Anyone subscribe to Onstar?

2853 Views 30 Replies 21 Participants Last post by bpitas, Jul 18, 2007

CTS NV

Discussion Starter · May 26, 2007

My free year is about to expire and I find it hard to convince myself I need to sign up for the monthly service. As far as I understand, for $16.95/mo, I get:

- online diagnostics (cool, but has never provided anything interesting)
- emergency services (valuable, but hard to justify a monthly fee)
- stolen vehicle location (need to check how much this saves on my insurance)
- access to overpriced cell minutes (Bluetooth would be much better)
- remote door unlock, horn & lights (sure these could be handy once in a blue moon, but anyone needing these services on a regular basis may want to consider trading in for a Buick with Onstar)

It all reminds me of that "I've fallen and I can't get up" service that became a laughing stock years ago. Maybe if it included mobile internet access, then I could justify it as something tangible. Even XM radio gives me something tangible I can enjoy every day...

Anyone have any insight on whether to keep the service or drop it?

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

calicadi

· #2 · May 26, 2007

I kept mine because:

The convenience of using the OnStar phone vs cell phone.

Sometimes spotty cell service
No worries about forgetting cell or its' battery dying.
California will mandate hands-free only in-car phone use soon (08 or 09?)

The emergency services/stolen vehicle locator; If I ever have to use it it will have paid for itself.

Is it overkill given I have AAA and a cell phone?... Maybe. Does it give me peace of mind?... Yes. If the airbags deploy and I don't answer, they're dispatching someone to my exact location.

thebigjimsho

· #3 · May 26, 2007

It's not included in the service as a rule, but on at least 2 occasions, I've had OnStar be able to call someone for me and conference me in. This is separate from the regular phone service.

When I was getting the sound from my FL coilover, I called OnStar and they conferenced me in with my dealer to see if I had the control arm washer recall performed.

rand49er

· #4 · May 26, 2007

Got it on my V and my wife's Rainier.

Is it worth it? Same as seatbelts ... it'll only take once.

zozmanCTS-V

· #5 · May 26, 2007

Re: Anyone subscribe to Onstar? Not Really

To upgrade my analog service to digital, it will cost me $15 + $100 activation fee + a one-year subscription whatever that is. Not worth it unless you live in your car. :bigroll:

CIWS

· #6 · May 26, 2007

I have renewd my service, extra piece of mind. I'm someone who likes to have a backup to the backups because Murphy can be a Son-of-a-Biotch at the worst possible time. I use the cell on occasion and the lock opening will be very nice if I need it. The monthly checkup is a freebe bonus as a save the e-mails and will have another running record on the car's upkeep.

OldRoadDawg

· #7 · May 26, 2007

CTS NV said:
My free year is about to expire and I find it hard to convince myself I need to sign up for the monthly service. As far as I understand, for $16.95/mo, I get:

- online diagnostics
- emergency services (valuable, but hard to justify a monthly fee)
- stolen vehicle location
- access to overpriced cell minutes
- remote door unlock, horn & lights

IMHO
- worthless gadgetry
- survived over 40 yrs of driving without it
- I don't want the car back.. after it's been stolen
- what you said
- survived over 40 yrs of driving without it
- and $200+(min) a yr in my pocket, not some subsidiary of GM

ewill3rd

· #8 · May 26, 2007

It is good to gather opinions but in the end it is up to you.
I used to have it and I felt really good about it. I used it a few times and was very happy that it was available.
My living situation has changed and I find I don't need it like I used to so I turned it off.
The how and where of my driving makes it unnecessary.
If my situation were different I would probably turn it back on.
Yes, if you let your subscription lapse and then you want to get an upgrade AND turn it back in it is an extra $100.

Miller

· #9 · May 26, 2007

I have it because:

*Digital Handsfree--using my Verizon Minutes rocks. Can shift,txt and talk at the same time.

*Peace of mind--primarily airbag deployment notification. Also like the lock out, theft recovery and diagnostic features with monthly email notifications.

Worth a couple C notes annually IMHO

Miller

· #10 · May 26, 2007

Re: Anyone subscribe to Onstar? Not Really

edit

odla

· #11 · May 26, 2007

$200. a year
chance to get my stollen car back( if it does) priceless

HushH

· #12 · May 26, 2007

I have it mainly for the phone service since shifting and trying to hold my blackberry is a PITA. If the car had bluetooth (or I could find one of those ear thingys that was actually comfortable) I'd have to reconsider, but I'd probably still have it for the stolen vehicle location. If my car wasn't modded I wouldn't worry so much about not getting it back.

