XM Radio as a dealer option for the Civic?

I have a question if anyone can answer it. I am planning on buying a new
Civic in 2005, and although I know that the Accord has the XM Radio standard
on the EX V6, it is optional on the other models as a dealer option, but I
was wondering if this is true also for the Civic? I want XM, but don't want
to buy it aftermarket, because I will probably be leasing and don't want to
modify the car other than what the dealer modifies. I just don't know where
the control unit would fit so I was wondering if anyone has some ideas?

Thanks.

 

circuit city will supposedly remove stuff installed by them for free at end
of lease. just something to consider...

 

I bought a new 2003 Civic EX and was told by my dealer anyway that XM is
NOT offered as an option on the Civic line.I installed it aftermarket
anyway.My experience is it depends on where you are and who the dealer
is whether this is offered or not.It could be a DEALER option,but it is
definitely not a FACTORY option.In other words,it definitely will have
to be added after purchase whether the dealer does it,or you do it
independently is my understanding.Either that,or by the next line up an
ACCORD model.
Having said that,things DO CHANGE.If you wait long enough,it could
eventually be offered in a future year model.It was not offered as a
factory option in the 2003 and 2004 models......I do not know about
2005.

 

I would recommend getting the Roady or, better yet, the upcoming Roady2 from
Delphi.

Once you get into XM radio, you won't want it to be limited to your car.

The product sells itself. It is hard to believe that civilization existed
without it.
JIMBO

 

The biggest problem with XM radio after thought installs, is, some use FM
modulation to access the car's stereo system. Some of the earlier Honda
accessory systems used FM modulation... not so good.

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Yes,FM modulation is not as good as a native signal through a good sound
system.But in my humble opinion,the FACTORY CD/FM sound system that is
put into a Honda Civic is just plain horrible.My guess is they put a
bargain basement brand into the vehicles and buy them in wholesale
lots.It sounded tinny and no amount of tweaking them with the audio
controls will make it sound any better.
Using FM modulation is just fine with the crappy speakers they put in
Civics.I was not going to waste good money adding a high end XM receiver
without replacing the speakers,a major hassle from the way they are
installed,and a good deal of money too to put in a Civic.Because of the
lower quality system in a Civic,FM modulation is easier and less cost to
install and use on such a low end system.

 

I had an accord 99' and found the audio system to be very good FM/CD. I
should assume the 2005 Accord audios are also good?

 

Thomas Cooke wrote;
----"I had an accord 99' and found the audio system to be very good
FM/CD.I should assume the 2005 Accord audios are also good?"----


Reply:
I do not know about ACCORDS.The OP asked about CIVICS.The Accord audio
systems could be better.All I know is the FACTORY INSTALLED audio
systems in Honda Civics IN MY OPINION are not very good.I was making
reference to another poster in this thread with respect to XM satellite
radio and the utilization of FM modulated add-on equipment.My reply was
that I found it adequate for the low-end audio in a CIVIC.An ACCORD
model is considered to be the next level up in the Honda heirarchy and
could well have a better audio system.In which case,you would not want a
FM demodulator.

 

One reason I opted for the Accord was the very impressive 6 speaker
sound system. Its probibly the best stock sound system I have heard. The
Factory XM is offered on the EX with the leather package. 4 or 6
cylinder. If you have the Navi, XM works with voice commands and
utilizes the dash display and Audio screen in the Navi to display the
artist and song title.

 

Basically, there are five ways to get the XM signal into your stereo.

1) FM Modulator. I've tried several and the $30 Delphi unit seems to work best.
Advantages: Simple, cheap. Disadvantages: Picks up interference from other
sources. XM will break up in the really big metro areas and especially at
higher elevations within them, due to a clearer signal coming in from competing
'stations' at the same frequency. I've had problem around Chicago and on the
Garden State Parkway bridge over the Raritan River, where both NYC and Phila
stations at coming in. Also, the FM mod. is limited to FM's bandwidth as set by
the FCC. It is something like 50-12,000 cycles.

The Roady2, due out next month, will have its FM mod built-in.

2) Cassette adapter: Here you are limited by the bandwidth of your cassette
player, probably similar to FM

3) Front panel 'aux' input. This works the best, but few units have front panel
jacks.

4) CD input, usually on the back of the stereo unit. This has bandwidth equal
to the front, but may require professional help.

5) On some Pioneer units, you can somehow 'reverse' the pre-amp output and
convert it into a auxilliary input with a special bus adapter.
JIMBO