Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

qbrozen

suydam said:

A month isn't very long.

A month isn't long to be on the market, but it is the lack of interest that is much more concerning. We've had an open house every weekend the past 3 weeks. 1 visitor the first, 0 the next, and 1 the next.

oldfarmer50

thebean said:

Is there some place here on Edmunds that shows holdback?  I'm helping a friend price a couple of vehicles and I can't find the holdback amount.  Thanks.

There use to be but since the changeover I'll be darned if I know how to find it. Just Google 'Holdback' and you should get some hits, maybe even the Edmunds list.

In general you have a 3% holdback on domestics and a 2% on foreign.

Here's a list from 2011. I sure there are more recent ones out there.

http://blog.truecar.com/2011/06/27/what-is-dealer-holdback/

stever

Called the Autoplex - the guy knew that one CX-3 had been sold. Told me he'd double-check on the other one and call me back. Just got the call so am heading down. Unlike the VW dealer, I fully expect that the car will be out front waiting for us.

imidazol97

Mr_Shiftright said:

Not sure I would drag race that car. If something breaks, it's going to be mighty expensive.

Cars like that are expensive to have worked on even when they aren't broken. Shadetree mechanic & curbsider up the street picked up a nice E500 from 2002 approx. Dealer had charged 1300$ to replace a known common failure item, the air pump for the suspension. Receipt was in the car. The part sells for $65 at Oreilly Auto. No diagnosis needed: when your car has dropped on all 4 corners due to the airbags being deflated, it's the pump.

The dealer had told the owner at 120,000 it needed about $5000 more in the way of repairs--brake light on, e.g..
Owner had bought it 30 days before. Premium cars have premium prices. But lots of fun.

stickguy

Can't wait for a first hand CX-3 report.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Can't wait for a first hand CX-3 report.

+1

ab348

stever said:

Called the Autoplex - the guy knew that one CX-3 had been sold. Told me he'd double-check on the other one and call me back. Just got the call so am heading down. Unlike the VW dealer, I fully expect that the car will be out front waiting for us.

Please give a report upon your return. I have read that they are very tight for space.

fezo

Mike - I didn't even get a chance to ask your size.... That's fine. I have more of that stuff than I ever expect to use.

Roadburner - nice work if you can get it. Sounds great.

Steve - we need a CX-3 report!

Shifty - You're almost quoting the infamous bobst method. It works. Of the three cars that I'm not dumping onto my daughters that already drive them, two were bought with an out the door price before I ever left the house. The Miata was a private seller, was looking at a reasonable price and came down $700 as soon as he saw the checkbook. No need to do loopty loops. Figure what you consider OK and shop around.

Mr_Shiftright

That's pretty much how I operate. I don't care how much the dealer is making, or the private seller. I just care about what I'm paying, and how I feel paying that amount.

driver100

CBS report on boom in house sales:

Stever......Make me #12 waiting for your report on the CX-3.

thebean

Mr_Shiftright said:

If it were me, I wouldn't waste time chasing holdback money. I'd just set my ideal price and hammer away and not get distracted by all the rest.

You're right.  I'm just about to convince him of that and to focus on the bottom line.  He hasn't bought a vehicle in 14 years so he is rusty.

Thanks to all for the guidance.

stever

Funny how a twenty minute test drive turns into a four hour hole in your day.

Drove down (that takes twenty minutes) and the CX-3 was waiting for us. Then we eyeballed a Tucson (second time for me, first for my wife). Then we sat in a Mazda 6 - very plush, but we don't think we want a trunk. Finally drove a CX-5.

Then went to the weaving shop, a gallery, grabbed a couple of Mexican cokes for mixers, and had a nice late sushi lunch.

Whew.

Oh yeah, the CX-3. Great drive, the popup nav and popup HUD speedo were non-issues and both worked well. Great pep, fun to drive, a few false starts with the nav and radio stuff, but the learning curve was short.

@ab348 nailed it though. The smallishness in the back we could likely deal with but the front seats felt a bit cramped. The back seats are cramped too but we don't have that many people riding along. We're sort of average size (5'9 and 5'6) and my wife complained about shoulder room, of all things, riding in the passenger seat.

