I've always tried to support the domestic automakers, and have been a die-hard GM guy my whole life. As a mechanic, you don't relly think too much about it when you're fixing problems on your own vehicle. It's just the price you pay. I always considered American cars just as good as foreign. Lately, my thinking has changed.

My daughter attends college in Florida. In May of 2006 we helped her buy a 2005 Chevy Malibu that had just over 20K on it. The car has had minor problems since we bought it, always covered under warranty. The car just turned 37,000 miles (1000 out of warranty) and the ignition cylinder and the computer for the security system went dead. Of course GM will give no warranty consideration. About $1000 for all repairs.

Now I understand that all cars have problems, but my friends and in-laws that all drive imports continually rave about the miles of trouble free service they get from their cars. And I have always defend the domestics. I'm not sure if I can justify my choice anymore. It's one thing when it's your car and you have another problem you have to fix, but when it's your daughter who's 1500 miles away with a car she can't depend on, and she's at the mercy of the gougers out there, you start to think that there is a better choice. If the car is having these problems 1000 miles out of warranty, what can I expect at 50,000 or 75,000 miles? I have no faith in the product.

I never in a million years thought I'd say this, but I told her to have the car fixed and drive it to the nearest Hyundai dealer and trade it in. At least she'd get a 10 year warranty.

Sorry for the rant, but I just spent a week trying to get GM to give some warranty consideration, but I was basically told to kiss off.

My wife's 01 malibu had problems with the so called security ignition thing as well, and that was right around the time it turned over 30K miles. There is a problem with this on these cars and someone should call GM on it. Of course there is no "safety" risk so there will never be a recall. She fought with them to cover it, they ended up covering most of it.

Not another import vs domestic thread :rolleyes:

For every person who has trouble with their Chevy, there is someone who has trouble with their Honda. For every person with a problem Toyota, there is a person with a problem Ford. My personal experience is imports are nothing but crap, and every one of my domestic vehicles has gone to at least 180k.

But personal experience and anecdotal stories mean nothing with respect to reality. For every person like me, there is someone who says the same thing about imports.

Longo Toyota has 104 service bays at their el monte facility in ca. They are usually full of jap cars waiting to be repaired. When GM has a recall it is called a recall. When toyota has a recall it is called a campaign. I have seen deals unwound on the jap cars because of customer unhappiness for various reasons. GM will help people in certain situations under "goodwill". Approach can be the difference. All cars have issues of some sort at some time in there service but to make a blanket statement that foreign cars are better quality is very short sighted and frankly, untrue. Today's american cars are of very good quality and built with pride. That is of course intended for the one's actually built by american workers.

What college is she attending? I'm studying at UCF.

My folk's '01 Suburban dropped a transmission at 56k, and was replaced for labor only.

I think its more about which dealer you take it to, and which dealer is willing to pull a few strings to help you out..

-Todd

The new consumer reports is the annual auto issue. Honda ranks the best as far as reliability goes and Land Rove ris the worse. Most often imports are ranked higher than domestics in the reliability contest, but that is not always the case. Their are a number of imports that rank quite low and a number of domestics that rank quite high. Honda ranks the best, but that does not mean every Honda has a high reliability ranking, it does go by model. So GM doe shave some models ranked well, and some are downtright bad, like the chevrolet uplander.

Jeff

Longo Toyota has 104 service bays at their el monte facility in ca. They are usually full of jap cars waiting to be repaired. When GM has a recall it is called a recall. When toyota has a recall it is called a campaign. I have seen deals unwound on the jap cars because of customer unhappiness for various reasons. GM will help people in certain situations under "goodwill". Approach can be the difference. All cars have issues of some sort at some time in there service but to make a blanket statement that foreign cars are better quality is very short sighted and frankly, untrue. Today's american cars are of very good quality and built with pride. That is of course intended for the one's actually built by american workers.

You guys should see the Lexus Certified Used dealership and Repair facility in or near Plano, TX. That place is HUGE (the repair shop specifically) and is a zoo. I was watching all the activity, thinking "I thought Lexus vehicles were reliable?" I think Andy's post sums it up for me though. Also, a 10yr. warranty may be nice, but how about the inconvienence of constantly taking the vehicle in for service? I'd rather pay here and there for repairs than to constantly waste my time taking the vehicle in for service.

My Dad used to have a Dodge Ram and the tranny went out on it like 6 months after the warranty ran out and they paid half. Better than nothing imo. Point being, I bet if you pushed and complained a little bit, maybe they'd cover some of your bill too since the car is barely out of warranty.

Have her trade that car in for a VW, you don't know what unreliable is!

The Hyundai "10 year warranty" has been discussed here at length, seems like it isn't all its cracked up to be.

What college is she attending? I'm studying at UCF.

She's in Ft. Lauderdale at The Art Institute.

