GM has always had a talent for making cars in Europe that I'd love to buy and making ones in the US that leave me cold. Been that way since Buick dealers stopped selling Opels.
If you like hatches, wagons or convertibles (check me for all three) GM doesn't want your business over here.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Sorry about the screwup on the link. I meant to quote the comment asking how many companies could survive a downturn of the magnitude of 17M sales/year down to 10M sales/year.
It's really a nice looking hatch. Plus I could get my OnStar Android App mojo on. If they'd just BRING THE FRIGGING THING HERE ALREADY!!!
I hadn't realized there was a Cruze hatch until I googled it, to see if anything would come up. It actually looks a lot better than I thought it would!
I don't buy trunks anymore. They annoy me.
One thing that annoys me about car trunks these days is that even if they're a decent size, often the opening itself is very tiny, thanks to rear windows that come almost to the back of the car, and short decklids.
One thing that annoys me about car trunks these days is that even if they're a decent size, often the opening itself is very tiny, thanks to rear windows that come almost to the back of the car, and short decklids.
Exactly. We're getting the look of the hatch but without the utility. I'll take the utility. I've swallowed stuff in my old Mazda3 and my Elantra Touring that made small SUVs cringe.
I'm still trying to figure GM out on this. I mean, we did get the Sonic. But everything else is a parade of trunks, some of which look like hatches. But no actual hatches?
Maybe people just don't buy GM hatches, because we've given up hope on GM and went to buy Fords and Mazdas? :shades:
life is a lot easier with liabilities removed. just don't let it go to your head and start wasting more money. I've always believed that the difference between one houshold that spends 110% of it's income and one that spends 90% of it's income is huge after 20 years. One is BK and the other has a secure retirement ahead. In the short run, though, the 110% spender is at a resort, living it up, and is behind on rent. Maybe GM will use the opportunity it was given wisely. Their success or failure will be multiplied ten fold in the surrounding economy.
Got an adv for Impala today in the mail. See that you only get 6 mos of Onstar now with a new Impala purchase.
My daughter's boyfriend bough a Cruze a few months ago. Very nice car.
She now reports that there was an engine problem (she can't provide details - just that it's enough that the car that he's paying $309 a month on is sitting at the dealer). Will report when I get a diagnosis.
She tells me he's in a rental. I ask about that and she says, "It's purple." That's seldom a good thing.
Man, they have to start nailing these new releases. Yeah, it's only one car at the moment but it's a concern.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Well, from the blogs it looks like the Equinox is having some teething problems too. You're right, they've got to get these vehicles out right from the gitgo if they want to win widespread custmer acceptance again. Also seems like Ford Focus and Fiesta have had some glitches. D3 isn't going to likely get another windfall like the tsunami and floods in the near future, so they can't afford to blow the opportunity. (Oh, and after reading you bought yourself a Toyota Solara convertible, I now understand why its been so wet out east this year!).
Ironically, I was looking through last months CR while at the library and the cruze was on the avoid list due to higher than normal reported issues. I think the focus was on that list too.
(Oh, and after reading you bought yourself a Toyota Solara convertible, I now understand why its been so wet out east this year!).
Ya know, I just bought the thing two weeks ago here in NJ figuring November is the time to get a deal on one (the fact that the used car manager of the dealership is a friend I met in here) and I've had several opportunities to drop the top so I'm happy. Supposed to have another such day Sunday.
Then it's all down hill.....
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I meant to quote the comment asking how many companies could survive a downturn of the magnitude of 17M sales/year down to 10M sales/year.
So you think business executives are ignorant of the facts that there have historically been business cycles thru the last century? Do you think that previous economical tumult was slow and announced? How did the auto manufacturers survive the Stock Market Crash of 1929? or the 2 oil-shocks of the 70's? Do you think executives are trained at Harvard and Wharton that there aren't business cycles and sudden changes to the political and economic world?
