My Problem With GM

[homer]

Specifically my Venture van:

Ok, so I bought a Venture van a few years ago. Aside from the several AC repairs made, costing around $1500, it's the small things that are going to keep me from ever buying another GM product. That fine factory installed cd/radio player died recently so I thought I'd get a cheap replacement from Future shop. At the store the guy asks me my model, and goes uh-oh. Turns out you have to buy some kind on GM only module ($150) as the radio is linked with the dashboard alarm for the ABS/door chimes! That and a few extra pieces to fill the gigantic hole in the dash, hook up to the antenna etc. This $150 cd player will end up being approx $500 installed. So I decided to give GM a chance and went to my local dealer. They want $475 + tax to install the same piece of crap!

Next is the windshield wipers. Whoever designed the criss-cross ones, that recess under the edge of the hood, obviously never lived in a place with snow. When parked, the snow/ice rain all accumulates in that recessed area, virtually freezing the wipers in place. Every time it snows I'm worried about the wipers being stuck, never mind even working.

Sorry for kicking GM when they're down. But I really feel let down. One of the reasons I bought it was to help out the local auto industry, but if this is what they're going to be selling, I'm out. Oh ya, even after yearly Krown rust checking, it's still rusting from the bottom up, the windows don't totally seal and we've had water leaking in through the front interior dome light.

 

[toughb]

Sorry...

Specifically my Venture van:

Ok, so I bought a Venture van a few years ago. Aside from the several AC repairs made, costing around $1500, it's the small things that are going to keep me from ever buying another GM product. That fine factory installed cd/radio player died recently so I thought I'd get a cheap replacement from Future shop. At the store the guy asks me my model, and goes uh-oh. Turns out you have to buy some kind on GM only module ($150) as the radio is linked with the dashboard alarm for the ABS/door chimes! That and a few extra pieces to fill the gigantic hole in the dash, hook up to the antenna etc. This $150 cd player will end up being approx $500 installed. So I decided to give GM a chance and went to my local dealer. They want $475 + tax to install the same piece of crap!

Next is the windshield wipers. Whoever designed the criss-cross ones, that recess under the edge of the hood, obviously never lived in a place with snow. When parked, the snow/ice rain all accumulates in that recessed area, virtually freezing the wipers in place. Every time it snows I'm worried about the wipers being stuck, never mind even working.

Sorry for kicking GM when they're down. But I really feel let down. One of the reasons I bought it was to help out the local auto industry, but if this is what they're going to be selling, I'm out. Oh ya, even after yearly Krown rust checking, it's still rusting from the bottom up, the windows don't totally seal and we've had water leaking in through the front interior dome light.

********

You're having so much trouble with your 2008

 

[Night2Day]

I bought my last American car like 8 or 9 years ago, my story about repairs is about the same, shoddy workmanship, parts that don't last, lots of repairs, forget it; the Asians know how to make reliable cars.

 

[stinkynuts]

Seriously, Japanese cars are much more reliable than American cars. Honda and Toyota, specifically are the most reliable cars in the world. You can expect to have virtually zero problems if you get one of them new and use it for several years.

 

[jbar]

It is not just GM. A lot of American products are sub-par. The snivelling government regulators and their legislation doesn't help either.

My father died at the end of September, and I inherited his 1999 Ford Windstar. Upon transfer, the MTO determined that the wholesale value was $975. They also determined that it had to be safetied ($1,600 spent), and e-tested ($1,400 in repairs to pass). And I'm betting the that the more common-sense items that needed to be replaced/repaired would have totalled about $1,500. I'm also betting that even though I just sunk $3000 into the van, it is still worth only $1,000.

Tomorrow, I'm going to buy a bumper-sticker that says "I'd rather be driving". And then I'm going to start saving-up for a 1974 Dodge Dart.

 

[Mel N. Choly]

Yes, you describe the Venture problems to a tee. Is there even ONE Venture out there not rusting from the bottom up, even with yearly oil spraying? Did your coffee cup holder fall apart within 3 weeks like mine did?

