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
Comments
While naturally I think my own biases are logically arrived at while folks who have different ones are using faulty logic I think there's a lot of truth in the thought that you develop different preferences as you go along and it would take something pretty major for you to shift from those preferences.
Not necessarily. Which foreign nameplates have you driven or rented?
I think they would have a winner on their hands if they incorporated it in the Lambdas or the Epsilons.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/detroit/2008/2009saturnvuegreenlinet- - womodehybrid.html
As a full hybrid, the 2009 Saturn Vue Two-Mode Hybrid will be able to run on electrical power alone at low speed. The system uses two 55-kW electric motors integrated into its automatic transmission that are fed current from 22 nickel-metal-hydride batteries tucked under the backseat.
All this means that the Two-Mode will get to 60 mph in an estimated 7.3 seconds, return an estimated 28 mpg in combined EPA-calibrated driving, and hopefully stop a little better. Also the '09 Vue Two-Mode, which goes on sale near the end of 2008, will be able to tow up to 3,500 pounds. If all this turns out to be true, then the Two-Mode will match or better the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in acceleration and fuel economy.
Saturn will be gone. They should have done this on the Equinox.
Regards,
OW
I think what Wagoner and his band of merry men (and women) are trying to avoid is filing bankruptcy at all costs since all their shareholders lose everything. I also believe they want to change their business model to match Honda's (as an example) where you build cars based on demand and not based on supplier contracts, labor agreements, etc. This is one of the advantages of not working with the UAW. If Honda and Toyota need to cut back production, they could. If they need to layoff workers because demand is way down, they can without having to still pay the worker. GM probably would like to get to this model but can't because they chin deep in the manure.
The only way they can achieve this is by filing a Chap. 11 bankruptcy so they can deal with all of these responsibilities. The sooner GM realizes this market is going to last longer than July 2009, the quicker they will realize that more drastic, more immediate cuts are necessary. Wagoner announcing the lower forecast for 2009 is a major step. I think by the end of the month, you will see or read that GM is investigating a pre-packaged Chap. 11. It's the only way they can stay alive.
Well, the current Impala is no more than a refresh from the 00 model, which was heavy refresh from the previous gen. It basically used the same tactic Ford did with the Mustang (which basic architecture dated back to the 1970s) before it was finally completely redesigned in 2004.
I admit I dont know much of the older cars you mentioned, but put it this way: during those years competitors, except perhaps the Germans were still in their early days and they had little to no experience building better cars. Dont compare old models with current models.
Funny I ended up with a FWD C-body Park Avenue many years later and it turned out to be excellent. I bought my '88 Park Ave cheap with the expectation that it might only last a year and then blow-up, but here it is four years later and it's still running well.
A few years ago, she asked me to drive it around because it was acting funny, and she was hoping I could figure out what it was. I took it around the block, and noticed it did seem to be shifting oddly. When I got it back to her, I asked her when was the last time she had the transmission serviced? She just gave me this look like I was speaking in a foreign language! She didn't know that it was something that needed servicing!
link title
So, is this what some of you guys call "professional grade" and "world class", that "there's nothing wrong with them" and "we're just dishing GM"?
Terms of the government's $13.4 billion loan program requires GM to have a plan in place that would cut its $27.5 billion in unsecured debt by two-thirds by Feb. 17. It also must reach a cost-cutting agreement with its union workers.
Both sides could be in for tough talks. Even if the auto maker reaches a deal with the bondholders' committee, it will still have to persuade individual bondholders to sign off on it, said Daryl Robertson, who has represented bondholders at Hunton & Williams LLP, a Dallas law firm which isn't involved in the negotiations. "It could be contentious," he said.
The committee, which represents 10 institutions holding GM debt, has held its first meeting by telephone, said the Paul, Weiss Rifkind spokesman. The names of the institutions on the committee couldn't be immediately learned.
On a separate note, GM should continue the Colorado line with a same-size truck (perhaps a touch smaller even) with the 2-mode hybrid from the new Vue under the hood, and also the 1.4 that will go in the Cruze as a base engine. Both would offer 30 mpg driving, perhaps the hybrid could reach 40, and the model would improve GM's CAFE average while providing people with a smaller truck with great gas mileage if they didn't need a big one. They could charge almost as much for this truck as they do for a base model Silverado, I would think. There is no Silverado making more than 20 mpg, and lots of people use pick-ups for all kinds of light delivery, etc, that wouldn't require a full-size truck.
