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When you pay more for a GM and loose the value faster, I hardly think GM products contribute to a positive effect on the CPI. In fact, Hyundai probably is the best example on the steeper gain in quality contributing to higher sales, greater balance to the value proposition for customer and corporate and is a wake-up call to the competition. Audi comes to mind in the premium segment.
Games are just that. At the need of the day, they lead to failure. AFAIC, GM has NOT learned their very recent lesson!
Regards,
OW
I own two and I'm not really. They drive nice, but as they age they have their share of problems just as other brands I've owned. In fact, you seldom hear of AC problems these days except Honda. I think they are overpriced now that I've had them for awhile and the blogs seem to indicate a greater number of problems with more recent models which gives me further pause in buying another one.
I agree that Hyundai has made some impressive gains, but I think Korean govt money has been helping them a lot, plus Korea is extremely protective against import competition giving Hyundai another boost. If you don't like GM because of govt money, then Hyundai really doesn't seem any different to me.
Audi has certainly come a long way and seems to have fewer problems than their sibling VW, but Audi costs a pretty penny and isn't really a Honda or Hyundai competitor. I think Audi puts Cadillac to shame though.
I'm going to support circlew here. Yes he can be tough on GM, but let's look at slogans:
BMW - The Ultimate Driving Machine - do we believe this? Well it's certainly pretty close for a mainstream brand, right?
Audi (from their web site) - Audi is a manufacturer of exquisite cars - attractive, sophisticated, and technically perfect - Well this seems more true than not. Perhaps not technically perfect, perhaps not all exquisite - but more true than not.
Ford - at fordvehicles.com "We're leading by example" - I'd agree with that.
Mazda - zoom zoom - does that mean anything? I know that the Mazda 3 and 6 are sportier driving than most of their competitors. Seems to me this is a pretty accurate statement of where Mazda products are in the market.
GM - "We build the best cars in the world" - generally true? SERIOUSLY? REALLY? Perhaps where they want to be. Not EVEN close to where they actually are.
“Every time someone uses ‘Chevy’ rather than Chevrolet,” the note said, the employee is expected to put a quarter in the can."
Gotta pay back the loans somehow right? :P
Wow, I didn't know Ariens built a snowblower that could withstand a direct hit by a 50 megaton nuclear warhead.
The A8 is about the only Audi I'd consider as the rest of their lineup is too small. Still, the maintenance and repair costs of a Teutonic tank greatly frighten me. I'd much rather stay with my Cadillacs which have been super-reliable. I'm on my 5th Cadillac and still have my 1989 Brougham. I really have no need to look elsewhere.
I think you can throw in Audi/VW into that mix with the great new TDI drivetrains and vehicles (if only diesel didn't cost as much as Premium!)
No I can't, I intentionally left them out. The only thing Audi is improving lately is its own profit margin with the surging prices on its cars. As for VW, they are warming over everything they supposedly redesign, and have been for a few years. The TDI is the only thing they are doing that is different, and they have owned the tiny tiny diesel market for years and years now. So that's not new, although their urea-free TDI is worth noting.
For my next car I will be giving Honda a nod just because of the hybrids (I will be looking for a commuter that's very frugal on gas), but if that doesn't pan out I will likely be buying my first new Ford ever. Everything they are doing now is impressive, including the decision to dump the ridiculous Mercury division.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I drove and rode in a new Fiesta at a test drive event Ford put on at the Ford Nationals in Carlisle PA last weekend. Seemed like a nice little car. Not something that I personally would go for, but it looks like they're putting some serious effort into it. I was also impressed that I could fit fairly comfortably up front! Granted, you couldn't get anything bigger than a case of beer in the seat behind me, but many little cars don't even get the front seat right, let alone the back.
The only thing I really didn't like about the car was the steering. I guess these things have electric steering? It just seemed like it had a dead spot in the center, sort of like the bumper cars at an amusement park.
Good chance? How about 100% certain and INEVITABLE that GM will fail again?
A lot of smart people over the years have repeated the line "History will repeat itself unless we learn from it." It seems to be a truism that I believe in.