An HR-V with a Mazda drivetrain and suspension would be perfect. Or maybe a CX-4.

So we're back to the Soul, Prius V and Encore. Since we're not looking for an AWD, the tunnel is really noticeable to me and that's what nice about the Soul (and most any minivan).

The CX-5 was nicely set up but it's tall and a bit trucky even if it is sportier than, say, the CR-V.

Wanted to look at an Elantra GT but they don't get many allocated to them and none in stock.

Will try to write some more notes about the Mazda tonight.

driver100

stever said:

Funny how a twenty minute test drive turns into a four hour hole in your day.

Drove down (that takes twenty minutes) and the CX-3 was waiting for us. Then we eyeballed a Tucson (second time for me, first for my wife). Then we sat in a Mazda 6 - very plush, but we don't think we want a trunk. Finally drove a CX-5.


Will try to write some more notes about the Mazda tonight.

Good review....I guess it is just too small.

I'd be curious to see if you try out the Tucson....they seem pretty substantial for the $$$s paid - and have a nice look.

stever

We really should drive a Tucson - @sandman_6472 really liked his. But the CR-V, CX-5 - we really want to go more toward a wagon or hatch instead of a SUV. And I'm afraid if I drive the Tucson I'll really like it.

Michaell

stever said:

We really should drive a Tucson - @sandman_6472 really liked his. But the CR-V, CX-5 - we really want to go more toward a wagon or hatch instead of a SUV. And I'm afraid if I drive the Tucson I'll really like it.

Remember there is a new Tucson available. 

stever

Dang, didn't think of that.

explorerx4

Tucson is a class higher than CX-3 or HR-V.

stever

Yeah, but we're trying to keep an open mind somewhat. Ergo our retest of the CX-5 today. The Encore does seem to slot in between the CX-3 and CX-5.

driver100

stever said:

Dang, didn't think of that.

Michaell

driver100 said:

Dang, didn't think of that.

I saw the '16 last Saturday when I had my car into the dealer. Very sharp looking compared to the old model. 

abacomike

New season started tonight for Wheeler Dealers on the Velocity Channel,  Mike bought a 1965 GTO with the 400+ horsepower tri-power (3 deuces).  Next hour, they buy a Datsun 240Z.

They now have a California workshop (LA I believe).  Interesting that they would build a workshop here in the States.  Great show an I really enjoy Ed and Mike.

driver100

I got a notice from my Audi dealer's service department. Our A4 was due for a service call.

I wrote back to Michelle to let her know we no longer own our Audi, it was traded in for a Mercedes. We don't like car companies that don't honor their warranties.

Regards,
Driver

abacomike

driver100 said:

I got a notice from my Audi dealer's service department. Our A4 was due for a service call. I wrote back to Michelle to let her know we no longer own our Audi, it was traded in for a Mercedes. We don't like car companies that don't honor their warranties. Regards, Driver

You tell 'em, driver.  But you were much too polite.  I thought of several alternatively worded notes that I would have authored.  Unfortunately, I cannot post what I would have written - I certainly don't want an ABUSE rating!

Sandman6472

The new Tucson, so much better looking than my model. Not sure I'd have gotten out of a '16 so quickly yo be honest...looks like a 3/4 Santa Fe Sport which ain't bad! Drove a '15 Kia Sportage at work today and liked the look better also...can just imagine what the new Sportage will look like. Hyundai/Kia products have come a long way, hell, we even owned two for a short time! Never thought I'd leave the Japanese brands after so many years but they had the whole package both times we looked though I seem to like Kia a bit better, their styling is a bit edgier. With the wife, it came down to the Forte, Mazda 3 and the A3 and think it was pretty much neck and neck with the Forte...she liked it so much that she was pushing me to get one so she could also drive it. But seriously, if I had an A3, doubt I'd want to drive anything else, ever! As much as I like my Golf, if I had the extra funds for an A3, I'd have one in the garage right now...it's that good as far as I'm concerned.
On a side note, hit just over 9100 this morning and now get a notice that I'm due for a service in 900 miles, kinda cool. Left a message with my service guy to move my service up to next Thursday but will call again tomorrow to confirm. If Erika wasn't coming towards us, I'd just go in and have it done but have to pick up some last minute stuff and then fill the tanks just in case...though I really think it's going to shift a bit north and put us in the lower west side. Some much needed rain will hopefully be all we get. The wife and kid #2 left Key West today and are in Marathon till Saturday unless they are evacuated.

