Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stickguy

Entirely possible this yes, they went in knowing they were going to lose. But still have to go through the motions, even if just in case the customer doesn't show.

Not personal. Just business baby.

graphicguy

andres3 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Question for the sales dudes (although anyone is welcome to chime in)

In your dealings with customers did you ever have someone balk because you met their price without a fight?

A woman at work was all excited about looking at a 2012 Hyundai Elantra with 32000 miles, $12995. She said she would buy at $10,000. Went to the dealer and he met her price. Suddenly, she's not sure and goes to leave. Salesman asks what she thinks would be fair (indicating more wiggle room). She walks out and now says she's not sure she wants it.

I don't get it.

Part of being a good negotiator is knowing when you've won a good deal, and pulling the trigger.

Most of us here are the opposite. We see a deal, we DO pull the trigger. Dangerous letting us in a showroom with greenbacks and/or a checkbook in our possession. Can't let sales people know that.

Ready! Fire! Aim!

jmonroe

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

RR The thinking is, when you have a BMW that doesn't shake, leave it alone.

In the 80s I took two cars in for tire rotations....both times the tires wore out very soon afterwards.

I have not had tires rotated ever since. I would rather let the front ones wear out, replace them, and buy two new tires at a time instead of rotating them. I think the tires get used to wear they are, and they start to wear at a faster rate when they are rotated. But, that's just this layman's opinion.

At least you are honest about that being your "layman's opinion" because that statement makes no technical sense whatsoever.

Now will you stop eating that Denny's Bourbon Chicken?

jmonroe

Makes no technical sense but it works for me. Like I said, as soon as I did a tire rotation my tires wore out with flat spots and uneven wear, twice. If I leave them put the fronts go first and I replace them with new tires. At the time I could afford replacing 2 tires instead of 4 a lot better anyways.

I have a friend who does know a lot about cars, and he came to the same conclusion completely independent of my experience.

The experts sometimes think what seems to make sense technically is the best solution, this time the novice is the one who knows better.

Comes from eating a low fat high protein diet.

OK, if you say so but I'm still going to do the standard rotation thing at around 5K miles on the Subie. On the Genny, I can't do standard. Just side to side because of the different tire sizes front and rear. While I don't like that it could be worse, like having different sizes AND directional rotation tires. :@

jmonroe

ab348

After spending most of the day in the hospital being frustrated, talking to nurses and doctors, trying to figure out what route is best for my heart surgery, I came back home to see 71 new posts here. I was fearing the worst, looking for some news about Mike, but found none. Hope he is doing OK.

I did find all of the congrats for GG and I add mine to those. I was disappointed, though, to see things like "the evil empire of GM" and other disparaging remarks, typical of what we have seen here of late, though certainly not from GG himself. Also disappointed to see no retraction of the slagging that the arbitrator and the BBB has taken here over the last while. Up until today the suggestion was they were all in cahoots with Cadillac.

GG, how are they going to come up with a number to pay you? You originally bought a 2014 CTS if I recall, which was then swapped for another 2014, which then was swapped into this one. I don't recall if money ever changed hands after the initial purchase. Maybe my memory is flawed. In any event, I suspect that history is the reason why Cadillac hung in so long. Someone there must have remembered the history.

oldfarmer50

VICTORY! I bet the only thing that would feel better than that grand slam would to see the dealer et al selling apples on the street corner.

jmonroe

graphicguy said:

J....Not sure how many people actually go to arbitration with GM in any given year. I think we all believe that GM rejects all requests for a buyback, unless they're forced to. So, how many people just give up at the "rejection of claim" decision? How many people actually get an abitraion hearing and flat don't show up? They actually called me the day before the hearing to make sure I was going to be there.

How many actually go to the arbitraion hearing and lose their case?

I imagine the number who actually get to the arbitraion phase, actually go to the hearing, and then win, probably is quite small.

So, have I taught Cadillac a lesson? Doubtful. They just move on to the next case.

Yep...will have a sip or two of bourbon tonite in celebration of my final Cadillac experience.

