2013 Scion FR-S Update 14: Now With New Sony Head Unit
The LT FR-S Gets a New Head Unit
A few months back, one of my cohorts dedicated an MT Garage Scion FR-S update to the sub-par factory head unit. I also found the Scion's stock head unit frustrating when performing simple tasks. "So let's fix it," I thought. And so we did. Thanks to "The Goods" team, we now have a shiny new Sony XAV-701HD perched on top of our center stack.
While others have complained about the lack of steering wheel-mounted audio controls (not me - I appreciate the simplicity) my main problem with the stock unit was how unintuitive it was. Adjusting audio settings was a pain, and the little pint-sized display looked like it was ripped straight from an old alarm clock.
We all wanted the new system to retain iPod connectivity and Bluetooth streaming audio, while adding a touch screen, navigation, and satellite radio capabilities. A quick email to our resident The Goods experts and before we knew it Sony had sent us this XAV-701HD car audio system, which can be purchased for $699.99.
So how is it? Very good so far - better even than the Subaru BRZ's clunky factory navigation system. The installation, handled by Al and Ed's Audiosound in Marina Del Rey, Calif. cost us $309.93, was quick and painless, and took only a couple hours.
Right off the bat I found the system much easier to use than the factory system. Changing radio stations was a breeze, and the seven-inch touch screen is as quick, responsive, and intuitive as an iPhone's. Speaking of which, our new head unit pairs seamlessly with my iPhone 4S, allowing me to stream Pandora, play music, and yes, even watch movies. I'd never condone driving while watching anything but the road, but the ability to play video from my phone (or DVD) came in handy recently during some downtime at our weekly test day.
Thus far my only complaint is having to use the Televav app on my iPhone for navigation, which requires you to make a $2.99 in-app purchase to allow you to connect it to the Sony unit. The Televav app doesn't like multitasking and won't allow you to play music while using GPS. If the setting can be changed, I haven't yet figured out how to do it. I can't complain too much though - a week earlier our FR-S didn't even have a navigation system.
After the system was installed, the total cost came to $1009.92 (had we paid retail)-- a huge chunk of change for someone who just spent $26,000 (plus taxes) on a new car. Honestly, I would be just as happy spending hundreds less (including installation) on our aftermarket audio system and sacrificing a couple features. Sony also offers a system that offers nearly as many features as the sleek one we installed, but with a slightly smaller screen, yet a $549.99 price that as of this writing is on sale at $449.99. In this day and age, who really needs features like a DVD or CD player? Give us some USB ports and we're good to go.
More on theScionFR-S:
Comparison: 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club vs. 2013 Scion FR-S
FR-S LT Update 1: Our Hopes and Fears
FR-S LT Update 2: From Road Tripping to the Daily Grind
FR-S LT Update 3: FR-S Loses Its Track Day Virginity
FR-S LT Update 4: "Play With Me!"
FR-S LT Update 5: Audio System Blues
FR-S LT Update 6: Singing the Bone-Stock Blues
FR-S LT Update 7: TRD Parts Galore
FR-S LT Update 8: Unconditional Love
FR-S LT Update 9: Not for Everyone?
FR-S LT Update 10: Don't Slam It
FR-S LT Update 11: Let's Lighten Up a Bit
FR-S LT Update 12: A Little Something Lost
FR-S LT Update 13: Test Track Numbers
I generally like writing—especially when it’s about cars—but I hate writing about myself. So instead of blathering on about where I was born (New York City, in case you were wondering) or what type of cars I like (all of ’em, as long as it has a certain sense of soul or purpose), I’ll answer the one question I probably get most, right after what’s your favorite car (see above): How’d you get that job? Luck. Well, mostly. Hard work, too. Lots of it. I sort of fell into my major of journalism/mass communication at St. Bonaventure University and generally liked it a lot. In order to complete my degree senior year, we had to spend our last two semesters on some sort of project. Seeing as I loved cars and already spent a good portion of my time reading about cars on sites such as Motor Trend, I opted to create a car blog. I started a Tumblr, came up with a car-related name (The Stig’s American Cousin), signed up for media access on a bunch of manufacturer’s websites, and started writing. I did everything from cover new trim levels to reviewing my friends’ cars. I even wrote a really bad April Fool’s Day post about the next Subaru Impreza WRX being Toyota-Corolla-based. It was fun, and because it was fun, it never felt like work. Sometime after my blog had gotten off the ground, I noticed that Motor Trend was hiring for what’s now our Daily News Team. I sent in my résumé and a link to my blog. I got the job, and two weeks after graduation I made the move from New York to California. I’ve been happily plugging away at a keyboard—and driving some seriously awesome hardware—ever since.
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