ON Star is quite expensive for what you get.  Their basic plan is $16.95 a month, and it goes up from there depending upon what services you want.  Since it is basically a cell phone service, that means you have the same issues and problems you have with any other cell phone based service.  My cell phone company offers a basic service for $9.95 a month that gives you 30 minutes of anywhere anytime calling, and most cell companies have a basic plan like that, usually including a free or low cost phone when you sign up.

Also, with On Star, you are pretty much stuck with the factory stereo, since it runs the system.  If it breaks, you have to buy another one from the dealer.  All in all, onstar adds quite a bit at purchase, and also costs more per month than a standard cell phone.  In addition, you have to have a portable cell phone to really take advantage of several of the services, like remote door unlocking.

You can read all about it at:

www.onstar,com

Bill in the Southwest


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: gale and mike 



  We are probably going to have to get another vehicle. We're thinking of getting one with the On Star System. Does anyone out there have it or use it? What do you think of it?  We don't have cell phones (personal choice) but we're concerned about contact in the event we need help when we're out caching.