GM News, New Models and Market Share

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  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,113
    here's a bunch of pics I took this past weekend at the GM Nationals in Carlisle, PA
  • greg128greg128 Member Posts: 546
    1999 Altima (which she and my stepdad still have, with 320,000+ miles on it),

    The newer 4 cl. cars will never make it to that. Most of them blow up between 80-110k miles. My brother bought a 2006 for his daughter with 80K and a month later had to pay $5 k for a new motor. It is a very common issue.
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    The newer 4 cl. cars will never make it to that. Most of them blow up between 80-110k miles.

    Care to show some data on that besides your own unfortunate experience? I've gotten 143K, 120K, and 125K on the 4 cyls I've owned. I suspect that most new 4 cyls will go an easy 150-200K if cared for.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,113
    Care to show some data on that besides your own unfortunate experience? I've gotten 143K, 120K, and 125K on the 4 cyls I've owned. I suspect that most new 4 cyls will go an easy 150-200K if cared for.

    Actually, that's not the first time I've heard that Nissans ain't quite what they used to be, when it comes to durability. Isn't there something in the valvetrain of the newer Nissan 2.5's that tends to come apart, gets down in the engine, and messes up the insides as it gets chewed up?

    I thought my Mom and stepdad's '99 Altima was going to be a piece of junk initially, because it needed a new transmission at 35,000 miles. But, they replaced it under warranty with no hassle, and I'd say at 320K+, the second one has more than redeemed itself.

    Now there 1991 Stanza wasn't such a great car. At around 90,000 miles, the transmission was getting weak, but they were able to make it to around 120,000 when they sold it. It needed exhaust work in that timeframe and a few other things, but can't remember what, now.

    I know someone with a 2003 Accord 4-cyl, who has around 158,000 on it, and his wife's Focus (2005 I think) is up to around 126,000 or so. I think my uncle's '03 Corolla is up to around 200,000.

    Heck, even back in the day, I had a friend with an '85 Cavalier 4-cy that made it to around 110-120,000, and the engine was still okay. It had some electrical issue and refused to start, and was pretty much worthless by that time, so he just junked it. Replaced it with his parents' 1987 or so Toyota (can't remember now if it was a Corolla or Tercel) and it sludged up, long before "sludge" became a popular word. Last time I saw him, he had a brand-new red 1995 Trans Am, but I lost touch with him after that, so I don't know how it held up.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,050
    I agree, very nice! But then I'm an old, nostalgic softy.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,050
    I got 108K on my 4-cyl. '90 Corsica, 129.6K on my '97 Cavalier, and 112K on my '02 Cavalier. All were 5-speeds, and all ran well at the time of trade-in. Never had the oft-reported intake manifold gasket issue on any of them.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • greg128greg128 Member Posts: 546
    Care to show some data on that besides your own unfortunate experience? I've gotten 143K, 120K, and 125K on the 4 cyls I've owned. I suspect that most new 4 cyls will go an easy 150-200K if cared for. i

    I was talking specifically about late model Nissan 4 cyl. engines. There is alot of internet evidence besides my own anecdotal experience with my brohter's 2006 Altima and my observation of a 2.5 Nissan motor with a hole in the block at a auto repair business that I did work for.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,113
    Never had the oft-reported intake manifold gasket issue on any of them.

    I thought that intake manifold was mainly an issue with the 2.8/3.1/3.4 and, to a lesser degree, certain years of non-supercharged Buick 3.8's? I'd always heard that the 4-cyl engines were relatively durable, just not all that refined.

