Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

dino001

Mr_Shiftright said:

I offered an opinion some years back, half in jest, that the only way for Cadillac to re-capture a place in the luxury car market was to fire all its dealers. Now I'm thinking I knew more than I thought at the time.

After firing the dealers, they should proceed to firing the entire management, customer relations and seems half of the engineering team also should go. Then they could proceed into rebuilding the brand, by selling in small boutique shops, like say Jaguar. All in jest, but not really ...

stickguy

Different dealers won't help much. Caddy/GM still are the zone and above. If they are stonewalling, dealer can't do much.

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

Well, at this point, GG isn't even dealing with his service dept. Its directly with Caddy.

For what its worth, my dealer has been great so far. But I haven't had any problems, either, so its not a totally fair assessment.

GG, what does BBB say about this reschedule? Seems pretty ridiculous that there is no way you have a choice as to the date. Can someone go in your place? Someone you deem as your representative? Maybe give them power of attorney in this matter?

Q...I know you love yours, so this is difficult for me to post as I have the utmost respect for your opinion.

BBB doesn't seem to care. They're just communicating what Cadillac tells them to communicate. Why wouldn't they? GM funds them.

To me, it's just another stall tactic. They're going to try to do this in the hopes I'll give up. I won't. Every time, every step, every note and phone call I get, with obvious disregard of me as a customer, just makes my resolve stronger.

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

I understand your point, that there are individual dealers who are pretty good but all in all there is a collective dealer/factory consciousness that goes something like this:

When you buy the car, the dealer touts his factory trained technicians, his pride in the brand. The factory touts their quality, their newfound dedication to being the best in the world, their technology.

Then, when you have a big problem, suddenly the dealer techs are 'stumped", and they "will ask" Cadillac for assistance. And suddenly the factory tells you "well, our dealers are independent franchisees, so there's only so much we can control".

This is ingrained cultural malaise IMO and that's why all the dealers have to be fired and fresh new faces with new habits and a new way of doing business put in their place.

The correct answer for the person who is suffering a legitimate disaster is "the factory and the dealership will make this right for you".

Shfty...you are right on point!

isellhondas

Our son's well maintained 2009 Subaru Impreza threw a rod one dark rainy night on a crowded freeway with 33,000 miles. The Service Advisor said he wasn't at all surprised.

driver100

GG, I really feel bad about this....I felt bad for myself dealing with the horse thieves at Audi, but your situation is 1000X worse.

I don't get how the state can brag about their Lemon Law legislation and they have no clout. Have you got back directly to the Attorney Generals office to tell them their Lemon Laws are useless?

Is there any chance you can go to the hearing, though your chances don't seem too good, the deck is certainly stacked against you, and BBB has no real power.

Cadillac has had nothing to lose by stalling you and probably 1000s of others. They'll eventually win because few people could continue this fight.

Doing the paperwork over again because you can't get to the meeting is just plain stupid.

This would make for a great story on the local news station....I think it could go national very easily. The media love car stories.

My friend with the Audi R8 said he looked at a new Cadillac and he loved the interior. He said they did a great job, he wouldn't buy one though. I thought, he's pretty smart....and he is!

qbrozen

graphicguy said:

Q...I know you love yours, so this is difficult for me to post as I have the utmost respect for your opinion.

I appreciate it, but you really don't need to be concerned with my feelings or opinion. Your car has problems, no doubt about it. Just because our cars are related doesn't matter. I am in your corner to get your problem resolved. For me, I take things largely on a case-by-case basis. Your experience won't necessarily have an influence on mine ... unless I have problems, then I'll definitely be reflecting on your trials.

I remember being told adamantly by a few people around here to steer clear of volvo. I decided the naysayers were the minority and I took the plunge. Turned out to be one of the best cars I've ever owned. I seem to have pretty good luck with vehicles that are supposed to be problematic. I do get unlucky, however, with electronics. But that's a whole 'nother story.

Mr_Shiftright

Well to a point Stick that's true but a highly successful dealer carries a good deal of weight with the factory. My opinion is that if the dealer cannot exert any influence on the factory, then the factory basically holds him in contempt---which might be justified in terms of the dealer's sales and service record.

stickguy said:

Different dealers won't help much. Caddy/GM still are the zone and above. If they are stonewalling, dealer can't do much.

driver100

stever said:

>>97% of all Suburus in Canada are still on the road, over the last 10 years.

