Maybe this has been answered elsewhere, but how much is the
Luxury package increasing now that BT has been added to it?

I have to decide today whether to take possession of my new
vehicle or wait another few weeks.

Did you ask your dealer? (or did he not know?)

Going there today. However, I would like to be educated
before trusting any dealer for information.

These guys may say anything to prevent a delay in me
taking my vehicle home today (if it comes in).

Gotcha.

FWIW, I have added a line on my Verizon plan and am now using my own minutes through the OnStar calling. It works great, the only thing I need to do is foward my phone when I get into the car (if I even feel like it). Is it at all an option to go with Verizon for a BT solution?

08,

I have an unlocked iPhone.

Yes, I suppose I can drop AT&T and go with Verizon.

The only problems are that I'll be charged a contract termination fee
that may still be less than having BT installed.

With every update of the iPhone it takes a few weeks for
someone to provide another jailbreak.

I'll look more into this right now, but essentially I can
make and receive calls with the push of a button via Onstar
and it comes through the speakers? I also get to use my
allotted cell minutes through Verizon? Must I also pay for
Onstar after the subscription is up?

The OnStar is free for 1 year, then you pay ~$16/month, plus purchase minutes. BT would probably add~$500 or more. It still alot cheaper to just use OnStar even tho I think the price is too steep for what you get, but still cheaper than the BT install. While OnStar does work pretty flawlessly in making and receiving calls, I can't believe you don't get caller ID on the screen. I know the info is there.

Greyghost,

I think I would still come out ahead not purchasing Onstar minutes and just switching
over to Verizon and using those minutes instead. The FAMILY PLAN (which gives me
a second line) is $70 for 700 minutes.

Any idea how much Onstar costs minutes-wise for using their system as a phone
without having to switch over to Verizon?

08,
I'll look more into this right now, but essentially I can
make and receive calls with the push of a button via Onstar
and it comes through the speakers? I also get to use my
allotted cell minutes through Verizon? Must I also pay for
Onstar after the subscription is up?

Exactly. When you go to the dealer, try out the OnStar calling. It really does work well. The car has it's own phone number (which is a little inconvenient at first, because when you call people, a "weird" number comes up) and you can purchase minutes through OnStar.

When you go through Verizon, they add an additional line (the car's line) to your Family Share plan, and you use your own minutes just as if you were using your own phone. Also, Verizon to Verizon calls are free. The additional line is $9.99 per month. If you set your phone to forward to the car's line when you're in the car, all calls will come through the OnStar....without Caller ID, as mentioned. While it's not perfect, I honestly think it's the best bet right now. The speakers mute when calls come in.

At the very least, this may be a solution for you for at least the year that OnStar is free.....maybe by then there will be a truly invisible device that's not outrageously priced available for BT.

(Just found out a jailbroken iPhone cannot use Verizon)

I'm just trying to find out what Onstar charges for minutes.

They don't readily offer that information to anyone who doesn't
yet have an account.

If I get my own phone # with Onstar that I can have my other
phones forwarded to it and use the Onstar calling for my business
needs at a reasonable rate, then perhaps my bluetooth problem
is solved.

Still looking for information on possible pricing increase on BT models

No, I agree with your number's. I'm talking about just using OnStar phone. They offered 100 minutes for $15. If you use your car for business and are always on the cell, this might not work. If you just make the occassional phone call, not a bad idea. Problem though is people are still just going to call you on your cell, not your OnStar number that you gave them. I guess it is best for out going calls. I do like the dial feature. You say "Dial 12345678" , it repeats it to you flawlessly and dials. You may have to speak english though.

The pricing is as follows:

Minutes Price
100 $ 39.99
300 $ 114.99
500 $ 174.99
1,000 $ 299.99

That does not include additional charges (taxes and fees)

If I use CALL FORWARDING from my cell or home to forward calls to my Onstar phone # then
I suppose I can use that for incoming calls. I mean, this can be used for incoming calls
and I do get a separate phone number, yes?

