[vb48]

What is your opinion in keeping OnStar? From a phone perspective, I don't need it. From a towing perspective, I have AAA. Other than some security features (low-jack) is it really necessary?
The monthly service emails are nice, but nothing I don't already know. the OnStar app is nice and I'm not sure if there is another app out there that is just as good.

 

[OldRoadDawg]

Been asking myself that same question and the ONSTAR app is useless for my 2009 V.

 

[vb48]

To me the app is ok, but OnStar overall, is it of any value?

 

[OldRoadDawg]

The app does not work on the 2009 year. Not sure what year it is when it can be used. I can't remember when I used any other function of Onstar, other than look at the monthly e-mails. As you indicated, I already know the status of the vehicle better than Onstar. I've used Onstar 'maybe' twice in 6 years.
Guess I just answered the question for myself... I'm going to dump it.

 

[pissedoffwookiee]

i'm on the fence, and i consider myself a heavy onstar user, i use it every day with the app...and about once a week to safely have them look up POI's while i'm driving....i'm more app oriented and my wife is more live person oriented and probably does the live POI thing 3 or 4 times a week....but i'm off my complimentary year and i'm being hit with $30 a car so $60 a month

 

[JFJr]

To me the app is ok, but OnStar overall, is it of any value?

With a one button call, you can get directions sent to your vehicle while you're driving. Without it you're fiddling with your smartphone, etc.

 

[gohawks63]

I keep it primarily for the app connectivity. Primarily for the ability to send directions to the car from the app. The other is for the remote start capabilities. Where I park is out of range from my office. On hot/cold days, I'll typically start the car as I'm packing up for the day. That way as I walk across the building and across the parking lot, my car is warmed/cooled.

 

[vb48]

I do not need directions form OnStar, there are other methods (free) to use the navigation system and yes, the App has some nice features. I use the remote start occasionally, but is it worth the annual fee?

 

[pissedoffwookiee]

I do not need directions form OnStar, there are other methods (free) to use the navigation system and yes, the App has some nice features. I use the remote start occasionally, but is it worth the annual fee?

the key fob portion of the app is free for 5 years no subscription required (you need to have set it up during your complimentary subsription or you lose it) on 2014 Cadillacs onward and the rest of GM cars 2015 onwards....which means i'm in but my wifes SRX is out

 

[garfin]

There is a thread on the ATS forum about OnStar service.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...l-discussion-forum/682225-gave-up-onstar.html

I added my $0.02 to the discussion a couple of days ago describing my experience with OnStar customer service last year... pretty horrible!

I cancelled the OnStar accounts on both our Cadillacs last year after I was outright lied to by a customer service agent.
I signed up for a promotion that gave me Directions & Connections for the same price as the Safe & Sound package on my 2010 CTS-V. I negotiated the same deal for my wife's 2007 SRX. At the time, I had Safe & Sound on the CTS-V and OnStar upgraded me to Directions & Connections at no extra charge for a 6 month period. My wife already had Directions & Connections on her SRX and OnStar gladly dropped the price to the promotional price (for 6 months) for her SRX when I asked if they would do that. At the end of the 6 month promotional price, I was able negotiate a further 6 month deal on both cars, again at the promotional price. After the 2nd 6 month term I noticed that OnStar had bumped the price to the standard rate on the SRX (the V's 2nd 6 month term wasn't up yet). I called Onstar and they confirmed the history on the accounts, but declined to offer a continuation of the promotional pricing on Directions & Connections. I must say I was somewhat surprised as OnStar had always cooperated in the past. I wasn't happy... so I called back the next day and explained my dissatisfaction to the customer service agent "du jour" who seemed surprised that my request for promotional pricing was turned down. He explained that he'd be happy to reinstitute the promotional pricing for both vehicles - no problem at all. He also explained that OnStar has "a lot of flexibility" when dealing with customers in cases like this. We spent the next 1/2 hour talking hockey as he was a Detroit fan and expressed a lot of sympathy for me as I am a Leaf fan.
So the upshot was that about 2 weeks later the monthly charge for OnStar shows up on my credit card bill - at the regular price! I called OnStar back to question this and was told there was no record of my last conversation with the agent (he had said that he put notes on the file), and there were no promotions available to me. I still had a couple of months left on the V at the promotional price plus over 100 phone minutes. I cancelled both accounts on the spot. I really have a problem doing business with an outfit when the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing the customer ends up being lied to.

Best regards,

Elie

My actual experience with OnStar while I had it was that it sent me to wrong location twice and actually got me lost once with sending the wrong route to my Nav system.

