When I called OnStar when my wife had a dead-flat tire in our garage, they called an independent place just as AAA would have done. Changed to our spare in twenty minutes after the call. I guess I don't understand the wait difference if OnStar calls or AAA calls. Used my AAA card to pay. It was just a push of a button.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Almost two years ago, she was on her way home from working out of town for a week. It was almost 11:30 at night. Long story short, she ended up hitting a patch of black ice on a remote section of highway and lost control of her Saturn, hitting a concrete barrier head-on at 60 MPH. While half-conscious from the impact and the airbag, she heard On-star call her instantly and tell her that they contacted 911 and help was on the way. A passer-by stopped a few minutes later to help her out of the car (she was fine, just a little dazed, and was bruised up in a few places), but the State Troopers and ambulance/rescue was there not a minute after that.
Oh, and her cell phone? It was on the passenger seat before the impact, but wasn't found until after the car was towed to the body shop.
I wouldn't say Onstar is a waste, but at the same time it's not a feature that would make me pick one car over another. We've had several Onstar equipped vehicles and we never used it or renewed it.
I wonder how many Onstar devices they are selling to non Onstar equipped vehicles. I'd bet it's low.
More than anything I think people are suffering from subscription fatigue. Cell phones, cable, etc. No way would I pay Onstar 200/yr for the safe and sound package. $300/yr for safe and sound plus Nav is just way more than I'd be willing to pay. I have a hard enough time justifying Sat radio. I was going to cancel this year but they offered a $75/yr renewal and I use that every day.
>>On-Star is a total waste. >Oh, and her cell phone? It was on the passenger seat before the impact, but wasn't found until after the car was towed to the body shop.
I didn't read the OP's post because I usually skip the "I hate GM repetitive diatribe"! So I hope I'm on point.
OnStar is great. This summer my son at OSU was working downtown Columbus in office and living near campus in apt with a car. Kept OnStar. Put set of keys to car and to apartment hidden in car. He could ALWAYS open the car with ONSTAR and a cellphone, his or someone else's if he locked himself out of the apartment or the car. No calling the apartment open door service for $35 (cash in advance) and a wait. No calling AAA locksmith to get into the car.
If you value the service then it is, if not, then it isn't. Last I've read the renewal rate is estimated at 50%. So some value it and some don't. Basically no different than many products/services I value that many don't and may see as a waste.
For me, since I don't value the service, paying $200/yr for something I'd rarely use isn't worth it. One thing Ford has on many vehicles is the keypad. I love it. I often lock my keys in my Expedition and use the keypad to get in. Wish more cars offered it. It does come in handy.
There are some good things about it for sure. It just doesn't work for me. Beyond the cost there was a few things I found a little annoying (not that they aren't useful). I don't think I'll even bother activating it on another vehicle I buy (If equipped with it)
$18.95 a month is about $227 a year, over 7 years that's almost $1600.
That's a whole lot of money...
Just get an extended warranty instead, and a PND. Extended warranties include roadside assistance, so no need for AAA. Get a 7/100 warranty for what, about a grand or so? The quote for my Sienna was under $900.
You'd have room for a top-of-the-line portable GPS, and still save a BUNCH of change. $600 worth.
Each has its pros and cons, of course, a Garmin isn't going to call 911 for you, but how likely is that? You could also just wear a helmet every time you drive, and not need an ambulance in the first place. It's overkill 99.9% of the time.
With the warranty you'd have full coverage, free roadside assistance, and a map which is vastly superior to the text directions you get from OnStar. I wonder how many of these crashes were caused by people having to look down and read the tiny text telling them where the next turn is, ironically.
My brother had it on his Saab when he bought it. it was included in the price of the car. He dropped it when he'd have had to pay for it.
My dad was the opposite. When he was leasing his DeVilles he'd always have OnStar. I don't now how much he used it beyond the phone but he liked having it.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I've never once bought an extended warranty on a car and doubt I ever will. And I've had nothing but Chevrolets as new cars since 1981--thirteen of them in total. And I haven't regretted it for a nanosecond.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
I do that and I tie a string to the container too. Still would love to have the Ford key entry stuff on the doors though. OnStar might not help me much since I just have a prepaid cell and rarely use it.
Yeah the Ford keypad access is one of those things that I wouldn't pick one car over another for, but it is handy.
Particularly when we go out on the boat. Instead of risking my car keys out on the lake, I put them in the center console and lock the doors. I've been doing that for years without a problem.
