Adding OnStar?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 853
From: Daytona Beach FL
Well.....many would say you're crazy to want to add OnStar. Lots on the forum want to disable the OnStar they have.
OnStar doesn't have anything I need, so I recently canceled it at the end of my free trial. My '06 didn't have it, and I don't need it on my '09.
The ONLY thing I'd really like from it is the ability to have them unlock my doors. On many 2011 GM vehicles, you can interface with your car through OnStar and an iPhone app. However, I don't believe the 2011 Corvette OnStar has that capability.
Anyway.....I don't think it's feasible at all to add OnStar to your car. There's MUCH more to it than just getting a rearview mirror!!! The thing gets inputs from a whole bunch of sensors and communicates with a bunch of the computer modules in the car via the data bus, so I think it would be very difficult to connect everything up in a car that doesn't have it.
I hope someone else may have some good news for you that it can be done, but I doubt it!!
Bob
OnStar doesn't have anything I need, so I recently canceled it at the end of my free trial. My '06 didn't have it, and I don't need it on my '09.
The ONLY thing I'd really like from it is the ability to have them unlock my doors. On many 2011 GM vehicles, you can interface with your car through OnStar and an iPhone app. However, I don't believe the 2011 Corvette OnStar has that capability.
Anyway.....I don't think it's feasible at all to add OnStar to your car. There's MUCH more to it than just getting a rearview mirror!!! The thing gets inputs from a whole bunch of sensors and communicates with a bunch of the computer modules in the car via the data bus, so I think it would be very difficult to connect everything up in a car that doesn't have it.
I hope someone else may have some good news for you that it can be done, but I doubt it!!
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 592
From: Olathe KS
I have three GM cars and three OnStar accounts 
I like the email reports and the phone service. On my other two vehicles, the Acadia and my Caddy CTS, I have the ability to call OnStar and give them a destination then it sends it back and guides me to the destination without a Nav unit.
I recently upgraded my C6 to digital OnStar. My 2005 had the OnStar box, but it was the old analog unit. For $19.99 (yes, 20 bucks) they replaced my old unit with a new digital one and made sure it was all working correctly. The only catch was I had to sign up for one year of the service....but DUH, why wouldn't you do that?
I wasn't going to do it, but if I ever take the Vette on a long trip, I want crash detection, emergency service, phone, and most importantly, door unlock service.
To each his own, most would prefer to not activate it and just use their cell phones....I think they are cool as hell.
I like the email reports and the phone service. On my other two vehicles, the Acadia and my Caddy CTS, I have the ability to call OnStar and give them a destination then it sends it back and guides me to the destination without a Nav unit.
I recently upgraded my C6 to digital OnStar. My 2005 had the OnStar box, but it was the old analog unit. For $19.99 (yes, 20 bucks) they replaced my old unit with a new digital one and made sure it was all working correctly. The only catch was I had to sign up for one year of the service....but DUH, why wouldn't you do that?
I wasn't going to do it, but if I ever take the Vette on a long trip, I want crash detection, emergency service, phone, and most importantly, door unlock service.
To each his own, most would prefer to not activate it and just use their cell phones....I think they are cool as hell.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
I got a quote from a dealer because I was curious and it came back at $3,100. I looked at it and they are very proud of the parts ($2,700). They may have thought they would be able to take me for a ride but I told them to forget it. The dealer installed the nab on my vette on delivery so voice commands do not work since it doesn't have a mic. That was the only reason that I even considered it. After doing a little more research and determining that the voice commands don't work very well anyway plus the price, it really wasn't worth it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 4
From: Surrey B.C.
Around here, the major objectors to Onstar all seem to belong to the tinfoil hat crowd. I've found it quite useful. Whether it is worth around $3000 to you, that's only a decision you can make.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 4
From: Surrey B.C.
If you had cancelled because you subscribe to the "Onstar spies on me, and its another indicator of the creeping big government that is trying to take away my personal rights to speed and drive recklessly" school, then I was going to suggest seeking professional help.
It reminds me of a dude that came to see a 2000 Camaro SS I had for sale. He told me he didn't want Onstar, because "the police could shut him down" when they were pursuing him.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 592
From: Olathe KS
I live in Kansas and when I drive out in the middle of BFE, OnStar works every time.
You do know that Onstar uses Verizon as its primary carrier which means you get Verizon, Sprint, and Altel towers...which pretty much is 100% domestic coverage.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Anyway, that's history. I now use AAA and they always answer.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 1
From: SE Coast FL
$3k! I thought it would be as easy as the HUD aftermarket (respectively so). Figured a few parts via the forum vendors, plug it in, call OnStar to activate.
I like the idea because of the perks mentioned as well as if its moved without my knowledge I can be notifed and track it.
I like the idea because of the perks mentioned as well as if its moved without my knowledge I can be notifed and track it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I suggest you call Gene Culley (GMPartsHouse) and get a quote on the parts needed.
The car will undoubtedly require some re-programming by the dealer as well.
May not be worth the effort/expense.
The car will undoubtedly require some re-programming by the dealer as well.
May not be worth the effort/expense.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
Likes: 129
From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
OnStar is a factory-installed option and cannot be installed by a dealer or retailer, so you must do one of the following:
Purchase a vehicle with OnStar
Own a vehicle with OnStar
I heard GM might be working on an aftermarket kit but nothing I've seen shows its available.
I have OnStar and like it. Everything works as advertised.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
all you have to do is push the button on the inside rear view mirror. "Like" (I know that I will not like it so I'm not even going to check, and I might like it).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 41
From: Dysartsville, NC
At $2700 a car, maybe GM should have just offered onstar as an option and gave the buyer a break on the price. I would have never guessed that an antenna and transponder was that high even with a 100% markup.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 592
From: Olathe KS
Unit - Main onstar computer by visor
Wiring to the unit and visor
New interface to computer
maybe new main computer
Entire mirror/user control unit
Antenae
tons of installation hours
and god knows what else.
But for $3K, I would walk away.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
Just get some roadside assistance from any of the carriers like AAA. A whole lot cheaper. I do have OnStar on my truck but in almost 2 years now I've never even used it once.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 804
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco Ca.
I currently don't have On-Star. When I did in the past, it worked as advertised. Had a deer run out in front of the truck, the airbags deployed, On-Star called me in the truck, and sent a tow truck out. Oh and I did use the the unlock feature a couple of times also.