This isn't about imports vs domestic. This is about making a choice so you don't have to worry about your 21 yr old daughter 1500 miles away. What is the best choice?

Lets put it this way: You need to buy a car for your daughter. You have $10,000. Put away all your bias. Imagine you know nothing (or very little) about cars. You go on the internet, read car magazines, talk to owners. Do research. Then answer this: What car do you buy for your kid?

We had that with our 2003 Impala , under warranty the first time . It just did it again right after we tripped 100,000 miles . The symptom bot times was the key would not turn .

I was no where near home and tore into it myself . Was just the lock cylinder , a little ingenuity by removing the tumblers and it turned and got us home .

She's in Ft. Lauderdale at The Art Institute.

This isn't about imports vs domestic. This is about making a choice so you don't have to worry about your 21 yr old daughter 1500 miles away. What is the best choice?

Lets put it this way: You need to buy a car for your daughter. You have $10,000. Put away all your bias. Imagine you know nothing (or very little) about cars. You go on the internet, read car magazines, talk to owners. Do research. Then answer this: What car do you buy for your kid?

I'd give her the 97 Saturn and buy something for myself :)

Besides, she';s going to have to learn how to deal with a broken down something at some point in her life.

I've always tried to support the domestic automakers, and have been a die-hard GM guy my whole life. As a mechanic, you don't relly think too much about it when you're fixing problems on your own vehicle. It's just the price you pay. I always considered American cars just as good as foreign. Lately, my thinking has changed.

My daughter attends college in Florida. In May of 2006 we helped her buy a 2005 Chevy Malibu that had just over 20K on it. The car has had minor problems since we bought it, always covered under warranty. The car just turned 37,000 miles (1000 out of warranty) and the ignition cylinder and the computer for the security system went dead. Of course GM will give no warranty consideration. About $1000 for all repairs.

Now I understand that all cars have problems, but my friends and in-laws that all drive imports continually rave about the miles of trouble free service they get from their cars. And I have always defend the domestics. I'm not sure if I can justify my choice anymore. It's one thing when it's your car and you have another problem you have to fix, but when it's your daughter who's 1500 miles away with a car she can't depend on, and she's at the mercy of the gougers out there, you start to think that there is a better choice. If the car is having these problems 1000 miles out of warranty, what can I expect at 50,000 or 75,000 miles? I have no faith in the product.

I never in a million years thought I'd say this, but I told her to have the car fixed and drive it to the nearest Hyundai dealer and trade it in. At least she'd get a 10 year warranty.

Sorry for the rant, but I just spent a week trying to get GM to give some warranty consideration, but I was basically told to kiss off.

Let us all as North Americans hope that the new Malibu lives up to the hype.:yes:

I bet if you pushed and complained a little bit, maybe they'd cover some of your bill too since the car is barely out of warranty.

Believe me, I pushed and complained. For a week. I was nice, friendly, calm. Appealed to the "parental instinct". Begged and pleaded. No dice.

Believe me, I pushed and complained. For a week. I was nice, friendly, calm. Appealed to the "parental instinct". Begged and pleaded. No dice.

try another dealer!!!

Have her trade that car in for a VW, you don't know what unreliable is!

The Hyundai "10 year warranty" has been discussed here at length, seems like it isn't all its cracked up to be.

YOU SAID IT! My Touareg is a really nice vehicle but a POS! Been back to the dealer way too many times for it's 59k miles. Igniton coils, tire pressure control module, clock, shifting problems, sunroof leaking, oddball computer issues, you name it.

A guy I know buys cars for less than $1000, drives them for two to three years, then buys another one. He squeezes the last bit of life out of them and only fixes stuff that he absolutely has to. Seems to work.

Besides, she';s going to have to learn how to deal with a broken down something at some point in her life.

I agree 100%, but it's tough when you're a college student waiting tables to support yourself. She (we) paid alot of money for the car. I thought we'd get more than 18 months out of it before it had expensive problems.

I told her she needs to find a new boyfriend who can work on cars.

The problem I find with most people who have problems with cars GM in particular, (not pointing fingers), is that they end up getting the short end of the stick. What I mean, is that generally they'll buy a car that was abused/neglected in it's prior life and they end up having to fix the problems caused by the prior owner.

For instance, My brother had a '95 Olds Aurora, now a '99 Cadillac STS, I have a '01 Aurora, my other brother a '01 VW GTI, now a '00 VW Jetta. All of those cars are "notoriously" unreliable. However, not one of them has ever broken down to the point it left us stranded or costed us major sums of money. The worst that has happended was the clutch on my brother's '95 a/c compressor locked up. $50 and a case of beer later-- Good as new.

Why did we get so lucky in that 5 cars, all of them "supposedly" unreliable were reliable? Because we kept a high standard for vehicles, research like hell, and choose the most cared for.

I'm not saying this is the reason for all problems on all cars, but this does help..