A few weeks ago my wife accidentally locked her keys in her Taurus with her purse and cell in the car while she was at work. Thankfully she knew the code and used the key pad to quickly gain access.
Nissan used to have keypad access on the Maxima in the late 80's or so. I don't think anyone uses it anymore other than Ford.
I was just pointing out that it's a better value than the $1600 OnStar would cost over the same 7 year period.
I didn't mean to single out OnStar...any of these system which add another monthly bill for services you're unlikely to use or could find elsewhere cheaper just aren't worth it to me.
OnStar, a service from General Motors that calls for help for motorists in trouble, has changed its terms of service to say that the company will track location data and other information to share with law enforcement, credit card processors and others, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The company intends to continue collecting the information, even if the customer discontinues the service, unless the customer specifically contacts the company to completely sever the data connection. OnStar collects information such as your vehicle's location, detailed data about collisions involving your vehicle, when your car is on or off, when you put gas, your odometer readings and more, according to their terms.
"What's changed [is that if] you want to cancel your OnStar service, we are going to maintain a two-way connection to your vehicle unless the customer says otherwise," said Adam Denison, a spokesman for OnStar, in a telephone interview with Wired.
Forensic computer scientist and blogger Jonathan Zdziarski brought attention to OnStar's new terms in a blog post Tuesday, where he excoriated the company for the move.
OnStar chief spokesman Vijay Iyer called the response overblown, according to a Jalopnik post, saying that OnStar has no deals in place to sell data. However, the company wrote the changes to give it room for future possibilities, according to the Jalopnik post.
"We've not sold personalized information about our customers in the past, and we really don't have plans to do anything like that in the future," said Joanne Finnorn OnStar vice president of subscriber services in a YouTube video posted Wednesday afternoon. However, she added that the company does share anonymous data.
Chevrolet has released new details about the 2013 Malibu.
Set to go on sale next year, the sedan will feature a next-generation Ecotec four-cylinder engine. It will displace 2.5-liters and have an output of approximately 190 hp (142 kW / 193 PS) and 180 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.
Besides being more powerful than the current 2.4-liter unit, the engine promises greater efficiency thanks to a variable-displacement oil pump, an actively controlled thermostat and an all-new combustion system. GM also says the mill will be "one of the quietest and most refined engines in the segment" because of an acoustic intake manifold cover and inverted-tooth camshaft chains.
I guess this will be way ahead of the competition!
I guess that horribly biased and flawed CR is no longer horribly biased and flawed now.
Yes yes yes!!!! I mean, the Cruze and Malibu are no better than the Cobalt and Rentabu of years past. Chevy hasn't improved one iota. They were always this good, it just took people awhile and a few name changes (Cavalier - cobalt - cruze ) to realize it. What will the next name that starts with a C be?
Chrysler does the same thing, but when they rename something, they use different letters (Neon - PT Cruiser - Caliber).
:P :lemon:
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I guess that horribly biased and flawed CR is no longer horribly biased and flawed now.
They probably feel the need to recant after hearing so much about it!
The main problem I've had with them, since the '70's, is they take their reliability ratings like the Bible. Yet, when there's sample error...which is inevitable...they don't say a thing about it. That's why we see different reliability for an Equinox versus a Pontiac Torrent of the same year (identical vehicles built on the same line), or that a four-cylinder has a better sound system than a six-cylinder of the same car, etc.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
I’ve flown west many, many times, but never actually seen all of it on land. So my wife and I decided now that I’m retired we’d drive from Denver to LA (I-70/15 out and I-40/25 back – with a number of diversions) the past two weeks. We got upgraded to a GMC Acadia and I have to say we were both impressed. The car is quiet, comfortable and roomy. It also handled very well when we were taking side trips into the mountains. I like that 3.6L V6 also. We had it on an upgrade to a Caddy a few months ago also. It moves out smartly and is very smooth and responsive. The only real drawback is gas mileage. I understand the physics involved, but only got around 16 in LA. It got 19 in the mountain Interstates (going 75-80) and around 22 on flatter terrain at the same speed. The Acadia has a few of those GM idiosyncrasies like a couple of paint discoloration spots and a wacky fuel gage – but overall it’s a nice vehicle. If I was looking for a CUV I’d probably compare it with the Toyota Highlander since the Explorer has too much wheel well intrusion for my six footer frame. To any GM naysayer I’d suggest you actually drive some of the new stuff before bashing everything they make because it seems they really are getting better. That's good news for America I think!