What's funny, I'm sure they'll want the car back. But, in all the instructions (accept the decision, accept the $$$$$ amount, send the acceptance back, check with BBB to make sure they received the signed decision in the allotted time, etc), not once did they tell me what or where the car should be taken to, nor when.

I'm kinda paranoid, BUT:

Since you got this big win and will get a check in the mail when you comply with all of the provisions, I'd tell the dealer to come and get it; AFTER you get the check. No sense risking and accident taking it back. What a mess that would be.

Just thinking.

jmonroe

jpp75

@graphicguy Congrats on the arbitration ruling!! Glad you prevailed (as you should have), now just collect the check and don't look back.

28firefighter

@Michaell - I had the same information; my understanding is BMW has temporarily suspended that approach (saw that on another board).

jmonroe

Mr_Shiftright said:

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Motorcycle project is coming along---we're getting close to lift off! Seat's being redone, still hunting for the correct horn, tail light bracket is being painted. Also the clutch is too stiff---may need to take that apart and replace the springs.

From boxes of parts to nice driver in about 5 months of part-time work:

Looks like some very nice work to me.

One question...how are you going to get a big beautiful German Shepherd to fit behind you on that seat?

jmonroe

The back seat area is reserved for saddle bags (and no, not with TASSELS). It's really not safe for a dog to be riding without goggles (seriously). Besides I don't have a dog or dog goggles and I've spent enough already on this bike

I thought the same about the glasses for the dog.

If we had seen that we would have really cracked up.

jmonroe

explorerx4

I have tires rotated every 5K. My daughter got close to 80k out of the original tires on her 09 Escape.
My other kid has close to 60k on 3 of the 4 original tires on her 13 Escape.
We are sticking with that plan.

qbrozen

ab348 said:

After spending most of the day in the hospital being frustrated, talking to nurses and doctors, trying to figure out what route is best for my heart surgery, I came back home to see 71 new posts here. I was fearing the worst, looking for some news about Mike, but found none. Hope he is doing OK. I did find all of the congrats for GG and I add mine to those. I was disappointed, though, to see things like "the evil empire of GM" and other disparaging remarks, typical of what we have seen here of late, though certainly not from GG himself. Also disappointed to see no retraction of the slagging that the arbitrator and the BBB has taken here over the last while. Up until today the suggestion was they were all in cahoots with Cadillac. GG, how are they going to come up with a number to pay you? You originally bought a 2014 CTS if I recall, which was then swapped for another 2014, which then was swapped into this one. I don't recall if money ever changed hands after the initial purchase. Maybe my memory is flawed. In any event, I suspect that history is the reason why Cadillac hung in so long. Someone there must have remembered the history.

Not quite. They put him in a new 2016 in exchange for his 2014. But if the ruling was full refund of purchase price, then they'd have to go back to the 2014 purchase.

UNLESS, this gets real evil and they declare his purchase price was $0 for the 2016.

oldfarmer50

isellhondas said:

andres3 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Question for the sales dudes (although anyone is welcome to chime in)

In your dealings with customers did you ever have someone balk because you met their price without a fight?

A woman at work was all excited about looking at a 2012 Hyundai Elantra with 32000 miles, $12995. She said she would buy at $10,000. Went to the dealer and he met her price. Suddenly, she's not sure and goes to leave. Salesman asks what she thinks would be fair (indicating more wiggle room). She walks out and now says she's not sure she wants it.

I don't get it.

Part of being a good negotiator is knowing when you've won a good deal, and pulling the trigger.

That was the salesperson's fault and the fault of the manager at the desk.

If someone had offered me 3000.00 less than the asking price for a used car I would have expressed a lot of doubt that that off would be accepted and for good reason. I would have suggested that we look at lesser priced cars if, in fact that were her budget. Had she persisted I would have told her that I would be very happy tp present any kind of offer she had in mind including the 10,000 she had in mind. I would have MADE SURE she had an iron clad commitment to buy the car at that price! That was the salesperson's mistake! I would have said...I think we both know it's going to take more than this but let's give it a try" I would have written WILL BUY AND DRIVE HOME TODAY and had her sign it. If there was any hesitation then I knew I had no commitment and I wouldn't have presented the offer. I may have even said..." Hey, I'l offer less than that if you'ld like" The Sales Manager should have taken the 10,000 offer and countered. By not doing that, that woman thought she was leaving money on the table of that "something" was wrong.