A guy I know buys cars for less than $1000, drives them for two to three years, then buys another one. He squeezes the last bit of life out of them and only fixes stuff that he absolutely has to. Seems to work.

Works great for guys like you and me, not so good for 21 year old female art majors who have no mechanical knowledge.

The problem I find with most people who have problems with cars GM in particular, (not pointing fingers), is that they end up getting the short end of the stick. What I mean, is that generally they'll buy a car that was abused/neglected in it's prior life and they end up having to fix the problems caused by the prior owner.

For instance, My brother had a '95 Olds Aurora, now a '99 Cadillac STS, I have a '01 Aurora, my other brother a '01 VW GTI, now a '00 VW Jetta. All of those cars are "notoriously" unreliable. However, not one of them has ever broken down to the point it left us stranded or costed us major sums of money. The worst that has happended was the clutch on my brother's '95 a/c compressor locked up. $50 and a case of beer later-- Good as new.

Why did we get so lucky in that 5 cars, all of them "supposedly" unreliable were reliable? Because we kept a high standard for vehicles, research like hell, and choose the most cared for.

I'm not saying this is the reason for all problems on all cars, but this does help..

Point taken, and I agree. The thing all these stories have in common is that the cars are all basically owned by mechanics, people who can do their own repairs. I've kept my fleet of GM cars going for years doing minor but frequent repairs. Gotten over 200K on many of them. But they never would have made it that far if I wasn't a mechanic.

Don't know if any of you have had to pay for a car repair recently, but their damm expensive. Just for them to look at her car was $125. Any repair on a car done at a garage requiring a component change is going to cost you upwards of $250, double that if it requires troubleshooting. If a computer is involved, the price goes even higher. Lots of coin for a college student.

When my daughter lived at home, she drove Chevys (cuz I bought them), and she kept driving Chevys when she moved out. The boyfriend who's a mechanic won't work either. I had to fix what boyfriends screwed up. She and her last boyfriend "did the research" and she bought a Honda. When she called with a problem, I was sympathetic but told her I know nothing about Hondas and I'm too old to learn. Sounded to me like a little more research was needed. She doesn't call for car help any more, she's married now. I cna't wait to see how long they keep the Honda, new hubby has a Dodge Hemi.
All my Chevys go long miles with out troubles. My 86 MC SS has 236,000. Our 96 Tahoe had 175,000 when we sold it. Our 01 tahoe trans died at 53,000........and, you guessed it, it was on our dime. First major component failure in millions of miles of driving, it was my turn.
I keep waiting to see Jim Mac get in on the discussion and tell us about his Hyundai esperience at Jim Crook Hyundai, with the 100,000 mile warranty.

Works great for guys like you and me, not so good for 21 year old female art majors who have no mechanical knowledge.


He does almost nothing to them. Simple stuff a shop wouldn't charge much for. If it's major, he junks it. I think his sysytem works better than mine. I tend to spend too much time making sure evrything is good.

Sorry for the rant, but I just spent a week trying to get GM to give some warranty consideration, but I was basically told to kiss off.

I've been there before. Have a Silverado that I bought brand new. At 36,700 miles it developed a few problems that cost me $750.00.The very first words out of the dealers mouth were its out of warranty so I'm not covered and this was the dealer where I bought the truck. I thought GM should have covered them but they wouldn't. Spent 15 hours on phone trying everyone from Service manager to district rep. Came to find out that they were very common failures to Silverados even though GM swore that they were unique to my vehicle. Kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth for buying another GM product. My advise would be to give brand X a try. At this point you couldn't be any worse off.

GM wonders why they are loosing market shares

on another forum that I visit, a GM 2500HD popped a axle seal, GM would not warranty it because he had 285 tires, come-on now, the tires had no effect on the axle seal

I keep seeing stories like this and thinking, I've got to raise my prices! I only charge to look at a car if I have to disassemble something to get a good look. If all I do is read codes, or check voltages, or take it for a spin and check out the front end with a jack, I don't charge for that. If I take a job and can't fix it, (rare, though it be) I don't charge for it. My shop rate is advertised at $50/hr. I usually charge to the 1/4 hr. If it takes 15 minutes, you get charged $12. I don't see a need to make your shop rent for the month with an alternator replacement. I don't want it done to me, so I don't do it to other people.

On the flip side, people mistake kindness for weakness, often. When someone gets bent outta shape because I charged $40 to throw a hub assembly in their truck and their son's, girlfriend's father said that I did something wrong because he works on cars on the weekends, too, and I should have done this instead of that. I tell them that they should've let the other guy work on it. But when he screws it up, don't bring it to me, because I'll just laugh at you and send you back to him.

A friend has similar problems with his 02 Camry.
Two head bolts broke off in the block.
NO help at all from Toyota even though it's a known common problem.

