I pretty much dropped off the forums when I found out all 5th gens were getting OnStar. What is the status of that subsidiary (or whatever its referred to as)? Is GM still pushing this hard? Is the outlook to continue installing it into all of their cars?

 

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16235

 

From the link above...

"I had a customer that backed out at the last minute because you can't delete OnStar and XM at this time if the vehicle is built for the US. Maybe if they come out with a B4C package down the road. "

I absolutely abhor those features too. Would it kill the deal for me?
Tough call. I think I'd investigate neutralizing those features to have the car I really wanted. But, if there was no other option, I'd go find myself an old one without the spyware and "drive on".

to someone for putting their foot down on big brother's spy shop.

 

I don't see what the big deal is, just have the dealer uninstall it. Tell him/her to get rid of it or no deal. (assuming Onstar is separate electronics)

 

All you would have to do is cut a few wires and it would be disabled.

 

No doubt. As luck would have it, I've needed onstar twice this week. Left my fob in my tennis bag and put it in the back hatch and closed it....bad. Then yesterday wifey thought she had locked her keys in her car. Onstar popped the locks on both w/ just a phone call.

Agreed though, if you don't want it, just pull the plug. If thats not enough for you, remove the box.

 

Just don't use it???

 

Turn your onstar into a bluetooth phone http://www.g8board.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14289

 

Even if you don't use it, it will be active and send data on your location and movements, which can be used to prosecute you.

 

so remove the radio or cut the cable to the Onstar antenna.

 

Cool stuff! I might show this to my dad.

 

That's what i would do if i bought a car that had it.

I wouldn't be surprised if (in the near future if not already) doing so voids your warranty though. You're cutting a link to their remote diagnostics and preventive maintenance capabilities.

 

You are cutting a link to a pay service. Like I said before, have the dealer remove it. Your rear view mirror will still be the same though.

 

I unscrewed the OnStar antenna from my CTS as soon as the free trial was up. The G8 might be a bit tougher, but I'll find some way to disable it.

Related to this subject, I'd be a lot more concerned about the datalogging capabilities of the ECM than worrying about OnStar phoning home. I don't think OnStar continually keeps track of your whereabouts and sends it back to some big database somewhere. But the ECM logging can definitely be used against you in a court of law.

 

Wroong (kinda) about your whereabouts being tracked. I read an article one time about a guy who got busted doing donuts in a football field the next day. It seems onstar thought the sudden out of control movement was an accident and relayed the information to the police. The next day the cops saw the carnage in the field and busted the guy.

So while everything you do isn't necessarily tracked, apparently they are saving key milestones like accidents (or data that looks like accidents)

As for the black box issues, at least warrants are required for the police to interogate them (at least last time i read anything on them). Also, since the ECM and black box are in your personal possession, you can destroy them at any time (assuming you aren't unconscious / disabled from an accident)