XM & Sirius Satellite Radio

oldsman01 · January 2003

I too wondered why the Trailblazer and Envoy didn't offer XM for 03. To me, GM(and others) should offer the option of XM on all models. I read somewhere that Honda is supposed to start offering XM soon.

montanafan · January 2003

http://media.gm.com/news/releases/030114_xmradio.html

oldsman01 · January 2003

That seems to cover a good lot of GM's vehicles, but it seems odd the Buick Park Avenue isn't in there. Being as the Park's best mission in life is long distance road trips, XM would seem a natural. Not to mention it is Buick's flagship sedan. Also, I'm hoping Cadillac revises the CTS's XM option as currently you must get the expensive navigation system to get XM on the CTS. Instead of throwing in a year of free Onstar(which alot of people don't renew) they should throw in a year of free XM. Get a buyer hooked on XM after a year(or even 3 months) and you've got a long term subscriber.

stever · January 2003

This reviewer has a good slant - who cares about the car, just make sure it has XM:

Cute Cavalier covers your needs (New Haven Register)

Steve, Host

montanafan · January 2003

GM cars do come with 3 free months (free activation also) of XM service since (I'm thinking) mid-November.

zombo · January 2003

Unless you have a long commute or take long trips 'pay radio' is basically a waste of money and is destined to go the way of 4 channel stereo and the betamax. No one I know will buy one due to the cost of the equipment and the expectation that it will be gone soon making that money wasted.Pay services comments saying no commercials'for now' aren't helping things either.For the short amount of time most people spend in their cars there are more practical alternatives. It's a shame they won't make it financially as more choices are always better.

montanafan · January 2003

If there a difference between "pay radio" and cassettes or cds? Am I better off with two months of XM or Terri Clark's new CD for my $20? I am a believer and will be putting the Delphi SkyFi system together at home this weekend.

s852 · January 2003

Of course it is better if you have a long commute or take long trips.
I have a very short commute, so I am not in a hurry to get an XM radio even hough I think it would be cool to have. I would not get my moneys worth out of it now.
However, if I had an hour or more commute sitting traffic 5 days a week, like many thousands of people do, I would get an XM radio right away. Same if I either drove my car around town all day or did long distance driving on a regular basis.
If I ever start to take long road trips on weekends or whenever, I will still eventually get the XM or buy a car with it already in from the factory.

stever · January 2003

Don't forget you can get "boombox" for car and home use for about $130 US.

Steve, Host

mlm4 · January 2003

The Betamax comparison is not valid, since it was simply one form of a VCR. It wasn't that VCRs were unpopular and failed, just that the Betamax format didn't survive while the VHS format did (for whatever odd reasons). Maybe Sirius or XM will not make it, but I think it's unlikely that the entire idea of satellite radio will go away because there is something else that consumers would rather have.

As far as the cost, as others have said, it's a better deal at under $10 per month than buying a single CD at $12-18 each. If you don't buy CDs and XM does not interest you, while AM and FM suit you just fine, then that's fine. Not everyone will want XM.

zombo · January 2003

If you bought a betamax[the beta format] it was obsolete within a few years please don't nitpick.I want satellite radio to survive and thrive,but with all the impending competition it won't be easy. I don't know where people are buying their CDs for $20 ,but you can buy almost any CD used for under $10 on amazon.com,for example I just bought 3rd Eye Blind's new cd for $4.50,people buy cds record their favorite songs then sell them cheap. Also file sharing sites like winmx allow you to download almost any song-free!Kenwood has just come out with a car audio system [saw it in Crutchfield's catalog] that lets you download up to 5000 of your favorite songs[if you have that many]using your computer .This is not even counting MP3 or the upcoming digital radio. So good luck Sirius and XM,you are going to need it.

dklanecky · January 2003

Your missing the point. I used to do all the things you're talking about:

"but you can buy almost any CD used for under $10 on amazon.com,for example I just bought 3rd Eye Blind's new cd for $4.50,people buy cds record their favorite songs then sell them cheap. Also file sharing sites like winmx allow you to download almost any song-free!Kenwood has just come out with a car audio system [saw it in Crutchfield's catalog] that lets you download up to 5000 of your favorite songs[if you have that many]using your computer."

