Ongoing Onstar Ripoff

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 6, 2006 | 10:32 PM

Fastcat3

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 482

Likes: 0

From: Florida

Ongoing Onstar Ripoff

I know this has been discussed, but for people that are paying for a year of onstar service say like in March or April or later this year knowing that the change to digital comes before expiration of that year........what happens? Are you going to wait and see if they just disconnect your service or offer a deal on getting the upgrade installed. It would seem if they give you a yearly or multi year contract, they have to give you service. Like others have said, we C6ers got screwed with our onstar when they have the upgrades on other vehicles. Would seem illegal for them not to provide service and a free change to digital which I guess is pretty much a new mirror. Opinions please!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mar 6, 2006 | 10:43 PM

Jimbeaux

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,617

Likes: 13

From: Pasadena, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fastcat3

It's my understanding that they will do the upgrade for free, providing you lock into a 3 year contract... I'm still fumed about Onstar too.
Like I said in earlier posts, they may as well have put a gun to my head and taken the $700 out of my pocket. I usually pride myself on being a pretty wise shopper, but I have to admit they got me good. I'm sure ONSTAR must be managed by a bunch of whiz's with MBA's who can't find a real job... no offense to the good folks here who have MBA's

Mar 6, 2006 | 10:49 PM

jim213

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 3,695

Likes: 0

From: Sedalia Missouri

Sure looks like we are going to get a short stick. I know I'll be smarter on my next ride.

Mar 6, 2006 | 10:57 PM

webdzynes

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 4,166

Likes: 14

From: Orlando Fl

I just heard of this. My car was built on 12/17/05 and I bought the service. Nothing was said about the change to me so I suspect I will either be offered an upgrade or a pro-rated refund if I decline. They cant keep my money if they dont provide the service.

Mar 6, 2006 | 11:54 PM

bandman

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 108

Likes: 0

From: Silver City NM

Onstar

I just picked up my 06 C6 - its used and has Onstar - I was gonna subscribe. Whats the deal and should I wait?

Mar 7, 2006 | 12:01 AM

Curtis A. Franz

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 1,270

Likes: 0

From: Prescott AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandman

I just picked up my 06 C6 - its used and has Onstar - I was gonna subscribe. Whats the deal and should I wait?

The C6 06 has dual mode Onstar and you have to do nothing when Verizon goes to all digital as required by the government. Yes an 05 will need some hardware change. Chevy will do it for OnStar and you will not have to pay for new hardware as long as you contract with OnStar for three years of service. Our 02 Impala will require the upgrade and it has the kind of hardware now that can be upgraded in this program. Not all OnStar analog can be upgraded.

Mar 7, 2006 | 12:48 AM

humvet

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 3,775

Likes: 19

From: Santa Clara, CA

I am not a big OnStar fan yet (I do like to call in to say hi when I am lonely

) and still do not know what I am going to do when renewal comes up but, it is clear that the deal OnStar makes to upgrade our systems to digital is fair enough. What they are offering is that if we sign up for three years they will give us a $50 discount and upgrade our OnStar for free. I guess if I want to upgrade to digital, I probably like the service and signing up for 3 years for a discount makes sense. If I don't like OnStar, I should not be griping that I don't have a digital ready unit. See what I mean?

Here are the Q&A's on the topic:
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp...iew=tech_equip

Mar 7, 2006 | 12:54 AM

shopdog

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 10,089

Likes: 14

I made the $700 mistake of getting OnStar on the car. But I didn't compound the mistake by renewing when the free year was up. I'll be pulling the obsolete equipment out of the car shortly.

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Joe Kucinski

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Michael S. Palmer

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Joe Kucinski

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Joe Kucinski

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Joe Kucinski

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Brett Foote

Mar 7, 2006 | 02:35 AM

larryfl1

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 198

Likes: 0

what about the new direction feature that onstar announced is coming later this year....the press release only stated 2 cars to be equiped.... will the c6 be upgradable???