Ford will have the 40 mpg Fusion this year, do you really think a 40 mpg Escape will be more than two years behind? And a new Ranger/F-100 with the same powertrain would make sense. GM could beat them to that punch. And is it true (as has been implied here) that there will be no two-mode hybrid Equinox?? GM can't afford not to do that. Dump the hybrid Vue if need be. The volume sales are at Chevy.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Supposedly the FWD version is too big to fit in those, let alone the Cruze. Oops.
Meltdown 101: Why gas prices rise while oil drops
At the end of the day, it looks like the target will be over $2.00 by summer.
Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, predicts prices will move sideways over the next few weeks before they begin to climb in the spring, reaching $2 to $2.50 a gallon. He said he doubts prices can get much higher than that given how weak the economy is.
In another forecast, the U.S Energy Department has said gasoline prices will likely average $2.37 a gallon through 2009.
Regards,
OW
I feel better now.
Regards,
OW
"You can't tell people they're getting the greatest car manufactured on the face of the earth and then three months later admit it doesn't steer right," said Megna, who is looking into the possibility of a class-action lawsuit.
It's not about me or anyone else dissing GM for no reason. This stuff actually happens, guys.
Regards,
OW
"You can't tell people they're getting the greatest car manufactured on the face of the earth and then three months later admit it doesn't steer right," said Megna, who is looking into the possibility of a class-action lawsuit.
this thing has just gotten to the press and from what I read it is not power steering pumps blowing up. Seems to be at very low engine RPM (parking) with brakes applied (parking) and lots of effort out of the power steering pump (parking) there is not enough power to power the power steering so it goes into a manual condition. I cannot figure this one out. If the steering pump was vacuum powered I could see how it could happen. Is the engine going so slow and that it is below the rpm required to power up the pump? Easy fix for that would be to have the engine rev a little higher under those conditions?
I know the emblem is an issue, thanks.
Regards,
OW
Interesting. My 2000 Suburban had the same problem, but it didn't develop until about 50-60k miles. It would occasionally lose assist at parking lot speeds. Very annoying, as usual the dealer would say they couldn't find anything wrong. Did give me some bicep exercise.
Not a whole lot lately, New Sonata in 2006 and 2008, 2003 Accord to name a few. My last new purchase was a 30,500 msrp Silverado for 23 plus tax and 7 years later It draws compliments. Does Toyota even have a 23k vehicle with alloy wheels, 4x4, autotrac, posi, tow pkg, and a V8? At the time, Tundra was about 8" less ext cab foot room and my friend with the Accord's dad couldn't get acceptable mileage with his '00 V8 Tundra and got rid of it. I get just under 19 hwy loaded to nearly 3 tons.
My wife and her friend each got a new vehicle in '98 and both negotiated the same price, $22k. We got an Astro Ext with rear a/c, alloys, V6, auto, power everything but seats, captains chairs, dutch doors, roof rack and then got $3300 more off with GM card earnings. Her friend got a 4 cyl Civic with manual trans, manual windows, man. steering and man. mirrors and complained about how floormats were almost a $200 option. After hearing that, I was not second guessing our Chevy value compared to Honda. I prefer utility, comfort, power, and features for my hard earned money. I recently rode in that very Civic at 10 years old. The Chevy still drives like a Rock and the Civic sounds and feels like it has missing bolts or motor mounts. No a/c, cracked windshield, drivetrain parts clanging with every clutching, and the last dealer service was $1100 earlier that month. To me, 5 years isn't a long term test.
I am assistant counsel from Russia and I need some info about the letter of General Motors, in which the company apologized to customers for the low quality of its products.
This treatment has been circulated in the American automobile magazines in early December.
I need a link to the source, that is the site of one of these magazines to read the original text of an appeal. It is very difficult for me to do it myself because I'm not familiar with the American press.
If any of you has such information, I would be happy to get an answer to my question
Funny, my neighbour's 03' Escalade faced the same problem. However back then Cadillac quickly responded and replaced the item under warranty, so he was pleased enough and didn't complain at all.
Is the engine going so slow and that it is below the rpm required to power up the pump? Easy fix for that would be to have the engine rev a little higher under those conditions?
The beauty of those Vortec engines, it keeps going even at the lowest rpm possible. As far as I know its possible that the rpm gets too low to operate the power steering pump. Youe easy fix makes sense, but I wonder why GM didn't even bother do it.
