory, you could get a single disc CD player or a 6 disc CD changer added either at port or by your dealer, which fits in the DIN slot (hidden storage area) under the radio. So, you lose some storage, but gain the ability to play CDs. No need to replace the stereo head unit! (I have a single CD added to my 2001 Prius, and my mother has a 6CD changer added to her 2002 Prius, so yes Toyota does make them!)
For a classic (2001-2003) Prius, there are only 5 CD options that you can get that'll interface with the dash buttons and touch-screen controls:
The Toyota 1CD player: Part number 08601-00870, replaced by part number 08601-47801 in 2003 (Y-harness now built in, to avoid Newarkitis)
The Toyota 6CD changer: Part number 08601-00891, replaced by part number 08601-47800 in 2003 (Y-harness now built in, to avoid Newarkitis)
(this photo will show you its location in the dash, and explain the controls: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius/files/%20Technical/6diskCDchanger.jpg )
For both of those, you'll still need the setting kit: Part number 08695-47020 for the older CD players (comes with Y-harness), replaced by part number 08695-47800 in 2003. If you get one of the older Toyota CD player/changers, and can only get the newer setting kit, you'll need to also get the Y-cable by itself, which is part number 08695-00370.
FYI: Using the Toyota part search through http://www.metrotpn.com/Default.aspx and http://www.metrotoyotapartsnow.com/ (myself and several other Prius owners have ordered through Jesse Wright here - great info from him on parts!)
1CD player, MSRP $315, their price <$269
6CD changer, MSRP $569, their price <$487
fitting kit, MSRP $38, their price <$33
Y-cable, MSRP $17, their price <$14
Even if your dealer was quoting you MSRP for the 6CD changer (around $600), I would expect maybe an hour (2 at most for a shop that hasn't done it before) for installation, so I think that they are WAY overcharging you! I would suggest going to A dealer for the parts, but probably not YOUR dealership (more appropriately stealership!)
Alternately, you could get one of Harry's Jensen CD/MP3 players (models MP3510, MP3310, MP5010) which comes with an adapter board which allows the Jensen units to talk to the Prius' controls. It also has a stereo aux-in jack in the front of the unit.
http://home.comcast.net/~bumpelo/front.html
All of the above options you could install yourself, and save yourself some cash from labor charges. Instructions come with Harry's Jensen units, and Instructions for the Toyota options are at:
For the Toyota players, I might suggest calling a few different dealers, as some parts departments will heavily discount the parts. Don't forget to check their websites for any %off parts discount coupons! I would also suggest looking through these recommended dealers: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius/links/Parts___Accessories__000996708657/Toyota_Parts_sources_001004633715/
You could also look into a wrecked Prius at a scrapyard and see if you can get the parts you want/need there for cheaper.
There were some early reports on the toyota-prius yahoogroup of people adding in other CD players, but the players will need to have their own disc/play controls on the unit if you want to use them. There are also some other multi-disc changers (mounted in the center console or in the trunk/boot) that some European dealers have added to some Classic Prius that are Toyota units and seem to work with the Prius' controls...
US TSB EL013-00
Aug. 2, 2002, Navigation, Energy Monitor, Consumption, & Cassette Eject Malfunction, 2001-2002 Prius. (aka: Newarkitis - CD player harness improperly installed leading to display errors and non-ejecting tape player)
For More Stereo Cassette Adapter Info Click On The Blue Links Below
