I know that you can't play music through Bluetooth unless you have a 2010+ model plus the navigation package. Is there anyway to upgrade the navigation system without having to use a radio transmitter or any of that crap?

 

A nav conversion is pretty pricey. The kits can be $400-$600 used. For closer to $150, you can install this Grom Audio box. It will highjack your XM input in the back of the stereo, then you can bluetooth pair to it. They also have options that let you run an aux cable, if you're interested in that.

 

So if I used the grom box would it still sound as good as the stock bluetooth(navigation) system? Is it playing through the radio or what?
Thanks for the reply man!

 

Also will the grom audio box interfere with the Bluetooth calling through the car? Also will the grom box work with the steering wheel audio controls?

 

Yes, it's playing through the directly-connected radio input, not doing any fm transmitter junk, so the sound will be like factory.

Steering wheel controls and factory headset controls (track skip, etc) will work for aps that support it (pandora, and others). There are videos of it in use.

For phone, I think it adds another phone connection and has a microphone, but I would just use your phone bluetooth settings to pair the car's native system for phone (uncheck the box for headset), and pair to the GROM for headset (uncheck the box for phone). Most devices will let you pair to two if they are for separate functions.

I'm getting one of these for father's day, so my knowledge isn't firsthand, but there's a bunch of info if you search this forum and youtube videos.

 

Right on thanks

 

Do you not have any hookups (namely USB) in the center console? That's gonna sound much better than BT.