while we are on the topic of satellite radio... anybody know the difference between the two brands: Sirius vs. XM?

 

Sirius supported primarily by Chrysler & co, Ford & co (incl Mazda), Kenwood. Uses 3 rotating satellites and fewer terrestrial repeaters. More commercial free music stations.

XM supported primarily by GM, Sony, Alpine, Pioneer. Uses 2 stationary satellites and more terrestrial repeaters. Trys to emulate more like a radio station with DJ's for it's music stations.

Both will have talk radio, news, as well as carrying some nationally syndicated stations.

If you're looking at the RX-8 (a good assumption in this forum) then if it comes with one, which should probably be a good possibility, then it'll be Sirius.

 

As far out as it is, wouldn't a Mark Levinson system (same as Lex SC-430) be awesome! Whoa!

 

I think I'm in the minority (again), but I'm not too big on car stereos. I have a near audiophile quality system at home (B&W 802s, B&K electronics, etc.), but when I drive I want to hear the engine, tires, wind, etc. I occasionally pop in a CD, but the radio dial never varies from NPR unless I'm driving while a hockey game is on. In the first 300 miles I've put on my Miata, I think I've listened to the radio for fewer than 5 minutes. It just distracts me from the experience of driving, which is what I bought the car for. I have a feeling that if I ended up with an RX-8, I'd feel the same way I do in my Miata. Long highway trips are about the only time I pop in CDs, and I always take those trips in the sedan.

btw, I don't mean to come off as a minimalist snob here. I realize that I'm a bit wacky in terms of what I want from a performance car. Just trying to offer a different perspective.

 

Ahhh! Not that commie NPR! The only talk i listen to is WABC 77AM!

 

No matter what comes in a car, if you have the money, you can always improve. Car Toys, Best Buy, even something like Circuit City has systems. Not to mention the hundreds of unknown little shops you can find in any major city. I'm everyone here knows at least one guy who knows a guy who knows a guy that can hook you up with a nice system for a cheap price. If you don't let me know, 'cuz I know I do.

 

i know i guy in south philly who can hook you up and take care of any problems you have also. he can make them disappear. just don't ask him any questions :D

 

I wouldn't want to spend money on some extra sound system like the one that's included in the MP3. What I like in a sound system differs from what others like, etc etc etc (which is why it is rare to find a car with a strong system), so I'd rather get a normal system, and upgrade it as I see fit. Some cars have systems where it is easy to upgrade a couple of pieces, while some (like BOSE systems) are very difficult, so I'll have to wait to see until I get the car.

---jps

 

If the BOSE system was standard equipment or even offered as an option that would be good enough for me. I think that the BOSE system offers decent sound.

I am just not interested in sinking hundreds or thousands of dollars into a sound system in a car, any car.

I have very good sound at home.

 

I simply expect it to be as good as a Camry or Accord stereo. I don't really want them to pour money into the sound system--I prefer better contruction quality/materials instead.

A freaking Mitsu Lancer has as good of a stero as my BMW's stock system , so this shouldn't exactly be hard.

 

Which is why car companies don't put mega-sound systems in their cars. What they put in is fine for some 95% of the population, which is fine. Personally, with road trips and commuting in big towns like Dallas, TX, a well balanced stereo is necessary for my sanity.

---jps

 

I'd love to have the 'stereo deleted' option.. Aftermarket sound for me too please..

 

I'd love a stereo delete option also. It just adds weight, and why would you ever turn it on when you can listen to the engine hit 9 grand?

 

I'd love a stereo delete option as well... But realistically speaking, the last time I saw a stereo delete option on a car, it was an option that you actually had to pay extra for.

So I'm just counting on ripping the whole thing out.:D

 

The Miata has had a stereo delete and A/C delete option a few times, IIRC. I don't think it cost any more than a base Miata.

 

No A/C!?!?

I guess you can get away with that in Colorado, or up North somewhere, but here in Texas where I am, it's absolutely unbearable in the summer in a vehicle without A/C. I grew up a little south of Houston, near the coast. The school busses that we had, like your typical yellow dog, had no A/C. In the summer, when it's 105 degrees in the shade and 90% humidity, even having all 40 windows around didn't help much. All it accomplished was blowing around all of the hot air. No, give me the A/C. I'd rather put the work into ripping out the stereo than cope without A/C.