Paying for Satellite Radio
Should You Buy a Subscription for XM or Sirius in Your Car?
If you're tired of the channel selection on AM/FM radio, satellite may be the way to go. But is it worth the money? How to get the best deal.
If you have a penchant for hip hop or a longing for bluesy soul music, you’ll find it and everything else on satellite radio. While XM boasts Oprah and her friends, Sirius is the home of Howard Stern and Martha Stewart. Whichever you choose, you can trade the static and the chatter of AM/FM for 24/7 coverage of your favorite musical genre or talk show subject on any number of digital channels available. But is commercial-free music really worth the price?
How to Get a Deal on Satellite Radio
If you’ve bought a new car during the past year, it probably came with a three-month free subscription to either XM or Sirius satellite radio. You’ve likely spent the past several months jamming to the oldies on "decades" or lamenting society’s injustices with Oprah. But now that it’s time to decide whether you want to actually pay for all this entertainment is another matter entirely. $12.95 a month (the going rate on Sirius and XM) does add up fast. But after 90 days, you should know whether you can’t live without your favorite commercial free tunes, or if the "morning zoo" on your favorite FM station isn’t so annoying after all. Once you decide to commit to satellite, sign up for the longest time period possible; you’ll save the most.
Sirius offers two years of service for $271.95. You pay it all up front but in turn, you get three months free. While XM offers three years for $9.99 per month. You’ll end up paying about $360 up front but you’ll get eight months free.
What if You Don’t Have Satellite Radio in Your Car?
You can go to either the XM or Sirius web site and find deals there or at local retailers. Best Buy offers a Stratus 4 satellite radio receiver with vehicle kit for $49.99 which includes a $30 gift card for Sirius service.
If you decide you can install it yourself by following the directions in the kit, go for it. But if that sounds too daunting, check with your car dealer for specials they may be offering.
If you’re thinking about buying a new car within the next six months to a year, you’re better off waiting. The radio will be pre-installed, so no complicated wiring to worry about, and you get three months free as soon as you drive off the lot.
Don’t know if you want to listen to satellite radio in your home or your car? Portable units are available. What’s next, satellite radio on your iPod?