I'd hope the New GM has made plans to deal with the next shock which could start any given week, and again immediately drop business 20% or 30%. All it would take is a little more pessimism and inaction in Europe to plunge the whole economy into recession. Or it could be a series of "Flash Crashes" of the stock market, which finally makes the general public realize that Wall Street is running a casino - with the big boys and those with the fastest networks and computers having rigged the game. How about Israel deciding to take out Iran's nuclear program, and the oil-lanes of the Middle East become a war-zone? There are numerous things that can screw the economy.
So that is why I'm shocked when I read that these long-term labor obligations are still in place, and multi-thousand dollar bonuses are paid to each employee at the first signs of profit. The New GM should hold onto any $ it has after paying its bills, and save for the next rainy-day or flood.
So that is why I'm shocked when I read that these long-term labor obligations are still in place, and multi-thousand dollar bonuses are paid to each employee at the first signs of profit. The New GM should hold onto any $ it has after paying its bills, and save for the next rainy-day or flood.
Why? They apparently can successfully demand handouts if they run out of money, and if they make poor business decisions its not their responsibility to pay the price, but ours.
Welcome to the new too-big-to-fail economy. :shades:
That's similar to the Camaro launch. One of the things GM needs to work on.
As a comparison, the ' 11 Optima has been near perfect...a little rough on idle when cold but that's it in 5,000 miles so far.
The '08 CR-V is flawless @ 52K miles and so far, 4 oils changes and $250 maintenance costs for A/T and Rear Diff oil changes and air filter and cabin filter + $550 on new tires. One recall to re-flash the tranny module. That's 1.7 cents per mile.
The '10 CX-9 is flawless at 7K miles. One oil change so far.
At this point, comparing the CR-V mileage/age, the Yukon Denali had multiple issues....
Unfortunately, you're right! The power-brokers in the UAW, auto execs, and government will march out their experts, stating that the ONLY way we can survive is if the government comes to the rescue. They'll also state that there is no other way the auto factories can be kept running - supposedly no one would buy and run the factories, and there is no manufacturing labor other than the UAW who are looking for jobs and could work in the plants.
Aren't many of these the same idiots and morallyðically-criminal jokers we have in Congress, the Executive branch, and the Federal Reserve? If you personally have a financial problem that you're spending more than you make month after month, would you consider the solution is to spend more, and go deeper into depth? It hasn't worked since the 1st Bush stimulus 4 years ago, and it's only made the debt (problem) worse. So now the Federal Reserve has shot most of its bullets, the country is trillions deeper in debt, and the economy is going nowhere duing what should be a recovery. This IS the upside gentlemen. When the next shock, or downturn happens it is going to be really ugly.
So GM should be setting its operations such that they are running 100% utilization during this Boom-time, right now. They should size themselves and plan on normal being about 80% of the current.
In a few years the auto industry volume should increase more, so GM probably needs some excess capacity right now to preclude capital investment down the road. However, you are right that the BK was slanted to the unions too much at the expense of the bondholders, and as you mentioned GM's future operating margins.
If you think the too big to fail corporate bailouts were large, the latest musings I read from DC look like a near future bailout of underwater homeowners which could make those previous bailouts look small. I know some home owners were just at the wrong place and time, but many foolishly panicked into the market paying no attention to things like rent to mortgage ratio or just who was going to be able to pay these inflated prices down the road. Some even outright speculated. Investments can go or up or down, so I'm not too keen on bailing them out of bad decision making. But the realtors and bankers are making a big push this will solve the financial crisis (and probably drive our national debt and interest rates through the roof). There is too much focus on home ownership in our economy and tax code which has already been a prime contributor to two major financial meltdowns in the past few decades, but Uncle once again appears to want to reward foolish real estate behavior. But I suppose any government handouts (rewards) for this behavior might actually spark some car buying by freeing up some consumer cash which may help GM and others. Of course, it will probably also ignite inflation.