I dunno, the average age of cars and trucks in the US is 11.4 years.
97% of all Suburus in Canada are still on the road, over the last 10
"Sixteen-year-old cars and trucks make up 21.1 percent of vehicles in the U.S. as owners embrace the idea of driving their car well past the 100,000 mile mark.

How many of these "pre-'99" models are still around?

53.3 million." (NBC)

Ford used to run a similar ad about their pickups back in the 80s iirc. Ten years is nothing - I'd hope that most cars built in 2005 were still on the road.

I guess it could mean Suburus are bought mostly by little old ladies and retired people who only go 4000 miles a year. Or, by really slow drivers who never get into an accident. And, it isn't like they are used as taxis, police or rental cars. Or driven hard and fast like a bmw or Mustang.

Still it seems pretty impressive, just that 97% avoided a major collision.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well to a point Stick that's true but a highly successful dealer carries a good deal of weight with the factory. My opinion is that if the dealer cannot exert any influence on the factory, then the factory basically holds him in contempt---which might be justified in terms of the dealer's sales and service record.

stickguy said:

Different dealers won't help much. Caddy/GM still are the zone and above. If they are stonewalling, dealer can't do much.

My Audi dealer tried to get head office to pay for a new clutch....the dealer got stone walled. The dealer sold me the parts for 50% off....so they did their bit, but the factory doesn't have to do anything if they don't want to.

oldfarmer50

tyguy said:

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

I'm with you. Don't want all that stuff. A car is a driving machine, not a video game.

That's one of the things I disliked about the X6 I drove at the press intro. On twisty two lanes the safety nannies were working overtime. Of course, in typical cryptic German fashion it was impossible to figure out how to disable them- I had to pull over and access the owners manual through the iDrive interface to finally shut them all off.

Must be a BMW thing. Subaru Eyesight recognizes curvy roads and doesn't alarm when you cross a line, which is a nice feature. My only annoyance is when I hit construction that forces you over lines and the system activates, or when I come across the many cyclists in Fort Collins riding two-lane roads and I cross the center line to give them plenty of room. It's a very minor annoyance and I positively love the safety features. I won't buy another car without them.

Safety nannies are fine for you guys who trade cars before even a light bulb burns out but for people like me who run cars until they beg for the release of the crusher they just look like expensive repair bills.

I admit I like the rear camera in the Ford when I back out of the garage in the dark but lord help me if it ever breaks.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Well, at this point, GG isn't even dealing with his service dept. Its directly with Caddy.

For what its worth, my dealer has been great so far. But I haven't had any problems, either, so its not a totally fair assessment.

GG, what does BBB say about this reschedule? Seems pretty ridiculous that there is no way you have a choice as to the date. Can someone go in your place? Someone you deem as your representative? Maybe give them power of attorney in this matter?

Why not send his attorney?

Dang! Just read down to mako1a's post. All Mustang owners must think alike.

imidazol97

97% of all Suburus in Canada are still on the road, over the last 10
"Sixteen-year-old cars and trucks make up 21.1 percent of vehicles in the U.S. as owners embrace the idea of driving their car well past the 100,000 mile mark.
Still it seems pretty impressive, just that 97% avoided a major collision.

From the glass-half-empty POV--how much did they have to spend on maintenance to keep those cars on the road.

stever

My '97 Outback didn't cost much to own and operate. I spent about $2,400 from '03 when I got it until I sold it last year. Timing belt for $715 was the big one, two sets of tires around $500 each set, one set of brakes all around ($463), batteries and oil. About .04 cents a mile for maintenance and repairs. The '99 Quest ran me between .05 and .06 cents a mile over 15 years.

$2,400, that's about five car payments. (an aside for @kyfdx, lol).

Back to my other point, I really would expect that most brands have 90+ percent of their 2005 vehicles registered and being driven around. Except maybe Land Rover and a couple of other makes.

suydam

Toyota claimed in 2006 that 80% of all Corollas (first year: 1986) were still on the road. Now they claim 90% of all 10 year old Camrys and Corollas are still on the road. As you say it's pretty common nowadays for all makes.

stickguy

GG should send a proxy (lawyer, wife, heck road burner is close!) with an iPad and just face time into the hearing. In person is so 1990s.

andres3

driver100 said:

stever said:

>>97% of all Suburus in Canada are still on the road, over the last 10 years.