I think you nailed it. I'm guessing that's exactly what happened.

jmonroe

@ab348, here's hoping that whatever is decided you will come through it fine and be back to normal, quickly.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

J....Not sure how many people actually go to arbitration with GM in any given year. I think we all believe that GM rejects all requests for a buyback, unless they're forced to. So, how many people just give up at the "rejection of claim" decision? How many people actually get an abitraion hearing and flat don't show up? They actually called me the day before the hearing to make sure I was going to be there.

How many actually go to the arbitraion hearing and lose their case?

I imagine the number who actually get to the arbitraion phase, actually go to the hearing, and then win, probably is quite small.

So, have I taught Cadillac a lesson? Doubtful. They just move on to the next case.

Yep...will have a sip or two of bourbon tonite in celebration of my final Cadillac experience.

What's funny, I'm sure they'll want the car back. But, in all the instructions (accept the decision, accept the $$$$$ amount, send the acceptance back, check with BBB to make sure they received the signed decision in the allotted time, etc), not once did they tell me what or where the car should be taken to, nor when.

You could deliver it to the bottom of the river or cliff.

sda

graphicguy said:

So.....a day early.....and we have an Arbitration decision.

Not going to keep you in suspense as I had to sift through about 5 pages of verbiage to get to it.

Cadillac has to buy back the CTS. No fees for mileage, nor wear and tear (per the arbitrators inspection). Cadillac has 14 days after I sign the decision (which I'll do today and overnight it back to them) to send me a check. All taxes, licensing fees, purchase price, and amounts for time spent traveling back and forth to dealership and for the day I had to take off for the hearing will be reimbursed in full.

In essence, the arbitrator followed my line of thinking....the wiring was bad from the factory and delivered to me faulty from the very first day I drove it off the dealer's lot. It was a safety issue and as such, returning it only partially fixed was a pretty big faux pas in the arbitrator's mind. And finally, being out of commission for nearly 3 months, the lemon law was invoked.

Lots of paperwork attached to the decision. I'll look it all over carefully, but I just gave you the high points.

Sincerely, thanks to you all for hanging with me and offering support.

That's tremendous news GG. A fight well fought! I am delighted and relieved for you.

sda

Mr_Shiftright said:

Vintage Triumphs are great to ride---unlike the Harleys, they are feather-light and you can steer them with just the slightest body motion; and unlike the superbikes, they are built for moderate speeds on twisty roads, not long distance, high-speed cruising.

Every bike is built to a purpose. My friend's BSA Gold Star is a brute in comparison.

I remember sharing a similar opinion with Jay Leno, who loves these old British bikes. He said: "I like a motorcycle I can see through to the other side".

Looks great and I like the color combination. I'm sure you can't wait for that first ride!

carnaught

@graphicguy, congrats on the settlement! You hung in there, and it paid off. There has to be a great sense of satisfaction and relief.

imidazol97

Well, I didn't check updates through the day and found a bunch. Am now in Pigeon Forge TN and have to congratulate GG. It's apparent he had his paperwork organized and made a logical presentation to the AB.

@ABS Good post.

I actually am surprised the arbitration was quick and final in its declaration of fault. I don't understand why Cadillac didn't switch out the car when the rep lady talked to GG at about the 3rd week and seemed amenable to making a replacement or buyback. As for the talk that all the other companies do things with no adversarial positioning, I don't believe in the tooth fairy either. I was thinking back to the Columbus car talk show Saturday where the family-owned group of stores sponsor the radio program, and they got a call from a CLA owner. Some of the mumbling was to the effect that MB just buys those problem cars right back. I recognize [non permissible content deleted] when I see it. LOL.