Now, I just get in the car, turn on the XM and listen. No planning on which CD's I want to bring or buy or copy. No MP3's to download, no muss, no fuss just great programming.

I used to buy 2-3 new CD's a month before XM. Since June 02 when my unit was installed, I've not bought another CD. I'm saving money (on CD's), and I'm saving time (managing them)and the XM programming is far better than I can select myself.

I hear songs daily on XM that I haven't heard for years (and would consequently never think to load in my CD player).

Which AM/FM/CD/MP3 do you tune to for the comedy channel without XM?

With all the consolidation in the traditional AM/FM radio stations over the last few years, one could argue that over the next few years the traditional AM/FM radio stations will slowly but steadily loose listeners to satellite radio providers.

This means their ratings drop thereby causing an increase in the already obnoxious amount of advertising they must run thereby continuing to chase away more and more listeners (probably to satellite radio).

zombo · January 2003

I also forgot to mention public libraries which lend out audio cds for free.I have digital cable with 55 commercial free music channels,don't use it much but I enjoy it when I do.I am planning on moving,which will means my commute to work will go from 12 mi.one way to 40 mi.and plan on getting sirius or xm then,I just hope they are still around . I would want it in both my vehicles-does the monthly fee cover more than one car or is it on a fee per vehicle basis?Also a plug in converter unit that can be plugged into a stationary base so one unit can be unplugged and then plugged into a second car[without buying 2 converters]would be nice does any manufacturer offer such a setup?

montanafan · January 2003

Check out http://www.delphi.com/electonice/skyfi/ for info about one type of portable unit that can use car and home docking ports. Will be setting mine up at home this weekend.

oldsman01 · January 2003

My daily commute to and from work is less than an hour(total time) and I GLADLY pay the 9.99 a month for XM. FM has has NO, I repeat NO, ZERO, ZIP, NADA, variety and way too many commercials so for even short commutes, the sanity and actual enjoyment of listening to music makes it money well spent. If you don't have XM or haven't spent some time with it, you probably won't understand and will continue to wonder why people pay for it. Thats fine, 15 years ago alot of people wondered why some folks would spend big bucks to have a telephone in their car.

zombo · January 2003

The Delphi Ski Fi plug and play unit is exactly what I was looking for and the ability to use it with your home stereo is an unexpected bonus! Now all I have to do is find an electronics retailer that carries the Delphi brand in northern NJ or eastern PA.

jgmilberg · January 2003

Check Circuit City or Best Buy, both carry the Ski Fi unit here in my area.

I used to do the DL and burn thing, but after a while you get used to the song order, but with XM like said above I gt in and listen. I don't have to waste time downloading and burning, or going to the store and buying, or ordering from Amazon and get a good deal on a CD but then get taken for the S&H. All in all the best bang for the buck points one way UP to the XM's Rock and Roll satellites!!

zombo · January 2003

I may have been playing the devil's advocate a little here to see how vigorously satellite radio fans defended their choice as I know no one who has this technology. I was leaning toward Sirius til I read these posts and learned about Delphi's SkiFi. It's actually in the Crutchfield catalog also[don't know how I missed it] but I will probably go to Circuit City. The 6 disc in-dash unit in my 03 Matrix is also a Delphi and has the same red readout and also seems to be set up for digital radio. A speaker upgrade and the addition of xm will give me the best of all worlds. Thanks again guys.

oldsman01 · January 2003

The Delphi Ski Fi unit seems to be the way to go. I was one of the first to get XM(purchased equipment and subscribed 11/01) and the Delphi unit was not out them. I have the Sony "Plug n play" which can also be used in the car and in the home. Definitely the best of both worlds. Since my daily commutes are not that long, I find that I am using the system more at home now than in the car. Couldn't tell you the last time my home receiver was tuned to an FM station.

gumdoc · February 2003

Tried this in another part of Town Hall but didn't
get a response yet. I bought an '03 Pathfinder about five months ago that was "satellite ready"
(supposedly the radios in the entire line of Pathfinders are "satellite ready"), but have not been able to get Nissan to do the modification, and I'm not even sure they know what to do. Has anyone else had this problem with Nissan regarding this problem? I have been told by one car radio shop that a tuner can be added that will give me the full digital-quality reception, and another shop said my only option was an FM modulator that will limit sound quality to that of the FM radio to which it is installed. I welcome any comments.