The Sandman

berri

Stever, we downsized from a minivan to a CRV several years ago. Seemed to make sense at the time. We were down to just the two of us and pretty much done hauling stuff. We like the CRV a lot, but I think for us we went down in size too much. The CRV holds a lot for its size, but it's kind of tight if we have another passenger and luggage for all and it can really only hold four if we have company and are going out with them around town. The 4 banger gives you a few better mpg in town, but doesn't seem to make a lot of difference at highway speeds than the minivan. In hilly or windy driving, the resulting downshifting results in the real world highway mpg no better than the minivan, and sometimes it can actually be lower, despite it's higher EPA estimates. On the flip side, the CRV is a decent handler and ride for it's size, plus it is fairly comfortable (and I'm a six footer). Just a few things to make sure you consider before you make the purchase. You might want to rent one of these smaller vehicles for a few days to really get a feel about how downsizing that far will work for you.

stever

Thanks for that.

@xwesx keeps trying to tell me that too. I keep saying we're downsizing. Tonight I drug my folding ladder back from our friend's house - didn't even think twice about tossing it into the back of the van. I did mention in passing to my wife at the dealership that maybe we should look at vans again. The autoplex had several Mazda5s on the lot. Our gripe about the Mazda5 was similar to the CX-3 - just felt too narrow. The CX-5 was fine in that respect.

The nice thing about minivans is that they are low to the ground yet have a good seat height. Sheesh, maybe I should test a Ford Edge.

Have to check out the rental situation here. We don't have scheduled air service but renting from El Paso isn't any big deal either.

Michaell

Steve, what about the new crop of vans from Ford and Chrysler? They make passenger versions of them as well, I believe.

Nissan makes one, too - the NV200.

fezo

I have to admit the Mazda 5 is a bit narrow. Heck, somewhere in this topic I provided photographic proof. That said, it hasn't been an issue for us. I think back and I had my focus on Mazda, but still had an eye on an Outback or CRV I suspect I'd have been fine with either one, though "the one that got away" (it didn't really go away but before getting to it I bought the 5) was a Mazda 6 with a stick shift. I don't imagine we'd hit the "not enough space stage. It still kills me that I had to put the old 6 wagon out of its misery and question myself had it been worth it at that time to replace the cats. If Mazda still had a 6 wagon that would be perfect. If yjey even had a hatch it would likely be in my garage.

I'll tell you I don't get the Soul at all. I mean it's cute and hamsters drive them but a friend's significant other dumped his because it would blow around in even a moderate wind. My friend hated that about the car. He traded it in on a CPO Santa Fe which for what he wants in a car is a great choice.

I'd have bought that CX-5 I was originally planning on but the sales manager turned into a dick once my wife was there. My wife has to drive in some nasty weather some times and the AWD appealed but that car wasn't me either so the idiot sales manager maybe did me a favor. It had more new do dads than the five - backup camera, lane change warning. Those were nice. Everyone start writing to Mazda and tell them we need a 6 wagon with a stick available. They only have to build one and then ship it somewhere within, say 100 miles of me.

If they don't I may have to go the roadburner route next time. In theory the upcoming Mazdaspeed 3 would have all wheel drive. Also in the rumor mill is the possibility of a new Speed6. Calling Mr. Fezo!

stickguy

abacomike said:

New season started tonight for Wheeler Dealers on the Velocity Channel,  Mike bought a 1965 GTO with the 400+ horsepower tri-power (3 deuces).  Next hour, they buy a Datsun 240Z.

They now have a California workshop (LA I believe).  Interesting that they would build a workshop here in the States.  Great show an I really enjoy Ed and Mike.

thanks for reminding me. just checked, and both are sitting out on my DVR waiting to be watched!

stickguy

Steve, just get a nice small hatch and keep the van (which I imagine can't be worth all that much at this point) to keep as your "dump" truck. Not a pickup, but can do the same job.

fezo

That's not a bad thought. Mazda 3 (you'll thank yourself) or an Imprezza wagon.

stever

Michaell said:

Steve, what about the new crop of vans from Ford and Chrysler? They make passenger versions of them as well, I believe.

