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LOL, lemko, thanks. And I've been called 'crazy' here.
All the manufacturers do this.
Still haven't seen a new Chevy "SS" for sale though.
The Chevy SS is coming late next year. Unless you want the NASCAR version, in which case it's already here.
"The 2013 Chevrolet SS will be based on the 2014 Chevrolet SS performance sedan, which tears into dealer showrooms in late 2013. "
http://www.chevrolet.com/culture/article/2013-chevy-ss-reveal.html
I thought they were a secret plan by GM to sell more cars by building more roads on which to drive them.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Watch the video.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I'm likely the biggest Ford fan on this forum, and I've brought up Ford issues. And that's why despite generally liking Ford products, I know a lemon could just be a purchase away.
I think Ford has done a better job than GM with maintaining profit margins, keeping production inline with demand etc, and generally keeping their lineup fresh (besides lincoln of course) but the quality issues that have happened lately are inexcusable and I wouldn't blame anyone from avoiding a Ford because of them.
But in all honesty, these issues are nothing new for Ford. They always seem to screw up right when it looks like they've got it figured out.
There is supposedly a "fix" for the Escape 1.6 Ecoburst-into-flames recall now.
http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/12/11/2013-ford-fusion-escape-recall-solved-- - - with-an-update/
We can now tell you that the 2013 Ford Fusion and Escape recall issue can be solved with an update, which will come as good news for those affected owners. To fix your 2013 Escape and 2013 Fusion all you need to do is take your vehicle down to your nearest Ford garage and have them connect it up to a computer in order to make a few software updates, which is said to manage the temperature in your engine much better so it will not overheat.
However, what worries us this time is the fact that this 1.6-liter engine has been the subject of three other recalls since July, with each of them being very different but with the same outcome, the engine possibly catching on fire.
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=37491
Yes, but that's an issue with any manufacturer. They all make the occasional lemon...
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/12/top-10-most-important-cars-youve-neve- r-heard-of.html/11
I honestly did not know this before today, but I find it very interesting. It's basically the Volt concept.
In semi-related news, after 4 years the feds have sold the last stake in AIG for a profit. Maybe there's hope for the GM monies. This happened around the same time that AIG reported that it was selling most of their aircraft leasing business to a Chinese company that they had a relationship with for a while.
That sounds good in theory, but after going through a botched Android upgrade to 4.1 Jellybean on my Samsung Galaxy S3 I don't know if I want to attempt it on a car (my luck would be a tow truck having to come get the car). My phone was unusable for hours until I was finally able to get the upgrade process to complete without failing.
With GM's stock price currently running at about 50% of break-even price, it's gonna be a tough job to get the price to where it needs to be, but its not impossible.
At the rate GM is going, I'd say it's impossible. :mad:
No more that 4 years is my wager. :shades:
Yes, just think of what a bargain that price is right now. If the feds think it's going to double (back to break even), then perhaps all GM fans should buy in and make a killing...
I think uplander and lemko should show their patriotism and kick in $100K each. The might make a lot of money. :P
GM stock has come back a little bit though. I think it bottomed out under $20 per share, and now it's around $25. So if you were lucky enough to buy at the bottom, you made out fairly well.
Not compared to your Amazon stock. I'll take 40% over 25% every time!
Well yeah, but as they say, hindsight is 20/20. Heck, if I could predict the future, then back in 2005 I would've maxed out my HELOC, put every penny of it on Apple, and now I'd be sitting on roughly $2M, plus getting around $40,000 annually in dividends. :sick:
For awhile, I also had some Daimler-Chrysler stock, and some Toyota stock. I got out of Toyota at a slight profit, around the time the sudden acceleration scares hit. Forget when I bailed on DCX, but it was at a slight profit, IIRC.
I actually bought a moderate amount of Apple in 2003, and sold a bunch of it when the stock hit $200 ("no way it will go much higher than that..."). But I kept some, and just sold half of what's left last month at $650! I still have a bit that I'm hanging onto. I've made some money, but not nearly what I could have.
If the economy picks up and roars, GM could do well and then those who bought at the bottom would be laughing all the way to the bank. You just never know.
Another coulda/shoulda/woulda moment, but if I had sunk everything into it at that point, I'd probably be retired now.
