Help me decide - SiriusXM

[ny biker]

How much have you (a) used and (b) liked it over the past few months?

Being a control freak who sees no point in listening to anything I don't want to hear, I just play my own CDs in the car. There's an input jack for an mp3 player, but I find it easier to rely on CDs in the car and mp3 player elsewhere.

[salsabike]

I went through the same process and didn't renew. It's just not worth the money for me--I'd rather listen to my own music or audiobooks. I didn't use Sirius enough to justify the expense.

[7rider]

Thanks.
I live in a major metropolitan area (Washington DC) with crappy radio stations. Really. They are just awful.
I've gotten used to listening to Sirius in the time we've been in the vehicle because I get to listen to all those songs I used to listen to in college (yeah, New Wave '80s techno pop! ) but don't own on CD. I might have a cassette of some of those buried somewhere...but who has a tape player any more?
I suppose it's cheaper for me to just download stuff off iTunes -- the weekly freebies I regularly get or - yikes! - purchase some things.

[Bethany1]

DH loves SiriusXM since he does all the driving. I think it's overpriced and has the most annoying DJ's out there. His ran out about a month ago and hasn't renewed it due to cost. After mine runs out I don't think I'll bother since I find the radio distracting when I drive.

My car doesn't have a usb port so I have to use a bluetooth adaptor (tune to a radio channel and have the music come out through the speakers) or regular radio.

DH's has a USB port and I can just run my iPod through that which is nice.

[pinsonp2]

If you don't renew, in a month or two they will send you a deal (usually 1/2 price or less if pay for a year up front). I have XM and dealing with their customer service is a night mare. Watch for their automatic renewals at full price if you have a credit card on record.

P2

[withm]

Wow - my car has the capability but I never signed up for it. How much does it cost?

Mostly I listen to recorded books, especially when I travel. Otherwise I spend all my time with my finger on the seek/scan button. I always have a book going in the car. My library has a pretty good selection, and I can order from any library in the state.

I can also listen to podcasts or any music of my choice via my Ipod and aux. input jack.

[Irulan]

We have it in DH's rig. He travels for work with a lot of no-receptions area. It's work expense for him lol.

Here's my take after a year. it's really genre-specific. The categories are much too narrow imo. I really like an eclectic mix, and you just don't get it with Sirius. You can have the Blues Channel, or the acoustic rock channel, or the Jimmy Buffet Channel, or the bluegrass channel (etc) but you can't get anything that plays all those genres on one channel.

It's gotten to the point where I take my iPod on trips in his rig and play it on shuffle instead of listening to the Sirius. But he's totally happy with it. It's only $12 a month or something.

[PamNY]

I have SiriusXM at home (don't have a car).

I don't watch television, so I like the news channels (BBC especially). I switch back and forth on the music channels and feel it exposes me to things I wouldn't find on my own.

I use it in the rental car when I travel, but it's a bit of a headache to set it up. For me the mental stimulation is valuable on a really long drive.

[Adventure Girl]

My husband's new car came with the same deal (3 month free trial). He tried it for a month and said he liked it. I googled around for things like "XM discount" or "Sirius deals" and found lots of info.

When I called to sign up, I asked for a $70 annual subscription rate. The representative said, "That rate is not available." So I told them, "No thanks."

I called right back and asked the next rep for the same deal and she said, "No problem."

What is the annual rate they are asking? Is it worth $70 per year to you?

Also, be careful because because they may automatically renew your subscription after a year at a higher rate.