I dunno, the average age of cars and trucks in the US is 11.4 years.
97% of all Suburus in Canada are still on the road, over the last 10
"Sixteen-year-old cars and trucks make up 21.1 percent of vehicles in the U.S. as owners embrace the idea of driving their car well past the 100,000 mile mark.

How many of these "pre-'99" models are still around?

53.3 million." (NBC)

Ford used to run a similar ad about their pickups back in the 80s iirc. Ten years is nothing - I'd hope that most cars built in 2005 were still on the road.

I guess it could mean Suburus are bought mostly by little old ladies and retired people who only go 4000 miles a year. Or, by really slow drivers who never get into an accident. And, it isn't like they are used as taxis, police or rental cars. Or driven hard and fast like a bmw or Mustang.

Still it seems pretty impressive, just that 97% avoided a major collision.

I wonder if WRX STI's make up a higher percentage of that 3% than their share of sales would presume? Maybe they are driven too fast and die an early death. However, it's not likely that "really slow drivers" get in less accidents, but many studies would lean to the observation that they are involved in MORE accidents by virtue of driving too slowly. However, that slowness might keep those accidents minor, and avoid totaling the vehicle.

carnaught

GG, my guess is that at the arbitration meeting with the Cadillac and the BBB, they will again offer you another, new, CTS rather than a buy-back. Agree with the others that your Lawyer and/or wife should be there if you cannot. It would be best if you could also be there via speaker phone if you cannot be there personally.

andres3

Well if the Model 200 is a glimpse of their future, then it's dark, very dark.

stickguy said:

GG should send a proxy (lawyer, wife, heck road burner is close!) with an iPad and just face time into the hearing. In person is so 1990s.

I think GG @graphicguy should have his lawyer attend, and have a team of live YouTube broadcasters provide a live-stream of the session here on Edmunds. I'd pay a buck to see the video.

GG: you'd be interested to know that I read a recent article that discusses Chrysler has resorted to providing new car buyers a $200 incentive to sign a waiver to the lemon laws, and agree to do arbitration with them with an arbitrator of their choice of course, should that customer be unable to resolve their issues with the dealer or Corporate Chrysler. They shove this into the mountain of other paperwork one must sign when purchasing a new vehicle these days. I would think you, along with many others here would find that $200 incentive to be far too little to give up such a valuable right to sue based on lemon laws.

Seems like Chrysler is planning on a lot of future lemons to try and pull this stunt.

wlbrown9

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

This is the one I was referring to from 1982.

Quite a difference in bridges!

Hum. That bridge looks about like the design of this one built in 1931 at Clarendon, Arkansas. Not very modern.

http://www.whiteriverbridge.org/#!bigbridgetothebigwoods/c18bc

http://www.whiteriverbridge.org/#!photos/c1pwt

houdini1

graphicguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I understand your point, that there are individual dealers who are pretty good but all in all there is a collective dealer/factory consciousness that goes something like this:

When you buy the car, the dealer touts his factory trained technicians, his pride in the brand. The factory touts their quality, their newfound dedication to being the best in the world, their technology.

Then, when you have a big problem, suddenly the dealer techs are 'stumped", and they "will ask" Cadillac for assistance. And suddenly the factory tells you "well, our dealers are independent franchisees, so there's only so much we can control".

This is ingrained cultural malaise IMO and that's why all the dealers have to be fired and fresh new faces with new habits and a new way of doing business put in their place.

The correct answer for the person who is suffering a legitimate disaster is "the factory and the dealership will make this right for you".

Shfty...you are right on point!

This reminds me of the old joke about this guy who called his salesman with a company he had just started doing business with and asked for a meeting to iron out a couple of problems he was having.

His salesman said he didn't have time for a meeting and he would get back to him in a couple of weeks. The man said wait just a minute, back when I went with you guys you said you would personally handle my acct. and would be available 24/7 if I needed help with anything. The salesman said sure, I remember that, but back then you were a prospect, now you're just a client.

stever

andres3 said:

Chrysler has resorted to providing new car buyers a $200 incentive to sign a waiver to the lemon laws, and agree to do arbitration with them with an arbitrator of their choice of course, should that customer be unable to resolve their issues with the dealer or Corporate Chrysler. They shove this into the mountain of other paperwork one must sign when purchasing a new vehicle these days.

That's an issue with me about buying lots of new cars, notably Toyota. They require mandatory binding arbitration. Hyundai got some good press a few years back for dropping theirs and afaik, they still don't have such a clause in their contracts. (consumeraffairs.com)

What's really ironic is that the dealers got together years ago and got Congress to pass a law saying that manufacturers couldn't force their dealerships to go to arbitration.