Nissan makes one, too - the NV200.

I think the Nissan is too big, too tall. The Transit Connect was of interest on paper but it was too industrial even for me when we tested one. Not up on the Chrysler van (nor have I followed up on @Mr_Shiftright's suggestion to check out that Fiat X).

We keep quizzing people about the Souls and they all seem pretty pleased with them. A Chicagoland friend who rarely posts on here anymore had a Quest and went to a Soul. We actually met up in Boise and keep in occasional contact. He's still liking his.

Keeping the van would be fine, and we could justify a second car. Trouble is, lots of our junk grabbing is spur of the moment so we'd wind up buying some tall potted palm and have to drive home and get the van, get the palm. There's another four hour hole in my day.

Thanks for all the comments, really helpful. I'm gonna kill @berri if he's right, and we wind up in a Sienna, LOL.

suydam

A tall potted palm would fit fine in many of the vehicles you've been looking at. I've decided it's a mistake to buy a car based on the once in awhile need vs. what you really do all the time. If you routinely buy or move items so large that only a minivan will do, go for it. OTOH, if most of the time it's the two of you and maybe a dog, you don't really need such a large vehicle. For me the maneuverability, fuel economy, and higher seating was most important. By the way, when I had a rental Soul I did not like how it felt in the wind. Reminded me of our old Toyota Previa van which was also a box. Maybe coming from a minivan you won't notice it that much. I'm enjoying your search. Will be interesting to see what you land on.

bwia

Yard sale--Free. Take as many as you can. The Chinese fire was massive, could that event have started slide of Chines financial markets? I tried to post the image directly but I can't it to work so Driver, would you be kind enough to the image? (See, I asked politely)
http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1453531/china-explosion-tianjin.jpg

driver100

bwia said:

Yard sale--Free. Take as many as you can. The Chinese fire was massive, could that event have started slide of Chines financial markets? I tried to post the image directly but I can't it to work so Driver, would you be kind enough to the image? (See, I asked politely)
http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1453531/china-explosion-tianjin.jpg

You got it bwia!

That's a lot of burned up Toyotas:

graphicguy

Renting a new Corolla while out of town for work. Not a bad car. It doesn't feel like Toyota has changed it in a decade. Eceryone I've ever driven, regardless of what year I drove it, feels/drives the same.

Being a rental, I never expect opulence, but this one is truly a "stripper". No cruise. No keyless open/lock, No auto on/off lights. Not too long ago, those things seemed like luxuries. Now? I missed having them.

Rented it in Kenosha, WI. Drove into Chicago for meetings. Not sure but about 125-150 miles?

Computer readout said 36 MPG. Kind of expected better as the car is certainly is not amywhere close to quick. But, that includes typical Chicago stop/go traffic.

Cadillac update.....servicing dealer called. Said they're waiting on parts they ordered. I doubt very seriously they'll get them before the weekend. So, third straight week for it being in their care, just this last time. Don't know what they're ordering, why, or how long it takes to install them. This is beyond crazy at this point.

Lawyer states GM is notorious for dragging their feet in these types of buy back cases. So, the slog continues, and I'll keep at it.

I did send a note to the ownership of the selling dealer. I thought they'd extend their help given my Mother's and now my ownership exoeriences with their dealership has been disasterous. In brief, they want nothing to do with this. Quite the change from when they were selling the car.

driver100

For those "gas" experts here is a new fact for you.

I was reading questions and answers in todays newspaper and a fellow had a question. He said alcohol in gasoline damages his engine, glue joints on the carburetor floats that are plastic fail because the alcohol dissolves the glue. The pre-filter screens on the fuel pump get distorted from clogging, and seals degrade, all because of the alcohol.

The answer was interesting. Dennis O'Sullivan said alcohol was added as being good for the environment, supposedly less pollution from the tail pipe. He says all it really does is add more profit for the gas companies and for the car companies - to sell more parts. He says alcohol in the gas can reduce mileage by up to 5% because it has less energy than gasoline.

