sirius/xm radio subscription
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NC
I also heard about a lifetime price. This is the first time I had it in a car and while I like the variety of channels, I will not pay $16 per month for it. I might be interested for around $75 a year, but any more than that I will pass. The audio level is horrible and when I drive into a structure or around trees the signal is lost. Here in NC, trees are plentiful. I can listen to FM, 6 CDs, bluetooth audio from IPHONE or IPOD via USB which sounds great and loud. That can be several thousand songs anyway.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 419
Likes: 55
From: PA
I listen to one channel (The Blend) almost exclusively. I have a multi year contract (I don't even remember how many years, but I realize that it would be much more cost effective to build my own playlist and purchase the MP3's to put on a USB stick.
The XM Traffic is a waste for me, the warnings have never panned out. XM Weather is always days behind. I do use the XM Stocks, but life would not end for me if I did not have it.
I plan to start building a list of possible replacements for my wife's Audi A6 which we should probably replace when we get back from Florida in the Spring of 2013. I doubt that I will be subscribing to XM/Sirius with a new car. Especially since many new cars are now coming through with HD radio.
The XM Traffic is a waste for me, the warnings have never panned out. XM Weather is always days behind. I do use the XM Stocks, but life would not end for me if I did not have it.
I plan to start building a list of possible replacements for my wife's Audi A6 which we should probably replace when we get back from Florida in the Spring of 2013. I doubt that I will be subscribing to XM/Sirius with a new car. Especially since many new cars are now coming through with HD radio.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: AZ
Just renewed (my wife's account)... $95 for 1 year including Internet Access... Also included all taxes & fees...
I figured I could push for a little better price but I didn't want to be on the phone much longer than I already was.
I figured I could push for a little better price but I didn't want to be on the phone much longer than I already was.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 811
Likes: 8
From: CA
Had her subscription expired or where you calling in before it expired to renew?
Rookie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 2
From: PA
After being on hold for almost an hour Thursday (b/c they won't change your plan when you live chat), I told them I wanted to cancel my service. Got the $15/month plan for $88 for the year on my 4Runner. When my wife's RX free subscription is up, I plan on doing the same thing and will do the same thing every year.
I HATE SiriusXM, but they are the only game left in town.
I HATE SiriusXM, but they are the only game left in town.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 11
From: California
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 18
From: So California
Internet radio is part of Enform 2.0 which is on all 2013 RXs -- I have it, but won't be using it very often.
While there is no fee for iHeart or Pandora themselves, the challenge is, you better have an unlimited or really big monthly cellular data plan if you want to use either music source any significant amount. You'll also have to deal with drop outs when your phone does not get great reception -- there is no download or significant advance buffering from what I could tell In a few tests with this implementation, so it just quits when the connection is lost. OTOH, you could listen to SiriusXM 7x24 as part of the standard subscription fee, but reception can also be an issue for it in areas with lots of trees, concrete parking structures and garages, etc. My limited experience playing with both here in SoCal is satellite reception is hands down better and more consistent than trying to maintain a strong continuous data connection via my AT&T iPhone -- I'm sure that will vary for everyone based on cellphone, carrier, and locations traveled. 4G may make some of that better as it rolls out in the future.
If I want to be assured of continuous tunes, USB, iPod, and CD (or DVD for those with ML) are the way to go. Fortunately my iPod Classic stays in my RX and has enough music for more than 100 days of non-repeated playing 7x24.
...and there is always HD Radio if I want something that's both free and live. I'm liking "The Blend" channel on XM... it is on every time I jump in my RX, but I'm 99% sure that will only last 2 more months until my trial expires, given cost and their abysmal customer support.
While there is no fee for iHeart or Pandora themselves, the challenge is, you better have an unlimited or really big monthly cellular data plan if you want to use either music source any significant amount. You'll also have to deal with drop outs when your phone does not get great reception -- there is no download or significant advance buffering from what I could tell In a few tests with this implementation, so it just quits when the connection is lost. OTOH, you could listen to SiriusXM 7x24 as part of the standard subscription fee, but reception can also be an issue for it in areas with lots of trees, concrete parking structures and garages, etc. My limited experience playing with both here in SoCal is satellite reception is hands down better and more consistent than trying to maintain a strong continuous data connection via my AT&T iPhone -- I'm sure that will vary for everyone based on cellphone, carrier, and locations traveled. 4G may make some of that better as it rolls out in the future.
If I want to be assured of continuous tunes, USB, iPod, and CD (or DVD for those with ML) are the way to go. Fortunately my iPod Classic stays in my RX and has enough music for more than 100 days of non-repeated playing 7x24.
...and there is always HD Radio if I want something that's both free and live. I'm liking "The Blend" channel on XM... it is on every time I jump in my RX, but I'm 99% sure that will only last 2 more months until my trial expires, given cost and their abysmal customer support.
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Driver
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: il
I'm not sure what Sirius/XM is doing these days, but in the past when you call to cancel your service and tell them at that cost it's not a value to you, They'll come up with better pricing.
If you do a search on the topic you can see what some others have received. My current subscription runs thru September and it was $77 for the year, radio only, no traffic or weather.
If you do a search on the topic you can see what some others have received. My current subscription runs thru September and it was $77 for the year, radio only, no traffic or weather.
What a rip. I guess they can leverage this price since they are the only game in town.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: il
My $77 subscription auto renewed at something like the $164 mentioned above. But, other devices I own have expired and I have received an offer for 6 months for $25 (not sure if that is for the entire service) many times. I don't know the status of the $77 special at this point in time.
What a rip. I guess they can leverage this price since they are the only game in town.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: AZ
I called +1-866-637-8480 today and asked for a renewal of last year's $77.00 subscription promo. The XM cust serv person said that promo is "no longer being offered". And that my first radio renewal would be $159.39 and second radio (wife's car) would be $109.89.
What a rip. I guess they can leverage this price since they are the only game in town.
What a rip. I guess they can leverage this price since they are the only game in town.
As I posted earlier I settled on $95/year after all taxes and fees plus this included free internet streaming.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: il
Actually they aren't... Tell them with the proliferation of MP3s on your phone, streaming through your phone (such as Pandora and Spotify) they are not the only game in town... You will get a discount.
As I posted earlier I settled on $95/year after all taxes and fees plus this included free internet streaming.
As I posted earlier I settled on $95/year after all taxes and fees plus this included free internet streaming.
Anyway, I talked to another SXM rep after being transferred and waiting on hold for 20 minutes. I asked for the "promotional rate". He said, "yes, I can do the $86.00 annual fee on both radios". I said "go for it."
Persistence helps I suppose.