The thing is, I'll probably end up getting an '09 Uplander (which is what they call the Venture today.) Brand new with a great warranty, it is selling around town for $15,888 and some dealers are throwing in free batteries and tires for life plus a $500 gas card. Then there's the $2,000 in TD GM Points and I just got a card offering an additional $1,000 off during December.

Bottom line, it is vastly inferior to the likes of Odyssey and Sienna. But it's a bargain basement box on wheels at about one-third the price of those minivans (and GM wants these things off the lot -- the '09s are the last ones to be made.)

Cheers,
Mel

 

[S.C. Joe]

Had good luck with GM cars all my life...now its stock is another story,

Have a 1992 Olds with 150,000 miles on it..not km...never had engine or trans problems, expect a water pump which was cheap and easy to replace.

With all the rebates on the new cars, there is great deals out there on GM cars.

 

[hatztowork]

The Americans do have the most reasonably priced sports cars and are great bang for the buck. If you look at the Corvette and Viper...amazing for the price. Ok...I can't afford either...but they look like exceptional value.

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

Yes, you describe the Venture problems to a tee. Is there even ONE Venture out there not rusting from the bottom up, even with yearly oil spraying? Did your coffee cup holder fall apart within 3 weeks like mine did?

The thing is, I'll probably end up getting an '09 Uplander (which is what they call the Venture today.) Brand new with a great warranty, it is selling around town for $15,888 and some dealers are throwing in free batteries and tires for life plus a $500 gas card. Then there's the $2,000 in TD GM Points and I just got a card offering an additional $1,000 off during December.

Bottom line, it is vastly inferior to the likes of Odyssey and Sienna. But it's a bargain basement box on wheels at about one-third the price of those minivans (and GM wants these things off the lot -- the '09s are the last ones to be made.)

Cheers,
Mel

Free tires and battery for life, no Fing way!

 

[james t kirk]

The Americans do have the most reasonably priced sports cars and are great bang for the buck. If you look at the Corvette and Viper...amazing for the price. Ok...I can't afford either...but they look like exceptional value.

I completely agree, however, I view these cars as toy cars.

For a day to day driver, GM has NOTHING I would buy, no matter how cheap, ok, well maybe if they were a couple grand, what the hell.

The only NA day to day driver that I think is ok is the Ford Fusion or Focus. They kind of look like Hondas.

 

[The Cunning Linguist]

As a life-long GM buyer (as was my father), I had enough when GM would not help me out with my leaking head gasket problem on my 2002 Buick Rendezvous.

It only had 98K on it....warranty ran out at 80K. I had premature failure on the front wheel bearings, brakes, AC coil.

And I baby a vehicle, and do all the recommended checks every 5K too.

Too bad....I thought it was nice looking vehicle, comfortable to drive, good on gas.

I have also owned a 1988 GM Sierra, and a 1996 GM Sierra.(needed them for work). The 1988 was a lot of trouble as well....the 1996 was an ok vehicle.

I have a Ford Edge now....AWD, loaded with all the bells and whistles.

So far, so good...knock wood.

 

[S.C. Joe]

GM did have a coolant problem where the head gaskets would fail...believe it was in the 96, 97 to 2004 models. We had a 2000 Buick and after the first coolant change (at 60,000 mile) it would lose the anti freeze and need to be top up...must have been leaking from the head gasket in the the cylinders cause no leaks outside or in the motor oil. 1 bottle of stop leak took care of it for a while but after 100,000 the leak came back...at 150,000 miles it needed 2-3 bottles of different types of stop leak-the black stuff, then the silver metal stuff and maybe more black gunk. At 180,000 miles of so the dash speedometer stop reading the miles....the coolant fan wasn't working either expect on A/C mode and only one fan...I had to put a relay in and tap the hot wire to the A/C switch...which work ok since it just overheated when in was hot outside...if stuck in traffic it would overheat so needed to watch for traffic jams....over in my town I could live with it.

We got rid of it in 2006 and got a new Buick, that was good till 51,000 miles and was doing fine but traded it in for a 2008 Buick Lucerene since the rebates were so great. Its no hot rod for sure but drives very nice and total price here after tax and before trade in was $20,100...a dam good deal since in 2006 they were $25,000.