Nissan Altima. Bought my daughter a 1995 Altima in 2000.She drove it to college for 4 years,no problems.Drove it to Ohio and back,Florida and back and my wife still drives it today.Routine maintenance only,lots of oil changes.I have a 1990 pathfinder,2005 Altima and a 2007 Maxima, same deal.no problems.

She's in Ft. Lauderdale at The Art Institute.

This isn't about imports vs domestic. This is about making a choice so you don't have to worry about your 21 yr old daughter 1500 miles away. What is the best choice?

Lets put it this way: You need to buy a car for your daughter. You have $10,000. Put away all your bias. Imagine you know nothing (or very little) about cars. You go on the internet, read car magazines, talk to owners. Do research. Then answer this: What car do you buy for your kid?

Longo Toyota has 104 service bays at their el monte facility in ca. They are usually full of jap cars waiting to be repaired. When GM has a recall it is called a recall. When toyota has a recall it is called a campaign. I have seen deals unwound on the jap cars because of customer unhappiness for various reasons. GM will help people in certain situations under "goodwill". Approach can be the difference. All cars have issues of some sort at some time in there service but to make a blanket statement that foreign cars are better quality is very short sighted and frankly, untrue. Today's american cars are of very good quality and built with pride. That is of course intended for the one's actually built by american workers.


Excuse me, but I'm not too fond of your use of the ehnic slur word for Japanese. :angry:


Respectfully,
John R.

I never in a million years thought I'd say this, but I told her to have the car fixed and drive it to the nearest Hyundai dealer and trade it in. At least she'd get a 10 year warranty.



Doesn't G.M. have a 5 Yr / 100,000 on the new rides now?

LK

Same with our 02 Impala (body control module). Was at 38K told it wasnt under warranty, so we bought a used one from a junk yard. The stereo was going crazy, the dash/guages were not working, door locks and windows none worked, but car started about 80% of the time. We replaced the $1200 part was $600 used. GM had a 1 yr warranty on the part, and the junk yard had a 6 month warranty on it. We sold it 3 months later.

With regards to your daughters specific problem... Knowing that repairs at the mercy of a shop can be a hassle and time consuming, but how much can be repaired for the same amount of money that you will be spending in payments or a direct payment of another car? Kinda like trading in a paid off vehicle getting 28MPG for a new hybrid that gets 45mpg plus an extra $400/month in car payments an extra $25 a month on insurance and double the yearly license fees. Not saving much in money but sure are saving in gasoline each week.

You guys should see the Lexus Certified Used dealership and Repair facility in or near Plano, TX. That place is HUGE (the repair shop specifically) and is a zoo. I was watching all the activity, thinking "I thought Lexus vehicles were reliable?" I think Andy's post sums it up for me though. Also, a 10yr. warranty may be nice, but how about the inconvienence of constantly taking the vehicle in for service? I'd rather pay here and there for repairs than to constantly waste my time taking the vehicle in for service.


Oh, sure, I've noticed that many LEXUS owners change their own oil, rotate their own tires and perform their own tune-ups. :rolleyes: I see it all the time around here. :)

I felt the same as many of you here about JAPANESE cars, but having bad experiences with AMERICAN cars, I switched over in 1983 and bought only one, new American car since. I won't mention the make, but I had so many problems with it, I donated it, rather than sell it to some, poor sick soul.

I'll NEVER purchase another American vehicle again. Hell, most of the Japanese vehicles are assembled here in the U.S. anyway, by American workers.



Respectfully,
John R.

I'll NEVER purchase another American vehicle again. Hell, most of the Japanese vehicles are assembled here in the U.S. anyway, by American workers.




Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Toyota is so focused on overiding GM #1 status that they are plagued with the problems that go along with it :).

Ah, my favorite topic.

All cars can have issues depending on their previous owners, and some known flaws.

My cars: 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 131k, owned it since 60k. NO issues, and I daily drive it with at 5 1/2" lift. Only compliant? I'm too short to get in it easily. My problem

2000 Jeep Cherokee - 85k owned it since 78K - the son's car, and bullet proof so far. Purchased from a 1 owner family that took very nice care of it.

2002 Durango - wife's daily that we purchased with 32K, now has 71K. Used to tow a 24' travel trailer all summer. Only issues are the common 4.7L exhaust manifolds that crack. Took care of that after the 2nd one went out and put on very nice headers. Problem solved.

My sister just traded her 2005 V8 Toureg for a Volvo Cross-Road wagon. Too expensive, and the "standard" maintenance - WOW! $1500 for a 4 wheel brake job, $750 for a tune-up, etc. Didn't have issues with it, but the expense was big. Her Volvo is a lease, keeps it's value, and has zero maintenance costs for 2 years. At that point it gets turned back in for a new one. My Bro-in-Law has a 2005 Audi S4 V8 with no issues, but the maintenance costs again are a nightmare.