>I didn't mean to single out OnStar...any of these system which add another monthly bill for services you're unlikely to use or could find elsewhere cheaper just aren't worth it to me.
OnStar will offer a reduced rate to retain a customer. And just as people have said that they choose what they value, for us it was worth it for the time our son has been having access to the car in high school and while working the summer between school years at college.
OnStar is an expense, and the Ford touchpad is a comely alternative for entry to recover the keys. But I placed some value on automatic accident reporting for help from authorities in the awful chance the kid(s) is in one.
But I placed some value on automatic accident reporting for help from authorities in the awful chance the kid(s) is in one.
Quoted for agreement.
My sister bought another Saturn, and still relies on the On-star to this day. When my B-I-L and she went down to the D.C. area this past summer, they used it just about everyday for turn-by-turn directions. When she travels for her job, it's sometimes more convenient to hit a blue button than to pull over, dig out the GPS unit, plug it in, find an address the GPS actually recognizes, then wait until the GPS actually finds you, then gives you some directions (which may or may NOT get you to your destination quickly and quietly.)
I don't have it, but I can see the value of it, and just like cable or phone companies, they'll lower the rate to retain customers.
Good post. Back in the later half of 2010 I test drove an Acadia, CX-9, and a CX-7and chose the Acadia. The test drives were literally minutes apart as the GMC dealer also sold Mazdas. As far as the mileage wasn't too concerned as the vehicle I was trading on a good day would give me 12 mpg.
Acadia feels a lot bigger than the Highlander, so I wouldn't be surprised if mileage wasn't as good. It can also tow more, so think of it as bigger and heavier duty. Fair trade-off.
I test drove the Saturn but felt it had poor visibility backing up.
The advantage of the GPS is that it gives audible instructions, so you don't have to look down and read the OnStar text.
You mention getting to a destination quietly as if that was an advantage? It's a disadvantage - you have to take your eyes off the road repeatedly.
Umm, they don't have to look down. They have to look UP to the mirror to hit the blue button.
I've never used it personally, but IIRC, with OnStar, you have the choice of getting TBT directions sent to your factory nav system, or they can also send the directions to the vehicle itself, and using GPS, the system not only displays it on the radio/info display, but also makes audible announcements for directions. With the voice method, you don't have to take your eyes off the road at all, and you can also get directions on the move, without having to stop and type them into Google maps or a nav system.
Check it out here and click turn-by-turn navigation. The video is a little corny, but coincidentally, the OnStar "customers" in the video are driving what my sister has...
And for the people that use OnStar for business, that monthly charge can either be reimbursed by your place of employment, or it can be written off as a business expense.
You still may think it's a waste of $$$, but I know of others that use it frequently, both for business and personal use, and they don't think twice about paying for the peace-of-mind it offers.
You still may think it's a waste of $$$, but I know of others that use it frequently, both for business and personal use, and they don't think twice about paying for the peace-of-mind it offers.
There is a lot of stuff people never think twice about paying. A lot of people don't like thinking twice or second-guessing themselves on dumb buying decisions. That is why a lot of people are broke.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
The ones I had seen just had text, I guess it has evolved?
I had seen only the visual aids they mention at 2:18 in that video. Still seems not-as-good as a portable GPS to me, without a map or screen real estate.
IIRC early versions could not recalculate, but now it can (they demo that). I don't like that it asks you if you want it to recalculate the route, just do it. Garmin says "recalculating" and does it automatically. Magellan is even better, it just does so quietly.
If you have the Nav option, not sure why you'd need to call OnStar. Most similar systems are voice activated anyway.
Even with a smart phone, google search is voice activated now.
They are making improvements, I guess, but I still prefer a PND and/or a smart phone.
If they launch an HCCI version that would be a first.
Also, the output figures are just estimates at this point, and could go higher. With DI and that compression ratio I'm guessing those numbers are conservative.
Good news but late news as usual. Just as the Regal GS is overpriced, it seems set in stone the blown version of the Malibu should be overpriced according to the percentage of extra cost given to the UAW.
Certainly good news for those who wish to buy an American brand built in an American plant by Americans.
Fair enough statement. For me the statement becomes
"good enough news for those who wish to buy a successful brand built in an American plant by Americans."
I don't like supporting failed companies, as I believe that degrades the value of capitalism. Which is also why my banking moved from a failed bailed-out bank to a successful credit union.
I also lump into that equation not wanting to support unions that suck the life out of their parent companies.
