I've had Sirius for 2+ years and I intend to switch to XM in the new HCH, purely because it's 'integrated' into the car. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Anything is better than terrestrial radio!

I originally chose Sirius due to the NFL package, but have come to realize that I am seldom in the car on Sunday afternoons during the football season. I enjoy NFL radio, but can certainly live without it.

With the extremely low cost of external receivers (I believe they'll be free by this time next year) I can always switch back to Sirius if I really don't like XM.

With the handy input jack in the HCH, if I switch back, I'll have a setup nearly identical to what's in my Insight now.

 

Great gouge Jim and bar10dah.

Jim,
Didn't know if you saw threads below where HCH had extensive work to put in XM rcvr. Poor way of doing HCH vs EX that has rcvr and you just have to enter computer code.

-rick

 

Gouge?

 

I wonder if both companies will start to do promotions like cellphone companies? Sign up for a year and get a free receiver.

I'd be curious to try Sirius if I could get a receiver for free. It's kind of hard to compare the two by only word of mouth from friends that have both services.

My only concern with XM so far is that they advertise commercial free music. I hear commercials all the time! And not just the XM promoting commercials (why would they do that? I already have XM...) but commercials for external products. One that sticks out in my mind because they play it all the time is the remote desktop accessing software. But then someone pointed out to me that XM DID say commercial free MUSIC! As I've heard the commercials on the news programs and the comedy channels.

Rcassoni mentioned the 80s channel. I'm tired of hearing their DJ and his on-air callers in the afternoons. Just play the music already!

 

I would almost guarantee it. Look at cell phones and sat TV. DirecTV standard receivers were $699 when they first arrived on the scenes. Now you get 4 rooms of receivers and installation for free.

Sirius does the same thing. No 'commercials' only on Music (although they constantly promote other Sirius channels, I guess those don't count). All other channels are fair game to some of the WORST produced commercials I've ever heard. Yes, GoToMyPC is in heavy rotation on Sirius as well.

Sirius's 'Big 80's' has all the old MTV VJs. Martha Quinn in the late morning, Mark Goodman (very good and very knowledgable) in the morning 'drive time' slot, Nina Blackwood in the early afternoon and, unfortunately, Alan Hunter in drive-time. Alan Hunter spends more time babbling than playing music....he's the WORST.

I will really miss Sirius's "First Wave" channel. Pretty much all the jocks on that channel are really good, and I love 'classic' Alternative music.

 

Not sure about the gouge comment....but, yep I know about the extensive work to install the XM in the HCH. My dealer is charging me ~$650 for the unit and installation. I know that's not cheap, but (to me anyway) it's worth the cost. I can roll it up into the financing for the car, so it only bumps up my monthly payment a few bucks.
Someone else suggested that it may be due to the HCH being made in Japan, where XM is not accessible - while US-Made 'standard' Civics have it pre-wired. Seems like as logical an explanation as any.

 

Jim;

(IMO) A very smart move. If anyone can foot the bill for a New HCH ll, what is the big-deal over having the X/M dealer installed option added. It is really No-Different than paying for any other Option or Options on any vehicle.

I ordered it on mine and I am glad I did. When I finally get the car it will be on there and I can use it through the Nav. Screen or Voice commands.

All did I forget another "Biggie", it's covered by Hondas "Warranty".

Rehards;

Terry

 

Quoting myself...heehee.

A thought occured to me - perhaps this is also why we get side-mirror turn signal indicators, while no other Civic model has them? Perhaps they are required or at least more often standard-equipment in Japan???

 

Jim;

Like Canada has the "Heated" outside Mirrors and here in the States we get the, as you just mentioned, Signals in the outside mirrors, No-Heat.

Canada, Heated Mirrors, No-Signals with outside Mirrors.

Terry

BTW; Jim on my 03 HCH l I did order from Canada the Complete Heated outside mirrors and correct inside Honda Switch. It was so-very-cool.
Very confusing to dealers here? They just could not figure it out.

 

Hmmm...heated outside mirrors intrigue me.

My HCH has to sit outside the garage, since my Triumph occupies the comfy spot (it's a LOT more prone to rust) - so heated mirrors would be pretty sweet at 5:30 a.m. when I leave for work.

Might be something worth looking into - I wonder if they are 'user' installable?