That is true, but the fact is you are replacing the phone. You aren't taking the phone in for new programming or something, getting it back, and having it work with Digital. You are giving them the current phone, and they are giving you a totally different one. It would be like trading in your 1999 GMC for an '07 (...you get my point).
Very true.
GM actually did take that route. As far as I can recall, most GM vehicles made after 2004 were Analog/Digital, and could work on both networks.
I honestly can't say as to how much the OnStar is integrated into the car, but I find it highly unlikely it could have just been swapped out for a new one. Plus, like I have said, we don't know at which point GM knew 100% that Analog was going to be totally phased out.
No offence, but just because the vehicle has OnStar, doesn't mean the owner still uses the service. My family buys GM, and only GM, and I can't think of any who use OnStar. Most have a cell phone, and that's good enough for them.
It's a free world. If you want to go buy a car made in Japan, go ahead. But, doing it only because your OnStar stopped working doesn't make much sense. Do the Imports even offer anything like OnStar?
I just don't personally think it's *that* big of a deal. If I were to see that even 80% of people with OnStar equipped vehicles with Analog only were still using the service, then I would think it a much bigger deal. That, however, begs the question, if OnStar is so popular, and so many people with Analog only want to convert, why aren't the Aftermarket companies trying to devise an alternative?
I can agree with that point there, but where did your son get the adapter? Probably RCA, or some such company. Like I said, if there is such a demand for Analog only OnStar systems to be converted into Digital, why aren't the aftermarket's doing it?
:)
The point is, at the time, Analog had the best service area. If you wanted to get a signal most anywhere, Analog was the way to go.
I also don't think customers expected Analog to be phased out completely.
Like I said, they eventually were.
:-P
Perhaps, but I do think some people overplay OnStar. Some think they couldn't possibly leave the house not knowing the system was working, and that there very existance depends on it. Let's get real here. It's a cell phone built into the car. You make calls on it. Some even notify 911 if your air-bag should deploy. Some even have a GPS transmitter built in, so 911 can find you. So does my cell phone. The only thing my cell won't do is call if my air-bag goes off.
No offence towards your neighbor, but GM didn't *have* to do anything. Hell, my '96 Bonnie could blow up right now, throwing parts all over the place, and GM would give me the finger. If your friend is so determined to use his OnStar, perhaps he should take up GM's offer.