Mr_Shiftright

your auto insurance company has the same basic clause.

stever

Not necessarily (not that I'm actually going to go read mine....)

State Laws Regulating Arbitration in Insurance Contracts (Public Citizen)

The consumer tide seems to be turning, at the moment at least.

Financial regulators move to restrict forced arbitration (stltoday.com)

abacomike

When my Dad died on July 1st, his Social Security pension for June (deposited electronically on July 3rd) was taken back by the government - taken right out of his checking account.

2 weeks later, I got a letter from the SSA telling me that my father was owed his June pension since he died on July 1st.  I completed the forms and sent them back - 1/2 to be electronically deposited into my account and the other 1/2 to be sent to my brother in the form of a check.

4 weeks later, I called the 800 number for the SSA and was told all paperwork was received and was completed correctly.  But it could take until October to receive the funds.  I called at the end of September and was told it could take another few weeks.

I called again yesterday and was told that the funds were not distributed because it was considered a "low priority" by the SSA and that it could take several more months before the funds were released.  I asked to speak to a manager.  I was told a manager could do nothing for me because it was out of their hands and in the hands of Treasury which determines when pensions and federal bills are paid.  But she said that if I could get my congressman involved, things could get expedited.

Can you imagine that?  The government owes my Dad his June pension payment which they themselves took back out of his checking account and after over 3 months, downright refuses to release the funds because Treasury says it is not a high enough priority.  The government has gotten so big that the little guy has no chance to be treated correctly or appropriately.  They owe my Dad money, they know it, but won't pay it.

At 9:30 AM, I met with a staff member in my congressman's office.  They took down the information, dates, social security numbers, and told me the congressman will deal with the problem when he arrived in his office.  Imagine, having to get my congressman involved in this to get about $1294 from the government that is legally owed to him but that won't get paid because it isn't important enough.

Whether my congressman is successful or not remains to be seen.  But to be told by an employee of the SSA that the best chance I have to get my Dad's money owed to him is to have my congressman intervene on my behalf.

What has happened to this country of ours?

oldfarmer50

The saga continues...

I now have three inquiries from my CL ad on the Caddy and three more from parking it on the street. One was driving by in a garbage truck (don't laugh) and stopped in the road. I told them all I would be home at noon tomorrow and the first one with $500 takes it. The garbage truck guy just called and said he would take it tonight for $400 but I'm sticking firm for now. We'll see tomorrow. Maybe GG will make an offer seeing he has experience with junker Cadillacs. ( sorry, bad joke).

To be continued...

ab348

isellhondas said:

Our son's well maintained 2009 Subaru Impreza threw a rod one dark rainy night on a crowded freeway with 33,000 miles. The Service Advisor said he wasn't at all surprised.

A good friend's Legacy developed the dreaded piston slap at around 40K miles, out of warranty. Dealer kindly offered to replace the pistons for $1500. They decided to put up with it.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

When my Dad died on July 1st, his Social Security pension for June (deposited electronically on July 3rd) was taken back by the government - taken right out of his checking account.

2 weeks later, I got a letter from the SSA telling me that my father was owed his June pension since he died on July 1st.  I completed the forms and sent them back - 1/2 to be electronically deposited into my account and the other 1/2 to be sent to my brother in the form of a check.

4 weeks later, I called the 800 number for the SSA and was told all paperwork was received and was completed correctly.  But it could take until October to receive the funds.  I called at the end of September and was told it could take another few weeks.

I called again yesterday and was told that the funds were not distributed because it was considered a "low priority" by the SSA and that it could take several more months before the funds were released.  I asked to speak to a manager.  I was told a manager could do nothing for me because it was out of their hands and in the hands of Treasury which determines when pensions and federal bills are paid.  But she said that if I could get my congressman involved, things could get expedited.

Can you imagine that?  The government owes my Dad his June pension payment which they themselves took back out of his checking account and after over 3 months, downright refuses to release the funds because Treasury says it is not a high enough priority.  The government has gotten so big that the little guy has no chance to be treated correctly or appropriately.  They owe my Dad money, they know it, but won't pay it.

At 9:30 AM, I met with a staff member in my congressman's office.  They took down the information, dates, social security numbers, and told me the congressman will deal with the problem when he arrived in his office.  Imagine, having to get my congressman involved in this to get about $1294 from the government that is legally owed to him but that won't get paid because it isn't important enough.

