XM or Sirius? anybody have them?

[buycitgo]

this has probably been discussed, but I missed it

I bought XM the other day at Best Buy, and get this:

the salesman said that almost EVERYBODY that comes in requesting satellite radio is doing it because of AAR!!!!

anyway, I can't get decent reception, so haven't committed yet (may take it back), but what I want to know is which company gives complete access to AAR.

Janeane Garofalo said one of them cuts off to play Ed Schulz or something, and I don't want that.

also, XM is ten bucks a month, Sirius is 13.

that's why I got XM

any reactions to either?

thx

[trag]

1. Sirius has the whole show.

I love my Sirius radio. :)

[TrueAmerican]

2. I got the XM roady for two cars

I get great reception in El Paso.

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. Don't they both cut off some AAR radio

I could be wrong...I do know that Janeane's show was being cut off after 2 hours to allow for the Alan Colmes show on XM...which is just a cruel, cruel joke

[physioex]

4. NO, I have Sirius...

And I am able to listen to all the AAR programming. I do not have XM but I hear they cut of the Randi Rhodes show. I put the Sirius radio and receiver in my car myself. If you have questions about the install I can answer some basic questions. By they way Sirius is not 100% ad free like they claim, more like 97% they sneak in Sirius ads between songs. The reception is very good and I have no complaints.

[Reverend_Smitty]

Thats good to know

I'd rather give my money to Sirus rather than the Clear Channel owned XM anyway. One of these days I'm gonna break down and get it, until them I will be glued to my computer or cursing at my radio for teasing me with a barely audible WLIB

[buycitgo]

8. you sure about Clear Channel?

GOD

DAMN!!!!!!


thanks for that.....makes my decision so much easier

had no idea about that

gag me with a lighter plug

[Reverend_Smitty]

10. Heres the press release

stating that clear channel purchased XM
http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/press_release_1999_06_08.html

[Beware the Beast Man]

11. NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!

XM is NOT owned by Clear Channel...this is a myth I've seen perpetrated more than once on DU. They own shares in the company. Clear Channel does not completely own XM radio. As far as the music stations go, there is little difference between the two. I don't listen to talk radio at all, so the fact that they chop up AAR is of little consequence to me.
Sorry, but I'm a little defensive since I am an XM subscriber, but damn, Sirius is carrying NFL in the fall which makes me a little envious...

[Reverend_Smitty]

6. double post

[buycitgo]

7. ha! thanks! you had some great answers, IIRC on hybrid cars, too

I'm trying to find out where in US Prius is available with shortest waiting list. now I have to find out if they'll install Sirius

so sirius it shall be

next question: do they have a car adapter like XM does? somebody sells one that goes in directly through the cigarette lighter, without any cassette/CD BS

know anything about that?

will be taking my XM back, though, as there's NO WAY I'm putting up with Colmes instead of MR

speaking of radio I was on WGN (called) when the host read the Isikoff critique of the Saudi flyaway

I was on for 10 minutes, mostly talking about Moore, but mentioned that NOBODY has come up with successful refutation of FACTS in movie.
I allowed that his editing can raise questions of fairness, but SO WHAT? also said the main point people should realize is that the MEDIA hasn't done its job since before the selection, and that the discussion generated is healthy for people of all political stripes

two rethugs called in who'd seen it, and they were both quite positive! won't change their vote, but they said they were surprised at the things they learned about the BFEE

[physioex]

14. Consider a VW TDI....

It is simpler mechanically, provides excellent fuel economy. Also the car be run on diesel or biodiesel. It is also readily available right now....