I'm pretty sure that comment about the Cruze was only about the non-turbo 1.8 used in the base model. Yes, the Focus made the list too. I honestly feel the differences are so minute about new cars that I wouldn't worry in the least about that. Good warranty, nice car, and built near me are all pluses. The Sonata had teething issues/recalls. I'm reminded of how it's fashionable to knock the Cobalt for what it was. I just took two Studebaker buddies on a trip to central PA for a swap meet and the one guy, who as a Studebaker guy has thought for decades that GM is the devil, commented how quiet my dirt-cheap Cobalt is at 70 mph and how completely smooth and quiet it is at idle...at 53K miles. He's the third or fourth guy to be surprised by that.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
I'm still trying to figure GM out on this. I mean, we did get the Sonic. But everything else is a parade of trunks, some of which look like hatches. But no actual hatches?
I'm a Chevy guy, but there isn't a strong enough word for how I hate the styling of the Sonic hatch. I'd take the sedan in...well, pick your own 'New York Minute' analogy.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
No pull on my car. The rough idle lasts a minute or 2 and then goes away. The other weak spot is the stock tires on the 18' rims are not that great as a performance tire.
Yeah, it does have all the styling of a delivery truck. Just think how good the MPGs would be if there were some actual aerodynamics in the design of the Sonic hatch?
They knew that if those two went down, Ford would have lots of trouble getting parts from their suppliers and it would have a big negative impact on their ability to pay back their debt.
I think a lot of that had to do with the fact they wanted good PR by saying, yeah sure, save GM and Chrysler, but also because it's kind of an incompetent brotherhood in Detroit sort of like a corrupt police department that never charges one of their own.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Recalls don't bother me nearly as much as issues I self-diagnose and have to decide to return to the dealer on my own for.
If I'm going to the dealer without a recall, it's because the car is failing somehow. With a recall, it is almost always just a precaution and preemptive action.
Now, if you keep coming out with new recalls every 3 or 4 months, that could be annoying.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
The answer on the boyfriend's Cruze is a valve spring so they have the whole engine apart. 3,900 miles on the car. The gave him a Mazda 6 as a loaner. Stay tuned.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
The answer on the boyfriend's Cruze is a valve spring so they have the whole engine apart. 3,900 miles on the car. The gave him a Mazda 6 as a loaner. Stay tuned.
Just came back from the LA auto show. I still say whoever decided to put decent interior in the Cruze deserves a big promotion. In general, all makes seem to look cheaper in their interiors - especially lots of hard dashes. Does it make me old fashioned to want a padded dash?
The new Regal is a nice looking car. The interior is pretty nice, too, but whoever picked that fake woodgrain should be shot. It ruined the otherwise nice interior.
Which engine is this? I probably missed it if an earlier post stated such.
What spring: "valve" spring. Is it actually a spring on the valve train? Or a spring on a valve? I have heard mention of springs on valves controlling the timing of the variable valve system being replaced? But it's a minor thing as to occurances.
The Cruze would likely be my first pick replacement if one of the cars got totalled today. A local dealer has 4 red ones that are LT1+ some options or LT2s.
I'm not a fan of leather inside, and I've seen some Cruzes with a nice cloth section on the right half of the instrument panel. I like that. It 'warms it up' a bit.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
GM just slowed production down, this is an opportunity for them to make improvements on quality control. They have a 70 day supply, so no rush right now. Also, no excuses.
I would if they made a Cruze hatchback. I refuse to subject myself to a sedan. I just figured I should check it out since I get an ACDelco supplier discount.
I like exhaust noise more, probably because MB engines are kind of clattery at normal speeds without the other noise. The fintail has a satisfying hum kind of like a prop plane at high (75+) speeds, probably because it has to be doing at least 3500rpm by then. In town, it's like having a sewing machine under the hood. The E55 however, big lazy lump, no engine noise at anything but warm idle - but the exhaust sensation is good, I've turned more than one head when I start it, as the noise is unexpected from a sedate looking car. It's like an old muscle car in that way.
Yeah the DI makes some noise, and so do some of the normal cars. Listen to an older MB V8 at idle - there's more than exhaust noise.
I am surprised the DI cars like that Regal haven't been encapsulated like a diesel. My old I6 W126 SE had two insulated firewalls, and you could barely hear that thing, sounded like a faint electric motor.
Comments
Most businesses could survive this. They wouldn't like it, but they would adapt. Certainly not go bankrupt:
Apple
IBM
ADM
Microsoft
Boeing
etc.
I don't buy trunks anymore. They annoy me.
If you like hatches, wagons or convertibles (check me for all three) GM doesn't want your business over here.
I hadn't realized there was a Cruze hatch until I googled it, to see if anything would come up. It actually looks a lot better than I thought it would!
I don't buy trunks anymore. They annoy me.
One thing that annoys me about car trunks these days is that even if they're a decent size, often the opening itself is very tiny, thanks to rear windows that come almost to the back of the car, and short decklids.
Exactly. We're getting the look of the hatch but without the utility. I'll take the utility. I've swallowed stuff in my old Mazda3 and my Elantra Touring that made small SUVs cringe.
I'm still trying to figure GM out on this. I mean, we did get the Sonic. But everything else is a parade of trunks, some of which look like hatches. But no actual hatches?
Maybe people just don't buy GM hatches, because we've given up hope on GM and went to buy Fords and Mazdas? :shades:
Got an adv for Impala today in the mail. See that you only get 6 mos of Onstar now with a new Impala purchase.
Maybe.
Regards,
OW
My daughter's boyfriend bough a Cruze a few months ago. Very nice car.
She now reports that there was an engine problem (she can't provide details - just that it's enough that the car that he's paying $309 a month on is sitting at the dealer). Will report when I get a diagnosis.
She tells me he's in a rental. I ask about that and she says, "It's purple." That's seldom a good thing.
Man, they have to start nailing these new releases. Yeah, it's only one car at the moment but it's a concern.
Ya know, I just bought the thing two weeks ago here in NJ figuring November is the time to get a deal on one (the fact that the used car manager of the dealership is a friend I met in here) and I've had several opportunities to drop the top so I'm happy. Supposed to have another such day Sunday.
Then it's all down hill.....
So you think business executives are ignorant of the facts that there have historically been business cycles thru the last century? Do you think that previous economical tumult was slow and announced? How did the auto manufacturers survive the Stock Market Crash of 1929? or the 2 oil-shocks of the 70's? Do you think executives are trained at Harvard and Wharton that there aren't business cycles and sudden changes to the political and economic world?
I'd hope the New GM has made plans to deal with the next shock which could start any given week, and again immediately drop business 20% or 30%. All it would take is a little more pessimism and inaction in Europe to plunge the whole economy into recession. Or it could be a series of "Flash Crashes" of the stock market, which finally makes the general public realize that Wall Street is running a casino - with the big boys and those with the fastest networks and computers having rigged the game. How about Israel deciding to take out Iran's nuclear program, and the oil-lanes of the Middle East become a war-zone? There are numerous things that can screw the economy.
So that is why I'm shocked when I read that these long-term labor obligations are still in place, and multi-thousand dollar bonuses are paid to each employee at the first signs of profit. The New GM should hold onto any $ it has after paying its bills, and save for the next rainy-day or flood.
Why? They apparently can successfully demand handouts if they run out of money, and if they make poor business decisions its not their responsibility to pay the price, but ours.
Welcome to the new too-big-to-fail economy. :shades:
As a comparison, the ' 11 Optima has been near perfect...a little rough on idle when cold but that's it in 5,000 miles so far.
The '08 CR-V is flawless @ 52K miles and so far, 4 oils changes and $250 maintenance costs for A/T and Rear Diff oil changes and air filter and cabin filter + $550 on new tires. One recall to re-flash the tranny module. That's 1.7 cents per mile.
The '10 CX-9 is flawless at 7K miles. One oil change so far.
At this point, comparing the CR-V mileage/age, the Yukon Denali had multiple issues....
Regards,
OW
Aren't many of these the same idiots and morallyðically-criminal jokers we have in Congress, the Executive branch, and the Federal Reserve? If you personally have a financial problem that you're spending more than you make month after month, would you consider the solution is to spend more, and go deeper into depth? It hasn't worked since the 1st Bush stimulus 4 years ago, and it's only made the debt (problem) worse. So now the Federal Reserve has shot most of its bullets, the country is trillions deeper in debt, and the economy is going nowhere duing what should be a recovery. This IS the upside gentlemen. When the next shock, or downturn happens it is going to be really ugly.
