I accidentally paid a $1,900 shipping fee for a 2022 ES 300h with the base 8" screen, not realizing the 12.3" wasn't standard. Since the 2022+ models have the updated touchscreen dash, I’m stuck between two choices:Retrofit: Has anyone successfully swapped the 8" for an aftermarket 12.3" unit on a 2022/2023 specifically? Which units are most stable and actually retain hybrid energy monitor and 360-camera features?Return: Should I eat the $1,900 loss to find a factory 12.3" model instead?Seeking links to:Confirmed 2022+ installation guides or DIY threads.Units known to maintain all OEM hybrid displays without glitching.Is the factory 12.3" worth the $1,900 hit, or is the aftermarket route reliable enough for a daily 108-mile commute? Thanks

 

Aftermarket is not going to give you what you are expecting. Think you would be happier with a different car from what you have said.

 

In addition to what Alex stated, these cars are incredibly complex and think you'd be opening a can of worms messing with the electronics.

 

With every purchase that’s a luxury in life you have to do your research .!!
if you upgrade it cost is more most important is the headache!!

 

I looked at a base ES 350 before I bought mine with the premium package.
After I saw the 12.3" screen on the premium package, I could never get myself to get the small 8" screen.
It's just one of those things you cannot unsee.

 

Yes, and although at first the price may have been one of those "I can't let this get away", now you know why and also remember that the resale will be one of those also.

 

Wait until you found out the 2023 - 2025 model has a completely redesigned and upgraded infotainment system, ready for the 2020s - 2030s era (such as wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, newer Map system) that 2022 - 2019 years don't have, can't update, they're stuck in 2010s era. Unless price is a HUGE factor, which probably not in this case (2022 vs 2023) always better getting a 2023+ES.

 

But in my 2019 I'm not paying extra for GPS... Which, IMO is a disgrace that you have to pay for GPS after a free period.

 

Who isn’t using Apple/Google Maps or Waze for navigation these days? Personally I wouldn’t use native navigation unless I had an EV and needed to precondition the battery en route.

 

Yeah I think I'm just going to install this and all should be well. Either way it's a nice step up from the 21 Camry LE I just totaled.

https://lexionautomotive.com/lexus-e...android-autotm

 

Oh it's def. an step up, enjoy your new ride. Try plug in your phone and try out the Apple Carplay/ Android Auto with the 8" screen first to see if it bothers you, if not try to stay with OEM equipment as much as you can before spending more money on aftermarket parts.
The aftermarket screen will eventually give you issues and fail at some point, not if, just when.

 

Not sure if this makes things any more palatable for you, but you can easily convert your 2022 ES h from wired to wireless carplay fairly inexpensively. Several reliable options.

 

as noted: vast diff. between 8 and 12.3" when it comes to drivability/convenience.
the larger one is well worth the money.

i researched the aftermarket options during my hunt for a 2020 ish RX (12.3 was vert rare then) and though there's ton's of internet hype about some of them, including across the diff. forums, but when i dug down into it I got the feeling much of it was (b.s.) marketing and there were plenty of problems....the bottom line conclusion for me was that all/most where rebranded Chinese made electronics of questionable quality...

you get what you pay for so the idea of paying 600 for a unit should be a warning. If this was a 'good' option don't you think you'd see tons of raves about it (there are +/- million Lexus w/ 8" screens on the road but somehow only a handful of positive reviews for this device?

my advice:
don't throw good money at a mistake.
either choose to live w/ the mistake or choose to upgrade (to a diff. car) w/ the costs associated w/ it.
lessons cost money (or time) so now you know...it's ok.

p.s. plz don't pay to have an ES shipped? ES are everywhere! W/ some patience you can find what u want within driving distance (unless you are in Guam or something).
truth be told, once you locate the right optioned car, u won't pay that much more for those options....the price is patience.

 

Appreciate the advice! Yeah, there were some that definitely seemed sketchy but I saw some positive stuff about this company (Korean) on the forums. But I think I'll probably stay put with it and stick it out until or unless I can't.

So kind of complicated. I wrecked my car, it was in the shop for almost 30 days I was expecting to pick it up within a week when out of the blue my insurance company called me and informed me they were totalling it out. By that time my rental benefits were used up and I had to return the car. So now I'm borrowing my dad's 05 Ford Ranger for my 108 mile daily commute 🤣. Also, my wife and I are in the middle of a house refinance so I can't (don't want to) go to a dealership right away and do a credit inquiry until after I close. So, the price was good with this (even with the shipping) and the time of arrival lines up nicely with the refi closing date. The hybrids also really don't seem do be all that plentiful in my area (NE Ohio), at least that fit into my parameters or year and mileage.

I knew there was a good refresh for the infotainment starting in 2022 but I just missed the fact that the 12.3 wasn't standard, all the reviews I saw had 12.3 inches and all my conversations with Gemini never mentioned the 8in screen. The pictures of it were right there in the listing I just missed it 🤷‍♂️. I spent a lot of time looking into these and somehow this one aspect got by me. Oh well, live and learn. I fumbled the ball and I'm just going to live with it. I can't see myself flushing $1,900 at this point and then paying another $5k for another car. In any case, it ought to be a major step up from the 21 Camry LE I was driving (fingers crossed).

 

I made a similar mistake on not doing enough research before buying my base, i.e. "Premium" model. Lexus, it turns out, is one of the few manufacfturers nowadays where buying the upgraded trim levels is actually worth it. Knowing what I know now I would have searched for a UL model, but hindsight is 20/20.
That said....I have the 8" screen and it's fine. Would prefer the larger one but you have to remember that you're coming from a 21 Camry LE - it's going to be a step up in car in literally every way. As others said, if you want to go wireless CarPlay then there are inexpensive and good options to enable that.