3 winners!

Gas companies sell more gas
Car companies sell more parts
Government collects more taxes on the gas sold

and one loser,
Us!

driver100

graphicguy said:

Renting a new Corolla while out of town for work. Not a bad car. It doesn't feel like Toyota has changed it in a decade. Eceryone I've ever driven, regardless of what year I drove it, feels/drives the same.

Being a rental, I never expect opulence, but this one is truly a "stripper". No cruise. No keyless open/lock, No auto on/off lights. Not too long ago, those things seemed like luxuries. Now? I missed having them.

Rented it in Kenosha, WI. Drove into Chicago for meetings. Not sure but about 125-150 miles?

Computer readout said 36 MPG. Kind of expected better as the car is certainly is not amywhere close to quick. But, that includes typical Chicago stop/go traffic.

Cadillac update.....servicing dealer called. Said they're waiting on parts they ordered. I doubt very seriously they'll get them before the weekend. So, third straight week for it being in their care, just this last time. Don't know what they're ordering, why, or how long it takes to install them. This is beyond crazy at this point.

Lawyer states GM is notorious for dragging their feet in these types of buy back cases. So, the slog continues, and I'll keep at it.

I did send a note to the ownership of the selling dealer. I thought they'd extend their help given my Mother's and now my ownership exoeriences with their dealership has been disasterous. In brief, they want nothing to do with this. Quite the change from when they were selling the car.

GG, I read a review of the new Corolla and though it got a great makeover...inside and out it is the same old drivetrain and engine. That's OK, they have perfected it and it is bulletproof. But, certainly not exciting to drive, but many people need an appliance to get from A to B.

I found the Audi dealer never replied to me, once it was between head office and me they don't want to get involved - they could say the wrong thing and get into big trouble.

I do think you should write to the safety people in government and the insurance bureau. I think they would be your best chance for help at this point. They are supposed to be watching GM carefully after the ignition problems.

oldfarmer50

bwia said:

Yard sale--Free. Take as many as you can. The Chinese fire was massive, could that event have started slide of Chines financial markets? I tried to post the image directly but I can't it to work so Driver, would you be kind enough to the image? (See, I asked politely)
http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1453531/china-explosion-tianjin.jpg

Is that the fire that resulted from the huge explosion a while ago? Didn't know it involved a car storage yard.

bwia

It is reported that over 8,000 cars at the docks were destroyed by fire. Not sure of their destination or the brands and models involved but Toyota and VW took big hits.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

For those "gas" experts here is a new fact for you.

I was reading questions and answers in todays newspaper and a fellow had a question. He said alcohol in gasoline damages his engine, glue joints on the carburetor floats that are plastic fail because the alcohol dissolves the glue. The pre-filter screens on the fuel pump get distorted from clogging, and seals degrade, all because of the alcohol.

The answer was interesting. Dennis O'Sullivan said alcohol was added as being good for the environment, supposedly less pollution from the tail pipe. He says all it really does is add more profit for the gas companies and for the car companies - to sell more parts. He says alcohol in the gas can reduce mileage by up to 5% because it has less energy than gasoline.

3 winners!

Gas companies sell more gas
Car companies sell more parts
Government collects more taxes on the gas sold

and one loser,
Us!

All of what you say is supposedly true. While I think cars have been hardened against ethanol for years (the '84 Vette owner's manual said 10% was ok) it's been small engines that get damaged. I've had to replace many carbs on lawn tractors/mowers.

That the government knew this would happen and didn't inform the public is criminal IMO.

henryn

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

For those "gas" experts here is a new fact for you.

I was reading questions and answers in todays newspaper and a fellow had a question. He said alcohol in gasoline damages his engine, glue joints on the carburetor floats that are plastic fail because the alcohol dissolves the glue. The pre-filter screens on the fuel pump get distorted from clogging, and seals degrade, all because of the alcohol.

The answer was interesting. Dennis O'Sullivan said alcohol was added as being good for the environment, supposedly less pollution from the tail pipe. He says all it really does is add more profit for the gas companies and for the car companies - to sell more parts. He says alcohol in the gas can reduce mileage by up to 5% because it has less energy than gasoline.