Sister's Jeep Grand Cherokee was purchased used off a lot, and fell apart on the way home. Go figure...

Good plan, almost nothing has changed since 1983.

Good plan, almost nothing has changed since 1983.

I switched over to Japanese in 1983. In 1996, I decided to give an American car a try; that was my mistake. Nothing has changed since.

Buying Japanese was not a good plan, it was one of the Best plan AND decision I ever made.

I used to frequent a tavern at your age, right near a GM plant. During their lunch hour, the auto workers would pile in, do lines of cocaine and drink themselves into a frenzy, only to return to the assembly line afterwards.

(Jeez, I wonder how that beer bottle wound up in the rear of my friend's GTO, causing him to return to the dealer because of an infrequent noise, that they never could locate. He got home, pulled the backseat and there it was). :rolleyes:

Respectfully,
John R.

Look at anything GM with a 3800 V6 :thumbsup: They have a few common issues (upper intake plenum every 80-100K), but repair and maintenance costs are very low, and they are very easy to work on, the cars last forever, and hold their value pretty well once they get under $10K.

Karl,
I would like to get some more details about your problem with your Malibu.I am a Service Manager for a GM dealer in NY and can not believe that no one at GM will help you.Most GM service managers have the ability to offer goodwill on repairs without any factory intervention within 2yrs/24000 miles of the factory warranty expiration.If you would like my help or advise,feel free to pm me.I am pretty sure I can help.
Vinny

Excuse me, but I'm not too fond of your use of the ehnic slur word for Japanese. :angry:


Respectfully,
John R.

Take your political correctness, build a bridge and get over it. On Dec 7th, 1941 the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor and started wwII. I would'nt exactly call that ethnic sensitivity, would you?

Karl,
I would like to get some more details about your problem with your Malibu.I am a Service Manager for a GM dealer in NY and can not believe that no one at GM will help you.Most GM service managers have the ability to offer goodwill on repairs without any factory intervention within 2yrs/24000 miles of the factory warranty expiration.If you would like my help or advise,feel free to pm me.I am pretty sure I can help.
Vinny

Here it is, good old american generosity. This is what one would expect
from a service manager at a GM dealership. Vinny you are the apple of the american eye. My 1978 Olds runs fine as does my 66 chevelle ss. Can't think of any reason to ever support a foreign country while there are americans out of work. My Old's was built on a Friday by a Drunk american who just snorted a few line's at lunch and went back to work. It's out in the driveway waiting to go wherever I wish. Where's your 66 or 78 Honda?:noway:

If I needed to buy a cheap small car, I'd buy a Ford Escort. 9 years, 160K miles on a used 1994 model, and trouble free (except for the timing belt I neglected to change :eek: ). I sold it almost 3 years ago and regret it.

Take your political correctness, build a bridge and get over it. On Dec 7th, 1941 the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor and started wwII. I would'nt exactly call that ethnic sensitivity, would you?


That was then, and now is now. If you haven't noticed, the War has been over for about 62-1/2 years and the last time I checked, we won. :sad: Why don't you get over it? Hell, I'll bet you weren't even alive in 1941?

*Happily driving one of my Japanese cars* :waving:


Respectfully,
John R.

If I needed to buy a cheap small car, I'd buy a Ford Escort. 9 years, 160K miles on a used 1994 model, and trouble free (except for the timing belt I neglected to change :eek: ). I sold it almost 3 years ago and regret it.

A friend of mine had one too and his went a long time before he got rid of it. I even think he went 140,000 miles on the original battery! :thumbsup:


Respectfully,
John R.

i am also a gm service manager here in conn.i agree with vinny.the dealer could and should give you a goodwill policy adjustment.it's really a no brainer for them.they don't even need to ask anyone at gm.if i can also help.let me know. drew

That was then, and now is now. If you haven't noticed, the War has been over for about 62-1/2

1983 was 25 years ago, surely you'd want to remember a war longer than a crappy car.

1983 was 25 years ago, surely you'd want to remember a war longer than a crappy car.

:D:hurray:

1983 was 25 years ago, surely you'd want to remember a war longer than a crappy car.

If it's your choice to remember a war that took place over 60 years ago, that's fine with me. I cannot dwell on something I did not experience, perhaps you did, but as I indicated in an earlier post, we won that war, and I'm certainly glad we did. With that war long over, there is no need for me to hate the Japanese at this time.

The only war that I cannot forget is the Vietnam War, when I fought there as a Marine, from 1969 to 1970, being wounded three times.

I also remember my 1983 Nissan Sentra that served me faithfully for over 150,000 miles. The crappy American car that I purchased brand new in 1996, I simply want to forget. To each his own. :)

Respectfully,
John R.

The only American car I currently own is my 1970 LS-6, that I purchased after arriving home from overseas.

