Earlier quoted context omitted.
The problem is value add: The old remote start system worked just fine. I click a button, a remote signal is sent to my car. Boom. Was it perfect? No. But it was local. Now we replaced a local system with a worse one. I tried using the mazda start and the delay could be 10 minutes because it depends on network coverage OR just how frequently the car wakes up to check the network. Edit: What would I pay for? - Remote…
There is lots of value to LTE-based start. It works even if you're too far from the car for the RF signal to reach. I park just below my office window because if I'm too far away, my RF-based remote start won't work. Also being able to remotely adjust climate settings would be nice. I do fully disagree with their implementation of this, especially with regards to a $10 subscription fee.
We don't get to decide "I like remote-start, but I want to be able to start it from inside the store while the car is in the parking lot" -- That's a $10 a month gain that I'd pay. I don't care about that? Well I can use short-range radios.
If that was the feature? It would be hailed as awesome.
This is the pushback. Mazda turns off a bunch of features unless I pay $10 and the old version was working just fine for me.