Saw the first sonic at a soccer match the other evening. It was a white LT version. Looked very good. However, I have heard a bit of news that is swaying my decision to purchase a GM product. ONstar can track you even when it is not activated! GM plans on using/selling this information!! Not a good idea GM.. I may be looking at another brand if GM doesn't change this practice. :mad:
The one person without any interest in buying a GM is also the only one complaining about their pricing. Confusing. Shouldn't you be happy that they charge too much and so potential customers are buying foreign makes instead?
I've bought all my GM's because the prices were fine. I've saved nearly $9000 over the years just by acquiring GM card rewards. I also worked for them and got their employee price once.
What I consider to be overpriced is the cost of 8 year old, 100k+ mile 4 cyl used cars like Cavaliers and Civics. A garage kept V8 Lincoln MKZ can be had for less at similar age. I filled up at $3.29 yesterday.
You are correct. I should not complain about GM's prices. They continue to push buyers elsewhere! :shades:
Beware of the incentives and UAW costs!
Filled up for $3.27 in central NJ yesterday. Got 32.6 MPG over 300 miles yesterday on the Optima. One way of 35.7 mpg. Idled a lot before the return trip.
Malibu needs the turbo four real bad to catch this GDI-T afaic. GM is way behind as usual.
Comments
GM can go go fly a kite! If your cell phone is paired with your car's b/t audio system, it's one push to call. Just get AAA. On-Star is a total waste.
Regards,
OW
Really? Tell that to my sister.
Almost two years ago, she was on her way home from working out of town for a week. It was almost 11:30 at night. Long story short, she ended up hitting a patch of black ice on a remote section of highway and lost control of her Saturn, hitting a concrete barrier head-on at 60 MPH. While half-conscious from the impact and the airbag, she heard On-star call her instantly and tell her that they contacted 911 and help was on the way. A passer-by stopped a few minutes later to help her out of the car (she was fine, just a little dazed, and was bruised up in a few places), but the State Troopers and ambulance/rescue was there not a minute after that.
Oh, and her cell phone? It was on the passenger seat before the impact, but wasn't found until after the car was towed to the body shop.
On-star is far from a "total waste".
I wonder how many Onstar devices they are selling to non Onstar equipped vehicles. I'd bet it's low.
More than anything I think people are suffering from subscription fatigue. Cell phones, cable, etc. No way would I pay Onstar 200/yr for the safe and sound package. $300/yr for safe and sound plus Nav is just way more than I'd be willing to pay. I have a hard enough time justifying Sat radio. I was going to cancel this year but they offered a $75/yr renewal and I use that every day.
>Oh, and her cell phone? It was on the passenger seat before the impact, but wasn't found until after the car was towed to the body shop.
I didn't read the OP's post because I usually skip the "I hate GM repetitive diatribe"! So I hope I'm on point.
OnStar is great. This summer my son at OSU was working downtown Columbus in office and living near campus in apt with a car. Kept OnStar. Put set of keys to car and to apartment hidden in car. He could ALWAYS open the car with ONSTAR and a cellphone, his or someone else's if he locked himself out of the apartment or the car. No calling the apartment open door service for $35 (cash in advance) and a wait. No calling AAA locksmith to get into the car.
Worth every penny.
It was worth every penny
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If you value the service then it is, if not, then it isn't. Last I've read the renewal rate is estimated at 50%. So some value it and some don't. Basically no different than many products/services I value that many don't and may see as a waste.
For me, since I don't value the service, paying $200/yr for something I'd rarely use isn't worth it. One thing Ford has on many vehicles is the keypad. I love it. I often lock my keys in my Expedition and use the keypad to get in. Wish more cars offered it. It does come in handy.
That would work for me too.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That's a whole lot of money...
Just get an extended warranty instead, and a PND. Extended warranties include roadside assistance, so no need for AAA. Get a 7/100 warranty for what, about a grand or so? The quote for my Sienna was under $900.
You'd have room for a top-of-the-line portable GPS, and still save a BUNCH of change. $600 worth.
Each has its pros and cons, of course, a Garmin isn't going to call 911 for you, but how likely is that? You could also just wear a helmet every time you drive, and not need an ambulance in the first place. It's overkill 99.9% of the time.
With the warranty you'd have full coverage, free roadside assistance, and a map which is vastly superior to the text directions you get from OnStar. I wonder how many of these crashes were caused by people having to look down and read the tiny text telling them where the next turn is, ironically.
My brother had it on his Saab when he bought it. it was included in the price of the car. He dropped it when he'd have had to pay for it.