:D:hurray:

I always heard that California was the Land of Fruits and Nuts, but never believed it until I read several of your previous posts. Now, I know that to be true. :yes: :) J/K :D Unless of course, you're from somewhere else.


Respectfully,
John R.

You know $10k would buy a whole lot of bus passes and a real nice bicycle. How bad could the weather be in FL? Cut the cord and let her fend for herself. :) This may not sound PC but I know it worked well for my 3 sisiters. All of them are successful in life and even drove $500 or less cars to school. One even went into the Army.
Another option: now that the car is fixed get her a triple A membership and an onstar subscription if the car is equipped with it. That would be better than trying to find another dependable car IMO. No need to run out and replace it with another cheap car that might not be any better. Your luck could go either way on any other car. I have a close friend who was a Honda tech and they break too. My parents owned Toyotas and the money they spent to get it to go 400k miles would have paid for another nicer newer ride.
I have no brand loyalty. I buy what I like and have had real good luck with all my GM products. Yes they have had problems, but I have been able to fix them myself for the most part. What wasn't repairable by me wasn't all that expensive to get repaired at a shop. Never owned a car with a warranty.

I always heard that California was the Land of Fruits and Nuts, but never believed it until I read several of your previous posts. Now, I know that to be true. :yes: :) J/K :D Unless of course, you're from somewhere else.


Respectfully,
John R.

California is full of nuts. They call themselves liberals/democrats and they love fruit, especially in the San Francisco area. So far as viet nam is concerned, other than I have a 100% sc rating I'm over it but they don't export cars here with unfair trade advantages. Just how many american cars do you think japan allows into their country but OH, I know, that does'nt matter does it. You guy's keep making foreign countries wealthy and then have someone explain to your grandchildren what happened to their country when they are starving. But by God, you had your jap car.
And by the way, I was born in the land of fruits and nuts, soon to be part of tj.

Karl,
I would like to get some more details about your problem with your Malibu.I am a Service Manager for a GM dealer in NY and can not believe that no one at GM will help you.Most GM service managers have the ability to offer goodwill on repairs without any factory intervention within 2yrs/24000 miles of the factory warranty expiration.If you would like my help or advise,feel free to pm me.I am pretty sure I can help.
Vinny


Putting this out there again, so Karl doesn't miss it.

Putting this out there again, so Karl doesn't miss it.

You are correct, Dan

i am also a gm service manager here in conn.i agree with vinny.the dealer could and should give you a goodwill policy adjustment.it's really a no brainer for them.they don't even need to ask anyone at gm.if i can also help.let me know. drew

I'm in the parts end, and that's what I was thinking. If it's a "classic" malibu which it probably is, and probably has the 3.1...... you should watch for intake manifold seepage (telltale is lack of heat).

Why don't people get upset when the British are referred to as the "Brits" but don't like Japanese being called Japs. It's an abbreviation. Just like "Nips" being an abbreviation for Nipponese. Yankees are called Yanks.................and on and on.............

California is full of nuts. They call themselves liberals/democrats and they love fruit, especially in the San Francisco area. So far as viet nam is concerned, other than I have a 100% sc rating I'm over it but they don't export cars here with unfair trade advantages. Just how many american cars do you think japan allows into their country but OH, I know, that does'nt matter does it. You guy's keep making foreign countries wealthy and then have someone explain to your grandchildren what happened to their country when they are starving. But by God, you had your jap car.
And by the way, I was born in the land of fruits and nuts, soon to be part of tj.


You, Dan, are my new friend!:yes: :thumbsup:

Respectfully,
John R.

California is full of nuts. They call themselves liberals/democrats and they love fruit, especially in the San Francisco area. So far as viet nam is concerned, other than I have a 100% sc rating I'm over it but they don't export cars here with unfair trade advantages. Just how many american cars do you think japan allows into their country but OH, I know, that does'nt matter does it. You guy's keep making foreign countries wealthy and then have someone explain to your grandchildren what happened to their country when they are starving. But by God, you had your jap car.
And by the way, I was born in the land of fruits and nuts, soon to be part of tj.

Dan,

I can understand what your saying about cars, but there has been much outsourcing, especially since NAFTA. American vehicles are being assembled in Mexico and Canada and it's not only Japan to take the full blame for it all. You can also blame Hyundai, MB, BMW, Audi and Volvo as well, while you are it. Just take another example of all the crap we're getting shipped here from China?

Since the Dollar has fallen against the Yen, it would be an advantage for the Japanese to buy an American car, but as you implied, they don't import as many American cars as they do export their cars. It is surely unbalanced, but how did it get this way? IMO, by saying that this country will starve due to that, is very remote.

Aside from the Japanese car "thing," it's safe for me to assume we're on the same page when it comes to other matters, especially those occuring in your State. SF and Berkeley should be shutdown, somehow. Then you have the illegal ALIENS "in the wire" down in 'Diego and all across our southern borders, and no one can make a solid decision to do anything to combat it.

