XM radio - worth it?

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iclfan2's avatar

iclfan2

Reppin' the 330/216/843

6,360 posts
Oct 22, 2011 8:25 PM
So I just bought a car that comes with 3 months free XM on it. After one day, it seems pretty cool. Does anyone subscribe to it, and do you think it's worth it? Also, favorite stations?
Oct 22, 2011 8:25pm
Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

Senior Member

5,264 posts
Oct 22, 2011 8:27 PM
I will never be without it again. I also listen to it online as a subscriber. Yes it is worth it.
Oct 22, 2011 8:27pm
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Oct 22, 2011 8:28 PM
I like it. But I spend 4 hours on the road every week going to Houston.
Oct 22, 2011 8:28pm
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Oct 22, 2011 8:28 PM
Howard 100 101 ESPN radio and all the rock stations.
Oct 22, 2011 8:28pm
Cat Food Flambe''s avatar

Cat Food Flambe'

Senior Member

1,230 posts
Oct 22, 2011 8:53 PM
Depends on how much time you spend in the car. I had a portable unit that I could use in the car and at home, so I logged about eight hours a day.

However, I let mine lapse last year in favor of Radio 365, an internet station that I can access via computer or my I-Phone (plugged in the car stereo). More channels, better selection, less cost.
Oct 22, 2011 8:53pm
Bigred1995's avatar

Bigred1995

Ohio Chatter - CFO

1,042 posts
Oct 22, 2011 8:59 PM
Just bought a car myself, and I'd say no, it's not worth it. With that said, my reasons for it not being worth it may not be valid for you. I hardly listen to talk radio like Howard & such, and the little I do, is basically local stuff. And to have something like that for the purpose of mainly music is really worthless, especially since I have an iPhone, and my car has bluetooth. So I can listen to my music on my iPhone (or the cloud), Pandora, IHeart Music, or Slacker Radio, and pretty much have the same functionality as XM except, I can skip music I don't like. There are also other podcast that I can download and listen to. Also, in the 3 months that i've had it, I noticed that coverage is horrible. My iPhone and my unlimited data plan makes it not worth it.

Now, if you do find that it's something you'd like to have, DO NOT ACCEPT the pricing they give you. Their subscriptions are down and they will give you a great monthly pricing if you haggle!
Oct 22, 2011 8:59pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

Administrator

49,363 posts
Oct 22, 2011 9:42 PM
Not as great as it was....but still worth it and the way to go.
Oct 22, 2011 9:42pm
Sykotyk's avatar

Sykotyk

Senior Member

1,155 posts
Oct 22, 2011 9:57 PM
I had Sirius four years ago for just about a year. I cancelled my subscription and they gave me six months free to change my mind. I still let it cancel. Haven't had it sense. I enjoyed it, but I just didn't ever feel the need to go back. If I get a built in-radio in a vehicle, yeah. But, I had one of those window mounted ones with the external antenna.
Oct 22, 2011 9:57pm
Iliketurtles's avatar

Iliketurtles

Senior Member

8,191 posts
Oct 22, 2011 10:49 PM
I got it when I purchased a new car in January and after 3 months I renewed it. I love it. If you travel a lot its really good and I love just listening to games and such. My favorite Radio station are: Octane(37), Lithium(34), Alt Nation(36), Hits(2), 90s on 9(9), The Pulse(10), ESPN Radio(84). This are pretty much all I listen to with some exceptions.
Oct 22, 2011 10:49pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Oct 22, 2011 11:39 PM
I've never had it. How much is it? I've considered something so I don't have to listen to 97.1 anymore in Columbus.
Oct 22, 2011 11:39pm
Glory Days's avatar

Glory Days

Senior Member

7,809 posts
Oct 23, 2011 12:01 AM
i would say no. but it depends on how many stations you listen to. i have taken several road trips and after a few hours, you end up hearing the same songs over and over again if you cant find another station to listen to.
Oct 23, 2011 12:01am
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

Senior Member

15,696 posts
Oct 23, 2011 12:02 AM
I love it.

