Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
General Motors discussions
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
It's going to happen, if GM doesn't come to the rescue like they are obligated via contract. GM put Delphi in a bad spot when they spun em' off. Delphi's management unfortunatley has "let's build it overseas" but charge a arm and a leg still :confuse:
Rocky
Rocky
Interesting statistic- about 75% of all licensed drivers in the U.S. own a car- in China, the figure is 5%! So as China and other countries become more industrialized and prosperous (as they supply the richer countries with manufactured articles of every sort), they will buy more cars and buy more of the world supply of oil. I really think that the trends are there- smaller cars, not as many power boats, smaller and more energy efficient houses- it will take a while but the U.S. has been drunk on cheap energy for a long while- the "hangover" won't be fun, and GM and Ford may be one of many companies that won't make it.
Exactly. I don't make the median, but I live in an area with very low cost of living. There are plenty of positions across the country that i am qualified for, and I could make a lot more money, but I like it here. If I needed a job, I could pack up and go anywhere.
Furthermore, I would never complain about a level playing feild. There is no such thing. The sooner you realize and accept this, the sooner you are able to react and compete.
How is that data gather? I mean, is it from surveys sent to current engineers, if so what are the level of the engineers (senior, VP, President) company HR departments, retired engineers, length of service as an engineer, type of engineer?
The point I'm getting at is if the data is only taken from a small section of engineers, say senior-level with many years in, that are making big-bucks, then you're going to have a high median. I know very few engineers that are making anywhere near $70 - $90K.
Don't think GM's in a position to rescue Delphi; shoot they can't rescue themselves from themselves
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
Per the article.
I would say that 70-90K median is very normal. I had 23 years, masters and certified in Michigan and would not accept a position for under $100k. Not that I have been looking but I know when I left GM I was not overpaid for my experience and duties AND friends were leaving for more money at other companies. (Nissan, toyota, suppliers, also outside of automotive). I read recently that starting engineers out of college are getting over $50k US wide.
I'm devistated at the latest news I heard today from dad. They within' 2 years are closing the Delphi Coopersville Plant. (Fuel Injectors) This plant has always been GM/Delphi's most profitable plants and they are closing the doors. The plant was built in the early 80's so it's semi modern when compared to others. My dad sounded depress, because many of his friends will either move or lose their jobs.
Lemko, dad says exactly what you've said over the past 6 months and fears the worst is yet to come. He also feels the Chinese will own our country and the ego's by some americans is we can tell them to just get out. :confuse: We can but it won't be without a expense of another war against them wanting their billions worth of investments. The crooked CEO's and politcians will then ask the common man to fight the war they created. :mad:
The United States of America is going to end up a 3rd world nation, and it seems everyone else has the blinders on besides the union people. What is it ? The news is really that harsh for the common person to accept ?????
I think their is alot of turning the other cheeks going on :sick: Maybe that's the best approach nowdays.
Rocky
Rocky
GM is not paying $40k for almost anybody. 4th level secretarys make $40k. BUT there are not many left. Secretary's are pretty much a thing of the past except for a few who support the unclassifieds and they do the unclassified and the entire department and are often shared AND they have been around a long time. Many of the "administrative assistants" are contract.
But back to the data. This is Government data and I doubt they are BS. And the question stillis will the new styling save GM.
Your answer: Not if they continue to lose in the gadgetology, technology, areas.
BTW- If those engineers make so much darn money, then why are there so many opening everywhere $30-40K a yr ?
Rocky
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?nvjtl=%5eJN004%24&IP- ath=JRKG&sc_cmp1=js_navg_nvjtl&lr=cbga_ted&excrit=QID%3dA6653202755581%3bst%3dA%- 3buse%3dALL%3brawWords%3dengineer%3bTID%3d144282%3bCTY%3dDETROIT%3bSID%3dMI%3bCI- D%3dUS%3bENR%3dYES%3bDTP%3dDR3%3bYDI%3dYES%3bIND%3dALL%3bPDQ%3dAll%3bJN%3dAll%3b- PAYL%3d0%3bPAYH%3dgt120%3bPOY%3dNO%3bETD%3dJTFT%3bETD%3dJTPT%3bETD%3dJTCT%3bETD%- 3dJTIN%3bRE%3dALL%3bMGT%3dDC%3bSUP%3dDC%3bFRE%3d30%3bCHL%3dAL%3bQS%3dSID_GATED00- 3%3bSS%3dNO%3bTITL%3d0%3bJQT%3dRAD
My uncle, who retired from GM several years ago, had a "title" of engineer, but was not a degreed engineer. He didn't even have an Associates degree. Perhaps this is where you're getting your lower salary range data. Some companies tend to use the word engineer a bit too loosely in my opinion. Technician would probably be a more appropriate title.
I can assure you that engineering is one of the highest paid disciplines in this country. Look at the annual reports of recent college grad's starting salaries - the engineering disciplines, most typically chemical engineering, lead all of the other disciplines.
And, don't downgrade engineers from other countries, or their education or training either. Some of the brightest engineers I've ever worked with were from Asia. For example, ask any of your computer/software engineer friends about the competency of Indian software engineers!
Rocky
http://www.buick.com/
Rocky
They corrected their website so you can actually get some good pics. Check out the Enclave on the Buick link above. Trust me it's worth your time.
Rocky
BTW- The Tiger edition (Lucerne CXS) has real walnut wood.
Lemko you found your new ride.
Rocky
Rocky
All these lines on my face gettin’ clearer
The past is gone
It went by like dust to dawn
Isn’t that the way
Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay
I know what nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it’s everybody’s sin
You got to lose to know how to win
Half my life is in books’ written pages
Live and learn from fools and from sages
You know it’s true
All the things come back to you
Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears
Sing with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away
(x2)
Dream on, dream on
Dream yourself a dream come true
Dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on...
Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tears
Sing with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away
-Buick's official Song
Rocky
Rocky
In an effort to get the younger customer, they make fun of those older than you buying the product, or was this in some way saying their product was old and stodgy, or what??? What the heck did it mean at the time. The hot cars, in rear wheel drive, as in the best Cutlass Supreme cars, which included the 442 and Hurst editions was gone. So what great car replaced them? Mechanics rated the Supreme as a most reliable car. After they went FWD, and tried their hand at new, and ever cheaper cars, Japan makes took over the title of reliable and value packed autos.
I do see some Lucernes around town, which is unusual being a GM automobile. Mostly SUV domestic and foreign in cars along the California coastline. Looks alright, nothing earth shaking. The 3.8 V6 in this car proves that the Buick owner may indeed not care about the drivetrain at all. Personally, I don't see how the car is that much better than say a Camry, which has a lot more HP for less money. I assume better resale too. But the interior is well done on the Lucerne, as is the outside and pretty clean style. Something that may last over the years - basic and smooth. Headlight look a bit large. But what the heck do I know, as I would buy the Altima anyway.
-Loren
You are so funny. :lemon:
Rocky
The 455 might of been quick, but it's no match for the 4.0 Northstar when it comes to engineering.
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
:sick:
Rocky
Rocky
I miss his insights.
Rocky
The center city has done little to really bring in other paying jobs so this will indeed be a great blow. The leaders have spent their decades being political in their favors and their efforts given; they are now reaping loss of real jobs. They have lost manufacturing jobs through the years and bragged when they replaced them with McD level jobs at about a 1 for 4 lost ratio. Mead WestVaco just took several hundred jobs out of the center city.
The near suburbs had a great income producers for property taxes for their schools land earnings taxes for their city operations. That is changing. We'll see how they manage.
They have even formed a pact to share earnings taxes from the remaining plants among all 5 cities affected-no matter which plants ended up closing and they will share earnings taxes from any replacement plant operations that end up in the buildings. Nice subsidy for a center city Dayton that has done little to help itself through the years other than serve as a social reform test bed for political buddies as people and real jobs leave its area.
There are GM plants left in the area.
What goes around comes around.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Yes, Rocky; tourist give the new Buicks a reason to live.
Ironically - my father's most ardent car goal, was to own an Oldsmobile. Finally, in 1962, he bought one. An F-85 Cutlass. First car with Air Conditioning & Vinyl seats. Unfortunately, it was the worst car he ever owned, and he hurried back to Ford in 1966.
For some reason I get the impression you just talk about the 3800 and have never driven a car with one. The Lucerne with a 3800 gets somewhere well enough; most people don't want a car with a high advertised horsepower rating, they want a car that has torque and drives well in normal driving.
> But the interior is well done on the Lucerne, as is the outside and pretty clean style. Something that may last over the years - basic and smooth. Headlight look a bit large.
I do gotta agree with you there. Shouldn't be called outstanding-their goal was to blend in with the foreign cars that people have said they should emulate. There's a pleasant look. I often have to look twice when I see one to be sure it's not a Toyota. The headlight large comment probably should be relative compared to the Toyota headlight and taillight look and some foreign cars' headlight's look. I think they're fine.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
And once again, we see why GM (and Ford, for that matter, but to a lesser degree) are so broken. No longer the leader in anything, GM is now emulating Toyota. Isn't that wonderful. That's leadership. That's why they will not survive. And if Ford didn't lead with the F-150 & Mustang, they'd be just as bad, and would die just as quickly. It's over for Buick, if they don't take some leadership like Cadillac.
Do the parts manufacturers have many options? As mentioned, there are many auto parts manufacturers paying $8-$12 per hour throughout the USA and these companies are currently profitable. I have also learned that there are profitable factories within Delphi paying $25 per hour. That is great, the more money people can make in any honest and hardworking manner, the better. I hope Delphi and the UAW reach a middle ground and keep going.
Auto parts companies also have the aftermarket option. This is currently being challenged by warehouses full of imported aftermarket parts. As one example, non-branded auto tranny filters made in Taiwan and sold by AutoZone (owned by that billionaire investment guy) versus Purolator filters made in the USA and sold by Pep Boys. Both products are $15 retail. I returned the AutoZone part and purchased the Pep Boys product.
So if auto part companies can sell branded and premium grade (higher quality) aftermarket products to DIY and repair shops, they can logically command a higher premium and make more money and maybe share some of that with the workers.
The Chinese with their determination and their position in the world's economy will definitely play a huge role in the future of the US automotive industry. They are already playing a crucial role in the automotive parts and accessories sector.
So, would you consider buying a Chinese made car or GM? This kind of comparison was never thought possible 2 years ago.
The 3.8V6 when running is not a bad engine I suppose. If people want to pay top dollar for a just OK engine in a modern car, then fine by me. But I would expect a large discount.
-Loren
Advance Auto said their trans filters are Purolators without the name. I wonder if that's true of other products in their stores--they're US made.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The former leader of the industry now, is the ultimate follower, and following way behind.
I wonder who BMW is trying to emulate these days????? Oddly enough - they don't seem to need to follow anybody, they can come up with ideas on their own. :confuse:
I've noticed that the LaCrosse seems to be following the sales path of the late, unlamented Olds Intrigue - sales were fair the first year, but now they are already starting to falter.
With the LaCrosse, the problem is right across the showroom floor. The Lucerne's prices overlap those of the LaCrosse to a fair degree, and the car is roomier and considerably better-looking, too. Not a smart move by GM.