On another note, I don't know what problems you have that you deserved a 100% S/C disability rating, but it must not be good. I sincerely hope that you do not suffer too badly as I do, since I have PTSD and other maladies. However, since I volunteered, I shouldn't complain.

WELCOME HOME BROTHER, WELCOME HOME.


With all that aside Dan, I think it would be much better for us to discuss Chevelles and other Musclecars here, rather than ethnicity, politics and trade agreements. At least we share common ground with our Chevelles. :thumbsup:

Have a good night. :cool:

Respectfully,
John R.

Just be aware that the so called Hyundai warranty is not a bumper to bumper 10 year, it's powertrain, so you would still have to pay the shot after the bumper to bumper level. A friend of mine had an overdrive problem within the 5/60 which is bumper to bumper, they fixed it but charged $119 for a trans filter and fluid the was not covered.
GM offers extended warranties past the 3/36 for a fee obviously, but that may be a better choice than a new Hyundai.

Just be aware that the so called Hyundai warranty is not a bumper to bumper 10 year, it's powertrain, so you would still have to pay the shot after the bumper to bumper level. A friend of mine had an overdrive problem within the 5/60 which is bumper to bumper, they fixed it but charged $119 for a trans filter and fluid the was not covered.
GM offers extended warranties past the 3/36 for a fee obviously, but that may be a better choice than a new Hyundai.


A friend of mine owns a 2002 Hyundai Accent, and last Autumn her shifter was locked in Park and she required a screwdriver to Override it in order to place into R or D. The car was over five years old when she took it to the dealership to repair it. I was with her and there was No Charge for the repair. It also had about 30,000+ miles on it. Now, I have no idea what that that 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty covered, but it covered that. Go figure? :confused:


Respectfully,
John R.

My opinion is that any car is a crapshoot as far as how reliable it will be in the long run. You may as well just buy what you like as far as looks and comfort. I've owned a Buick, Saturn, Nissan, Ford, and Honda. The Honda and Buick had big problems, The Ford, Saturn, and Nissan were/are great cars for me.

I had a lexus gx470, my wife is a hr director for them so we got a HUGE discount on a lease. Nice truck BUT it left me stranded once, gas gauge gave the wrong reading, the backup camera broke out of warrenty...$1700 to fix and I did not pay, the leather went in 2 years in the drivers seat, the power seat broke, the driveshaft banged in gear they said it was a bulliton(means recall in imports:D) they never fixed it said it was safe.

I had a 2001 taurus I drove for a while, put pads on the front and that was it.

Had a 91 grand prix, was a great car, 105k before I bought the taurus

I have a 96 suburban with 135k, the torque converter was shot so I rebuilt the trans
Not saying one is better that the other but that has been my experiance, be careful, do the best research you can and buy AMERICAN!!!!:D

I used to a tavern at your age, right near a GM plant. During their lunch hour, the auto workers would pile in, do lines of cocaine and drink themselves into a frenzy, only to return to the assembly line afterwards.

(Jeez, I wonder how that beer bottle wound up in the rear of my friend's GTO, causing him to return to the dealer because of an infrequent noise, that they never could locate. He got home, pulled the backseat and there it was). :rolleyes:

Respectfully,
John R.

Are you kidding? You frequent a tavern and you want to throw stones at the glass house? That makes alot of sense. I'm not sure what year you’re talking about or if your still under the influence but stop spreading this crap.
If your going to tell stories at least get them right, it’s a beer bottle sandwiched between the door and the door panel. We've all heard this story its about as popular as the coke one.

Look at anything GM with a 3800 V6 :thumbsup: They have a few common issues (upper intake plenum every 80-100K), but repair and maintenance costs are very low, and they are very easy to work on, the cars last forever, and hold their value pretty well once they get under $10K.

I have 2 right now and have owned several. Great car......if you're a mechanic. Cheap and easy to fix, but they do require fixing. Just did the upper intake and lower gaskets on my wife's Bonneville right at 100K. Just did a fuel pump in my sons LeSabre at 76K. I'm always fixing something on the cars, usually minor, but necessary.

My daughter actually bought the Malibu to replace her 95 Buick Regal with a 3800 that kept intermittently shutting down. Car had 80K on it and we spent close to $1000 trying to get it fixed down there with no success. Finally gave up and got the Malibu.

It's unbeliveably frusturating knowing I could fix any car problem she had if she lived nearby. She is at the mercy of the repair shops.

Karl,
I would like to get some more details about your problem with your Malibu.I am a Service Manager for a GM dealer in NY and can not believe that no one at GM will help you.Most GM service managers have the ability to offer goodwill on repairs without any factory intervention within 2yrs/24000 miles of the factory warranty expiration.If you would like my help or advise,feel free to pm me.I am pretty sure I can help.
Vinny

Thanks Vinny, I appreciate it. PM sent.

i am also a gm service manager here in conn.i agree with vinny.the dealer could and should give you a goodwill policy adjustment.it's really a no brainer for them.they don't even need to ask anyone at gm.if i can also help.let me know. drew

Thanks Drew, apparently customer service in Florida is not what it should be.