Whether my congressman is successful or not remains to be seen.  But to be told by an employee of the SSA that the best chance I have to get my Dad's money owed to him is to have my congressman intervene on my behalf.

What has happened to this country of ours?

I took SS when I turned 62 and later realized that I would have to give back too much and withdrew my claim. Had them charge $15k to my credit card in June. Still waiting for the charge to show on my bill. All that credit tied up for months.

Meanwhile I get two letters from SS, one saying they can't withdraw my claim until I pay them the same $15k I already paid. The other saying they overpaid me and send them a check for $9k. Both letters dated the same day.

I've been calling a guy in the local office who promised to take care of it in a week. This was 6 weeks ago and now he dodges my calls.

To make matters worse I had a family emergency and had to charge $8k on the same card. If SS bills $15k now it will be over the card's limit and be rejected.

I have to wait until the October bill comes to see if I avoided disaster. Maybe I should send you your dad's share and deduct it from what I owe.

andres3

The system is broken if it takes an act of congress (or even just one congress member) to get anything done right.

abacomike

We are at the mercy of a government that is so laden with beaurocracy and red tape the left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing.  Remember, they took out of my Dad's checking account what was rightfully his and now I can't get it back because this is not a high enough priority.  I was told it would be paid on or about October 1st when I first called.  Now, it could be 3 or more months, if at all.  

This is is CRAZY!  

suydam

When my Dad passed away SS took back their money but the Medicare Gap company continued to take theirs, resulting in an overdraft fee. It took months for this gap company to send me a check and in the meantime I had to make the account good to keep from more overdraft fees. I think there's just always stuff like that to deal with when a close relative dies. Didn't have to involve a Congress rep though! That sounds like overkill advice. Anything involving large agencies just takes time. Don't you dare be a day late though!

abacomike

suydam said:

When my Dad passed away SS took back their money but the Medicare Gap company continued to take theirs, resulting in an overdraft fee. It took months for this gap company to send me a check and in the meantime I had to make the account good to keep from more overdraft fees. I think there's just always stuff like that to deal with when a close relative dies. Didn't have to involve a Congress rep though! That sounds like overkill advice. Anything involving large agencies just takes time. Don't you dare be a day late though!

The representative from the SSA admitted to me that waiting over three months to resolve the repayment problem was not appropriate and now to wait another 3-4 months was "out of control", but out of their hands.  They have authorized the payment, but the comptroller at Treasury won't release the funds because at present, it is not a high enough priority.  So, if my congressman is not successful in getting the funds repaid, it could take 3, 4, 5, or 6 more months before I get the money back.  

Watch, they will deduct another $105 for Medicare because he lived 1 day in the month of July.  I know they will deduct more.  Pathetic is the right word to express my feelings on this matter!

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

Our son's well maintained 2009 Subaru Impreza threw a rod one dark rainy night on a crowded freeway with 33,000 miles. The Service Advisor said he wasn't at all surprised.

A good friend's Legacy developed the dreaded piston slap at around 40K miles, out of warranty. Dealer kindly offered to replace the pistons for $1500. They decided to put up with it.

I think I know what piston slap is but elaborate on that if you will.

abacomike

I just got an email from the Teacher's Retirement System of Illinois:

"The Illinois comptroller’s announcement on October 14 that state government will not make its pension contribution in November will have no impact on TRS paying monthly benefits to its retirees. Benefits are paid from the $46 billion TRS trust fund and not by the state."

Not good boding for the financial stability of the State of Illinois!

tjc78

SSA is very tough to deal with. My wife took about 3 years (off and on) to once and for all stop them from saying she received an overpayment when her Father received benefits (he was on disability). They wanted an obscene amount of money and the dates of the overpayment put her at age 13. They would say it was a mistake, etc and they fixed it. A few months later, same letter and process all over again. It took a visit to the office to straighten it out.

houdini1

The reason for the gov. not paying its bills is because THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY !! I am being serious here. You probably won't get paid until the debt limit is raised this month or next.

abacomike

houdini1 said:

The reason for the gov. not paying its bills is because THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY !! I am being serious here.

And yet if you listen to the debates and the media, everyone wants to spend even more money that we don't have - but not Dad's Social Security payment that they owe him.

