OnStar - buy or ditch?

[ykaldes]

I Couldn't find thread discussing this so here is my dilemma: my free OnStar trial period is about to expire and I've been getting messages asking me to renew service. Since this is my first Onstar service I don't know if I should continue it. I have navigation and hardly contacted them in the past. What is your personal experience with OnStar? Does it worth the money?

[CamaroJim56]

For me, not worth it, for some it is. Really a personal decision. I wish they would let you buy the "services" separately. Some I would pay for, but for me, not worth the cost you must pay for the "whole" plan.

[ratfinkharley]

Surprised you could not find any Onstar threads - do an advanced search in titles for Onstar and you'll get a lot of returns.

Opinions vary and in the end it comes down to your preference and budget. I personally see no need for it, but there are many others that feel otherwise.

Navigation - do you prefer to use a dedicated unit like Garmin in or a smartphone app?
Calling - are you in areas where there is no cell phone signals
Diagnosis - does having the ability to send diagnosis directly to the dealer of value to you
Lock out - valuable when/if it happens
Emergency Service - valuable when/if it happens and where. If you live or travel in more remote areas this feature has greater value

[jdsblueray2013]

I would have it, if It were my daily driver. Since we rarely drive it, I can't justify it.

[Sam94]

Does the OnStar app for your phone stop working once the trial period is over ?

[skipinminn]

I like the directions feature

[anth331]

It's better to have it and not need it than, to need it and not have it IMOP

[Sheriff Justice]

I keep mine active from April 15 to October 15 (6 months). Then I 'suspend' it over the winter and it automatically starts back up in the spring.

I called at the beginning of April before it started back up and told them I was not happy with the price increase and they gave me theft protection for free (slow down vehicle for police & recover assistance - $5 per month value). $100 for 6 months protection is worth it to me.

[rimhof]

For me it is worth it. When I totalled my previous car it was out in the country and they were talking to me immediately when the car hit. Also the directions on heads up display works great.

[BIO-HAZARD]

I was going to do the same , keep it in the summer and take it off in the winter , But the 2nd year I had it . it quit working , tried all the tricks and still wouldn't work , took it to the dealer and they wanted to rip the whole dash out to find the problem , And still didn't know if they could fix it , wanted to keep the car for a week , I said no thanks ..I don't use it anyways . so I passed on fixing it . I can google maps for directions . and I have road side protection. So I dumped it ...

[fig88]

I only do partial. I don't use the directions so I only have the emergency part (just in case you know). It's pretty cheap just to have this part on.

[760bowtie]

Had it on my truck for 3 years and didn't use it once, only reason I kept it that long was because I would call and ask for the loyalty discount which came out to about 12 bucks a month and sometimes they would throw in some free minutes. At that price I thought it was reasonable, since I was also getting a discount from my insurance for having it.

Since my camaro is not my daily driver, to me its not worth it.

[Ragnar]

Last week when I got to work, my key fell out my pocket and inside my car. I was in a hurry and didn't notice and locked the door. Nice having the app on my phone to unlock the car without having to get a ride to my house. My car has to go into service next week, to replace a tail light for condensation. I will be tracking my car, no joy rides are required! My car is my DD and I paid for a year, I got the plan without the navigation!

[JLSuperfly]

If I daily drive my Camaro, I would get it.