Onstar! Do You Use It?

[Wvusquatch]

Well the reason that I am posting this question is, I am about ready to pull the Stock Chevy POS radio out of my 2002 Av, and replace it with an Alpine or Kenwood. I am just wondering if I should spend the money for the Wire Harness that allows the onstar to work with the new radio! I have really not found the need for it, so far, but do like when an airbag is deployed that it sends a signal and if it got stolen that there might be a chance the cops would find it! So let me know what you think!

Wvusquatch

 

[Bruno]

I haven't used the security features of Onstar thank God but I do you the personal calling on a many times a week basis. The fact that it is a 3watt system really came in handy when I was out in the boonies.

b

 

[chrisntam]

Why do I even have it.....Don't need it.....have a cell phone......I guess I have it because it was part of the convenience package. Not buying another year after the free one is up. Just my .02.

 

[ditch]

My AV came w/o it,
I feel I have no need for it.

My girlfirend bought her Monte Carlo SS at the same time as my AV. The only thing she uses it for is making cell calls, at double (If not more.) the rate of her normal cell bill.

Does'nt someone sell a device that clips onto your cell and lets you use your stereo the same way?

 

[MAB]

My 2003 doesn't have it, and I didn't want it. Seemed like a lot of money for another cell phone.

 

[olsontru]

The personal calling feature is not available in the San Antonio area yet (last time I checked).
This was originally a MT truck and it still had the MT number on it and OS reinstated the 30 min trial thing when I talked to them.
I used it twice as I recall and did not renew as the cost was way out there. And they (OS) said renewing the MT number wasn't a good idea as I was not there.
I did maintain some other features, unlock, guidance, and theft. That was costly enough and I hope I never need any of them.
I have built in phone in truck and have always been able to get out with it. Oops when I was in the mountains of UT on Hwy 6 nothing would work.
UPS has just lost my external antenna that I was adding for even better service. Bless their little pointed heads.

 

[dvc]

I use my OnStar daily, it is nice to have hands off communication. I am a project manager and most of my life is spent on the phone, and I am driving from one project to the next.

The Virtual Advisor Rocks, I get Sport headlines, New, Weather, stock quotes, email read to me it is great.

dvc

 

[gpfahler]

I use it occasionally. Nice feature and I just renewed service, basic plan is enough. I like the phone feature and I programmed the virtual advisor.

 

[redlion6]

I use the personal calling a couple times a week. I have a cell phone but I usually forget it or don't want to stop to use it. The clarity, availability, and convienence of On-star is great. I have not had to use any other feature yet. I have a keypad entry system so I would not need them to unlock the doors if I lock my keys inside. The other features of the basic plan are mostly for emergency use but it's a comfort factor. I will probably renew after a year.

 

[Blulanche]

All the vehicles at the dealership came with the system, so I have it in my vehicle. I guess it is activated, I don't even know. If it is, I won't renew. I have a cell phone, and maps so what do I need this system for? I don't know how to use it and probably won't take the time to learn (rather spend the time shopping for MOD'S!)
Not trying to sound like an "old fogie" but I'm 35 years old, have had 15 cars, trucks etc, never had on star, and never needed on star. If I get lost, need help, I see it as just another adventure.

 

[AVid]

Both my AV and my wifes Bonneville have Onstar. I let them both expire. I just wish you could get personal calling without the Onstar fee...oh well.

 

[spectron65]

Well, lets break down the "capabilities of On Star":

1. On Star can help locate your AV after its stolen. Hmmn--If I am Mr Big Bad AV Thief, the first I am going to do after boosting the AV is grab Mr Pliers and yank that On Star Antenna. Do you think that eye in the sky can still locate the vehicle--probably not unless there's a hidden antenna or GPS locator somewhere else in the vehicle.

2. On Star can provide a cellular phone service. Well, I am pretty happy with my Nokia, great cheap rates, hands-off module, weekends and nights free, free long distance, the whole family is on this plan with multiple cell phones. How much does On Star charge per month?

3. On Star can help you find a restaurant, help you when you are lost. Well, its not a DVD-driven GPS map/screen system (like they have in Infiniti, BMW, MB, Lexus, etc). It is an added monthly charge again. If you are going off road so remote that you need to find your way back--I suggest a good Rand McNally map, a good compass, and top of the line Garmin hand held GPS, and a Nokia cell phone. On Star can't beat that. Trust me, majority of us will not drive off our 34,000 AV to the edge of wilderness that you will get lost and need On Star to bail you out.

4. On Star will notify 911 or EMS if you are in a car accident and your airbag deploys. What if you are in a roll over and your air bag did not deploy and you were unconscious--will On Star sense this and call 911? Hmmnn. How does On star know an accident occurred? If you are paralyzed and can't reach your cell phone, trust me, you probably can't reach the blue on star button either.

Bottom line--On Star was included in the driver convenience package and that is the only reason why I have it in my AV. If it was a separate option, I would not have purchased it. When my 1 year Safe and Sound expires, it will not be renewed. It will forever be a "fancy gadget decoration" in my cab for the remainder of the AV's life.

 

[SJProwler]

I have it, use it, and will renew it.

The virtual advisor is nice for getting information on the fly as long as you take the time to program it at the OnStar website.

The personal calling is more $$ than my cell phone, but the convenience of having it is nice when you forget your portable phone.