GM'S COMMITMENT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
Regards,
OW
\Maybe it's a "feature" rather than a problem. You know, like the Windows blue-screen? :shades:
That wasn't the problem with mine. When it would act up, I could put it in neutral and rev the engine to 3,000 rpm and still lose assist. It just wasn't as noticeable when the vehicle was moving. Some times you could turn the wheel with your pinkie, other times it took both arms and the dealer was useless other than it said it would start replacing parts with no guarantee it would solve the problem. My solution was to get rid of the POS.
Regards,
OW
I honestly feel, they made those mistakes, and yet we should bail them out? I am not sure they'll change. They'll keep putting a million SUV's out that are all the same, like the Enclave, Outlook, Tranverse, etc. They are all the same. The Caddy Escallade Hybrid? Kidding right? If a consumer has to pay that much for any caddy to get the "GM" quality then there is something wrong. They are way in over there head. They cannot possibly put all that quality when they have so many cars. It sounds harsh, and this is coming from someone driving an 08 GM car, but I never wanted it, and I'll be out, soon! Now that they are not leasing as well, or not at all, I would definitely not get one. Leasing a GM car would be the only way. Luckily, I am leasing, worse case scenario, I keep it the full term.
I think a few others said this, focus on your most premium cars, and lose the others that aren't selling so good. That way we can put some updates, quality into the face of the brand. Any company would have this issue. You think if honda put out a million cars, you think they would have they same quality? Probably not.
Focus on quality, not quantity. Pride getting to the head their CEO's? Enjoy your jet? On our dime.
Believe it or not, my 08 Pontiac G6 is quieter and has less rattles than my 06 Accord. Seems to be a solid build. I am impressed. Is it truly the car I want, no, I want my Accord. The Accord 4cyl engine blows the G6 engine right out the water though, I miss that. Its lacking that refinement.
lol anyway.
If the 2010 LaCrosse proves desirable in the market, this will be number 3. NONE of the Pontiac domestics are exiting vs. the competition, again, IMO. I am glad you are somewhat pleased with your G6 The G8 is the only bright spot. The quality at GMC is low vs. the competition. That I have proof of in my garage.
I have been a life-long customer and the problems I experienced with GM have moved me out of the need or desire for their products. The Corvette still piques my interest.
All in all, time is not on the side of GM. They need to vastly downsize to the new market realities...and stop using junk parts.
Regards,
OW
Now back to our regularly scheduled program....
Jets are gone with all the people and support. Wagoner has cut his travel schedule way back because he can no longer meet the commitments due to time constraints.
Ha, I was wondering the same thing. I paid exactly $19,000 including tax for my green EX Civic back in 98. No offense, Dave, but it makes no sense.
Dieselone, I guess the power steering was a dud in design then. Shame on GM for not recognizing it and fixing it.
Now that you bring the subject up. My 2005 GMC hybrid PU would act funny every now and again. Real stiff steering. Especially when I would turn into our road. The engine would do its auto stop and then when I hit the accelerator to go up the hill the steering was real stiff and the hesitation would cause wheel spin when the power came up. One of the annoying little aspects of that truck. I attributed it to the hurried up hybrid system. Just another reason I am glad some one finally came along and bought it from me. I am very picky about vehicles and I have a list on this Toyota Sequoia. So I don't just pick on GM. The most trouble free car out of the last 4 new vehicles was the 2005 Passat TDI wagon. I only had it for 13 months and 8300 miles. I was sorry to see it go. When I sell this Sequoia there will be no tears.
Rod Lache, the Deutsche Bank automotive analyst who set the target price for GM shares at zero, told the Society of Automotive Analysts that GM might have to consider bankruptcy given complications that arose with the rescue of GM's minority-owned financial arm, GMAC.
"The probability is greater than not that there will be bankruptcy" at GM, Lache said, "but not the kind of disruptive, scary bankruptcy with calamitous impact that a lot of suppliers are afraid of today."
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger told the Wall Street Journal on Monday that it is unclear what kind of reductions the union will have to agree to under the terms of the loan agreements.
"We are still trying to figure out what that means," he told the newspaper. "We have no documents, no contact with the federal government."
GM could still go bankrupt
Regards,
OW
Yes, Dave that makes sense. I forgot that Toyota salesmen in my area tend to put more pressure on women as well. I just read my post again and I meant to say "the price doesn't make any sense". Either way it's my mistake, sorry.
I can describe it in 3 perfect words: impossible to happen. :P
I bet GM will ask for more bailout, look forward to March 31st.