jgmilberg · February 2003

As far as what I have heard around my parts is that XM is a dealer installable option. It is/was available from the factory. The radio itself can run the XM receiver w/o problems. The big problem is that the dealers around here are not able to get the parts needed to install XM. The receivers are being reserved for the factory installed systems, as more people ask for the option they will make more and eventually be able to supply the dealers with the parts. For now it's up in the air for when the parts will be available.

jgmilberg · February 2003

I was looking at getting the Sky Fi system for my Yukon XL, to replace my Pioneer XM setup so that I could use the receiver in the boom box to take in to my job. I found several downfalls to the set up. First you have to use the antenna that comes with the setup is the only antenna you can use. So if you wanted to make a permanent installation you are still stuck with the mag mount antenna. Second there is no flush mount ring to recess in the dash or other part of the car you want to mount it. Finally for in the car you only get FM modulator or the tape adapter, no radio will incorporate the system like you can with Pioneer, or Alpine.

Delphi is however making an XM compatible aftermarket head unit, but I don't know what system it will interface with. Hopefully it will allow the use of a permanent mount antenna.

I will probably still get the Sky Fi unit for home and boom box use, but really wish they had a permanent mount antenna because even w/o the flush mount receiver cradle it's about the best system I have seen, I'm not willing to remove the antenna every time I go through a car wash. Maybe someone will come up with an adapter that will allow a standard antenna to work with Sky Fi.

lspangler1 · February 2003

I have an '03 Silverado with the in dash 6 disc Bose. It has a button that says CD/Aux, does anybody know if this indicates compatibility with the XM? I don't want to use the FM modulator.

jgmilberg · February 2003

The trick to that is getting all the parts and wiring harness for the install. The radio can handle XM no problem. No aftermarket kits that interface with the factory radio yet.

kiilew · March 2003

I have just read all the posts in this thread and am pretty impressed with the recommendations for XM and Sirius. Probably will have it installed in my 2002 Tahoe (equipped with Onstar).

Must admit, going the FM modulator route takes some strong mental adjustment with me...I have owned two different CD changer FM mod units dating from the early '90's, in a couple of S10 Blazers. One was a Pioneer; the other an Alpine. In both cases, I felt the modulator-transmitted CD sound was lifeless and inferior, even when compared to a good FM radio station (I noticed oldsman01 said the same thing in one of the earliest posts here). One problem was that the modulated signal was weak relative to the normal FM signal, so I would have to turn up the volume to listen to the CD's. The result would be hiss thru the radio. The modulator could be adjusted to provide a stronger signal (though still weaker than normal FM even at maximum) but the resulting distortion was unacceptable.

If I decide to install the XM setup (keeping the stock radio) I will keep my fingers crossed! Oldsman1's comment notwithstanding- -I am hoping the modulator techology used with the XM units has improved since my last CD changer experience!

dklanecky · March 2003

The current FM modulated sound (at least the Pioneer add on unit for XM) is far better in sound quality than the previous generations.

Every person who's ridden in my car ( 00 Maxima with the Bose sytsem) has thought they were listening to a CD when I was playing the XM signal through the FM modulation.

It's only when I put a CD in that they believe me that they weren't listening to a CD before.

Where you really notice the difference is when you try and go back and listen to a regular FM radio station. The sound quality is so bad in comparison I'm always amazed that how many years I listened to that c****.

I can't speak to the quality of the sound system in your vehicle (since I'm unfamilar with the GM products) but with a quality install I believe all of your fears will be overcome.

Good Luck!

sdkatsh_rd · March 2003

I am about to buy a new VW and want to put satellite radio in it. Two questions - can anyone recommend Sirius over XM (is there a 3rd supplier I don't know of?) and why?

Also does anyone have this installed in their VW and how did they do it - with a modulator?

Thank you so much!

dklanecky · April 2003

Not me.

Got XM installed since June 2002 and love it and the programming. Isn't Sirius currently in some form of bankruptcy?