I think Chrysler proved it with the fact that they are on their SECOND bailout within many people's same lifetime here. Since Chrysler failed, and then inevitably failed again, those who predicted failure were proven right.
Will history repeat itself with GM? Undoubtedly the answer is yes. History repeats itself since it's clear we learned nothing from Chrysler's multiple failures and bailouts the first time around.
Have you ever had to tow any of your Hondas? Because there's problems (like JD Powers problems like brake dust???? :sick:) , and then, there's real problems (like CR will report on engine failures) that would cause one to have to tow their vehicle or spend lots of money.
By the way, the only AC failure I've had in my lifetime that wasn't paid for by the manufacturer (including all my parents' vehicles) is the one sole Dodge we've all owned, which happened to be my mistake towards the end of the 20th Century.
1. The main source of the changes are due to fuel economy.
2. Due to harder tires that remain very flat, I think there has been a substantial reduction in caster.
3. A reduction in caster reduces steering effort overall, but also reduces the tendency for a car to "straighten out".
4. The hard rubber also contributes to this because the tires probably side-slip more.
5. I found an empty road and while rolling, I turned off the ignition and tried the steering. It was not very heavy.
6. On front drive cars, you still want to have power steering because it reduces torque steer.
"That's all folks." Next time I post something on this subject, it will be longer, duller, more technical, and will help you get to sleep.
You also forget that they have the best state of the art dual clutch auto-manual transmission out there since 2005 with the new '06 models. Honda doesn't have one yet. Mitsubishi's got one for their Evolution. I think Porsche just released one although they probably had Audi/VW's help developing it.
Even BMW I think is just starting to come to their senses in developing a useable dual clutch system.
Honda should be making 300 HP V6's that get 30 MPG right now. They are falliing a bit short. However, back in 2003 they were a peerless leader in V6 drivetrains.
Bye-bye, indeed, Miss American Pie. If General Motors has its way, you won't be driving your Chevy to the levee ever again.
On Tuesday, GM sent a memo to Chevrolet employees at its headquarters, promoting the importance of "consistency" for the brand, which was the nation's best-selling line of cars and trucks for more than half a century after World War II.
And one way to present a consistent brand message, the memo suggested, is to stop saying, "Chevy," though the word is one of the world's best-known, longest-lived product nicknames.
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/1148/auto01/GM-proposes-leavi- - ng-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#ixzz0qT60RMtN
That's it, GM, keep focusing on the right priorities.
Personally I'd rather seem them dump the GM name altogether.
I own two and I'm not really. They drive nice, but as they age they have their share of problems just as other brands I've owned. In fact, you seldom hear of AC problems these days except Honda. I think they are overpriced now that I've had them for awhile and the blogs seem to indicate a greater number of problems with more recent models which gives me further pause in buying another one.
I agree that Hyundai has made some impressive gains, but I think Korean govt money has been helping them a lot, plus Korea is extremely protective against import competition giving Hyundai another boost. If you don't like GM because of govt money, then Hyundai really doesn't seem any different to me.
I have a ’98 Accord with 182K miles (purchased in ’03 w/72K). It hasn’t been perfect and I’ve put more money into it than I expected but really expensive things like AC (still ice cold) and the tranny have been fine. Still solid, drives like a gem and gets 30+ MPG. It’s going to my daughter and my new ride is a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. Beautiful ride and I got it for $2,000-3,000 less than a Malibu which I considered. If the Korean gov’t helped get me that discount, good for them. The American government sure didn’t help get the price of the Malibu down to where I would have given it more attention.
GM's marketing and PR people are as clueless as ever, talk about surplus overhead.
That's no lie!
Actually, while the idea predates WWII, Porsche developed the first practical unit for their 956 race cars in the '80s. Audi sourced if from Porsche back in their rally days. Also, the first production car was a VW, not an Audi (yeah, same company as Audi). Porsche currently offers it as an option in several cars.
Honda sells one, but only for motorcycles.
Even BMW I think is just starting to come to their senses in developing a useable dual clutch system.
It's been an option in the M3 for a couple of years now.
Regards,
OW
Crap! :lemon:
Regards,
OW
May the Best Car Win. Hyundai.