My dad was the opposite. When he was leasing his DeVilles he'd always have OnStar. I don't now how much he used it beyond the phone but he liked having it.
Particularly when we go out on the boat. Instead of risking my car keys out on the lake, I put them in the center console and lock the doors. I've been doing that for years without a problem.
A few weeks ago my wife accidentally locked her keys in her Taurus with her purse and cell in the car while she was at work. Thankfully she knew the code and used the key pad to quickly gain access.
Nissan used to have keypad access on the Maxima in the late 80's or so. I don't think anyone uses it anymore other than Ford.
I was just pointing out that it's a better value than the $1600 OnStar would cost over the same 7 year period.
I didn't mean to single out OnStar...any of these system which add another monthly bill for services you're unlikely to use or could find elsewhere cheaper just aren't worth it to me.
OnStar, a service from General Motors that calls for help for motorists in trouble, has changed its terms of service to say that the company will track location data and other information to share with law enforcement, credit card processors and others, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The company intends to continue collecting the information, even if the customer discontinues the service, unless the customer specifically contacts the company to completely sever the data connection. OnStar collects information such as your vehicle's location, detailed data about collisions involving your vehicle, when your car is on or off, when you put gas, your odometer readings and more, according to their terms.
"What's changed [is that if] you want to cancel your OnStar service, we are going to maintain a two-way connection to your vehicle unless the customer says otherwise," said Adam Denison, a spokesman for OnStar, in a telephone interview with Wired.
Forensic computer scientist and blogger Jonathan Zdziarski brought attention to OnStar's new terms in a blog post Tuesday, where he excoriated the company for the move.
OnStar chief spokesman Vijay Iyer called the response overblown, according to a Jalopnik post, saying that OnStar has no deals in place to sell data. However, the company wrote the changes to give it room for future possibilities, according to the Jalopnik post.
"We've not sold personalized information about our customers in the past, and we really don't have plans to do anything like that in the future," said Joanne Finnorn OnStar vice president of subscriber services in a YouTube video posted Wednesday afternoon. However, she added that the company does share anonymous data.
Regards,
OW
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/09/first-look-video-2012-chevrolet-son- - ic.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Earlier it earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, so it's on a roll.
Looks like this is Korean designed, but will be built here.
138hp ties for class best, I believe. Torque is also tops.
Set to go on sale next year, the sedan will feature a next-generation Ecotec four-cylinder engine. It will displace 2.5-liters and have an output of approximately 190 hp (142 kW / 193 PS) and 180 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.
Besides being more powerful than the current 2.4-liter unit, the engine promises greater efficiency thanks to a variable-displacement oil pump, an actively controlled thermostat and an all-new combustion system. GM also says the mill will be "one of the quietest and most refined engines in the segment" because of an acoustic intake manifold cover and inverted-tooth camshaft chains.
I guess this will be way ahead of the competition!
Regards,
OW
I don't get it, I'd much rather pay $35 for something you might need once a year at most to paying 18.95/month!
I guess that horribly biased and flawed CR is no longer horribly biased and flawed now. :P
Yes yes yes!!!! I mean, the Cruze and Malibu are no better than the Cobalt and Rentabu of years past. Chevy hasn't improved one iota. They were always this good, it just took people awhile and a few name changes (Cavalier - cobalt - cruze ) to realize it. What will the next name that starts with a C be?
Chrysler does the same thing, but when they rename something, they use different letters (Neon - PT Cruiser - Caliber).
:P
They probably feel the need to recant after hearing so much about it!
The main problem I've had with them, since the '70's, is they take their reliability ratings like the Bible. Yet, when there's sample error...which is inevitable...they don't say a thing about it. That's why we see different reliability for an Equinox versus a Pontiac Torrent of the same year (identical vehicles built on the same line), or that a four-cylinder has a better sound system than a six-cylinder of the same car, etc.
OnStar will offer a reduced rate to retain a customer. And just as people have said that they choose what they value, for us it was worth it for the time our son has been having access to the car in high school and while working the summer between school years at college.
OnStar is an expense, and the Ford touchpad is a comely alternative for entry to recover the keys. But I placed some value on automatic accident reporting for help from authorities in the awful chance the kid(s) is in one.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Quoted for agreement.
My sister bought another Saturn, and still relies on the On-star to this day. When my B-I-L and she went down to the D.C. area this past summer, they used it just about everyday for turn-by-turn directions. When she travels for her job, it's sometimes more convenient to hit a blue button than to pull over, dig out the GPS unit, plug it in, find an address the GPS actually recognizes, then wait until the GPS actually finds you, then gives you some directions (which may or may NOT get you to your destination quickly and quietly.)
I don't have it, but I can see the value of it, and just like cable or phone companies, they'll lower the rate to retain customers.
Sure they do.
I remember reading an article speculating about the possible reasons for the variance, including the different dealers who service them.
When forecasts come out, they often rate clones together, too.
So they both say and do something about observed sample variance.
I test drove the Saturn but felt it had poor visibility backing up.
You should also check out the new Durango.
Perhaps they had to?
Any how, it's optional, that's fair enough. Let people choose where to spend their money.
The advantage of the GPS is that it gives audible instructions, so you don't have to look down and read the OnStar text.
You mention getting to a destination quietly as if that was an advantage? It's a disadvantage - you have to take your eyes off the road repeatedly.
Also, $18.95 doesn't include directions, you gotta pay $28.90 for that:
http://www.onstar.com/web//fmv/planspricing
That's $3500 over the next 10 years. I don't think people realize how much they are paying for this stuff cumulatively.
Edit: with the cheapest multi-year discount plans, you're still talking $2500.
I say build 'em in both places. Demand has exceeded supply since it came out, why not?
You mention getting to a destination quietly as if that was an advantage? It's a disadvantage - you have to take your eyes off the road repeatedly.
Umm, they don't have to look down. They have to look UP to the mirror to hit the blue button.
I've never used it personally, but IIRC, with OnStar, you have the choice of getting TBT directions sent to your factory nav system, or they can also send the directions to the vehicle itself, and using GPS, the system not only displays it on the radio/info display, but also makes audible announcements for directions. With the voice method, you don't have to take your eyes off the road at all, and you can also get directions on the move, without having to stop and type them into Google maps or a nav system.
Check it out here and click turn-by-turn navigation. The video is a little corny, but coincidentally, the OnStar "customers" in the video are driving what my sister has...
And for the people that use OnStar for business, that monthly charge can either be reimbursed by your place of employment, or it can be written off as a business expense.
You still may think it's a waste of $$$, but I know of others that use it frequently, both for business and personal use, and they don't think twice about paying for the peace-of-mind it offers.
There is a lot of stuff people never think twice about paying. A lot of people don't like thinking twice or second-guessing themselves on dumb buying decisions. That is why a lot of people are broke.
I had seen only the visual aids they mention at 2:18 in that video. Still seems not-as-good as a portable GPS to me, without a map or screen real estate.
IIRC early versions could not recalculate, but now it can (they demo that). I don't like that it asks you if you want it to recalculate the route, just do it. Garmin says "recalculating" and does it automatically. Magellan is even better, it just does so quietly.
If you have the Nav option, not sure why you'd need to call OnStar. Most similar systems are voice activated anyway.
Even with a smart phone, google search is voice activated now.
They are making improvements, I guess, but I still prefer a PND and/or a smart phone.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/2012-chevrolet-sonic-first-drive-review/
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2011/09/2013-chevrolet-malibu-new-25-li- ter-ecotec-due-next-summer-250-hp-version-possible.html
If they launch an HCCI version that would be a first.
Also, the output figures are just estimates at this point, and could go higher. With DI and that compression ratio I'm guessing those numbers are conservative.
Go non-union steel! :shades:
Regards,
OW
Not based upon what I'm seeing in national politics!
Fair enough statement. For me the statement becomes
"good enough news for those who wish to buy a successful brand built in an American plant by Americans."
I don't like supporting failed companies, as I believe that degrades the value of capitalism. Which is also why my banking moved from a failed bailed-out bank to a successful credit union.
I also lump into that equation not wanting to support unions that suck the life out of their parent companies.
I've bought all my GM's because the prices were fine. I've saved nearly $9000 over the years just by acquiring GM card rewards. I also worked for them and got their employee price once.
What I consider to be overpriced is the cost of 8 year old, 100k+ mile 4 cyl used cars like Cavaliers and Civics. A garage kept V8 Lincoln MKZ can be had for less at similar age. I filled up at $3.29 yesterday.
Beware of the incentives and UAW costs!
Filled up for $3.27 in central NJ yesterday. Got 32.6 MPG over 300 miles yesterday on the Optima. One way of 35.7 mpg. Idled a lot before the return trip.
Malibu needs the turbo four real bad to catch this GDI-T afaic. GM is way behind as usual.
Regards,
OW