Xm's stock price has also gone from around $2 to as much as $6 in this year so they may turn out to be the survivor in this battle?

oldsman01 · April 2003

I've had XM since November 2001 and am still loving it. I don't know anyone who has Sirius and I haven't sampled it at any of the electronic stores so I cannot comment on it, but I don't have any real complaints on XM. Except that I wish it had been around 5 years ago! I sometimes wonder how I survived without it over the past 5-10 years when FM radio really started going to the dogs.

dklanecky · April 2003

I still am amazed that I went through all the hassle with planning, carrying, and loading CD's for music for so many years.

When I try to listen to regular FM radio now, I just can't make myself do it anymore. The terrible programming and static filled sound are just not tolerable for any length of time.

Now I'm starting to get addicted to the Fox news channel for my morning brief on the war as I drive to work.

I also have yet to meet anyone with Sirius installed. But for that matter it's pretty rare to see another XM antenna on the back of another vehicle, but it does happen occasionally.

Have you ever run into someone who had XM and then gave it up voluntarily?

iusecad · April 2003

I've only had my Skyfi tuner & boombox since Feb, but I can't stand the local FM stations anymore; seems all they play are commercials or contests. They're the reason I bought the boombox. 8 hours a day of that at work was having a negative effect on me.

Now I just have to install the car kit and save on my CD player...

jgmilberg · April 2003

I have found a place that makes converters that allow a line level input to be hooked into a factory radio with an aux/cd changer button. This works with any XM receiver that has a RCA jack output. Check here to see if they have one for your car/truck. This will sound so much better than a modulator setup. It will also allow you to hook in other components like DVD, VCR, game console and so on.

http://www.pie.net/catsec12x.htm

oldsman01 · April 2003

I have yet to come across anyone who had XM and gave it up, but I've only met a couple of people who have it. I do see more and more cars with XM antennas now. Kind of reminds me of when you saw another car with a cell phone antenna back in the late 80s before they became commonplace. My car was in the shop last week and I had a loaner and thank God it at least had a cd player so I could bring along some sanity as on the ride back from the dealership in the loaner I was reminded just how bad FM has gotten. The thing that makes it so bad is we actually have a decent FM station which plays a good variety and not the kiddie stuff, but they like everyone else get into the endless loop of commercials. I can tolerate the occasional commercial or two which some XM stations have, but when the commercials last nearly the entire drive home, it gets really old.

kgw707 · April 2003

Anybody out there that might know whats going on with both the Murano and the new '04 Maxima XM availability. Both radios have the "SAT" button on them, but the sales guys either dont know or dont know HOW to get this option ordered and/or working. Nothing on either website (Nissanusa and xmradio) ?????????

loomie · April 2003

Dealers/salesmen: do people come in asking about XM? Are they interested in this new technology? Are you moving a lot of units? Or is this just another "extra" like undercoating that you have to push on people?

oldsman01 · April 2003

I can't imagine a dealer having to push XM on someone like undercoating. Anyone who appreciates real music and spends a decent amount of time in their car will likely be looking for XM on their new car.

gumdoc · April 2003

kgw707, I have a similar problem that I have written about several times. I bought my '03 Pathfinder about six months ago and paid for the satellite tuner that they said they would install afterwards. I have made multiple attempts to get an answer from the dealer and from Nissan as to when my tuner will be installed, but am receiving a complete stonewall from both. No response to e-mails, phone calls, letters and phone calls to Nissan consumer affairs, nothing works. I think they don't have the tuners and/or the parts to install them, but aren't honest enough with their customers to say so. I e-mailed Bose last week and was told they would look into it, but no answer so far. My first and probably last Nissan. Good luck in trying to get your tuner installed, or even having any attention paid to the problem.

stever · April 2003

XM Satellite Radio comes to the PC (MSNBC)

Anyone know if your car subscription enables you to also use this device without additional payment?

Steve, Host

dklanecky · April 2003

XM's web site indicates that you have to pay for an additional subscription but they do mention the new family plan where you can add the second (and third and fourth) receivers for only 6.99 month (each).

I'll have to check into this more as the client I'm at is playing CW everyday now.........

stever · April 2003

Not that there's anything wrong with that :-)

Steve, Host

stever · May 2003

Any rumors about subscriber rates and/or churn? Any rumors about Rock 'n Roll falling in the drink? Any rumors that digital radio is gonna kill XM/Sirius?