    I had a coworker who had an Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan. I think it was around a 2000, but don't remember for sure. It was the 2nd-gen, non-dustbuster style. She had that intake issue, but I think it reared its head around 90-100,000 miles. I think that's the problem with the intake issue, it's sort of like those Ford "Essex" V-6es that often blew a head gasket around 90,000 miles, and pretty much ruined the engine. These things wouldn't happen when the car was still under warranty, but would rather wait until later on, often when the car was low-value enough that such a failure could total it! I'd almost be happier if the issue happened earlier on, when it would be covered under warranty. Provided the warranty fix actually FIXED the problem, and didn't just push it out a bit, so it occurred again in a few years.
  • greg128greg128 Member Posts: 546
    edited June 2011
    My wife has a 2008 Saturn Aura XR 3.6. It is a great car. This would have been its replacement.

    needless to say I am disappointed
    <img src="http://i56.tinypic.com/110brl1.jpg"
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,113
    I actually liked the Saturn Aura better than the Malibu. Back in late 2009 when my Intrepid got totaled and I needed a replacement, the Aura was on my list of cars to consider. Admittedly though, my list was all over the map...Aura, Bonneville, another Intrepid or Concorde, Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, Altima, Aurora. I even entertained the idea of an Impala with the 5.3 V-8! Ultimately though, it was just luck that I found the low-mileage 2000 Park Ave Ultra I ended up buying at a local Cadillac/Buick/GMC dealership.

    That concept you posted above looks really attractive. Makes me think a bit of an Olds Aurora, with a Saturn front-end.
  • greg128greg128 Member Posts: 546
    edited June 2011
    interior:

    image
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I count 45 buttons, and I can't see the passenger door. Seems like a bit much.

    Then again, my keyboard has 110 keys, and I use most of them.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,700
    Yeah too many buttons, and this is coming from a German car person :shades:

    I don't care for the faddy under dash lighting either.

    Seats look interesting though.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Yeah, and looks like the cockpit isn't cramped either. Console down by the thigh area isn't too intrusive nor are the door handles sticking out where they'd bump your knees.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,700
    Door handle placement and style is very Mercedes, although I am sure others do it like that too.
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    I was talking specifically about late model Nissan 4 cyl. engines. There is alot of internet evidence besides my own anecdotal experience with my brohter's 2006 Altima and my observation of a 2.5 Nissan motor with a hole in the block at a auto repair business that I did work for.

    OK, sorry, did not realize you are confining the discussion to Nissans. I just don't have any experience in that area; too bad if true, though.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,050
    I have a friend in Indianapolis who buys and sells cars for a living. He showed me a few years back where to look for pools of coolant sitting near the spark plugs, as a sign of a problem with the manifold gaskets. I'd look but never saw this on my car(s).
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Manifold gaskets blew on my Dad's 1988 FWB and my 1994 Suburban. Both around the 50K mark.

    Nice!

    Regards,
    OW
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Nice video and nice to see you here again, rocky!
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    My BIL had a black 1997 Altima he used as a hooptie that he managed to get 215K miles out of.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    image

    I wonder if any of those buttons launch a robot homing pigeon or activate dual horizontal circular saw blades?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Okay, I give - that's a pic of ?

    Now if they'll just come up with a dual Japanese saw blade that'll still make smooth thin cuts we'll be in business.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    That's the steering wheel hub of Speed Racer's Mach 5.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,113
    here's a demonstration of the Mach 5's buttons. I thought there was a button that would dispense martinis as well? Or was that Dean Martin's sex wagon in "The Silencers"? :P
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    That's the steering wheel hub of Speed Racer's Mach 5.
    I believe that the original Japanese version has actual proper things written there in Kanji and that the U.S. version just put letters there as it wouldn't fit otherwise.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    edited June 2011
    Time for the "reality bites" segment for the Chevy Volt Project. Pure Imagination indeed!

    Whenever somebody congratulates Volt for winning multiple car of the year awards, they should remind themselves that those same award-giving bodies passed over the original Prius hybrid in 2001 in favor of the PT Cruiser. Toyota has gone on to sell two million Priuses, the most revolutionary car of the last 75 years; the Cruiser, a novelty car with no technological pretensions, has since gone out of production.

    The latest to fall victim to this tunnel vision is the New York Times, which kicked off its new Sunday Review section with a favorable review of the Volt and a big pat on the back for GM (GM, Fortune 500).

    Even a Volt enthusiast like former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz admits that Toyota is probably making a profit on Prius, while GM loses money on every Volt and is unlikely ever to recover a penny of its estimated $1 billion development cost.