Luna.

· #13 · May 26, 2007

calicadi said:
I kept mine because:

The convenience of using the OnStar phone vs cell phone.

Sometimes spotty cell service

No worries about forgetting cell or its' battery dying.

California will mandate hands-free only in-car phone use soon (08 or 09?)

The emergency services/stolen vehicle locator; If I ever have to use it it will have paid for itself.

Is it overkill given I have AAA and a cell phone?... Maybe. Does it give me peace of mind?... Yes. If the airbags deploy and I don't answer, they're dispatching someone to my exact location.

I believe it's January 08

The Tony Show

· #14 · May 26, 2007

Remote diagnostic of check engine lights is great, too. Saved me a trip to Autozone on weekends a few times, not to mention without it I'd park the car until I found the problem.

thebigjimsho

· #15 · May 27, 2007

I paid the full $51,000 for my '04, so I feel like spending the extra $200 a year to keep up the facade that I'm rich. Either way, it's nice peace of mind.

And after not using it for quite a few months, I've used it twice in just over a week. Had to call Naked Fish and needed OnStar to get me the number. Turned out they didn't open until 3PM. Oh well.

CTS NV

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 27, 2007

thebigjimsho said:
I paid the full $51,000 for my '04, so I feel like spending the extra $200 a year to keep up the facade that I'm rich. Either way, it's nice peace of mind.

And after not using it for quite a few months, I've used it twice in just over a week. Had to call Naked Fish and needed OnStar to get me the number. Turned out they didn't open until 3PM. Oh well.

Next time, try Legal Seafood...

Actually, looks like a lot of folks do keep their subscription going. $200 per year is not a lot in the scheme of things. Though it all adds up to a bit more when you consider:

Onstar subscription ($17/mo)
XM radio subscription ($13/mo)
XM traffic subscription ($4/mo)
Extra verizon line subscription ($10/mo) or worse yet, prepaid minutes at international phone rate ($$$$ because I use Cingular/AT&T)

All stuff I never knew I needed.

But I guess I pay $90 per month for cable TV even though I only watch 3-4 shows per week --and I never question that. Sigh...

:violin:

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thebigjimsho

· #17 · May 27, 2007

CTS NV said:
Next time, try Legal Seafood...

Eh, not close enough. The type of food didn't really matter. I needed someplace close to where we were in Billerica that could support 25.

Besides, Legal is played out. I always tell people from out of town, the best seafood place is the one you like most. You just can't get bad seafood in New England. I'd rather go to Woodman's.

2004ctsv

· #18 · May 27, 2007

I pay for OnStar in my daughter's cars - it's for my peace of mind.

They both talk on phones while in the car and I'd rather they use the hands free. But only the Saab has OnStar. I don't know if Infiniti offers anything similar.

I've used the diagnostics when installing the s/c. I didn't cap the tee for my boost meter and was getting a code. I could have strapped the OBD meter on but OnStar was handy.

I just re-upped to get the digital upgrade for $15 and one year.

T

Also - I thought I saw something about Dallas police being able to use the services of OnStar to shut down a car they were chasing. Is this right or am I having delusions again?

dqw1

· #19 · May 27, 2007

I've used it twice so far: once when my battery died and the other when my car went into reduced power and threw codes. It saved help me both times so I like the peace of mind.

BeagleBrains

· #20 · May 28, 2007

I just completed the transfer of my OnStar onto my Verizon Account. The Hands Free Calling is great, logical and much more safe. Cost; I don't know if there is any savings. With two Cell phones, the account is 700 minutes shared. I had the busiest month of Cell/Car Phone calling totaled 21 minutes. My wife averages just over two minutes a day.
I have two cars with the On Star System. The transfer to Verizon costs me $15.48 each (Iowa) per month. One account, one bill, convenience. Security, safety, Hands Free. I guess this is OK!?
The Verizon service person that facilitated this addition to my Verizon account was kind enough to offer to back-date the OnStar connection account in order to provide the added 700 shared minutes back to my annual Verizon account date of December 2006. WTF! :thehand:
I asked her how I might be able to take advantage of the 700 shared minutes for the six months that have already passed by. Maybe talk on the OnStart phone only when the car is in reverse; talk very fast in Pig-Latin; install a time machine? :suspense:

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