Steve, Host

mlm4 · May 2003

But we can start some :-)

Is it my imagination or is XM playing more commercials these days than they used to?

stever · May 2003

Is because there are a few posts elsewhere on Town Hall about "satellite" radio in the last couple of days. I think some of them are referring to digital, but often it's hard to tell. But digital doesn't rely on birds in the air does it?

Steve, Host

vcheng · May 2003

...my wife's minivan, for some long trips coming up. I decided on a quick and dirty install, so I took the thing to BestBuy and had them do it. Equipment: About $250, installation about $120, for the Delphi SkyFi unit with FM modulation.

The initial impression is pretty good so far. It is not as much as my liking satellite radio, but is more how much I have come to dislike conventional radio.

ashutoshsm · May 2003

For those who have grown to love XM in their cars (like me!) and are fortunate enough to have a view of the Southern sky (unlike me

), XM has introduced new deals on second subscriptions. It'll cost only 6.99 for a second XM radio (either in the house or at home).

And there are even discounts for those that would like to prepay their subscription fee for one or more years!

Now would be a great time to get that Delphi XM unit you've been waiting for, huh? Or the XMPCR instead!

All pertinent information seems easily accessible off their main website, so I won't bother to post any links.

gumdoc · May 2003

Finally (after seven months of frustration)got an answer from Nissan about their dealer-installed satellite radios. They have basically abandoned this program because of quality control issues (I was told they were getting rattles in the dashboard after installation). This means those who bought their Nissans expecting to have the dealer install the tuner that would make it a true satellite radio are out of luck. I have been pursuing a few aftermarket companies, but no luck yet and I may have to get an FM modulator. I guess that's better than nothing, but not what I was hoping for. Anyone who has had luck with aftermarket tuner istallation, please post a notice.

mdsupercooper · May 2003

Here's what I don't understand...why WOULD ANYONE SETTLE TO FM MODULATE YOUR DIGITAL CD-QUALITY SATELLITE RADIO? That's like listening to a CD over the Telephone...it'd take away from its clarity. The same applies to the satellite radio.

If you're Nissan doesn't have a "Bose" audio system (and it says so on the tape deck lid if it does), I'd get an Alpine or Pioneer CD player for XM or a Kenwood or Clarion for Sirius which would be a step up from what is OEM) and add the XM module and the new Terk XM3 antenna that is so small you'd never even notice it like the old computer mouse antenna of last year.

stever · May 2003

Sounds like rather a bogus excuse to me. Dealers put all kind of aftermarket options in, and figuring out how to put a radio in the dash shouldn't be that big a deal. I wonder if there was a financial blow-up between Nissan and the would-be supplier.

Steve, Host

ashutoshsm · May 2003

..why WOULD ANYONE SETTLE TO FM MODULATE YOUR DIGITAL CD-QUALITY SATELLITE RADIO?
While I agree that the directly coupled/connected XM receiver sounds a tiny bit better, don't diss the FM modulated one so easily! I've heard both and can barely tell the difference on non-audiophile level amps/speakers!

Believe me - coming from someone that has a CD changer (Pioneer) and XM Radio (Pioneer) both coupled to a nice IP-bus head unit, the difference in quality and clarity between XM and CD is QUITE noticeable. They use compression to broadcast the audio stream efficiently, and this has been tested to have insubstantial low range signals and drops off precipitously after 14.5 to 15KHz.

In the interest of retaining your dash appearance, you may want to consider getting the Delphi SjyFi XM radio. Just a cheap $69 upgrade will add on the ability to receive XM at home using the same Receiver!

As to the comment about atfermarket being a step above factory audio head units, I'd agree - but I'd say it would be TWO or THREE steps above Bose systems (the biggest piece of wool pulled over listeners' and buyers' eyes!). Bose systems sound too bright and artificially fudge with the soundstream. Now it may 'feel good' to your ears, but they never reproduce sound the way it was meant to be! Overrated!

kgw707 · May 2003

I just visited another dealer for a test drive and inquired about the Sat radio. This guy says that starting Nov they will have the integrated Sat radios, with retro's available for all previous owners to be done at the dealers. Take this info for what its worth, since he was trying to bait me pretty hard....

XM & Sirius Satellite Radio

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles