With my recent car purchase, my vehicle is equipped with the OnStar service. I'm trying to decide whether to subscribe or not. I could see me using the remote unlock service or the remote engine diagnostics, but not much else (barring an accident).

Anybody here have it and ever have to use it?

Sman I have onstar and subscribe to the basic service. Its like 200 a year. I have used the remote unlock service. My son has used (inadvertently) the emergency service. I think it is a good piece of mind. Overall the cost is not bad. I like knowing if I am in an accident they automatically call for help. The onstar feature will also act as a low-jack if the vehicle is stolen.

Sorry, I don't have it, nor do I know anyone that has.

But I've got a question based on tat's response.

Does the insurance company cut you a break on your rates if you have OnStar?

We'll find out Yoss. I just signed up for the Safe & Sound Plan for $200/year. My next call will be to my insurance company.

I'm not too enthused by the vehicle tracking if it's stolen. The system is cellular phone/GPS based. I imagine the thief would merely have to snap off the small, exterior antenna to make the system near worthless for that purpose. Or if they were a knowledgable thief, go straight for the GPS box.

I have a friend who used it when she locked the keys in with the engine running. Other than that, I don't know of anyone else who has used it.

Well, I signed up yesterday for a year's service. No word yet from the insurance company......that probably means no.

Also, for those that have it, I found this link on the OnStar site. It seems that after 01/01/2008, those of us with analog-based cellular OnStar systems are out of luck. OnStar will switch to all digital and return their analog bandwidth to the Feds.

So that means if your OnStar system isn't dual band (analog/digital), which it most likely isn't unless it's a late '04 or '05 model year car, your system will cease to function at the beginning of 2008.

Oh well, I seriously doubt I'll have the car then.

When I worked in Frederick, one of the guys I worked with bought a new Trailblazer that has OnStar. He said it came with a year's FREE subscription to OnStar. Did they change that, or did the dealer just "get" you? Also, I don't remember ever seeing any little antennas on the truck, but it has to have one if it's GPS. Maybe inside a bumper or something?

I think I remember SMan saying that he got his car as last year's model year car, which would probably disqualify the OnStar offer for one free year (assuming?).

My friend ALMOST bought a Colorado with this employee discount thing going on, but he did NOT want OnStar and would have had to wait another week for the properly equipped truck he wanted to come in. He didn't get the car.

A friend at school has it on her Avalanche, but has never used it once in the two years she's had the truck. She said she'd probably cancel it after this year. Also, did your car come with navigation? I think OnStar offers some type of hotel/directions/restaurant service with the navigation system (or maybe that was Chrysler/M-B and BMW).

Any of you with OnStar yet have them come on and tell you to slow down a little? You do know they not only track your location but of course they can tell how fast you're going, don't you?

Next up they'll set it up so they can call the cops on you for speeding... or else they'll be forced to set it up so it automatically reports to the police if you speed beyond a certain amount. I imagine the reasoning would go that if they have evidence you're committing a crime but fail to report it, they could be held responsible.

The whole thing is a bit too "Big Brother"-ish for my tastes.

My friend has On Star with his Silverado, and yes Big, it does have the navigation/directions service. I don't think he's had to use it yet, but it may come in handy when we go to Florida, especially if I'm driving .

He's never had a problem with them coming on & telling him to slow down, B, and he does tend to exceed the limit once in a while.

Why would you live your life worrying about ridiculous scenarios like that? Why, oh why, would they call the police and turn in the very customers that pay their bills? Why?

Also, the best I can tell, it doesn't receive calls. You have to initiate it.

And Biggins is right, I bought a used car. They still give the first year free with new cars.

Big Brother is watching you!

Quoted from Autoweek.com

Autoweek.com

Here is an interesting article related to Onstar, Blackboxes, etc.

Very interesting article.

If it ever gets to the point that I'm getting tickets mailed to me because of OnStar data, I'll most certainly cancel, then sell the car.

OnStar would cease to exist as a business if it was ratting out it's customers. Until that time, I'll enjoy the piece of mind the service provides.

On the other hand, if they started putting data recorders in all cars that serve no other purpose than collecting data that could incriminate the car's owner, my feelings would be more in line with BMIC's.

Hmm... this is interesting. This is another reason why I still own an older car (that and I can't afford a newer one right now). I'll be in the market in the next year, but I think I'll still stick to much older cars in my search.

The article specifically mentioned auto-crossers, Biggins. The "what if" scenario they presented was say the data showed you ran the car hard one weekend at an autocross, then had a problem a few days later. Theoretically, the dealer could use the data to deny the warranty claim based on abuse.

Which is common because many do not prepare their cars for the event. Organizers usually MAKE you to put more air in your tires, have oil, antifreeze, water-wetter, etc. for the events, but it is not "street" driving. Cars must pass tech inspection to do it, but ANYTHING can happen for any reason.

If I had OnStar on my car during an autoX, it would be going off like crazy with all the cones I hit.

This is the main reason (besides time and money) I have not done one EVERY weekend. I need to get a solid career placement, pay off all/most of my college loans, and THEN find a car that if something happens to it, I a) won't be reported to police/car manufacturer and won't be too angry if little things go wrong (I'll be prepared for things to happen).

I saw something similar to these discussions on one of the auto TV shows way back, which is why I posted as I did. It's not likely that OnStar is actually going to buzz you and tell you to slow down, but they could very well use the data to deny warranty coverage for hard driving habits or give the info to your insurance company who could use it to deny you coverage in an accident if you were driving too fast or too intensely for their druthers.

Since it will collect such data, the Police could very well eventually force automakers to set up the systems to notify law enforcement of speeders. Automakers probably won't volunteer such info, but they could very well be forced to provide it, by either police, or insurance companies, etc. If the info is there, and there's a lawsuit involved, you can bet somebody is going to demand access.


It truly does put Big Brother in the car with you, and as mentioned, these systems are already being used/abused by rental car companies routinely.

Anybody ever seen those GPS "bumper beepers" that parents can install in the car their kids use. It provides data on speed, location, etc. to the parents via a home computer program. A guy I work with said he is definately getting one of these setups when his kids start to drive in a few years.

SMan... forget the OnStar, you should make your car like this:
http://www.dtmpowerracing.com/mooremotorsp...rfest05ctsv.mpg

It is a quick video of your car from Hyper Fest last weekend at Summit Point!!!

I wonder if OnStar called him?

Awesome video! That makes my wallet hurt watching that guy in the CTS-V doing donuts on Z rated rubber.

Mine is also silver and looks nearly identical to that CTS (minus the decals and 400+ HP).

Cadillac actually gave him that car to promote the CTS-V at events like this (along with plenty of tires). It's stock except for the exhaust that shoots out the side like the old Shelby Cobras.

I got invited by Car and Driver magazine to test drive a CTS-V, an Infiniti G35 sedan, and the new BMW 330i at FedEx in August (autoX, drag race, skidpad). Apparently I qualified for their new "editor for a day" program.

That's so neat, Biggins! Let us know when you get your byline!