    Reminds me of the $18B that will remain unpaid to the U.S. taxpayers.

    But on a straight-up comparison of functionality versus price, it is hard to understand the adulation surrounding the Volt. GM has only managed to sell 2,184 since introduction, while Toyota moved nearly 7,000 Priuses in May alone

    Regards,
    OW
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Ah, I failed another pop culture quiz. Now (thanks to Andre's link), I get your circular saw reference.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    That's the steering wheel hub of Speed Racer's Mach 5.

    Just change a few of the letters and it's the steering wheel hub of a 58 Edsel...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • iwant12iwant12 Member Posts: 269
    You gotta admitt, the Mach 5's a good looking ride!
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    edited June 2011
    Nice reading some of you old timers posts....Glad you guys liked the GM video! :) I'm doing fine and am waiting for a call from General Motors on employment. I was sent a letter about 3 weeks back that once they start calling people I would be contacted for a drug screen and physical since I past all of the tests! :blush: I'm trying to not get too excited yet until they give me an actual call but it's very hard not to ya know? :shades:

    I still have my 2000 Grand Prix GTP which has I believe 46 or 47K on the odometer. I'm thinking about selling it and buying a new Cruze but might wait and see if GM builds the diesel version ;) 53 mpg hwy is pretty impressive!

    -Rocky
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Awesome, Rocky! I hope you get that GM position! Then we can have an insider's perspective on this forum.

    As for me, I was just at the Carlisle All-GM Nationals with my 1989 Cadillac Brougham - still looking and running excellent after 22+ years! We also still have the 2007 Cadillac DTS Performance, my wife's 2005 Buick LaCrosse, and the black sheep of the fleet - a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis LS.
  • jae5jae5 Member Posts: 1,206
    Great Rocky.

    Hope things go good for you and they call you back. How's the family?
  • dave8697dave8697 Member Posts: 1,498
    2200 vs 6500 sales? How does that compare to the US average for 23k cars vs 40k cars? Probably normal.

    The gov bailed out GM because the unions gave Obama money and votes. No sense crying about it. The NYT loves Obama so they are naturally expected to pump up his pet company. Lucky me, I am at war with Obama but he likes the company that made 5 of the 6 cars I own.

    Why at war? Just since january, the dollar has lost 3%. Remember under Bush when I got 5% in a CD and the dollar held it's ground? I'd be up 2.5% in 6 months if that was still the case.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    I'm not crying that GM was bailed out. It just is funny how bailouts are now the best things since the Depression.

    Watch and learn form BofA. The banks can't just eliminate bad loans. GM is in the same park only in autos. The UAW is alive and well. Let's see if they can compete.

    Love my Optima, BTW.

    Regards,
    OW
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,700
    Nice car, made by a company which has received massive bailout monies...
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,700
    edited June 2011
    I remember an insane unsustainable housing-driven economic mirage bubble that burst and left us all covered in manure.

    Nations that are collectively kicking our butts wouldn't have let industry decay so much to begin with.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited June 2011
    Love my Optima, BTW.

    Regards,
    OW


    Hey, man, do you have pics of yer Kia Optima for us all ta gander at? Congratulations...you've finally bought a real car! Whoo-hoo! And the new world order Optima is one awesome car, yes it is.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    edited June 2011
    lemko & jae5,

    Thanks guys, I appreciate it....My kids are doing fine....I am still fighting the corrupt system in Texas, and my new lawyer quit my case after a month and a half and is going to a new firm so I'm having to start over. I know I know I have the absolute worst luck!

    Lemko that is good to hear....If GM calls me I'm probably going to sell my Grand Prix GTP and get a new Chevy Cruze Diesel....The more research I do on this already manufactured model in Australia the more I'm falling in love....I told gagrice, who is a huge fan of diesels about this. He is glad to hear diesels being a good alternative and it truly is long over due! ;)

    http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/02/chevy-cruze-diesel-coming-to-america-- - next-year.html

    They should put the twin-turbo 2.0-liter CDTi Ecotec motor making 190-hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque that is used in the Opel Insignia.....It would probably still get close to 50 mpg hwy....

