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Comments
Do you have a link or know what the 'minor changes' are?
Thanks, metmdx
http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2008&butID=1®ionID=1&divisionID=2&vehicleID=5243&type=0#
It is getting pretty bad though. Just when you like what a car has to offer, you blink and there are changes. You pretty much just have to make your mind up and just go for it.
Do you know for sure when '08 production actually begins?
Thanks again
Thanks.
This might be a backhand complement but it was one of the few seemingly positive statements about GM cars in quite a while.
Another comment about not using the service - every time you drive the car you are using the service, it's there if you need it and reacts in emergency situations when you can't.
Aside from the accident alert feature, every facet of OnStar can be replicated with better technologies that afford more freedom to the customer. The fact is that in-dash navigation systems provide both visual and audible directions, which I believe is preferable to audible alone. Secondly, contrary to what kcorey might believe, bluetooth will not be obsolete any time soon. By the way, what exactly are you basing that on, and why on earth would you be happy about paying $10 extra per month to use a service you already pay for? If GM would include bluetooth in the car you would not have to pay any extra money per month, that means you would save $120 year and would be able to switch to a different cellular provider if you so chose. But, hey, if you want to limit yourself to being stuck with one service provider and paying extra for that privilege who am I to tell you what to do? I always thought that more choices and more freedom for the consumer were good things.
The bottom line is that there is no reason GM has to tie all the features of OnStar together. They could easily add bluetooth as an option for those who want to use a service other than Verizon or those who have better things to do with their $120/year. The only problem with offering bluetooth as an option is that GM only gets the one time, upfront charge, and can not continue to charge you to make calls for as long as you own your car.
One more thing, if OnStar really is so great, why did GM's licensing efforts fall flat on their face? Is it because everyone saw it for what it was, a way to line GM's pockets at the expense of consumer choice?
By the way, I see you're from Michigan, does GM pay you extra for your OnStar promotional services?
Actually you will see OnStar on more non GM makes soon. Mostly premium vehicles.
Still, I for one will not endorse any product that limits my ability to choose or forces me to pay extra for a service for which I already pay.
I had heard that there were not many parties interested in OnStar, but that was about a year or so ago. I would be interested to learn what has changed.
Well, Batman likes it.... :P
Yes, it's available with navigation. Use this link and click on "new for 2008".
http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2008&butID=1®ionID=1&divisionID=10&vehicleID=5065&type=0#
The indash Nav comes eith a $2500 entertainment package but I have seen most Navs priced at $1500-$2000. Over a 3 year lease that is $500/year. The OnStar is, per someone here, $300/year. I realize that you get at least half of the money back at the end of the lease but for my money it is a tie on which is better. If you like the wazzoo looks the in dash is the way to go. If you like the sense of security, lock out protection, Lo-jack and the other stuff OnStar gives you it is the way to go.
Both Nav systems work pretty well. The OnStar is safer and simpler because you just push a buton an your steering wheel and tell the person where you want to go. They download the latest map info into your car and off you go. The indash requires you to buy new map data if you want the latest roads. Both give the same prompts and visual info.
Couldn't they do with OnStar what other car companies do with satellite radio, give you a choice when you buy/order the car. That way if you have Sprint then your Onstar will work with your Sprint number, if you have Cingular etc.
Everyone has compromises they are willing to make when buying a car, this is just one that I won't.
Interesting, which companies give you a choice on sat radio?
As far as what car companies offer a choice of sat radio, when I bought my Passat last year I had a choice of Sirius or XM. All that was required was to put in a different module at the factory. I don't consider VW a luxury brand either.
You're right, bluetooth should be an option: it's expected for vehicles in this price range. There's nothing wrong with Onstar, but I use Alltel wireless and am not about to go and get a Verizon account, and am certainly not going to pay inflated prices for Onstar minutes. And the whole peace of mind thing is just a gimmick: who locks themselves out of a car with key remotes these days? And the airbag notification? Odds are that you'll get into an accident where there will be many other cars around, so people can call in for help. As well, the electrical/GPS still have to function after the accident.
So for about $420, I can buy one of those Garmin Nuvi NAV systems that already have bluetooth included in the unit. Problem solved!
Misinformation.
You do not have to add the verizon service. OnStar phone works w/o the Verizon.
It is $200/year for the safe and sound system which includes a phone number. You do have to buy the minutes which are not the cheapest around. But you do not have to buy the phone system and the first year of OnStar is free.
The Verizon part works if you want a family plan and go under ne Verizon bill. I do not have one but you can add multiple phones/phone numbers on one bill with a cheap calling plan. So if you know you are going to have 300 minutes of phone calls on all your phones you pick that plan. Like all the family plan phones, it is $10/month.
