VW CarNet - is it worth the $17.99 per month?

[SilkBlueTDI]

Car came with 3 months trial so I login to the web, looked at the reports and download the mobile apps. I'm really not impress. Anyone here signed up? Maybe I'm missing something. I think for $40 bucks a year, maybe. IMHO, I don't think it is worth $17.99 a month.

 

[Caseyb476]

I agreed and did not get it. The only think I liked about it was that I could check if my doors were locked. However, I found it strange that I could only UNlock the doors using the app. What if I want to lock the doors?

 

[GWbiker]

I recently signed up with VW Car-net. I needed to enter a User name, password and pin number, I thought I was opening a bank account.

It's free for now, but I don't think I'll pay for it.

Same with XM/Sirous Satellite radio. I'll dump it after it's free term expires.

 

[linux_author]

one might think that with computer automation nowadays, the cost of this service could be reduced (e.g., have 'Siri' answer the call, with an option for a live operator)...

and i have to agree about the satellite radio... this is our third car with it and i haven't spent a penny - on the other hand, if the account were usable between different receivers we might consider it (e.g., listening to satellite radio on a portable)...

willie
on the "SDHC-card and bluetooth is good enough for me" Gulf of Mexico

 

[SilkBlueTDI]

If this thing can do remote start then I will be very tempted. I even asked my insurance if any discount available by having it since it can locate the car (LoJack) and will call 911 if airbag gets deployed and nope. No discount.

Btw, I was shock that this 2015 GSW TDI S manual cost way more to insure than my loaded W212 Mercedes ($60k orig price) . I don't get it.

 

[meerschm]

I would check with another insurance company. my onstar (for the old chevy) was good for a nice discount. not huge, but worth looking at.

and on my Jetta, I love the sat radio, as does my wife. on a long trip, nice to not have to look for new stations. but then, i sprang for a lifetime subscription, which I am busily getting my money's worth.

 

[TurnOne]

Totally not worth it. The location was cool but I'm the only one that drives my TDI 99% of the time. Aforementioned inability to lock the doors also was a disappointment.

 

[HSG]

However, I found it strange that I could only UNlock the doors using the app. What if I want to lock the doors?

Really? I always worry whether i forgot to not lock my car so that thieves don't have to break the windows.

I don't see the value in it. I barely find myself using it now when it's free.

 

[No More Buffalo]

one might think that with computer automation nowadays, the cost of this service could be reduced (e.g., have 'Siri' answer the call, with an option for a live operator)...

The cost isn't really for the operator on the other end. It's for the dedicated cellular connection + data access. Not that there isn't plenty of profit built in, but there is actual cost.

 

[Caseyb476]

Really? I always worry whether i forgot to not lock my car so that thieves don't have to break the windows.

Yeah, CA sucks like that. Here, they only take $hit out of your car if you leave it in plain sight and the doors are unlocked.

 

[william9]

The cost isn't really for the operator on the other end. It's for the dedicated cellular connection + data access. Not that there isn't plenty of profit built in, but there is actual cost.

Your post piqued my interest, but I must have misinterpreted your phrasing. I was really hoping this service with cellular and data fees actually provided cellular and data service. I'd be very likely to bite if my phone (and the kid's devices in the back) would connect uninterrupted during road trips. Imagine few or zero dropped calls and entertained kids in the backseat. Definitely not something I'd use everyday, but well worth the cost even if it were only a few days a month.

 

[Random_Vibration]

Car-Net costs too much for the limited features it offers. I can't see myself paying that kind of money. The only thing that was of value to me was sending POI to the nav system. The text speed warnings never worked for me. Car-Net seemed half-baked. Full pricing for a half functioning system doesn't translate to value for me.

 

[Matt927]

I finally activated my free trial a few months ago and have not used it, except on the first day. The features are useless for me and not worth the cost.

 

[ZippyNH]

Yeah...
Way too $$$$.
If it was $20 a year...maybe even $50 for a limited feature set, I would do it.but at almost $20 a MONTH?! OUCH...
At that price, they better wash my clothes AND fold them.

 

[AlexNJ]

I really wanted to like CarNet enough to justify it. But despite some utility, a decent app for my phone, etc. I couldn't justify the high cost, especially after my insurance company told me they would give me only a few dollars discount a year for it. It's a nice idea but the pricing just didn't make sense for me.

 

[no-blue-screen]

Six month trial is over. Three months of Sat radio over. I have not renewed either service. I can't justify the monthly costs.

 

[Stealth TDI]

Hello,

I recently signed up with VW Car-net. I needed to enter a User name, password and pin number, I thought I was opening a bank account. It's free for now, but I don't think I'll pay for it.

Make sure you cancel EARLY. They'll use the CC info you gave them and charge you even though they said they wouldn't. I was so pissed when a year in advance was taken from my CC. I got it back... eventually. But it was a big bait-n-switch. When I bought the next VW, I double-checked and heard the words, "We will not charge your account..." BLAH-BLAH-BLAH. I cancelled well in advance.

Six month trial is over. Three months of Sat radio over. I have not renewed either service. I can't justify the monthly costs.

Agreed. I have so much music on my SD card that I don't need Sirius to keep the tunes flowing.

Scott