3 winners!

Gas companies sell more gas
Car companies sell more parts
Government collects more taxes on the gas sold

and one loser,
Us!

All of what you say is supposedly true. While I think cars have been hardened against ethanol for years (the '84 Vette owner's manual said 10% was ok) it's been small engines that get damaged. I've had to replace many carbs on lawn tractors/mowers.

That the government knew this would happen and didn't inform the public is criminal IMO.

The oil companies really had nothing to do with this. This was foisted on us by the farm lobby. Corn growers make huge profits off of growing more corn to produce ethanol. The car companies never wanted this, their lobbyists worked very hard trying to block it. The farm lobby is very powerful, and there were / are a great many senators from states with a lot of corn farmers.

Modern cars are very unlikely to be harmed by ethanol. Small gas engines -- sometimes a real problem.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

3 winners!

Gas companies sell more gas
Car companies sell more parts
Government collects more taxes on the gas sold

and one loser,
Us!

You missed a winner: big companies who got into the alcohol business subsidized by
US taxpayer dollars. ADM comes to mind. Do some research on who jumped in.
Never mind that making the alcohol uses more energy than burning that same alcohol
saves.

And for all the greenies who think the alcohol in the gasoline is great for environment...,
the byproduct of making the alcohol is, drum roll please, CO2. At the plant in this
area making alcohol from corn they proposed piping it deep underground under
pressure to "store" it, so it wasn't going into the atmosphere and causing all those
category 5 hurricanes we've had the last few years because of global warming. Local
folks threw a fit.


Other winner: government folks got to pay back big backers with OPM tax money.

Lower: those pay more for food at the grocery due to higher prices for corn
meaning higher costs for growing and lower numbers of meat, beef especially
raised on corn.

robr2

That is true. Modern engines - at least since the mid 90's - have been able to deal with ethanol in gasoline.

The big push for ethanol was as a replacement for MTBE that was used as an oxygenate in many states. MTBE was found to contaminated groundwater. Ethanol was the only viable alternative.

The issue is that ethanol does not have the same ability to absorb moisture as well as MTBE could. If an ethanol blended gasoline isn't used with 90-120 days, the moisture can start to affect some components. Thus adding a fuel additive to absorb the moisture in seldom used vehicles or power equipment is key.

fezo

Ethanol is a classic boondoggle. We subsidize the growers and then put heavy tariffs on imported ethanol from places like Brazil that make it out of sugar plants which if you're going to do it is the way to go.
.We have to lost Big Ag. Money grabbing beasts that only self-perpetuate.

stever

suydam said:

A tall potted palm would fit fine in many of the vehicles you've been looking at. I've decided it's a mistake to buy a car based on the once in awhile need vs. what you really do all the time.... Reminded me of our old Toyota Previa van which was also a box.

Dang, you had one of my wish list cars. Wish I could have afforded a Previa back in the day. Will really have to get beyond my dealer experience and revisit your Encore.

Got my "review" up of the CX-3. Please PM me if you see any egregious typos or errors.

graphicguy

driver100 said:

For those "gas" experts here is a new fact for you.

I was reading questions and answers in todays newspaper and a fellow had a question. He said alcohol in gasoline damages his engine, glue joints on the carburetor floats that are plastic fail because the alcohol dissolves the glue. The pre-filter screens on the fuel pump get distorted from clogging, and seals degrade, all because of the alcohol.

The answer was interesting. Dennis O'Sullivan said alcohol was added as being good for the environment, supposedly less pollution from the tail pipe. He says all it really does is add more profit for the gas companies and for the car companies - to sell more parts. He says alcohol in the gas can reduce mileage by up to 5% because it has less energy than gasoline.

3 winners!

Gas companies sell more gas
Car companies sell more parts
Government collects more taxes on the gas sold

and one loser,
Us!

Driver...I think the mere fact that the article is referencing carburators gives a prettt good clue about how long ago it was written....15 years ago? 20? Maybe more?

I think at one point, alcohol in gas was percieved as potentially harmful. Today, the manufacturers all have adapted.

Truth told, I've never heard of one failure, of any car part, ever, because of alchohol blending in fuel.