My neighbor has had his umpteenth visit from AAA to try to keep his E500 starting. It's spent more time in his driveway with a roll around battery charger hooked up to its battery in the trunk. I told him I was going to take picture, make an 8x10 out of it, and give it to him to remind him. He has an AAA battery in it. He would love for MB to buy it back. Or even just fix it. The Union Center MB store had it for a couple of weeks last summer and couldn't diagnose it or fix it apparently. So the Columbus radio guy indicating MB will just buy that CLA back that doesn't want to even unlock all of sudden but works fine the rest of the time, I put in the [non permissible content deleted] area.

imidazol97

On rotating tires. I rotated my Michelins faithfully on my leSabres and got over 90K on the last set and they still had good tread. Rotating using the GM modified X pattern worked great.

The store manager however is rotating the Michelins on my Cobalt keeping them rotating the same way just going back to front. The Cobalt has a solid rear axle bar.

If the tires started showing signs of lumpiness and out-of-round rolling under load when they were being rotated side-to-side, that is probably an indication of tire quality rather than a negative against rotating the tires.

I do have to question BMW admitting that their rims are not manufactured within a fine tolerance therefore putting tires on the rims for the least radial run out for the rim/tire combination on the front means their other rims and tires are not matched. The Hunter 9700 RoadForce balancer's computer will match up the tires and the rims for the best minimization of the combo's total runout UNDER LOAD.

I do agree that if you have a smooth rolling set of tires and you don't mind replacing them early due to uneven wear, just keep them where they are to enjoy the smooth ride.

andres3

isellhondas said:

andres3 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Question for the sales dudes (although anyone is welcome to chime in)

In your dealings with customers did you ever have someone balk because you met their price without a fight?

A woman at work was all excited about looking at a 2012 Hyundai Elantra with 32000 miles, $12995. She said she would buy at $10,000. Went to the dealer and he met her price. Suddenly, she's not sure and goes to leave. Salesman asks what she thinks would be fair (indicating more wiggle room). She walks out and now says she's not sure she wants it.

I don't get it.

Part of being a good negotiator is knowing when you've won a good deal, and pulling the trigger.

That was the salesperson's fault and the fault of the manager at the desk.

If someone had offered me 3000.00 less than the asking price for a used car I would have expressed a lot of doubt that that off would be accepted and for good reason. I would have suggested that we look at lesser priced cars if, in fact that were her budget. Had she persisted I would have told her that I would be very happy tp present any kind of offer she had in mind including the 10,000 she had in mind. I would have MADE SURE she had an iron clad commitment to buy the car at that price! That was the salesperson's mistake! I would have said...I think we both know it's going to take more than this but let's give it a try" I would have written WILL BUY AND DRIVE HOME TODAY and had her sign it. If there was any hesitation then I knew I had no commitment and I wouldn't have presented the offer. I may have even said..." Hey, I'l offer less than that if you'ld like" The Sales Manager should have taken the 10,000 offer and countered. By not doing that, that woman thought she was leaving money on the table of that "something" was wrong.

Hmmm... My fear of having an offer accepted too fast on a used car wouldn't be that I left money on the table, but that the car was deeply flawed in some way I hadn't yet noticed.

ab348

jmonroe said:

@ab348, here's hoping that whatever is decided you will come through it fine and be back to normal, quickly.

jmonroe

Thanks JM. The frustration is that the surgeon who worked on me in 2009 said that given the hard time I had after that, my valve be replaced using a TAVR procedure where they snake the new valve up through an artery via the groin instead of opening you up. So today I met with the surgeon who does that and she's not so sure about doing that given my history. So it looks like we start the whole process again from the top with new tests, etc. What fun.

The only funny part of the day was when the surgeon, an attractive lady of maybe 35 or so, called me "a young man". Wish other 35 year old women I meet would call me that.

andres3

oldfarmer50 said:

graphicguy said:

J....Not sure how many people actually go to arbitration with GM in any given year. I think we all believe that GM rejects all requests for a buyback, unless they're forced to. So, how many people just give up at the "rejection of claim" decision? How many people actually get an abitraion hearing and flat don't show up? They actually called me the day before the hearing to make sure I was going to be there.

How many actually go to the arbitraion hearing and lose their case?