Mar 7, 2006 | 07:15 AM

#10

billcar9999

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 196

Likes: 0

From: Waterfall, PA

Put in your VIN on this website to see if your system is dual mode.

http://www.onstarenrollment.com/home...ep?websiteid=1

If it is, you don't have anything to worry about.

Bill

Mar 7, 2006 | 07:38 AM

#11

larryfl1

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 198

Likes: 0

does that mean if its dual mode it will handle the future features that they will be rolling out? primarily the turn by turn gps service that is automated and adapts to where you drive?

Mar 7, 2006 | 07:43 AM

#12

vertlove

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 814

Likes: 0

From: Allentown PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by shopdog

I made the $700 mistake of getting OnStar on the car. But I didn't compound the mistake by renewing when the free year was up. I'll be pulling the obsolete equipment out of the car shortly.

Because my previous three GMs had onstar which I used just once to unlock the car. I never renewed beyond the free year. Therefore the decision not to get one in my C6 was a not difficult. Once it becomes a fully integerated phone it will be a whole diff story though.

Mar 7, 2006 | 08:40 AM

#13

AC54ME

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 37,329

Likes: 12

From: Plano Texas

CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran

CI-VI Car Show Winner

St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13

Just kick the ON-STAR & XM habit. Let GM (XM) stew in their own juices for the sh!tty way they treated some Vette (and other GM cars) purchasers.

Change over is $99 (w/o installation @ approx $75).

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/si...usconnect.html

Mar 7, 2006 | 01:15 PM

#14

RedHot

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 8,309

Likes: 0

From: Jacksonville Fl

CI 5-6-7-8-9-10 Vet

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcar9999

Put in your VIN on this website to see if your system is dual mode.

http://www.onstarenrollment.com/home...ep?websiteid=1

If it is, you don't have anything to worry about.

Bill

Very interesting. I entered my vin and got this reply:

Quote:

This vehicle is equipped with
Dual-Mode (Analog/Digital) Equipment

VIN: 1G1YY26U965121XXX
Description: 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
Hardware Type: Dual-Mode (Analog/Digital) Equipment

Vehicle Information:
This vehicle is digital equipped and will continue to be eligible for OnStar services beyond the January 1, 2008 OnStar digital transition date. There is no need for an equipment upgrade.
Spanish and French speaking advisors are available for this vehicle.
Vehicle is Spanish and French Hands-Free Calling capable.
Vehicle is NOT OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation capable.
Vehicle may be eligible for Verizon's America's Choice with OnStar plan (consult with Verizon Wireless for availability in your specific area)
Improved Voice-Recognition technology
Continuous Voice Dialing capability

Note: This hardware identification tool is based on VIN at the time of vehicle production and may NOT reflect the most current information about your vehicle.

First, the vehicle has not been produced yet, it's Target Production Week is 3/13.

Second, I did not order OnStar.

Mar 7, 2006 | 01:20 PM

#15

xs650

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 3,375

Likes: 1

From: Northern CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC54ME

Not quite yet

Sirius connect availability

Don't hold your breath, this is one of many slipping release dates.

Mar 7, 2006 | 01:22 PM

#16

larryfl1

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 198

Likes: 0

that post above says not turn by turn navigation .....

anyone think they will offer an upgrade for that service?

or are we screwed???

Mar 8, 2006 | 01:02 AM

#17

humvet

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 3,775

Likes: 19

From: Santa Clara, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC54ME

Like I said before, I am not sold on OnStar but as for XM, what is your beef?

Besides Howard, what makes Sirius so much better that you are driven to rip out your navagation system or other stock audio system or attach an adapter to your existing system to get a half-*** hybrid workable? I like XM, Howard may not be on it but when I need to get my fill of

"F" words and immature diatribes, I can listen to Opey and Anthony or the XComedy station.

Mar 8, 2006 | 05:12 AM

#18

Gman in NC

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 2,340

Likes: 176

From: Kernersville NC

No On Star, NAV, Bluetooth or any other video game in my car. If I want to play with that stuff I'll do it in the house. I don't want a five year old car with third generation electronics in it. I do like the thought of XM or Sirus but I like to walk a lot and want it with me there too, not just in my car.