Regards,
OW
I know, but I mentioned useable and workable dual clutch. The M3's system wasn't user friendly and "quality-comparable" until maybe just this year I've read of improvements.
The Equinox is a bit interesting. Although the reviewers compare it to CRV and the like, its dimensions are actually more like the Ford Edge and it seems significantly less expensive. The Edge seems a little pricey, but maybe that is to allow for incentives?
I'm guessing Hyundai will be raising prices down the road now that are are getting more recognized and accepted, so if there is a model you like you may want to jump in soon.
And the next thing you know: Coca-Cola will discourage people from saying Coke. :P
The politicians asked GM to stop destroying documents that could provide insight into investigations focused on GM's controversial commercial touting its repayment of $6.7 billion in federal loans, and other moves.
If you want to watch another outrage and travesty, just keep following the BP oil spill story. BP will never use ALL their assets to pay for the costs of that ongoing spill. Before they are forced to pay large amounts of money to those affected, you'll see BP transfer assets to a different division, be broken-up and sold, or declare some sort of bankruptcy. And our government will be "outraged"
GM currently produces the SRX at the Ramos Arizpe plant, which is located in the Mexican state of Coahuila. GM says that in the near future the SRX will also begin to be exported from the Mexican plant to European markets for the first time.
I've read that Ford is making a DSG of thier own with the new Fiesta.
Why dwell on all this negativity? After all, they DO make the best cars in the world!
Tiptronic is NOT DSG. Tiptronic was the auto-manual transmission that was innovative in the '90's but pretty common today - an auto with a manual shift mode. I know when I bought an Audi in 1998, it was available, and VW also offered it in the Passat at that time.
Tiptronic's are auto-manuals, mainly good for aesthetic reasons. They really don't offer a benefit other than enhanced control.
DSG's or (S-tronics) are manual-autos, mainly good for enthusiastic reasons. They enhance performance, and can enhance economy too.
How can you be 100% sure???
"..... I think Chrysler proved it with the fact that they are on their SECOND bailout within many people's same lifetime here."
Again, ignore the fact that while yes, their products lacked in quality, their REAL doing in this time around was precipitated by the Germans (Daimler)
Death to Dr. Z
there were direct-injection VW TDIs for years before Audi's 2006 models.
also, i recently decontented all the GM suspension parts out of my 2005 GTO, and recontented with aftermarket parts. WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!
And yes, the Fiesta also will come with an optional dual-clutch box, but oddly enough it will be automatic only (i.e. no paddle shifter option, at least at first).
AFAIR SMG on the BMW's is significantly less sophisticated than DSG isn't it? My friend gave me a ride in his SMG BMW about 6 years ago and I was unimpressed on how jerky it was.
I meant first turbocharged direct injected motor that doesn't include diesel.
That's what I meant, and the current M3 and Z4 both came out what, within the last 12 months? Fairly recently.
Dual Clutch was basically perfected in 2005 by Audi/VW. That's 5 years ago.
Or, just buy any other brand, besides Chrysler.
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Or, just buy any other brand, besides Chrysler.
I drive 2 GM vehicles and there are 5 in my immediate family. All
are and have been very reliable, including a 2000 Chevy Cavalier with
180,000 miles. I consider them great values for the transaction
price.
I must also say that I am very glad I own a Chevy pick-up truck and
not one of these:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_tacoma.html
I think the term "Rust Bucket" applies. I don't understand how these
trucks supposedly have high resale values. Before I buy a vehicle I
do some research, instead of just accepting the idea that if it is an
"Asian brand" it is a better vehicle. What it will be is a more expensive
vehicle, not necessarily better and possibly worse.
are and have been very reliable, including a 2000 Chevy Cavalier with
180,000 miles. I consider them great values for the transaction
price.
Hey Greg - do any of you also drive other makes, especially any foreign makes?
The reason I ask - if I were raised in a GM family or Ford family, and all I ever knew were those vehicles, I would probably be loyal to that brand.
However, if I had a variety of vehicles, then I could see how they vary. I could get a real perspective on what brand A does better than brand B, etc.
So I have no disagreement that you may have a Cavalier that has been very reliable. But of course there is more than reliability involved. Just sayin'.