I imagine the number who actually get to the arbitraion phase, actually go to the hearing, and then win, probably is quite small.

So, have I taught Cadillac a lesson? Doubtful. They just move on to the next case.

Yep...will have a sip or two of bourbon tonite in celebration of my final Cadillac experience.

What's funny, I'm sure they'll want the car back. But, in all the instructions (accept the decision, accept the $$$$$ amount, send the acceptance back, check with BBB to make sure they received the signed decision in the allotted time, etc), not once did they tell me what or where the car should be taken to, nor when.

You could deliver it to the bottom of the river or cliff.

How about parking it in Syria, near a war battle zone.

andres3

stickguy said:

Driver, just FYI, but if you replace 2 tires the new ones are supposed to go on the back.

Was this conventional wisdom back in the day, or only in the last 5 years or so?

When I noticed this advice at the local tire stores I came to the conclusion they really don't want people to experience fish-tailing.

andres3

qbrozen said:

andres3 said:

I didn't hear any testimony that his speed was unreasonable or unsafe, and I recall it being for a marginal amount over the speed limit (hence the 5 MPH). 5 MPH is so little that the average speed of traffic was either probably faster (most likely 85% percentile speeds would be higher), or at least the same pace, giving no indication to him that something was malfunctioning in his vehicle.

Well, OK, sure, if the speed was so marginal, the case was probably going to get tossed anyway or given a non-points violation.

That's the problem, he was found guilty of speeding just like everyone else.

graphicguy

jmonroe said:

graphicguy said:

J....Not sure how many people actually go to arbitration with GM in any given year. I think we all believe that GM rejects all requests for a buyback, unless they're forced to. So, how many people just give up at the "rejection of claim" decision? How many people actually get an abitraion hearing and flat don't show up? They actually called me the day before the hearing to make sure I was going to be there.

How many actually go to the arbitraion hearing and lose their case?

I imagine the number who actually get to the arbitraion phase, actually go to the hearing, and then win, probably is quite small.

So, have I taught Cadillac a lesson? Doubtful. They just move on to the next case.

Yep...will have a sip or two of bourbon tonite in celebration of my final Cadillac experience.

What's funny, I'm sure they'll want the car back. But, in all the instructions (accept the decision, accept the $$$$$ amount, send the acceptance back, check with BBB to make sure they received the signed decision in the allotted time, etc), not once did they tell me what or where the car should be taken to, nor when.

I'm kinda paranoid, BUT:

Since you got this big win and will get a check in the mail when you comply with all of the provisions, I'd tell the dealer to come and get it; AFTER you get the check. No sense risking and accident taking it back. What a mess that would be.

Just thinking.

jmonroe

J...you are absolutely right. Nothing is done until the check doesn't bounce.

AB....thanks. I know you were a bit peevish about my going after Cadillac, but appreciate the thought. And, hoping and praying for the best with your heart.

Every incident before had no bearing on this one. The final 2016 CTS paperwork said $48K and some change. Taxes, fees, license, etc will bring that total to about $50K and a bit more for misc expenses.

graphicguy

carnaught....imid...sda.....thx!

I'm sipping on some bourbon as I type this in righteous satisfaction....



Thinking of taking the money and heading over to OldFarmer's Car Emporium to see if I can strike a deal on his Lincoln.

imidazol97

graphicguy said:

carnaught....imid...sda.....thx!
I'm sipping on some bourbon as I type this in righteous satisfaction....
Thinking of taking the money and heading over to OldFarmer's Car Emporium to see if I can strike a deal on his Lincoln.

Thought of you and your evening sip you mentioned while eating at Sevierville ChickFilA this evening. A guy on the other side had a t-shirt that was advertising Maker's Mark. I wanted to ask him where he got the shirt. I'll bet he toured the "factory."

That was my favorite sip for when I was under the weather.

laurasdada

Congrats GG. Justice. 

And caddy likely lost a few potential customers. 

venture

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

I have really become lazy when it comes to waxing our cars. The 2003 CRV we gave our son last year has usually been garaged and I think I maybe waxed it three times since it was new. Modern cars have clearcoat finishes that have just about done away with the need for constant waxing. After a wash, the 14 year old CRV sparkles like it did when new.