The safety features I haven't had to use but it's nice they are there.

The biggest reason I'll renew it is that it saves me it's total cost on my car insurance.

OnStar Safe and Secure is $199 annually

Insurance savings for having OnStar is $205 annually.

SJP

 

[zimmthumps]

OnStar Safe and Secure is $199 annually
Insurance savings for having OnStar is $205 annually.

WOW!

Does anyone else get this kind of a discount?
This makes keeping Onstar a no-brainer...

Who is your insurance carrier SJP?

 

[02-Z66]

i do not have it. i heard about some of the fee's and decided against getting it. i have a cell phone like some of the other guys. i usually have directions for those unknown destinations. if i am totally lost there is always the gas station method.

 

[Wvusquatch]

I have it, use it, and will renew it.

The virtual advisor is nice for getting information on the fly as long as you take the time to program it at the OnStar website.

The personal calling is more $$ than my cell phone, but the convenience of having it is nice when you forget your portable phone.

The safety features I haven't had to use but it's nice they are there.

The biggest reason I'll renew it is that it saves me it's total cost on my car insurance.

OnStar Safe and Secure is $199 annually

Insurance savings for having OnStar is $205 annually.

SJP

So what insurance company do you use?

 

[Wvusquatch]

I have it, use it, and will renew it.

The virtual advisor is nice for getting information on the fly as long as you take the time to program it at the OnStar website.

The personal calling is more $$ than my cell phone, but the convenience of having it is nice when you forget your portable phone.

The safety features I haven't had to use but it's nice they are there.

The biggest reason I'll renew it is that it saves me it's total cost on my car insurance.

OnStar Safe and Secure is $199 annually

Insurance savings for having OnStar is $205 annually.

SJP

I also got to look at this, that is six bucks of savings Still does not seem worth it, and then you still haver to add in the cost of the cell phone minutes! I am still at the point of leaning to getting rid of it!

 

[SJProwler]

It's not the savings, it's that most OnStar equipped vehicles are recovered less than 3 hours after being reported stolen.

Also in my area there are lots of places that my portable cell phone coverage is shaky but the 3 watt OnStar phone still works fine.

It's a personal preference and I was just listing my reasons for keeping it.

The insurance discount was a real surprise, it costs alot less to insure my Av than it did my '99 F-250 SuperDuty.

SJP

 

[SJProwler]

WOW!

Does anyone else get this kind of a discount?
This makes keeping Onstar a no-brainer...

Who is your insurance carrier SJP?

I have Citizens, OnStar qualifies for the passive disabling system discount.

SJP

 

[dsw7311]

I would just as soon they come and take my Onstar out! I have had this in my truck now for 18 months and they still do not have personal calling available in Dallas Ft Worth area. Imagine a big metropolis like DFW and cant use Onstar for what it is intended for!. I refused to renew and pay $300 for something to help me unlock my truck or tell me when the airbags have gone off!

 

[AvaLance]

I had just got the AV and so I went over to a friends house about 1 hour away from my house so we desided to test it out and go off-roading being my 1st time off-roading it was fun tell I got the flat tire and were we were at cell phones would not work so I used onstar they sent some one to change the tire and they also called my mom and dad for me to tell them what had happend I signed up for another year I like it so much I also use the personal calling it is really nice when you are on the road and don't want to try to hold a cell phone and drive at the same time so I personaly would keep the onstar

 

[Congelado]

I had just got the AV and so I went over to a friends house about 1 hour away from my house so we desided to test it out and go off-roading being my 1st time off-roading it was fun tell I got the flat tire and were we were at cell phones would not work so I used onstar they sent some one to change the tire and they also called my mom and dad for me to tell them what had happend I signed up for another year I like it so much I also use the personal calling it is really nice when you are on the road and don't want to try to hold a cell phone and drive at the same time so I personaly would keep the onstar

I'm out of breath just reading that long sentence!

With all these great endorsements for Onstar, I wish my Av had it!

 

[RJLACK]

Have it, use it and I love it. I also use the personal calling every day. To each his or her own!

 

[dsw7311]

Have it, use it and I love it. ? I also use the personal calling every day. ?To each his or her own!

Don't get me wrong, if Verizon Wireless and OnStar can get their acts together and offer personal calling here in DFW area I would get it, but I will not renew until it is available and so far 18+ months later its still not available here dang it!

 

[spectron65]

I have Progressive auto insurance. Called them up and they gave me a very GENEROUS discount of a mind boggling, whopping $22.00 off my yearly premium for having On Star.

I am not mad at Progressive. In fact, they give me great rates for 3 Chevy vehicles total. I recommend Progressive to anyone. It just seems that they were not too impressed with On Star. I wonder how the other poster got $200.00 off his premium! Wow!

I wish On Star did not have a monthly user fee but a "demand use fee". You only pay everytime you use it. I am afraid I will subscribe and months will go by and I won't be using it (which is very good because that means I am safe and sound).

Another thing about On Star--they can remotely unlock your doors, right? What if I am in the long stretch of road between Las vegas and L.A. and pulled by the side of the road for whatever reason (to pee?) and locked my doors. How am I supposed to call On Star if my doors are locked, my cell phone is inside the car, there is no public phone for miles, and I can't push the button because I was locked out! The old rock through the glass window then. So what good is this remote unlocking capability if you are not in a public place, the mall, etc?