As for GM, I don't think their rough patch is over yet. But, they've been improving. I'm looking forward to the 2014 Impala. And even though I won't be in the market for another pickup anytime soon, I'm curious to see what's up with this 2014 Silverado.
One pundit over on Seeking Alpha today says to buy Ford and GM because they sell 75% of the pickups in the US and housing is recovering, which will drive sales longer term. The excess Silverado inventory is of small concern long term, especially since the redesigned truck is due shortly.
There is a stock forum over in the Off Topic Chatter boards. But hang on to your wallet.
Andres - I really don't think GM is going to Zero. If it drops into the teens after a fiscal cliff fiasco, I might actually pick up a little. Gas is getting more plentiful and the economy is starting to turn around, which likely means better truck and SUV sales down the road and that is where D3 seems to excel.
But it ain't GM news, and with all the recalls out there, it's barely news at all. Unless you happen to be an owner.
Ford has definitely been the domestic leader lately...
The Neon did come the closest though, as when the head gasket failed it started to let coolant leak out and every time I slowed below 20 MPH the engine would start to overheat (no wind to cool).
But even closer to fire then that, was when the AC compressor seized up on the belt and smoke started to come out from under the hood at which point I parked it to see what was going on before flames could start (although an extremely loud screeching sound was not avoided).
When my A3's AC seized, no smoke, no loud annoying sounds, and under warranty unlike Dodge with the short 3 year warranty.
In the Ford Escape fire issue in particular, the recommended "fix" is a ECM style reprogramming event.
I have to wonder if this was a result of a design error, or perhaps a software programming omission, or what many might call a software "bug".
What I take away from this particular event is that servicing newer model automobiles is going to radically change from the basic "parts swapping and replacement" as it has been in the past.
I have seen this exact issue surface in BMW's over the last several years.
Will have to wait to see in person and see what the power specs are. No numbers yet, but they will offered revised 4.3, 5.3, and 6.2L engines. But what I've seen so far, I expected more considering how long it's taken to develop these trucks.
Maybe I'll be more impressed when I see one in person.
It estimates that the new 4.3, 5.3, and 6.2 engines should have ~310, 350, and 400+ hp, respectively.
If true, it's impressive that they were able to bump up the 4.3 that much. I think the outgoing version only has 190 hp. It also says they're finally dumping the old 4-speed automatic and going with 6-speed all the way.
And I agree, that the styling is nothing extraordinary, but I guess there are still a lot of people who find it appealing...maybe they want that familiarity? IMO, the front-end of the Silverado they show in that pic, with the stacked headlight looks and bisected grille, makes me think of my '85.
If I were buying a truck soon, I think I'd just as soon save the $$ and buy a '12.
If that's indeed true. Then they used better breathing so the engine could produce more torque at higher rpm since HP=torque x rpm/5250.
So if the new 4.3 could be producing say 250 ft-lbs at 6000 rpm, it would be producing around 300hp. The current 4.3 produces something like 260 ft-lbs at 2,500rpm and the torque drops off thus it isn't capable of producing much HP. I'd guess variable valve timing would allow the new 4.3's torque curve to be flatter across a much wider rpm range. My question is how will a big 90 degree push-rod v6 sound when spinning over 5k rpm? Hopefully they were able to quell the harshness the 4.3 is known for.
http://gmpowertrain.com/VehicleEngines/PowertrainProducts.aspx
I'm curious to see what the FE of the 6.2 model will be. It looks like that will be the only way to get the power to match or exceed Ford's EB and the Ram Hemi.
The 5.3 will no doubt be the volume engine and will likely be good enough for most buyers.
Chevrolet and GMC leaning folks will still buy the GM brand product.
Ford leaning folks will buy the Ford product.
RAM leaning folks will buy the RAM product.
A minimal amount of cross-brand shopping will occur, and a relative few will move between brands.
Let's see...
Consumer Reports finally takes on Ford for inflated mileage claims. Check.
More recalls. Check.
New Pickups. Check.
Still bickering over the little stuff. Check.
But the old one was losing share to the other 2. They needed to stop it.
Glad to hear about the powertrain upgrades.
Edit: all 3 motors get Direct Injection!