I have a 2005 GX470, and I have the Sirius radio kit for the ES sitting around, and I've never put it in. I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2007 GX, and they don't offer Sirius anymore. I strongly prefer it.

So, my question is: should I get the XM installed, and then swap the old ES tuner--will that work?

When I bought my VW Passat, it came with an XM unit that took about 5 minutes to swap with a Sirius unit. Of course, they were both intended for the 2006 B6 Passat, and here I'm talking about using parts from an old ES---but aren't the tuners mostly the same?

Any guidance would be appreciated, including whether I'm dumb to not wait for the 2008 model.

 

There is still no satellite radio offered for the GX470, XM or Sirius. Sirius is available for 2007 LX, ES, IS, GS, and RX. Haven't heard of anyone putting a factory XM unit in the new GX.

 

http://www.lexus.com/models/GX/features/pricing.html

Options and Accessories
Third-row seat with rear air conditioner [9] $2,030 [3]
Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) $1,750 [3]
Lexus DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System (RSES) $1,650 [3]
Lexus Link® [10] [11] $900 [3]
Rear spoiler $551 [3]
XM Satellite Radio [12] $486 [3]

They very clearly only list XM on the Lexus website. In fact, every model I look at is XM only. Am I missing something?

 

My mistake, I was too focused on the Sirius. XM is available but still no Sirius so far. Not sure about using your old Sirius tuner though. The tuners Lexus is using for XM and Sirius are a little different from the earlier ones. The antenna connectors are different. Not sure about the other connectors as we don't have the old tuners in stock anymore.

 

Well, the antenna connector isn't a *huge* problem, since I actually have the antenna that came with the ES kit. The real question is whether the head unit will talk to it...

Thanks!

 

It won't. The XM and Sirius wiring harnesses are different.

 

Good thing I didn't try that. For anyone interested though, the ES Sirius kit that I had (for my 05 GX) works perfect in my new 07 GX, with the new head unit and everything. I installed it this morning, and I'm jammin' to Sirius no problem.

I would recommend NOT using the ES kit's antenna. It was poor. I used a regular Sirius antenna from a very old Sportster unit and it works PERFECT. I might try the LX antenna kit one day but it ain't broke, so I probly won't fix it.

I have to say--this whole XM one month, Sirius the next is ridiculous. If they want to strike a deal with Toyota, that's fine. But part of what we pay for with a Lexus is SERVICE. They should be giving us options.

 

I recently purchased an 07 GX but did not include XM at the time. I am now trying to decide if I want to invest. Dealership has quoted me $895 and I saw the radio on Lexus-parts.com for $299. Wondering what anyone thinks on the price quoted, (sounds high to me) and how difficult is it to do myself? Love the vehicle. The smooth, quiet ride has greatly exceeded my expections.

 

I usually like to have things installed nicely by the dealer. If they'll do it, it might be worth the money. But, honestly, if you do it yourself, it can be done in under an hour.

I used a putty knife in a cloth GENTLY and PATIENTLY to remove the panels, a 10mm extended ratchet to take the head unit out, plugged the harness in, then ran the wire down the drivers seat and placed the unit behind the DVD/Nav box under the driver's seat, then ran the antenna wire under the floor mats and the middle seat, then under the cover, out the door and on the top.

It's not "pro" but it's mostly neat and clean and it works.

 

I am a Sirius listener myself. Are you aware that XM and Sirius are merging and that to encourage the FCC to approve the deal the newly formed company will offer an al-la-carte menu of listening selections? In concept, notwithstanding the merger, this would allow you to retain the stations you're accustomed to with Sirius.

 

That merger has not been warmly received in Congress so far. It is also unclear to me, at least, whether any equipment upgrade will be required to get these a la carte selections.

I expect the merger will ultimately go through, but until I know that, and I know whether existing equipment permits the a la carte selections, I'm going to keep on with my alternative plan.