FACTORY Sirius Radio opinions
 

I like the idea of the Mazda integrated Sirius Satelite radio...

Here's what the dealer wanted...

$380 of the Sirius radio
$11 for the install kit
$175 for the installation

SOUNDS EXPENSIVE... :Eyecrazy:

Before I take the plunge, I just want to know what owners of this system think of it...

Any way to lower the cost?

I don't feel like ripping apart the car myself for the install...

thanks...

Mine came with it, I love it. There are cheaper options but none as clean. I had XM for many years and still have it on my home sat. I like Sirius better.

Thanks...

Do you think $175 is a reasonable install fee?

I've thought about getting this option, but I'd like to see how it looks in the 8 first. Anyone have pics?

From what I understand, the installation is completely transparent (except for the antenna)... I don't believe that there is anything to "see". I also believe that the system is extremely well integrated into the RX8's controls and display... But, I haven't played with it or seen it in action myself...

I was hoping to be able to get XM radio as a factory option (in my yet-be-purchased rx8). I've already picked out a receiver in case it's doable. Why do you like Sirius better, gonnahanvan8?

The receiver is hide away nothing to "see" and the antenna is the the size of a book of matches. A lot of interior needs to be removed for install including the radio and then wire harness is run to trunk. IMO $175 is a fair price as long as the job is done right.

Display is not great, you have to scroll a lot for titles and channel BUT function, sound quality, and reliability are very high. Also all components would follow new car warranty or 12 months (which ever is longer).

It drives me crazy everyone charges for "install kit" IT COMES WITH THE SAT KIT!! :nono:

Thanks mazradiodoc...

That was very helpful...

Now to save up the coins...

sat radio is only $340 from http://www.finishlineperformance.com...dio_index.html

Astral,

Thanks for the link...

I wonder if a dealer will install it if I buy it online...

I'll give them a call...

Here is what my car audio guy did. I love it, the Sirius unit was $80 and he charged me $50 for the install. Plus the antenna can be placed on the front dash in the corner or the rear deck lid. There is absolutely no need to place the antenna on the outside of the car.

I like the all the DJ's on the music stations I listen to on Sirius. The music content and variety appeals to me more on Sirius. Sirius also has NFL and you can listen to either the home team or the visiting team commentators (XM didn't have this when I was a subscriber). There are a few DJ's on XM on my favorite stations that I absolutely can't stand. And they happen to be on during my drive time. I know it sounds trivial, but it really ruined it for me. As far as integration, mazradiordoc is correct; the display has to be expanded by turning the text knob. I've done this four times so far. I don't feel it's a big deal and I'm surprised at how many characters they can get when you do that. Both XM and Sirius will let you have a 3 day internet access pass for free. Try them both out and see what you like. Whichever one is far better then any radio station I've ever heard, you really can't make a mistake, unless you don't like the on air personalities. Once the factory Sat is installed, you won't know it's there. The little sat antenna is the only sign. I've had a lot of cars broken into over the years to have stereo stuff ripped out of them with a great deal of damage. The Rx-8 draws a lot of attention; I don't like the idea of having any aftermarket gear even slightly visible to tempt undesirable attention. It would probably take an average person a full day to install the Sat system with the help of the many DIY's on this site. This assumes you are competent in removing interior panels and following directions and proceeding with care and caution. So if you figure 8 hours at $175, that's only like $21.88 an hour. Of course the dealer might get it done in half that time. Either way, $175 isn’t a bad rate or you will get the warranty if its dealer installed. At the same time, working on you car is kind of fun if you know what you are doing. There is lots of good knowledgeable help from folks on this site that can keep you in the right direction. You could also check with mazparts and see if he has one out of a totaled Rx-8

There is no way it should take more than 2 hours to install the factory unit. Most dealerships charge about $80/hour which is right about the $175 charge.

Ranged28 is probably right, I'm just thinking of the guy who has never taken apart his interior before. I tend to take my time when unsnapping unfamiliar plastic parts. Either way, $170 isn't outta line.

You'll get much cheaper labor from a car audio shop then you will from a dealership. My car audio guy happens to be a friend of mine but I would believe any audio shop could install your Sirius factory unit for less $ than the dealership could.

Personally I would go with aftermarket if I were you.

My dealer told me that if they installed some Mazda accessories I bought online from Trussville, they would be covered under my warranty.

I have the integrated Sirius setup (Shinka) and like it. My only problem is that all of the iPod adapters will not work with the integrated Sirius setup. I went to a couple of local audio shops and was told I could do an aftermarket Sirius box, still control it through the headunit, and hook the iPod into the Sirius box and get both. (Unlike the factory Sirius boxes and any XM box, the aftermarket Sirius boxes have their own auxilary input.) This was a few months ago (sept. 05) so things may have changed, but once a month I go to all of the iPod adapter Web sites, and none have anything that will work. I did get an e-mail from Dension USA saying that they were soon coming out with a kit for the RX-8, but they did not say if it worked with Sirius. If you have no iPod/MP3 player needs, go integrated. If you do, visit some audio shops and do some research to see if anything works for your situation.

BTW, my Sirius service has been really good so far (4 mo. and counting).

Thanks for all the input... I really like the idea of a factory integrated system. And having a factory warranty on the system (like Gonnahanvan8 suggested) by going through the dealer is important to me... I doubt that I have the time, patience, or skill the do the install myself... With my luck, I would probably scratch the car to hell...

Right now I have my iPod via a FM modulator... Not the best sound, but usable... I'm using the Kensington 33185 Digital FM Transmitter/Car Charger for iPod. The sound is decent but finding an open radio station is difficult...

Again, thanks for everybody's input... Definitely helpful!