If you just want a cheap package, go with the a la carte package. It lets you choose up to 50 channels I believe and it's only about 6 or 7 bucks..

That's what I have. I only chose the channels that I'd actually listen to, though the downside is, you can't choose PBP stations for sports.

However, you're still able to choose ESPN, ESPNEWS, MLB Radio, NFL Network, etc...
Oct 23, 2011 12:02am
Hb31187's avatar

Hb31187

Senior Member

8,534 posts
Oct 23, 2011 2:32 AM
I wouldnt think its worth it,But I have an mp3 player hooked up in the car so i just go with that. Im not really a fan of talk radio though so thats probably a big factor in why I havent bought XM radio
Oct 23, 2011 2:32am
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

Senior Member

15,696 posts
Oct 23, 2011 3:50 AM
Hb31187;942068 wrote:I wouldnt think its worth it,But I have an mp3 player hooked up in the car so i just go with that. Im not really a fan of talk radio though so thats probably a big factor in why I havent bought XM radio
I have a 2006 Fusion that actually has the MP3 hook-ups, but the car itself was never actually equipped to hook-up an MP3 player and have it work through the aux port..

Very confusing concept, but supposedly the hook-ups were installed in '06 as a design concept for the '07.

I'd have to install a brand new CD player/deck into my car, and IMO, it's not worth it.

I have a 6 disc changer and satellite radio, and I hope to upgrade to a newer model car in 2 years at the most.
Oct 23, 2011 3:50am
Ytowngirlinfla's avatar

Ytowngirlinfla

I wear real chevrons!

2,295 posts
Oct 23, 2011 6:02 AM
Man I wish I had sirius. I had it for years just for Howard Stern and the music was a bonus. But being gone pretty much since January I cancelled it since it wasn't being used.
Oct 23, 2011 6:02am
Midstate01's avatar

Midstate01

Senior Member

14,766 posts
Oct 23, 2011 6:12 AM
I miss xm bad!! But you Can't get it here in Hawaii
Oct 23, 2011 6:12am
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Oct 23, 2011 1:47 PM
I got Sirius a few months ago. I love it for the talk radio parts. I'm in my car constantly, and I like being able to just listen to ESPN without having to search through to find it when the AM signal fades.

For the music, it's not that great. You're better off getting Pandora on your phone and hooking it up with an FM Transmitter or through a hook up. The music is painfully repetitive on Sirius (like it is on every other radio station out there). The real value for Sirius/XM is the talk radio.

Bigred 1995 is right...when it comes time to decide if you want to keep it, don't accept their offer. My wife had it in her car, and when her trial was up I called in for her to haggle (that's actually the same time I bought it for my car). After calling and talking to three different people, I got the price down to $10/month ($5 for each receiver) for a year. That's not for the a la carte package either. That's for Sirius Premier package which is supposed to be $16.99/month per receiver.
Oct 23, 2011 1:47pm
gerb131's avatar

gerb131

Senior Member

9,932 posts
Oct 23, 2011 1:51 PM
I've been thinking about getting something like this as well. Driving 700 or more miles a week is a good bit of seat time.
Oct 23, 2011 1:51pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Oct 23, 2011 2:41 PM
I had xm for about 2 years. Ive noticed the music stations have a somewhat fixed playlist, and then they got rid of my favorite station (nashville 11) and I let it cancel. Probably wont go back
Oct 23, 2011 2:41pm
Tobias Fünke's avatar

Tobias Fünke

formerly "sjmvsfscs08"

2,387 posts
Oct 23, 2011 6:06 PM
Midstate01;942084 wrote:I miss xm bad!! But you Can't get it here in Hawaii
Yeah, living in Hawaii must suck.......
Oct 23, 2011 6:06pm