Any SiriusXM opinions?

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2017 CX-5 GT
Hi all,

I have a 2017 CX-5 GT which is a couple months old and am reluctant to activate the trial period for SiriusXM mainly because I know it's a pain in the @$$ to cancel with them - I've been through it before. My experience is that satellite radio usually sounds like it's being broadcast through a tunnel or something. I do, however, miss the news channels. Anyone have any strong opinion either way if it's worth it or not in a Mazda?

Any input is appreciated!
 
The dealership should set it up. You won't get charged automatically, because XM doesn't have your payment info. They'll send you a bucket full of letters and mailings to get you to subscribe though haha. The Mazda 6-months free isn't a commitment to keep subscribing.
 
The dealership should set it up. You won't get charged automatically, because XM doesn't have your payment info. They'll send you a bucket full of letters and mailings to get you to subscribe though haha. The Mazda 6-months free isn't a commitment to keep subscribing.

Hmmm, the dealership didn't set it up - go figure. I saw online that it was only 4 months, but good to know that I don't have to supply a credit card number. thanks!
 
Ah! So I figured out how to activate the trial (which didn't require any personal info or credit card #). I'd still be interested in knowing if folks pay for the service once the trial runs out. Anyone? Thanks!
 
Ah! So I figured out how to activate the trial (which didn't require any personal info or credit card #). I'd still be interested in knowing if folks pay for the service once the trial runs out. Anyone? Thanks!

Well, our 2016.5 Touring obviously does not have Sirius however my 2016 Mustang does...

After my 3mo trial was expired, I did opt to enroll for a Sirius subscription; I've had my Sirius account in the past on (3) separate Sirius radios (prior to the Sirius/XM merger). I listen to and subscribe to Sirius mainly for these reasons:

1) No interruption in reception no matter where I am traveling; therefore no worries about a favorite station fading to static like standard FM radio when going beyond its actual geographic antenna wave length due to where the actual base station may be located.

2) I've been a Howard Stern fan/listener since 1986 - and will follow/pay to continue to listen to his broadcasts. I know lots of people are highly opinionated when it comes to his show, his personality, the show's just as crazy crew and ongoing antics, so please don't post back with the "hate"... LOL. That's my preference...

3) Lots more stations to choose from over ANY standard FM available broadcasts. If you're into sports, comedy, political, music (any type), talk radio, etc - Sirius/XM has it... and they are always expanding their line of shows with new subject matter and stations.

4) Depending on subscription choice you can also opt to pay a little more and have the internet access so you could listen to Sirius ANYWHERE from any mobile or stationary device that can access the www.

5) In the grand scheme of things, if you REALLY think about it, an annual Sirius subscription will cost you less in a year than you would pay for Milk, gasoline, cigarrettes, liquor/alcohol or porn... fact. :)

6) You can opt out of their mailings - but if you do, you might miss some info about their newest offerings, etc. Me, I just delete the emails - it's really no big deal.

So, hopefully the above gives you a little more insight.
 
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Long time XM/Sirius user here (2003).

The trial is 4 months.

You have to call to set it up - no card needed.

When it gets near the end of the trial, they will start contacting you. Ask them if they have any deals. I do this for both cars every six months and typically get six months of all access (usually $20/mo) for about half of that. I just threaten to leave and they find deals.
 
If you do opt to sign-up don't give them a credit card. Have them send you a paper invoice then pay by check.

I've had XM for 9 yrs now (in our Honda) and every year they invoice us with a obnoxiously high invoice (apprx $220.00). I just call them and tell them it's too high, cancel our subscription and before you know it I have another year at $89.00.

Sometimes you can get 6 months for $25.00 + fees. You have to ask.
 
My experience is that satellite radio usually sounds like it's being broadcast through a tunnel or something.

This is the exact reason I barely even used the trial and didn't hesitate to cancel completely when the trial was over. I got very little enjoyment out of it.

That said if you're OK with the SQ and like it for it's other benefits then have at'er! Try it out, see what you think.
 
I won't pay the monthly fee they're charging. I usually wait till they send me one $25 for five or six months and I cancel subscription after that and wait for another deal they send me.
 
This is the exact reason I barely even used the trial and didn't hesitate to cancel completely when the trial was over. I got very little enjoyment out of it.

That said if you're OK with the SQ and like it for it's other benefits then have at'er! Try it out, see what you think.

There's more to it than music though I agree the quality is akin to 96kbps
 
There's more to it than music though I agree the quality is akin to 96kbps

Just for kicks I tried XM again today and I forgot just how bad it was. Truly painful. Even the voice channels... it's like they give them the just bare minimum to make the voices legible.

I can definitely see the convenience for those that travel frequently, but they really need to do something about that bandwidth!
 
I agree with the previous posts. Sound is very "tinny", pretty poor quality in both my Mazda and Beemer for music... I pay about $5 a month every 5-6 months, for the non music options, with a basic package, sports, comedy music & talk radio.
 
HD Radio on FM stations sounds a million times better than Sirius, which isn't saying much about HD Radio tbh. The programming on the stations I enjoy became hyper repetitive about 3-4 years ago (so, no different than FM sans commercials). Stern Show is lame these days. I can make a better music mix with any streaming service on shuffle using suggestion algorithms, and it'll be better quality even over Bluetooth. IMO, SXM isn't worth it unless you really enjoy CNN/MSNBC/Fox streaming into your car as well as MLB games
 
I agree with the previous posts. Sound is very "tinny", pretty poor quality in both my Mazda and Beemer for music... I pay about $5 a month every 5-6 months, for the non music options, with a basic package, sports, comedy music & talk radio.

In our Honda XM sounds great, maybe it's the receiver and antenna. We have the upgraded Honda sound system so maybe that helps too.
 
I took the trial period on my leased 2015 then let it lapse. Sirius phoned, snail-mailed and emailed all types of incentives to get me to commit. I just don't spend enough time in the vehicle to use the service.

When I got my 2017 GT in May, I never bothered to activate the service. They're still hounding me my trial is coming to an end and I need to take advantage of their 'specials'. My thought is if I didn't bother to use it when it was free why should I pay for it?
 
Sirius Radio.

In our Honda XM sounds great, maybe it's the receiver and antenna. We have the upgraded Honda sound system so maybe that helps too.

My new 2017 CX5 did not come with Sirius XM Radio, but I get it anyway by my Cell phone and it works and sounds very good. Down load the XM App to your phone and use the cars Bluetooth system to hear Sirius MX radio. Think they charge about $4.00 a month for the App use.

Sure they want to charge you over $200 for XM service, but just call and say to hell with it.
 
I believe that the monthly charge for streaming with the app is more like $20 if you don't have a regular subscription also.
 
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