[buycitgo]

16. thx , but I have had negative feedback on VW reliability in general

sorta swayed away from that, but I'm glad you brought it up again

do you know anything about them from a reliability standpoint?

that's one of the chief reasons I'm leaning Toyota at this point

I really do like the biodiesel aspect, though

[physioex]

18. That's a complicated question...

And I have no simple answer. Yes VW was know for their poor quality in their early years. However the competition has gotten much tougher, and manufacturers must deliver quality vechicles to their customers. VW is a very popular car among young females today. There is no guratee Toyota has the best quality. I was a student of auto mechanics and when Toyota screws up, they screw up big and hide it well. Case in point "gelling" or common sludge which occurs on Camry and Lexus engines of the late 90's. They put the oil return too close to the heat causing "gel" also know as sludge. At first they tried to hide it, and then came clean. Don't assume they are perfect.

You must consider a couple of problems with the hybrid. It is mechanically more complex. The more parts there are, the more things to break. The battery has a life of 10 years 100K miles and costs 6000 dollars to replace.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/2002/May/07.html

[buycitgo]

19. six thousand??????? I've heard from as low as 1800, but most`

have said three thousand

and AFA as Camry's.........uh oh time

I have a 97, and am taking it in tomorrow for a significant oil leak

what does one do about the sludge problem, BTW?

I noticed they call for 5W instead of 10W oil........thought that was odd. is that the reason?

thanks for your excellent info, btw

[physioex]

20. Yes I think $6000 is right....

As far as the sludge problem goes, a mechanic can remove the sludge build up in your engine if you have it. A Toyota mechanic would need to open up the top of the engine and wash it up with solvent such as kerosene. Good maintenance is very crucial with these engines (regular oil changes) but that is no gurantee that it will prevent it. The contention came when Toyota wouldn't take responsibilty but enough people complained that they finally did.

The symptoms of sluge is oil smoke from the exhaust. This is typically a blue color. But there is no way to no for sure unless you open up the top of the engine. Not a difficult job but it does require time. Ask if they will cover the cost of repair. There is no way to prevent it from reoccuring just a clean up. Follow the oil reccomendations in the manual, I believe it is 5W-30. Stay away from Quaker state since it comes from PA which has more wax. I prefer Castrol myself...

I stand by the 6K I read it somewhere previously. Remeber Joe Mechanic isn't trained to work on the brake systems on these cars with regeneraive braking. The electronic and other components are more complex so for a few years you will be at the mercy of the dealership.

[virgdem]

5. I just got Sirius about a month ago...

they carry all of AAR's shows. I love it. I would suggest that you may want to bring your XM back and exchange it for Sirius, which is slightly more expensive (12.99/month, or 9.99/month if you pay for a year - about $119.00). We had trouble with the reception at first, as the stations that it was set to were bleeding through (we had the plug and play model), but we had to add an FM modulator. The modulator can be installed for about $70-80 at an auto audio dealer or a store like Best Buy or Circuit City. Since the modulator was installed, we have had excellent reception and sound.

[buycitgo]

9. I am.......after reading the above.......specially Clear Channel ownership

of XM

thanks for the info on the car stuff

do they have a car adapter, or what?

I bought mine at Best Buy'

they transferred the stereo from my old car, so they can do that, if necessary

thx!

[Maat]

13. Agree with what the Sirius-users here said.

Have had it seven months. AAR is on #125 - entire lineup as far as I'm aware. I alternate it with #143, Sirius Left/Liberal. Ed Schultz, Hartmann, Young Turks are on #143. Love to alternate between the hosts. Like 'em all. Nothing bad to say about Sirius. Has been a very postive experience.

[LTR]

12. Sirius

Instead of a partial AAR, you get the entire AAR lineup AND Sirius Left.

So you get two liberal stations.

[Maat]

15. Love the picture.

n/t

[buycitgo]

17. hhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! been meaning to say that, too

love the Tshirt even more

where can I get some?

[Angelus]

21. Sirius is much better than XM, IMO.

It's got AAR on all the time, as well as tens of other political talk radio stations. Plus, it's got all the great radio stations that will play music that you'd like, I'm sure of it. :)

[buycitgo]

22. thanks for that......I listen to talk when I can, going to work, but

there's not much worth listening to here, so knowing Sirius has more political is another excellent reason

can't wait to expand musical horizons, too

yeah!