What about the millions and millions the gov't spent on training Syrian moderates?  That was a bust - one trainee left out of 20 trained for all that money.

houdini1

To be paid it has to be high priority, ie., salaries for Senators and Representatives.

abacomike

Sorry, this has gotten political and it's my fault.  We all agreed to not get political - I will shut up - again - sorry!

dino001

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

Our son's well maintained 2009 Subaru Impreza threw a rod one dark rainy night on a crowded freeway with 33,000 miles. The Service Advisor said he wasn't at all surprised.

A good friend's Legacy developed the dreaded piston slap at around 40K miles, out of warranty. Dealer kindly offered to replace the pistons for $1500. They decided to put up with it.

This must have been long time ago. Subaru has had 5yr/60k powertrain warranty (3/36 b-b) for over 10 years. My 2003 WRX had it already.

ab348

dino001 said:

This must have been long time ago. Subaru has had 5yr/60k powertrain warranty (3/36 b-b) for over 10 years. My 2003 WRX had it already.

I believe it was a 2001 model. Bought new up here in Canada. Warranty might be different here, but I don't know for sure.

dino001

It is possible. Subaru improved its warranty in the US around then, give or take. Canada, who knows. Bad luck for them, I guess.

driver100

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

Our son's well maintained 2009 Subaru Impreza threw a rod one dark rainy night on a crowded freeway with 33,000 miles. The Service Advisor said he wasn't at all surprised.

A good friend's Legacy developed the dreaded piston slap at around 40K miles, out of warranty. Dealer kindly offered to replace the pistons for $1500. They decided to put up with it.

I only said 97% of Suburus were on the road after 10 years....didn't say if they were still running, or how much it cost to keep them going.

driver100

dino001 said:

It is possible. Subaru improved its warranty in the US around then, give or take. Canada, who knows. Bad luck for them, I guess.

That can happen. In Canada the companies often cheap out....I believe BMW covered wiper blades and brakes for 48k miles 4 years in the US. But these are wear and tear items in Canada. If they can get away with it they will. However, 98% of the time warranties will be the same...maybe with very slight differences....but we are not too argumentative, so we just go along with what the car companies do.

We get TV shows from the US (50% of Canadians live near the border) and magazines etc., so it is difficult to make something like a warranty different.

[Deleted User]

My family thanks you for all the milkshake talk. Finally filled the hankering tonight.

abacomike

tyguy said:

My family thanks you for all the milkshake talk. Finally filled the hankering tonight.

Wish I was there with you so we could share our "burbs" after the second or third rounds.

berri

Why not a jumbo one - just kidding!

Michaell

And I went to Culvers tonight for dinner. No milkshake, but the cheese curds were pretty good. 

berri

Speaking of dealing with Social Security, I read that anyone new to Medicare this year or anyone who doesn't get social security like some state or federal gov employees will get an over $50 increase per month for 2016 because under some not really understood law, when SS gets no COLA, evidently the Medicare cost increase for the year can't be charged to current SS recipients, so everyone else picks up the whole tab. Just another goofy gov rule I guess. You can't even begin to understand all this nonsense in Washington, other than Congress writing too many poorly written laws and the gov being way too lawyered up. Oh btw Aba - if the gov runs out of money before they process your check due to expiring authority, or if there is a gov shutdown, you'll likely be waiting even longer to get that money you're owed. In fact, one of the reasons you may be waiting already is because Treasury has to use these kind of things for cash flow right now to prevent the US gov from running out of money already since a relatively small number of representatives in Congress won't act timely on budget authorization and both parties refuse to compromise. Pathetic. You can kind of see why Boehner finally decided "enough of this crap already".

[Deleted User]

Piston slap is a noise that some engines make before they warm up as a result of the piston rocking slightly in the cylinder bore. When the piston warms and expands the noise typically goes away. It's been present on a number of different makes and prone engines can get louder with age as the rings and cylinder wear. I've never heard of an engine failure due to piston slap, but those early 2000s Subaru engines were more prone and Subaru replaced pistons if owners complained about the noise.

The biggest reliability issue Subaru has run into were head gaskets on the normally aspirated 2.5 liter 4-cylinder motors from 2000 to mid-2000 years. Subaru was pretty good about helping owners out after warranty expiration. Subaru redesigned the gaskets several times and modified their coolant to help the situation, but in the end, the gaskets didn't have enough support. That caused them to radically redesign the 4-cylinder motors in the next generation such that it would be near impossible for the coolant and oil to mix (would take major structural failure).