Does anyone remember Blue Coral? Now, THAT was an ALL DAY assignment but the results always looked great! A local Detail Shop used to charge 40.00 and they would throw about four " Jesus" type guys on it and it took the better part of the day!

Yes I remember Blue Coral.

I used it one time and never again. It wasn't worth all the work as far as I was concerned. They marketed that product very well. It seems like every one I worked with used it and all of us felt the same way.

jmonroe

I used Blue Corral too.........................once.

jwm40517

The subscription for XM radio was about to expire a week or two ago and my wife called to cancel expecting them to offer the normal lower rate to stay. They did not try to keep us, just said they would cancel that day and refund about $5 for a few days left on the current year.

tjc78

You'll get a "come back" offer in a few weeks

@graphicguy

Yes!!!

fintail

E500 is no newer than model year 2006. I think a little outside of buyback territory

imidazol97 said:

My neighbor has had his umpteenth visit from AAA to try to keep his E500 starting. It's spent more time in his driveway with a roll around battery charger hooked up to its battery in the trunk. I told him I was going to take picture, make an 8x10 out of it, and give it to him to remind him. He has an AAA battery in it. He would love for MB to buy it back. Or even just fix it. The Union Center MB store had it for a couple of weeks last summer and couldn't diagnose it or fix it apparently. So the Columbus radio guy indicating MB will just buy that CLA back that doesn't want to even unlock all of sudden but works fine the rest of the time, I put in the [non permissible content deleted] area.

fintail

Can you imagine if turn signal, crosswalk, lane discipline, distracted driving, etc regulations were enforced in such zealous ways? Roads would be safer and we could pay the national debt (or fund those sweet sweet CA pensions).

andres3 said:

I understand that if you show your speedometer was reading 5 MPH lower than actual speed, and you testify you were going the speed limit, you were indeed speeding. However, it doesn't pass the "absurdity" test as has come up with a frozen truck case on our most recent Supreme Court nominee.

stickguy

GG, not bad. I know you went through way too much hassle but at least in the end, sounds like you turned a profit since 2014! And looking another way, you at least traded the used car for the new Infiniti, and got a few bucks back.

as usual in life, in the end, stuff works out.

stickguy

as to tires, not sure when that became the norm, but the logic is if the traction is going to be different, you want more in the back. better to have the front end slide out (understeer) than to have the back end slide out (oversteer). At least for the average driver!

venture

stickguy said:

as to tires, not sure when that became the norm, but the logic is if the traction is going to be different, you want more in the back. better to have the front end slide out (understeer) than to have the back end slide out (oversteer). At least for the average driver!

...plus you can steer the front wheels.

explorerx4

@graphicguy,
Don't want you to relive this whole episode with your 2016, but how did it start?
I'm not sure I remember correctly.

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

RR The thinking is, when you have a BMW that doesn't shake, leave it alone.

In the 80s I took two cars in for tire rotations....both times the tires wore out very soon afterwards.

I have not had tires rotated ever since. I would rather let the front ones wear out, replace them, and buy two new tires at a time instead of rotating them. I think the tires get used to wear they are, and they start to wear at a faster rate when they are rotated. But, that's just this layman's opinion.

At least you are honest about that being your "layman's opinion" because that statement makes no technical sense whatsoever.

Now will you stop eating that Denny's Bourbon Chicken?

jmonroe

Makes no technical sense but it works for me. Like I said, as soon as I did a tire rotation my tires wore out with flat spots and uneven wear, twice. If I leave them put the fronts go first and I replace them with new tires. At the time I could afford replacing 2 tires instead of 4 a lot better anyways.

I have a friend who does know a lot about cars, and he came to the same conclusion completely independent of my experience.

The experts sometimes think what seems to make sense technically is the best solution, this time the novice is the one who knows better.

Comes from eating a low fat high protein diet.

