Just acquired a 2011 tC last Monday and the factory stereo is pretty much a joke. Eight speakers, amp, but the radio has the same functions as a radio from the 90s? Can't have that!

So I replaced it with a touch screen stereo from Pioneer, with the optional GPS add-on. First mod, unless we're counting replacing a burnt out brake light bulb and replacing the missing antenna with one from a Honda S2000.

Gotta have my in-dash navigation!

Piece of cake and well worth the money.
You need to be able to read and follow instructions though ;)

Parts used:

Pioneer AVH-X2700BS. $220
Pioneer U260. $290
Metra wiring adapter and dash kit: Metra 95-8202 + 70-1761. $11.65
USB and aux-in adapter. Axxess AX-USB-35EXT. $9.99

Oh, and a baggie of wire connectors from Lowe's. If they're good enough for construction, they're good enough for my car. ;)

Tools used: Leatherman, screwdriver, socket set.

Instructions how to rip your dash apart:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sci...emoval-212369/

All parts listed above come with wiring diagrams and instructions!

Options I didn't get: backup camera and SirusXM receiver, although they are available for this head unit.

Also needed: adapter for the steering wheel controls, METRA AXXESS ASWC-1, $46, plus plug and play adapter for same, Metra 70-8114

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Does pressing buttons to change the volume get tedious rather than having a ****? I'm looking into this head unit with the end goal of installing a backup camera.

 

I assume itt would probably be a little annoying to reach forward and try to hit the volume buttons while driving if I didn't have the steering wheel controls. But... I have the steering wheel controls! ;)

 

Do the volume/channel change buttons work with the different stereo unit?

 

See last line:

also needed: adapter for the steering wheel controls, METRA AXXESS ASWC-1, $46, plus plug and play adapter for same, Metra 70-8114

If you install these, yes, volume up/down, next/previous and input mode buttons on the steering wheel will work!

 

I personally enjoy my factory BeSpoke radio.

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Well, as you can see, that's not the one I had in mine.

And now I also have GPS and satellite radio, which the BeSpoke radio doesn't have either.

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And if it's now several years later and you want Apple CarPlay, all you have to do is swap out the head unit if you pick the right one, and it's plug and play:

 

Any head-units with Apple Play using old-style volume *****?

 

Dang, I hope not. What’s wrong with using the steering wheel controls?

 

I hate repetitive operations. I want just one twist to exact volume I want, rather than 2 or 10x button-pushes.

 

Nice choice I got the same one last week.