    -Rocky

    P.S. Hope all my edmunds friends have a happy and safe 4th! :)

    http://www.facebook.com/rbellenger if you got a page your welcome to send me a friends request....I'm always posting car related stuff and "liked" edmunds.com 's FB page! ;)
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited July 2011
    hey, man, how are ya? Wow! I thought you'd fallen in and couldn't get up! Hey, man, I now live in Kellogg, ID. Does that little mountain hamlet ring any bells with you? It is the home of Dave Smith Motors, the world's best-selling Chrysler dealer. And they are looking for salespeople if you would sell Chrysler's and GM's. They are also the Pacific NW's best-selling GM dealer. They are offering new salespeople $50,000 a year on up to $100,000 possible a year, in their first year! Their system is internet-driven and it is proven. I have no reason to doubt them about this, frankly. Their success solidifies their business case. They recently tore down the Riva Movie Theater to make room for their new service center and the place looks great now...it did before but it looks so much better now. Way better. I have put a call in and got a call back. It was Eric Smith, one of the Smith Brothers running the place. He told me to call in and talk to one of the 4 people there starting new salespeople.

    I am looking for more hours in the medical profession and am waiting on two RT jobs to call me back, I'm currently working a Cardio-Rehab RT job right now but need to get more hours. I am starting to wonder if I might want to sell Chrysler's. I love the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and I like the new Durango and the Dodge Challenger and the Chrysler 300, I tolerate the 200 but after learning more about it could learn ta love it. There's this strange greenback form of trading that's motivating me that direction. Dave Smith Motors is an easy walk down the hill from our house here in Kellogg.

    And the compact Dodge Caliber is being rebuilt and plopped on an Alfa Romeo chassis. Dodge is going to run it off the line at their Belvidere, IL, assembly plant. I can't wait to see (and drive, of course) that car.

    Anyhoo-good ta see ya on here, the car business might be calling iluv for a way ta make a living, even, Dave Smith wants an organized person and an honest person, and they say if this is you "they are looking for people like you to sell cars for them" or words to that effect. I asked Eric Smith about the process and he said it is mostly learned on the job and they "show you some videos, too." Might that be me?

    Is Idaho too far towards the left coast fer ya, rockford? Man, what a trip ta see ya on here again, rock. Ya wanna fly ta the Left Coast and sell Chrysler's and GM's wid me? :shades:

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    Is it just my imagination, or are most of GM's better cars the ones designed overseas?

    Regal/Cruze/G8/etc.

    Just think that's interesting. What happened to competent designers in the U.S.?
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,050
    Got a question about your Optima....

    Honestly.

    I saw one in Mechanicsburg, PA, this past week. It had a piece of chrome trim starting above the front of the rear door and going back. I assumed that something caused the same molding over the front door to have broken off.

    I then went to the other side of the car, and it was the same way.

    I have never noticed an odder piece of trim on a car. Is yours that trim level?
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Not my money.

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    GM was covered in manure for 40 years...OK UG, 30 years!

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Need to lay a few coats of Mother's today and then I'll post pics.

    Stay tuned!

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    No. The SX is my trim level, the one withe the GDI-T producing 274/269 and delivering an average 26 MPG. It has the chrome from all across both sides from front to back.

    I'll post pics to show you but here is a stock pic.

    image

    Regards,
    OW
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,050
    I'm assuming those are wheels, but they look as thin as a potato chip!
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,735
    >What happened to competent designers in the U.S.?

    They all got new jobs designing those Kia Optimas.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,735
    edited July 2011
    Are those wheels or wheel covers? Those are awful.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    edited July 2011
    It's sort of a new trend in wheel design, wild aspect ratios that make the wheels look either really, really chunky and heavy looking or have such wide webs, they look thin and flimsy... VW did a similar thing with the GTi

    image

    My guess is they help reduce drag.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 17,050
    I preface this remark with the statement that GM and even Benz have done this as well in the past, but Kia has managed to make a wheel look like a plastic wheel cover.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
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