OK, if you say so but I'm still going to do the standard rotation thing at around 5K miles on the Subie. On the Genny, I can't do standard. Just side to side because of the different tire sizes front and rear. While I don't like that it could be worse, like having different sizes AND directional rotation tires. :@

jmonroe

Haven't you been through one tire on the Subie already and decided to buy two? That was probably about 5000 miles ago, right after the rotation.

qbrozen

imidazol97 said:

Well, I didn't check updates through the day and found a bunch. Am now in Pigeon Forge TN and have to congratulate GG. It's apparent he had his paperwork organized and made a logical presentation to the AB. @ABS Good post. I actually am surprised the arbitration was quick and final in its declaration of fault. I don't understand why Cadillac didn't switch out the car when the rep lady talked to GG at about the 3rd week and seemed amenable to making a replacement or buyback. As for the talk that all the other companies do things with no adversarial positioning, I don't believe in the tooth fairy either. I was thinking back to the Columbus car talk show Saturday where the family-owned group of stores sponsor the radio program, and they got a call from a CLA owner. Some of the mumbling was to the effect that MB just buys those problem cars right back. I recognize [non permissible content deleted] when I see it. LOL. My neighbor has had his umpteenth visit from AAA to try to keep his E500 starting. It's spent more time in his driveway with a roll around battery charger hooked up to its battery in the trunk. I told him I was going to take picture, make an 8x10 out of it, and give it to him to remind him. He has an AAA battery in it. He would love for MB to buy it back. Or even just fix it. The Union Center MB store had it for a couple of weeks last summer and couldn't diagnose it or fix it apparently. So the Columbus radio guy indicating MB will just buy that CLA back that doesn't want to even unlock all of sudden but works fine the rest of the time, I put in the [non permissible content deleted] area.

Tell your neighbor to take it to an old school private repair shop. Sounds like yet another dealer with zero techs who know anything more than just plugging in their computer. Old fashioned electrical skills will track the battery drain culprit down.

driver100

fintail said:

E500 is no newer than model year 2006. I think a little outside of buyback territory

imidazol97 said:

My neighbor has had his umpteenth visit from AAA to try to keep his E500 starting. It's spent more time in his driveway with a roll around battery charger hooked up to its battery in the trunk. I told him I was going to take picture, make an 8x10 out of it, and give it to him to remind him. He has an AAA battery in it. He would love for MB to buy it back. Or even just fix it. The Union Center MB store had it for a couple of weeks last summer and couldn't diagnose it or fix it apparently. So the Columbus radio guy indicating MB will just buy that CLA back that doesn't want to even unlock all of sudden but works fine the rest of the time, I put in the [non permissible content deleted] area.

And would we even mention it if a 2006 Chev couldn't start? Let's not get carried away.

thebean

jmonroe said:

@ab348, here's hoping that whatever is decided you will come through it fine and be back to normal, quickly. jmonroe

@ab348, I hope you will get a plan for treatment that will be successful.  I used the phrase "evil empire of GM" mostly tongue in cheek with you in mind (I knew it would chap you a bit  ).  Nothing personal, but I think Cadillac unnecessarily put GG through the ringer when they knew the car was unsatisfactory and should have been bought back earlier.  We disagree about this most likely.  

driver100

stickguy said:

as to tires, not sure when that became the norm, but the logic is if the traction is going to be different, you want more in the back. better to have the front end slide out (understeer) than to have the back end slide out (oversteer). At least for the average driver!

I think someone should look this up....just to make sure.

Not me, it is past my bed time. I will look for the answer in the morning.

jmonroe

jwm40517 said:

The subscription for XM radio was about to expire a week or two ago and my wife called to cancel expecting them to offer the normal lower rate to stay. They did not try to keep us, just said they would cancel that day and refund about $5 for a few days left on the current year.

That is completely contrary to what happened to me a few weeks ago.

They sent me a bill for $257 + and when I called to cancel they quickly gave me the promotional rate of $103. 59 which included a $2.00 billing fee because I refused to give them my CC number.

I've done this so many times since '09 they have to know the drill with me by now.

As @tjc78 said, I'm sure they will be getting back to you.

jmonroe

imidazol97

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

as to tires, not sure when that became the norm, but the logic is if the traction is going to be different, you want more in the back. better to have the front end slide out (understeer) than to have the back end slide out (oversteer). At least for the average driver!

