Hi, I'm trading in my 2002 SC for a used '09 ES. I think the car is capable to receive Sat Radio but am I correct in assuming that the car does not come with the reciever/tuner? If not does anyone have any idea what the approximate cost is to install? If it needs to be installed is that something only a dealer should do or could a local car audio place do something like that? Thanks

Does it have an antenna already? Then the receiver is installed.

When I ordered our 350, I specifically said no XM since I was going to buy it and install it myself. It was something like $600 installed from the dealer. They goofed and put it in. As I told the salesman in the beginning if anything was wrong I would walk away from the car. He offered the XM for $200 and $90 installation. He was a nice guy and I took it.

But you can install it. It's not difficult at all to plug it in and mount it in the trunk.

I know this is a stupid question but where is the antenna installed in a factory/ professional
installation?

You can tell if the car has XM already by just hitting the SAT button. If its installed. The preview channel will be playing.

On the '07 (mine) it's on the passenger side of the trunk. Newer models have the shark fin on top. I don't know when it changed.

Since I went with an aftermarket radio with XM, I now have 2 antennas on my trunk.

I have the factory installed XM tuner on my '08 - the little cube antenna was installed centered on the trunk lid at the front-most edge. Doesn't look horrible, but it came with the car when I got it used.

Something my wife noticed - several channels all of a sudden are working w/o a subscription! This worked out perfect for the 1800 mile road trip I'm in the middle of right now. I never purchased a subscription for this car but we had the 90 day trial on her Highlander.. it suddenly started working again on hers (various select channels) and told me to try mine. Score!

Funny you should mention this. Yesterday I noticed that NAV Weather and NAV Traffic were working in my car, even though when I renewed for radio only a couple of months ago ($77 for one year) I didn't take the trafffic and weather subscription.

If XM is offering free samples they need to do a better job of letting people know what they are doing.

We just bought a 2008 and need to add XM. So far I've had no luck finding an OEM receiver on eBay or anywhere else.

I just found out this morning that Lexus discontinued the OEM/factory XM kits about a year ago and dealers can no longer get them. That's BAD news!

I will post any details of my progress. This has already been frustrating.