So GM should be setting its operations such that they are running 100% utilization during this Boom-time, right now. They should size themselves and plan on normal being about 80% of the current.
If you think the too big to fail corporate bailouts were large, the latest musings I read from DC look like a near future bailout of underwater homeowners which could make those previous bailouts look small. I know some home owners were just at the wrong place and time, but many foolishly panicked into the market paying no attention to things like rent to mortgage ratio or just who was going to be able to pay these inflated prices down the road. Some even outright speculated. Investments can go or up or down, so I'm not too keen on bailing them out of bad decision making. But the realtors and bankers are making a big push this will solve the financial crisis (and probably drive our national debt and interest rates through the roof). There is too much focus on home ownership in our economy and tax code which has already been a prime contributor to two major financial meltdowns in the past few decades, but Uncle once again appears to want to reward foolish real estate behavior. But I suppose any government handouts (rewards) for this behavior might actually spark some car buying by freeing up some consumer cash which may help GM and others. Of course, it will probably also ignite inflation.
I'm a Chevy guy, but there isn't a strong enough word for how I hate the styling of the Sonic hatch. I'd take the sedan in...well, pick your own 'New York Minute' analogy.
Other than that, the car has been great.
Regards,
OW
!!!!!.
Just like HoToys, other than a few major problems they are wonderful cars? Ehhhh? :P
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Almost as perfect as GM! :P
I think a lot of that had to do with the fact they wanted good PR by saying, yeah sure, save GM and Chrysler, but also because it's kind of an incompetent brotherhood in Detroit sort of like a corrupt police department that never charges one of their own.
If I'm going to the dealer without a recall, it's because the car is failing somehow. With a recall, it is almost always just a precaution and preemptive action.
Now, if you keep coming out with new recalls every 3 or 4 months, that could be annoying.
Just came back from the LA auto show. I still say whoever decided to put decent interior in the Cruze deserves a big promotion. In general, all makes seem to look cheaper in their interiors - especially lots of hard dashes. Does it make me old fashioned to want a padded dash?
The new Regal is a nice looking car. The interior is pretty nice, too, but whoever picked that fake woodgrain should be shot. It ruined the otherwise nice interior.
Which engine is this? I probably missed it if an earlier post stated such.
What spring: "valve" spring. Is it actually a spring on the valve train? Or a spring on a valve? I have heard mention of springs on valves controlling the timing of the variable valve system being replaced? But it's a minor thing as to occurances.
The Cruze would likely be my first pick replacement if one of the cars got totalled today. A local dealer has 4 red ones that are LT1+ some options or LT2s.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
GM just slowed production down, this is an opportunity for them to make improvements on quality control. They have a 70 day supply, so no rush right now. Also, no excuses.
Hopefully it's just v1.0 syndrome.
That's characteristic of Direct Injection. Pop the hood on just about any cold DI engine and you hear clatter.
IMHO, no. My 1991 Ford Escort had a padded dash.
Nowdays some cars several price levels higher lack it. I think it's the push for weight savings, or cost cutting, or both.
My Cobalt idles so smoothly and quietly you'd think it wasn't running. And that's whether cold or hot. I know, I know, not the conventional wisdom.
Funny how even a noise can annoy some people to death, others don't care or crank up the tunes.
The consumer has the bargaining power for any model in over-supply.
Rattles and clanging noises....make the vein on the side of my forehead bulge.
The DI Regal I rented made clattering sounds at startup that were worrisome to me, sounded like what I imagine an engine with no oil to resemble.
Some think my Miata's too quiet. The next model year Mazda piped some engine bay noise in to the cabin.
You mean the new DI engines? Or even before that tech came out?
DI clatter reminds me of diesels, though not as loud. Maybe the injectors themselves conduct noise to the outside of the engine bay?
Auto makers will just add insulation to the firewalls if enough people complain.
I am surprised the DI cars like that Regal haven't been encapsulated like a diesel. My old I6 W126 SE had two insulated firewalls, and you could barely hear that thing, sounded like a faint electric motor.