You know $10k would buy a whole lot of bus passes and a real nice bicycle. How bad could the weather be in FL? Cut the cord and let her fend for herself.

It's been discussed but is not possible with her schedule and her location. Believe me, this is no princess we're talking about. She pays for her car, her apartment, and part of her tuition. She goes to school full time and waits tables 45-50 hrs a week to pay her bills. We help her out as best we can but the responsibility is hers. I know very few 21 yr old kids as responsible as her. And she gets top grades.

I have 2 right now and have owned several. Great car......if you're a mechanic. Cheap and easy to fix, but they do require fixing. Just did the upper intake and lower gaskets on my wife's Bonneville right at 100K. Just did a fuel pump in my sons LeSabre at 76K. I'm always fixing something on the cars, usually minor, but necessary.

My daughter actually bought the Malibu to replace her 95 Buick Regal with a 3800 that kept intermittently shutting down. Car had 80K on it and we spent close to $1000 trying to get it fixed down there with no success. Finally gave up and got the Malibu.

It's unbeliveably frusturating knowing I could fix any car problem she had if she lived nearby. She is at the mercy of the repair shops.

Who wants to go thru life constantly fixing cars. Not here to bash GM but I have an 02 import with 90K trouble-free miles on it and gets 30 MPG. What else do you need, a car is supposed to be reliable and economical or you're just waiting time and money, in your case both. I haven't bought anything new from GM since the 90's. The general sure ain't going come give me a ride to work when their car breaks down. The end.

Who wants to go thru life constantly fixing cars. Not here to bash GM but I have an 02 import with 90K trouble-free miles on it and gets 30 MPG. What else do you need, a car is supposed to be reliable and economical or you're just waiting time and money, in your case both. I haven't bought anything new from GM since the 90's. The general sure ain't going come give me a ride to work when their car breaks down. The end.

That's what my daughter needs. As fo me, I buy 'em cheap, fix 'em when they break, and spend the thousands I save on other things.

Working on cars and motorcycles is kind of 'therapy' for me. I spend all week fixing airplanes, so it's nice to go in the garage, fire up a stogie and get creative. My wife swears I'd sleep out there if I could.

It's been discussed but is not possible with her schedule and her location. Believe me, this is no princess we're talking about. She pays for her car, her apartment, and part of her tuition. She goes to school full time and waits tables 45-50 hrs a week to pay her bills. We help her out as best we can but the responsibility is hers. I know very few 21 yr old kids as responsible as her. And she gets top grades.

The other minor problems you had while the car was under warranty, were those problems expensive fixes (if you would have had to pay)? It's possible the problems have been fixed on the car and it's going to be reliable in the long-term. That's the million dollar question though. I had a lot of problems with my '05 Sierra I bought new. At least 10 trips for warranty work. Several thousand dollars worth of repairs (had it not been under warranty). Truck has 41k miles now. Will it stay reliable? Only time will tell. I wouldn't wish this junk on any other Team Chevelle member.

You can go out and buy another vehicle, but how much more will it cost you? Be it $1000 or $5000, the replacement vehicle may end up costing more money than the Malibu IF the Malibu doesn't require major repairs while your daugher is in college.

Alternatives: trade the Malibu for a Certified Used car, which usually offer attractive warranty periods; lease a new car for three years.

Karl, it sounds like you have a smart little girl who is responsible. One incident doe's not mean she has a lemon car. I'm sure whatever might happen in the future she will be ok. She has a dad who care's for her and won't leave her hanging. All cars break sometime. Have faith, Dan

Karl, it sounds like you have a smart little girl who is responsible. One incident doe's not mean she has a lemon car. I'm sure whatever might happen in the future she will be ok. She has a dad who care's for her and won't leave her hanging. All cars break sometime. Have faith, Dan

Thanks Dan, she's a great kid, just trying to help her get started. We'll get it figured out.

Karl,

Good luck with her car, has to be tough long distance.

Yup, GM stuff really must be bad...........drove my 86 MC SS to work today, only has 236,000 miles on it. Never had a major problem yet, but I bet I will someday.

Call G. M. customer service,they have always treated me right on repairs after warrantee,paid all on some half on some.

Look at anything GM with a 3800 V6 :thumbsup: They have a few common issues (upper intake plenum every 80-100K), but repair and maintenance costs are very low, and they are very easy to work on, the cars last forever, and hold their value pretty well once they get under $10K.

I have 2 right now and have owned several. Great car......if you're a mechanic. Cheap and easy to fix, but they do require fixing. