Interesting that all the wonks that tried to block the Sirius/XM merger in the name of choice/competition refused to admit that mp3 players were in fact competition, which is one of your points. Worth it is eye of the beholder. Sat radio is definitely worth it to me. The number of commercial free channels is more variety than I can keep on my ipod without a lot of effort that isn't worth it to me. I also happen to value some of the sports events and comedy offerings that I couldn't get on local am/fm radio. I still use my ipod but when not, Sat radio is worth it for my use.

 

I have had XM radio for about 6 years. And love the service. My only problem is the talking. I can understand talking on some news channels. But on the the music channels why is there any talking at all? If you listen to the 60s on 6 channel for oldies. Its a minute of talk between every song they play.

Some channels will have DJs say after the song ends who the band is, the album and song title. Why? If I wanted to know I would look at my display. Just shut up and play music.

How hard is that?

 

i will not resubscribe to my sirius radio on my benz. i dont even listen to it, but i got 6 months included. the sound quality is bad, and i cant find a channel with the music i like. i can see it being attractive to sports fans though. but i mean who wants to listen to the martha stuart channel...or the opra winfrey channel?

but i would do it from the traffic and weather

 

I actually enjoy some of the DJ interaction between songs. In particular, when 60s and 70s music is being played, the DJ makes it feel like we are back in the 60s and 70s. It is quite nostalgic.

My main reason for subscribing to Sirius/XM however, is because I love listening to baseball and football channels when I drive for long distances. Also, channels such as CNBC and CNN are very interesting and informative.

 

It's worth it to me simply because of my commute: I have two major highway options, and making the wrong choice can easily cost me 30-45 minutes out of my day. Knowing when there's a wreck ahead or just slow traffic has allowed me to re-route myself several times already.

 

Yup - Cousin Brucie - yech!!!!! I don't get all the talking either!!

 

I received my XM info last week.

- trial is 3 months
- traffic adds $3.99 to any package

The available packages are XM Everything ($12.95, or $16.94 w/traffic) and XM Everything Plus the Best of Sirius ($16.99, or $20.98 w/traffic).

 

I'm going through this with XM right now on a renewal. I do NOT feel like paying $250/yr for XM/Best of Sirius(really like the NFL channel - wish I could do that a la carte w/o Sirius but no go) and Traffic.

Finished my trial with our other car and renewed for another 3 month trial at $9.99 for XM/Sirius and $3.99 for Traffic. I would gladly renew for this deal but when I called yesterday (2nd 3 month's ends today) they wouldn't do anything with Sirius.

You can get a 1 yr. subscription to XM only for $77/yr by just asking. Can't add Sirius to that though. Traffic is $3.99 on top of that.

I wouldn't mind $150/yr for all of these but $250 is too steep for how little I am in the car.

I'd be curious if anyone was able to get an extension/set up an account for $15/mo or less for XM/Sirius/Traffic.

Hope that helps some folks!

Jay

 

It sounds to me like XM at 77/year, plus 4/month for Traffic (total: $125/year) is the least you can pay for traffic updates sent to the system. I'm seldom in the car at rush hour, and usually take a car other than my RX on a road trip, so that's certainly at the top of the scale of what I would be willing to pay for music with a lot of non-commercial yapping and some traffic reports.
This technology is fun, but I don't know if I'm hooked on the fees.

 

$10 a month for XM and traffic sounds reasonable.

 

I traded in my 08 (Brandywine) for the Matador Red Mica. So much of an improved ride! The double wishbone makes all the difference. I'm still trying to work through the iPod/iPhone connectivity issues and at this point, after reading 26 pages of instructions from the Lexus Product Manager on the Talking Navigation System, I still haven't gotten it down. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's user error!

I've got to spend more time in the driveway practicing. And my wife wants her Palm Centro connected and the first time through last night produced nada!

The cutting edge can be frustrating!

Larry

 

I have been driving the new RX every day for the past 3 weeks, and I find XM traffic updates completely useless. The small icon appears on the Navi screen, and you need to click on it to get the info. Navi does not respond by offering a re-route.

Just by comparison, in 2007 I was on vacation in Germany. We rented bmw 320xd. It had a 'basic navi' - no map, just arrows with directions and voice commands. This system was very accurate in reporting the traffic conditions up ahead, and offered multiple re-route options well in advance. This saved us hours in driving accross Europe (let me tell you - those autobahns are way overrated - traffic, accidents, speed zones; cross-country roads are way better - no traffic, no speed limit - 250km/hr with 4 adults - believe it! )

 

Ciparis- does your RX have the power fold outside mirrors?

I was watching the "how to videos" on the Lexus website and without saying it was an option they said to press the upper right corner mirror button to fold the mirrors. However this option is listed under Lux Package only.

It may look like I have a 2010, but its just on order, couldn't resist the sig line though.

 

in Canada The folding mirrors come only in the Ultra Premium option, if I'm not mistaken.

ciparis, awesome write up, by the way.. i loved reading it while I wait for mine on order (with ultra premium). Thanks!