Originally, alcohol was viewed as a way to curb oil consumption. Now, with oil flowing like water, storage facilites overflowing, and demand dropping, there really is no need for alcohol blends. But, it is a good source of business for corn farmers.

I'm gearing up with a letter writing campaign, starting at the top of Cadillac, and work my way through this with legal representation.

Funny, talking to the servicing dealer, the Service Manager mentioned in an innocuous way that Cadillac competes with BMW. I chuckled, telling him that I've owned 3 BMWs, not all of them trouble free. But, the big difference was how well they dealt with problems...which is head and shoulders above how Cadillac has handled them.

I told him my wife's service experience with her Honda Accord is head and shoulders above Cadillacs. Matter of fact, Cadillac's customer service ranks DEAD LAST in my experiances with quite a few car companies.

Mr_Shiftright

If you want a villain for the "conspiracy", then choose Big Ag and their paid representatives in DC, not the oil companies.

People tend to attribute clever, dark, sinister, convoluted motives to disasters when it really there is no conspiracy at all--it's just more human stupidity at work.

graphicguy said:

driver100 said:

For those "gas" experts here is a new fact for you.

I was reading questions and answers in todays newspaper and a fellow had a question. He said alcohol in gasoline damages his engine, glue joints on the carburetor floats that are plastic fail because the alcohol dissolves the glue. The pre-filter screens on the fuel pump get distorted from clogging, and seals degrade, all because of the alcohol.

The answer was interesting. Dennis O'Sullivan said alcohol was added as being good for the environment, supposedly less pollution from the tail pipe. He says all it really does is add more profit for the gas companies and for the car companies - to sell more parts. He says alcohol in the gas can reduce mileage by up to 5% because it has less energy than gasoline.

3 winners!

Gas companies sell more gas
Car companies sell more parts
Government collects more taxes on the gas sold

and one loser,
Us!

Driver...I think the mere fact that the article is referencing carburators gives a prettt good clue about how long ago it was written....15 years ago? 20? Maybe more?

I think at one point, alcohol in gas was percieved as potentially harmful. Today, the manufacturers all have adapted.

Truth told, I've never heard of one failure, of any car part, ever, because of alchohol blending in fuel.

Originally, alcohol was viewed as a way to curb oil consumption. Now, with oil flowing like water, storage facilites overflowing, and demand dropping, there really is no need for alcohol blends. But, it is a good source of business for corn farmers.

I'm gearing up with a letter writing campaign, starting at the top of Cadillac, and work my way through this with legal representation.

Funny, talking to the servicing dealer, the Service Manager mentioned in an innocuous way that Cadillac competes with BMW. I chuckled, telling him that I've owned 3 BMWs, not all of them trouble free. But, the big difference was how well they dealt with problems...which is head and shoulders above how Cadillac has handled them.

I told him my wife's service experience with her Honda Accord is head and shoulders above Cadillacs. Matter of fact, Cadillac's customer service ranks DEAD LAST in my experiances with quite a few car companies.

stever

graphicguy said:

I'm gearing up with a letter writing campaign, starting at the top of Cadillac, and work my way through this with legal representation..

Hm, if I'm hiring a lawyer, one reason for doing so is to separate me from the problem a bit. Let the lawyer work out the details. Pay the lawyer to do the worrying, in other words. GM likely isn't going to respond to you in any meaningful way since you are represented by counsel, not that they've meaningly replied to you before now. I was under the impression that your lawyer had already sent GM a demand letter and was managing the arbitration business?

Then again, it's common to litigate/negotiate through the media and it's a lot easier to do that now on social media.

suydam

Wish I could have afforded a Previa back in the day.

We got the Previa after our Plymouth Voyager's engine seized -- on railroad tracks with all 3 kids inside -- at 60,000 miles. No way was I going to do that again. The Previa was great and ran like a champ for 10 years and over 120000'miles. Of course it turns out it was a death trap in waiting because passengers sat right over the engine and your knees would take the brunt of any frontal impact -- but it was reliable!! Very tippy feeling in the wind though. We were much younger then. Many happy family road trips in that van!
Our oldest son even took his drivers license test in it.