...Personally, I find that the XM reception on the Altima is not very good. I also find that the navigation and traffic suck compare to other systems. I guess I'm only into the tech package for backup camera and blind spot warning. I also do not like the annoying XM traffic UI on the Altima. Therefore, I will conclude that XM radio, weather, or traffic is worth purchasing on the Altima when you have so many other options.
I find the audio quality and the reception to be so poor in the area that I live, that I could only image subscribing to the service briefly, if the cost was low, and I was going on a road trip someplace further south or with less trees. My friends tell me that other receivers have more acceptable sound quality, but I haven't listened to one yet.
Based on our most recent car purchase prior to the Altima, I have made a list of things that I personally will never pay for on another vehicle.
1) Sunroof - we almost never use it and nearly had to total out our car when the sunroof glass shattered and Chrysler had stopped making the glass when the car was only 6 years old
The car sat in the garage for months, undriveable, until I found salvage glass on E-bay.
2) Factory navigation - Nav technology is changing faster than I go through cars. An 8 year old car is fine, an 8 year old nav system is ancient and obsolete.
3) Leather Seats - Leather is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. My 13 year old truck with cloth is in better shape than my 8 year old car with leather.
4) DVD Changer/Screen/Surround Sound - I have found that I never sit in the back of my car and watch DVDs
Some things from the Chrysler I've decided I like
1) Auto Climate Control
2) Auto headlights
3) Factory Fog lights
4) Heated mirrors and Heated seats (if you have leather)
5) Homelink (compass can be handy too)
6) Miles to Empty and average Fuel economy gauges
7) TPMS
8) EVIC / service reminder etc.
9) A real clock (not digital)
10) Alloy wheels
11) Seat position memory
12) Tinted windows
One of the reasons I bought the Altima was because the SV package had most of what I liked and none of what I didn't. Since buying the Altima, I have added some new things that I like
1) Bluetooth Integration
2) Keyless
3) MP3/Ipod connection
4) Instant Fuel Economy gauge
5) Factory Back up camera
6) CVT transmission for driving through the mountains
7) Rain repellent on the rear window of a sedan
8) 33ish mpg in my normal driving
9) TPMS with Individual Tire pressures
10) LED light upgrades
And one new thing that I'm not willing to pay for
1) XM Radio
So far I've added Factory Fogs and the BT footwell and trunk kits to my SV. I am shopping for Window tint and a Homelink morror