In my wife's SRX, I use a Garmin Nuvi 2595 that is amazing for POIs and connects to the phone via bluetooth ('07 SRX does not have bluetooth). A few months of OnStar fees will pay for the GPS. As well, I have free lifetime updates for the Garmin.

All that being said, (no app for me for 2010 model in Canada) I suppose the plusses for OnStar are:
a) can locate your car if stolen and disable it
b) can send help if you have an accident and are unconscious (and nobody is around)
c) you can make a phone call if you are in a remote area with no cell service
d) can unlock your car if you've left the key fob in the car and its battery dies (just don't leave your cell phone in the car at the same time!)

Unfortunately, it can really ruin your focus and concentration while on a road course when an operator calls to see if you are OK because they are seeing your vehicle generating unusually high G-forces!

Best regards,

Elie

 

[tinman]

There is a thread on the ATS forum about OnStar service.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...l-discussion-forum/682225-gave-up-onstar.html

I added my $0.02 to the discussion a couple of days ago describing my experience with OnStar customer service last year... pretty horrible!



My actual experience with OnStar while I had it was that it sent me to wrong location twice and actually got me lost once with sending the wrong route to my Nav system.

In my wife's SRX, I use a Garmin Nuvi 2595 that is amazing for POIs and connects to the phone via bluetooth ('07 SRX does not have bluetooth). A few months of OnStar fees will pay for the GPS. As well, I have free lifetime updates for the Garmin.

All that being said, (no app for me for 2010 model in Canada) I suppose the plusses for OnStar are:
a) can locate your car if stolen and disable it
b) can send help if you have an accident and are unconscious (and nobody is around)
c) you can make a phone call if you are in a remote area with no cell service
d) can unlock your car if you've left the key fob in the car and its battery dies (just don't leave your cell phone in the car at the same time!)

Unfortunately, it can really ruin your focus and concentration while on a road course when an operator calls to see if you are OK because they are seeing your vehicle generating unusually high G-forces!

Best regards,

Elie

And on top of all of that, you are a Leafs fan, lol ! My sympathy.

 

[newcadman]

There is a thread on the ATS forum about OnStar service.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...l-discussion-forum/682225-gave-up-onstar.html

I added my $0.02 to the discussion a couple of days ago describing my experience with OnStar customer service last year... pretty horrible!



My actual experience with OnStar while I had it was that it sent me to wrong location twice and actually got me lost once with sending the wrong route to my Nav system.

In my wife's SRX, I use a Garmin Nuvi 2595 that is amazing for POIs and connects to the phone via bluetooth ('07 SRX does not have bluetooth). A few months of OnStar fees will pay for the GPS. As well, I have free lifetime updates for the Garmin.

All that being said, (no app for me for 2010 model in Canada) I suppose the plusses for OnStar are:
a) can locate your car if stolen and disable it
b) can send help if you have an accident and are unconscious (and nobody is around)
c) you can make a phone call if you are in a remote area with no cell service
d) can unlock your car if you've left the key fob in the car and its battery dies (just don't leave your cell phone in the car at the same time!)

Unfortunately, it can really ruin your focus and concentration while on a road course when an operator calls to see if you are OK because they are seeing your vehicle generating unusually high G-forces!

Best regards,

Elie

FWIW, considering the negative experiences that Mr. Garfinkel has documented with regard to On Star I have to say that my experience with them has been nothing but positive with both my cars, a 2009 CTS-V and a 2012 CTS. Both cars are well used and have the full compliment of the services they offer.

 

[Trapspeed]

I got rid of it.

 

[newcadman]

I got rid of it.

For what reason(s) ?

 

[mpouls1]

Never saw the need for it. When I bought my car that night I was at the dealership talking to the on-star people them asking me for my CC info. I told them I don't want it and don't even care for the free 6 month trial. "Oh yeah you can cancel it if you don't want it after the trial is over." Whatever, you don't need my CC info. They must have asked me over 3 times I almost hung up on them with the sales guy sitting in the passenger seat. It seems that smart phone apps pretty much can do what on-star does and can do it for free.

 

[Crystal Red CTS-V]

Had it since new but will not renew for the reasons cited above by mpouls1.

 

[vb48]

I'm tempted to cancel, but thinking about the ability to have your door unlock if you lose your key, but wait a minute, if you lose your key and Onstar unlocks it how would you start your V?

 

[stupidfast]

Really? $25/month for instant crash response etc. if it were a Kia maybe $25 might be an issue but it's a high end Cadillac.

 

[RGaret]

OnStar is a waste of money unless you live in the middle of nowhere. I canceled as soon as my one year trial was over.

 

[vb48]

stupidfast, it isn't about the money, at least to me, but is Onstar really necessary. How many of us use Onstar for:

1. directions
2. emergency insureance