What is difference in SIRIUS sat radio and "normal" radio?

[biznaga]

Looks like I may have to get a SIRIUS radio to get the option(s) I really want.

 

Does the SIRIUS radio in the SEL have 6 CD changer like ths "stock" SEL radio system?

[FusionFanatic]

there is no "Sirius radio"...

 

the Sirius "factory option" uses a separate Sirius tuner that plugs into the back of the stock radio. the radio itself is the same regardless of whether or not the car had Sirius from the factory.

 

if you find a car you like with Sirius in it already then good... but don't limit your selection to only cars that have it. you don't have to buy the car with that option, it can be added anytime (it just plugs into the back of the radio, so you can do it yourself, no need to pay Ford techs to install it)

 

good luck :)

[biznaga]

there is no "Sirius radio"...

 

the Sirius "factory option" uses a separate Sirius tuner that plugs into the back of the stock radio. the radio itself is the same regardless of whether or not the car had Sirius from the factory.

 

if you find a car you like with Sirius in it already then good... but don't limit your selection to only cars that have it. you don't have to buy the car with that option, it can be added anytime (it just plugs into the back of the radio, so you can do it yourself, no need to pay Ford techs to install it)

 

good luck :)

 

Thanks for answering.

 

Actually I DON"T WANT Sirius. It is just $200 extra. And I would not use it after the 6 month "free" use. I havealready refused to conider a Fusion with the Sirius already installed. So I am limiting my choices to non-sirius Fusions.

[FusionFanatic]

you said in your first post that you "may have to get a SIRIUS radio to get the option(s) I really want"... I don't think factory Sirius is standard on any Fusion, regardless of trim level. I think that's just the way the dealer ordered them. if it's only a $200 option then you can probably negotiate that out of the sale price ;)

 

regarding the radios themselves, per your first post... Fusion S models have the "standard" single disc CD player, Fusion SE and SEL models come with the "premium" 6-disc CD changer radio. the "audiophile" option is available on both SE and SEL models, it adds two 6x9's to the rear deck and powers them from a small external amplifier (it's expensive and won't sound good enough to justify the extra cost ;))

 

the factory radios that come in the Fusion/Milan are made by Visteon, they have weak amplifiers, basic fixed-digit displays that make it hard to read text on, and they are very limited when it comes to adjusting sound output. the only stock head unit that's any good in the Fusion/Milan is the factory nav unit. it's made by Pioneer and is in general a much better head unit (both audio and visual) than the stock radio-only. it also has a more powerful amplifier so your music will sound alot better. it's overpriced if you get it as a factory option ($1500 I think?) but you can buy the same factory nav unit on eBay for around $500-$600, which isn't a bad deal for what it offers.

 

good luck with your car shopping :D

[fordnut]

My new '08 Fusion SEL model that I haven't received yet has a Navigation unit with Audiophile/6 CD/Sirius. If it's like my '07 F150, the Fusion options are, single CD head unit, 6 CD head unit, 6 CD/Sirius or 6 CD head unit with Audiophile and Sirius or a Navigation unit with Audiophile and Sirius. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

As already stated. The Sirius satellite receiver is a separate unit that plugs into the factory radio head unit. I know on my '07 F150, if the truck came without a factory Sirius satellite receiver, it can be installed at a dealer because that's what I did. The only difference is, there is not a hole drilled into the roof to mount the antenna. I don't know where the Sirius antenna is located on a Fusion.

[FusionFanatic]

if Sirius is ordered from the factory, then the antenna is inside the antenna base (black box on the roof where the big ugly mast sticks out from). if it wasn't ordered with Sirius from the factory, then the antenna base does not have the sat antenna circuitry inside it, and there will be no pre-run sat antenna cable.

 

if the dealer installs the Sirius unit then they may replace the roof antenna and run a factory cable, but they will probably just run a separate antenna (its cheaper and easier). this antenna can be located inside or outside the car.

 

;)

[biznaga]

As already stated. The Sirius satellite receiver is a separate unit that plugs into the factory radio head unit. I know on my '07 F150, if the truck came without a factory Sirius satellite receiver, it can be installed at a dealer because that's what I did. The only difference is, there is not a hole drilled into the roof to mount the antenna. I don't know where the Sirius antenna is located on a Fusion.

 

Got the Milan and it came with factory Siruis radio. It just griped me that I had no choice in the matter unless I factory ordered a new vehicle.

 

Anyway Sirius is okay but I won't be paying for it after the "free" six months as I don't use that much and I like to listen to my own CDs anyway while driving.

 

LOVE THE MILAN! Averaging around 27 mpg in my first 1000 miles (got it Jan 29th).