Also, from the video I just watched you can store and say names to dial.

It's pricey at $40+ for 100 minutes though that's not a monthly charge that's
a refill charge.

Keep in mind that On* has two service levels. it can call out if you are involved in a crash (your cell phone is useless if you are unconscious), and it is used for the telemetrics. since it is mobile (not personal) the signal strength is higher so it can make a connection in weak areas when your cell might not.
$0.02.
rg

They offered 100 minutes for $15.

I got that too.....it's a one time "teaser" promo so you can see how it works. Let me tell you, 100 minutes goes quickly!

The pricing is as follows:

Minutes Price
100 $ 39.99
300 $ 114.99
500 $ 174.99
1,000 $ 299.99

That does not include additional charges (taxes and fees)

If I use CALL FORWARDING from my cell or home to forward calls to my Onstar phone # then
I suppose I can use that for incoming calls. I mean, this can be used for incoming calls
and I do get a separate phone number, yes?

Also, from the video I just watched you can store and say names to dial.

It's pricey at $40+ for 100 minutes though that's not a monthly charge that's
a refill charge.

Yes, you can add "voice tags" that are very convenient. For instance, instead of saying "dial" and the number, I can say "call" and it says "please say the voice tag" and I say "Home" and it dials home....it works great.

You can forward all of your calls to the car, just remember that there's not Caller ID

...If I use CALL FORWARDING from my cell or home to forward calls to my Onstar phone # then
I suppose I can use that for incoming calls. I mean, this can be used for incoming calls
and I do get a separate phone number, yes?...

I say go to www.onstar.com and look at the plans under hands free.
I got this just now: "The America's Choice® Plan with OnStar® allows you to link OnStar Hands-Free Calling to a Verizon Wireless Family SharePlan®."
rg

Okay have some additional information....

Just got back from my dealer.

They don't have prices yet on the bluetooth equipped vehicles.

My dealer estimates, at most, a few hundred dollars extra.

He also told me he can't order one today because it isn't even
in his system. He estimated that it would take up to 8 weeks
before he even sees a BT vehicle hit his lot.

I also got some pretty incredible lease news that you can read here:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-forum-2008-beyond/134869-what-great-deal-2-year-lease.html#post1451217

With that in mind, having a 2-year lease makes things a lot easier
when going without bluetooth. I can use a headset for that period of time.

I have att-cingular-whatevertheyrecalledtoday and a BT phone so not having BT in the car is a disappointment, and On*-verizon doesn't help with my cell plan. but if you already have verizon it seems to me the package deal between On* and them would make BT a non concern.
hands free calling is so integrated that they even use the DIC display for things like phone numbers and minutes left (press the phone button and say "minutes remaining" and it shows the answer in the DIC - will any BT setup do that?).
just wondering why you are so stuck on BT?
rg

just wondering why you are so stuck on BT?

Ronster, I run a business on the side and am always on the phone.

The system in my Acura is second to none, and once you experience
a good factory BT system it becomes very difficult to switch over to
a CTS.

Fortunately, in this case, the car is more important than the phone
so I'll get it no matter what.

...once you experience a good factory BT system it becomes very difficult to switch over to a CTS....

have you tried a 2008 CTS hands free phone call?
I found it to have better sound quality than my moto-razr/h3 cell phone & ear bud.
and I don't have that thing stuck in my ear, falling out every time I check a blind spot.
rg

No, not yet.

I can't switch to Verizon. The iPhone will not do it.

Not a bad idea to use Onstar for my needs. I can purchase 100 minutes at a clip
and refill when necessary. If it has its own number I can forward my calls to, and
will automatically receive those calls and mute my stereo, this might not be a bad
option.

...I can't switch to Verizon. The iPhone will not do it....

sorry, I misread or misunderstood earlier. thought you already had verizon.
rg

My dealer told me on Monday that BT will add between $50 and $150 to the price of my car.