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp/plans/safe_sound.jsp
Use OnStar Hands-Free Calling for less than ever before, with Verizon Wireless plan pricing.
Make calls to other Verizon Wireless customers on both lines without using your plan minutes, plus get unlimited IN calling and unlimited night and weekend minutes.
Get one Verizon Wireless bill for all your calls.
Lots of people do.
And now you are playing the odds. I just read about a girl who went off the road and was in the woods for 2 days before someone saw her. One more day and she would have been dead. If she had OnStar it would have notified.
Wonder if the $200/year is worth it to her family.
As for locking yourself out: for this to happen you'd have to physically press the lock button inside the car, forget your remote inside the car, and shut the door. Not very likely. Most people tend to lock the car with the remote once they are out of the car.
As for your "safety" reasoning for getting Onstar (i.e. crashing into the woods), you're really reaching. Never mind the fact that most accidents happen on the road (not off-road, this based on some statistics I found for several States), but if the electrical system is damaged, or if you are indeed in the woods and in thick foliage, the GPS won't work and you won't be tracked.
So as an extra little gimmick, Onstar is fun. If I had money to throw around, I might even consider it, because even though I am sounding negative, it does have neat features.
I have ccumulated nearly $5000 of GM card dollars with nearly $100,000 purchases on my GM Card, and now GM will only allow me to redeem $1000 on a Buick Enclave. What a disappointment. Goodbye GM Card. Goodbye GM
Hellooooo Lexus.
I accumualted the $5000 in earnings toward a car in the last 3 years. Even on a Cadillac STS, I can only redeem $1000 With your card, I would still only be eligible to redeem $1500 on a $40K or $55K vehicle. So you think this O.K.? I think it is too restrictive. This is supposed to be a reward for using your GM Card. How is GM supposed to pay its pension costs if it doesn't reward its customers with synergy between its credit arm and its car sales? And what about Saab and Saturn? Aren't they GM products---GM Card doesn't recognize these brands. Time for somebody over there to wake up and realize previously loyal customers are walking. Their stingy policies equate to a Reverse Conquest" program
Waiting to see if they will come down 5k or so...
but ending up buying the acadia because the ride was nicer.
In my case it was the folks at the car wash...it came out and they parked it in the drying area...a few minute later they tried to get in to do the inside windows. "Sir, you car is locked, do you have a extra key or should we call PoP-A-Lock?" Wifes Envoy so I did not have an extra in my wallet. Called her at home and since we had recently renewed the service, had the info handy. Called On-Star for the first time and within a couple of minutes the lights flashed and doors were unlocked.
Yearly fee for the basic On-Star plan is $199+sales tax if applicable.
I'm still thinking about adding the Envoy to our Verizon plan. $10 a month for the additional phone. What you could do is when driving the On-Star equipped vehicle, forward your Verizon handset calls to the On-Star/Verizon number. That way you should get your call without having to give out the additional number.
Might be a pain in the rear and more trouble than it is worth except for those few times a year when you are traveling...not when you are near home and in and out of the vehicle for short trips.
You don't need to see photos of our Enclave. It's the ubiquitous Cocoa w/ cashmere interior! We did purposely order the 2nd row bench. IMHO, since it has the same comfort as the buckets, and includes a fold down armrest, and was a -$411 option, we wanted the possiblility of carrying another passenger.
So far, so good...
Jay
Yes, we ordered it on the first day GM accepted orders from Buick dealers, I think back in March. We got one of the first two alloted to our dealer and we ordered it exactly the way we wanted it. There is a four-digit code your dealer should receive when you place your order that indicates where in the process your Enclave is, i.e. order accepted, being built, being shipped, etc. I understand there's a delay if you go for the white exterior.
Jay
Ditto for 2nd row bench as opposed to having captains chairs. I haven't researched this, but I would think NHTSA or some other agency wouldn't let you advertise/market/sell a vehicle that didn't have a headrest at a seating position.
Isn't that a law and why you have them at the other positions? Maybe I'm wrong, but something seems outta whack here :confuse:
metmdx
My suggestion, get the rear parking assist because you can't see squat out the back of the thing. To me that is the onlt shortcoming of the vehicle. I have heard that some people have trouble with seeing cars on the side of the vehicle. An easy fix to that is making sure your mirriors are looking in the right places. For a sedan, the rear door handle should be in the lower-inside corner of the mirror. Fof the Outlook, it should be in the inside-middle part of the mirror. Looking more down than back.