Not sure if Canada prices are as good, likely not

 

[shakenbake]

I completely agree, however, I view these cars as toy cars.

For a day to day driver, GM has NOTHING I would buy, no matter how cheap, ok, well maybe if they were a couple grand, what the hell.

The only NA day to day driver that I think is ok is the Ford Fusion or Focus. They kind of look like Hondas.

I can vouch for the reliability of the Focus. I had two, one that was 'retired' by a shit-for-brains tech who took it for a test drive right into th eback of a pickup truck and totalled it, after 240K. The other, a used replacement for the first one, has been a dream, as well. Best new car and used car that I ever bought.

 

[stinkynuts]

I have also driven the Focus, and loved it. It's economical, reliable, and pretty good looking. However, the Civic is one step ahead the Focus in all three areas.

 

[alexmst]

Cadillacs are nice...comfortable ride, decent performance, seats are treated with anti-food coating so food droppings and spills just wipe off with no fuss or stains (at least on my car they are treated). Corvette is cool, but as said it is a summer only "toy", but a nice toy. I could be quite content with a Cadillac with winter tires for winter and a Corvette for summer.

 

[james t kirk]

I have also driven the Focus, and loved it. It's economical, reliable, and pretty good looking. However, the Civic is one step ahead the Focus in all three areas.

Ford builds some pretty interesting day to day drivers in both Europe and Australia. I believe that the technology is making its way here (finally)

Add to that the best trucks on the road and I think Ford should do the best of the 3

 

[red]

Ford builds some pretty interesting day to day drivers in both Europe and Australia. I believe that the technology is making its way here (finally)

Add to that the best trucks on the road and I think Ford should do the best of the 3

I think you are right.

 

[hungry]

I have also driven the Focus, and loved it. It's economical, reliable, and pretty good looking. However, the Civic is one step ahead the Focus in all three areas.

I have a 2000 Hatchback, 260K on it. They say the 2009's are the best yet. Apparently, on par with the Euorpean version which is one of top rated cars in Europe. Big problem, they don't make a Hatchback in North America. If they did I would buy one tomorrow. Also, they don't have the diesel engine which is supposed to be top notch. I don't understand why they have such a great car in one contenient and not bring the same one to N.A. I guess that is why they are in trouble.

 

[JohnLarue]

GM did have a coolant problem where the head gaskets would fail...believe it was in the 96, 97 to 2004 models. We had a 2000 Buick and after the first coolant change (at 60,000 mile) it would lose the anti freeze and need to be top up...must have been leaking from the head gasket in the the cylinders cause no leaks outside or in the motor oil. 1 bottle of stop leak took care of it for a while but after 100,000 the leak came back...at 150,000 miles it needed 2-3 bottles of different types of stop leak-the black stuff, then the silver metal stuff and maybe more black gunk. At 180,000 miles of so the dash speedometer stop reading the miles....the coolant fan wasn't working either expect on A/C mode and only one fan...I had to put a relay in and tap the hot wire to the A/C switch...which work ok since it just overheated when in was hot outside...if stuck in traffic it would overheat so needed to watch for traffic jams....over in my town I could live with it.

That problem may not have been just the head gasket but the head itself was probably deforming.
I had a similar issue with my GM car in the mid 90s .
The head replacement was covered by the warranty, however the coolant that leaked burnt out a sensor which was not covered by the warranty.

They charged me $500-700 to fix the sensor.

It was clear cause and affect, GM acknowledged it this, however did not cover the sensor replacement cost.

I went up the chain of command, ie service manager to the dealer general manager to GM customer service, to customer service supervisor to manager etc, until some director level guy at GM Canada said the buck stops with him and he said no

That was the last GM car I have owned & will be the last period.

 

[homer]

I Forgot to Mention

the crappy brakes, the rear seat belt that you practically have to inch out to use, the fact that do-it yourself repairs are near impossible due to the design of the engine compartment. I wouldn't be able to start even changing the battery, who designed this thing! Oh well, fool me once...