I think someone should look this up....just to make sure.

Not me, it is past my bed time. I will look for the answer in the morning.

Several sets of tires back the local Bridgestone/Firestone store where I buy my Michelins insisted on putting the two new ones on the back. I insisted on the front. I switched stores for service on the tires. Later at another store in the group, the manager had a letter posted from the company about a lawsuit over someone's having an accident because the rear tires had less tread and the fronts had new good tread which, they claimed, caused the front to grip and the rears to slide sideways on a curve. The car went out of control. And the driver sued.

Nothing about the driver possibly outdriving the tires and grip for the conditions...

berri

Graphic - I like the win. GM, Cadillac and the dealer jerked with you way too much. Could have settled this for less and on a happier customer basis way back, but threw bureaucracy at you instead. Big corporations are often rather arrogant places, so I'm glad to see they took a big loss for their behavior. So will these people all learn a lesson? Almost certainly not as long as they have puffed up ego executives and too many lawyers. Next vehicle - well after this one you may want to put a lot of research and emphasis on something with good reliability ratings.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

RR The thinking is, when you have a BMW that doesn't shake, leave it alone.

In the 80s I took two cars in for tire rotations....both times the tires wore out very soon afterwards.

I have not had tires rotated ever since. I would rather let the front ones wear out, replace them, and buy two new tires at a time instead of rotating them. I think the tires get used to wear they are, and they start to wear at a faster rate when they are rotated. But, that's just this layman's opinion.

At least you are honest about that being your "layman's opinion" because that statement makes no technical sense whatsoever.

Now will you stop eating that Denny's Bourbon Chicken?

jmonroe

Makes no technical sense but it works for me. Like I said, as soon as I did a tire rotation my tires wore out with flat spots and uneven wear, twice. If I leave them put the fronts go first and I replace them with new tires. At the time I could afford replacing 2 tires instead of 4 a lot better anyways.

I have a friend who does know a lot about cars, and he came to the same conclusion completely independent of my experience.

The experts sometimes think what seems to make sense technically is the best solution, this time the novice is the one who knows better.

Comes from eating a low fat high protein diet.

OK, if you say so but I'm still going to do the standard rotation thing at around 5K miles on the Subie. On the Genny, I can't do standard. Just side to side because of the different tire sizes front and rear. While I don't like that it could be worse, like having different sizes AND directional rotation tires. :@

jmonroe

Haven't you been through one tire on the Subie already and decided to buy two? That was probably about 5000 miles ago, right after the rotation.

No I bought all 4.

About 2 months ago I had 2 tires on the Subie fail PA state inspection due to being just under the allowable tread limit. Those 2 tires got an adjustment because they did not provide the stated wear. Firestone eventually gave me a very good adjustment on the other 2 that had, in their opinion, about 2K miles of tread left.

Initially, they didn't want to do any early adjustment on the 2 tires that still had allowable tread before they would fail inspection, until I said I could buy all 4 at the inspection garage for less than what they would have sold 4 of them to me, 2 of which would have had the adjustment. I didn't want to buy only the 2 that got the adjustment for premature wear, then go back and get 2 more in a few months when the other 2 were officially worn out. Since they didn't want to lose the sale, they gave me an early adjustment on the other 2 tires and with that I got a deal on 4 tires that was too good to pass up.

I doubt that the way that car is driven I will have 5K miles on it in 10 more months but they said they would do another tire balance and rotation if I wanted to bring it in then. I bought the lifetime balance so why not take advantage of it and since I bought the lifetime alignment years ago for the Subie that will be done too.

All I have to do is check all 20 lug nuts before I leave the lot after they do their work.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

I've got some good news to report.  I took delivery of my 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD his evening!  I love everything about it! 

nyccarguy

stickguy

looks sharp on this thread too!

Nice to see a "happy" front end too Way too many angry bird faces on cars these days.

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

I've got some good news to report.  I took delivery of my 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD his evening!  I love everything about it! 

Oh Yeah.....very nice! Congrats!