Subscription Fatigue Got You Down?

My 2024 Camaro is less than three years old, but I'm paying a retiree-discounted $25 a month to General Motors' Onstar for their 'protect' service (stolen vehicle assistance, automatic crash response, etc), while my 'connect' service (which includes the ability to use smartphone app to start, unlock, etc) is still in its free trial period.

Unfortunately, that free connect service runs out after three years this September. I just got off the phone with OnStar and the retiree-discounted "special" deal would cost me $30 a month to retain all that functionality ($20 for 'protect' and $10 for 'connect').

Now, if you go to the OnStar website, you'll see that 'connect' plan includes music, podcasts, audiobooks, news, voice assistant, and navigation--more specifically, GM-provided apps for all of that. However, because, like many drivers, I have a functioning smartphone and I know how to use it, that's zero added value. So, it boils down to whether the remote access on its own is worth $10 a month since everything else appears to be covered by my iPhone.

Stellantis, in my opinion, has a better idea. They'll give you, for free, ten years of remote engine start/stop, remote lock/unlock doors, over-the-air (OTA) software updates, monthly vehicle health reports, vehicle health and recall alerts, service scheduling, automatic SOS calls, remotely clear personal data, and in-vehicle games via the App Market. Now, the last item I don't need, and I understand the cost of this will be rolled into the vehicle purchase or lease price, but this seems far less painful than seeing a charge on your credit card every single month.

The one thing missing is stolen vehicle assistance (which, given that I suspect my Camaro is highly desirable, might be a good thing to have). But Stellantis will give that to me--plus remote honk horn/flashing lights, vehicle theft alarm alert, vehicle finder, and connected navigation services--all for $16 a month, cheaper than GM's special bundled plan.

I haven't decided what to do yet, but kudos to Stellantis for focusing on simplicity and value...