XM Initial Subscription on 427
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
XM Initial Subscription on 427
Anyone else only get 3 months of XM radio with their 427 (or any other Corvette)? Mine just stopped working and I called XM who said there is nothing they can do and to contact the dealer. The dealer said he has tried all he can with XM, but they are only doing 3 months. I am perplexed because my sticker says XM Radio + Service Subscription Sold Separately by SiriusXM after 1 Year! I know other trim levels have only 3 months, but not the 427 and it's on my window sticker!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 1,658
From: Arizona
Good question.
I didn't know I had XM until I turned on the radio and realized it was working. Regardless, XM radio is ok at best. I don't listen to much radio, but its a "nice to have" feature. I wonder if my subscription is 3 months or 1 year. (I thought the manual said 1 year).
Now if I can only find time to program my garage door opener, I'd be happy.
I didn't know I had XM until I turned on the radio and realized it was working. Regardless, XM radio is ok at best. I don't listen to much radio, but its a "nice to have" feature. I wonder if my subscription is 3 months or 1 year. (I thought the manual said 1 year).
Now if I can only find time to program my garage door opener, I'd be happy.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 95
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From: Eastern NC
I've noticed this as well. Personally I think XM is a shady company that does a lot of bait and switch. I wasn't impressed with my free trial, and found better options with using streaming audio from various sources on my android phone.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Cincinnati ohio
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I just plug in my iPod and cruise! Total cost -----zero! 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 786
From: Las Vegas NV
I wouldn't give XM any business just because of the way they conduct it. I had Sirius and it sounded better but I've since canceled them too and use my phone for streaming.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 33,481
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From: resting comfortably in my mind
St. Jude Donor '14
they are a company that is financially in a bad place. They overspent on talent in an effort to drive sales. They overestimated worth and it cost them. Some of their business practices have made them a bad partner for many, including myself. Every time I get a new vehicle, it comes with xm/serius free for a while, then after that they hound you to keep it going. I havent found the worth of it, when you can plug an ipod in, or bluetooth pandora from your phone, or get this....listen to the free stations in your area.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 1,019
From: Boston
St. Jude Donor '09, '21
I got a thing in the mail from XM yesterday regarding my 2013 3LT Grand Sport. It said something like " Welcome to XM and we hope you enjoy your first 12 months of service and here are the options to extend..."
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 51
Likes: 52
From: Greensburg Pa.
XM radio
Had the same problem with my new '12 GS. The window sticker clearly said 12 months of free XM radio. It shut off after about 3 months. Took it to the selling dealer and after 2 hours on the phone, it was back on. After having the car for about 9 months a letter came from GM. They apologized for the screw-up, and gave an additional full year for free.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I got 3 months free with my car and let it expire, they sent me an offer to renew for 6 months for $25 and can cancel any time. I declined because the sound quality $ucks. Radio is Free and if they want my money they need to have something to offer....not crappy sounding music. I have friends that pay for it and when I first bought my car I thought something was wrong with my radio because it sounded so bad...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Thanks for all the feedback guys, its more about the fact that it was advertised in the specs and is on my sticker, so I want to continue to use it. I have contacted the dealer again, this time with a picture of my sticker (they looked up my car and said it should only be 3 months, so I sent the picture where it says 1 year) and am letting them resolve, hopefully.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
XM just called me yesterday to welcome me (purchased a 2013 GS last month) and at first they thought it was only free for 3 months but when she looked again it said it was free for 1 year. She tried to get me to sign up and give a credit card to make sure it doesn't turn off after a year. HAHA. Of course I told her no but you are welcome to call me again in 11 months.
I don't want to knock anyone that has XM or Sirius, but I would never pay for this. For the little amount I do listen to it, it cuts out a little too much. Maybe on long cross country drives it might be nice, but driving in a city with tall buildings, under freeway overpasses, etc, it is just BLAH.
I don't want to knock anyone that has XM or Sirius, but I would never pay for this. For the little amount I do listen to it, it cuts out a little too much. Maybe on long cross country drives it might be nice, but driving in a city with tall buildings, under freeway overpasses, etc, it is just BLAH.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,829
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Ever since Sirius bought them out their business practices have been horrendous. As for sound they don't seem to compete with a CD but easily compete with any MP3 file. I keep a couple of active subscriptions with them all the time and I use the $25 for 5 or 6 months subscriptions for the Vette and the Tahoe for the summer when I spend a lot of time in them. Never give them a credit card and never let them buffalo you into paying more than $100 per year for the service (including all of the government mandated fees). I enjoy their service as I get a better selection of music with far fewer commercials and I don't have to keep searching for radio stations as I drive across country. Over the last couple of years I have noticed they are using people who are more Customer Oriented, speak less sing song incomprehensible English and can actually be understood.
Bill
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 12
From: "No matter where you go... there you are"...."You cannot drive a dollar bill". ...and remember... "D
Ever since Sirius bought them out their business practices have been horrendous. As for sound they don't seem to compete with a CD but easily compete with any MP3 file. I keep a couple of active subscriptions with them all the time and I use the $25 for 5 or 6 months subscriptions for the Vette and the Tahoe for the summer when I spend a lot of time in them. Never give them a credit card and never let them buffalo you into paying more than $100 per year for the service (including all of the government mandated fees). I enjoy their service as I get a better selection of music with far fewer commercials and I don't have to keep searching for radio stations as I drive across country. Over the last couple of years I have noticed they are using people who are more Customer Oriented, speak less sing song incomprehensible English and can actually be understood.
Bill
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 4
From: Kansas
I had the exact same experience. Service was cancelled after 3 months, and I also called XM to get it corrected. They told me the dealer had screwed up when they activated the service and that I would need to go back to them to get it corrected. It took them 2 days of phone calls with XM to finally get it corrected.
After my trial is up, I doubt that I will renew.
After my trial is up, I doubt that I will renew.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 314
From: Morris Co. NJ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18,'21
On my '12 I had one year free. I have a MB that is my DD and I have Sirius in it. Like it a lot. When the 1 free yr was up I told XM that my GS sleeps for the winter. I paid then $30.00 for 6 months that starts April 1. So even after the subscription expired and I renewed starting in April they don't turn it off. Not that I am driving the car during the winter but XM is nice to have.
So now figure this out you buy the iPod assuming you do everything above board you pay about $1 per song assuming you are into contemporary music. Download lets say 50 songs you do the math. Do you really want to listen to the same 50 songs over and over..........
OK so you don't use an iPod. You listen to Pandora and lets say you use the free version (paid version $4-5 per mo) figure out how much data you use??? Hmmm $5 per month.
Is it worth it for XM or Sirius I think so. I get more than just music with just the push of a button. Do you have to fight with the two companies (really one) yes you do. Do you have to give them your credit card, no. You can get it for the most part on your terms just takes a little time.
So now figure this out you buy the iPod assuming you do everything above board you pay about $1 per song assuming you are into contemporary music. Download lets say 50 songs you do the math. Do you really want to listen to the same 50 songs over and over..........
OK so you don't use an iPod. You listen to Pandora and lets say you use the free version (paid version $4-5 per mo) figure out how much data you use??? Hmmm $5 per month.
Is it worth it for XM or Sirius I think so. I get more than just music with just the push of a button. Do you have to fight with the two companies (really one) yes you do. Do you have to give them your credit card, no. You can get it for the most part on your terms just takes a little time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 4
From: Henderson Nevada
It turns out that the way the trial is structured by GM (if you look at the specs it has 3 months for base cars and one year for up-models) the Siruis/XM system cannot handle it correctly - it tries to schedule two trials on top of each other.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 30
XM subscription problems
I experienced the same problem with my 427 that you did. I called and spoke to a representative at XM who didn't know what I was talking about. She DID try to sell me an extended contract though!! After my dealership made two calls to XM, the matter was resolved. Living in the snow belt, my car has been garaged since December 1st. Can't wait until the roads are clean OR April 1st, whichever is sooner! I envy all Corvette owners who can drive their cars year round.