The Nav is totally free to operate (no subscription). However, updates to the DVD disc are NOT included (my boss has an Acura, and he says his updates are free) they cost around $200. But nothing says you HAVE to get updates. Sure, some restaraunts might go out of business or move, but the general maps should still be fine to use for a long time. My paper-based-NAV-system (road atlas) in my Saturn is from 1999, and it never got me lost

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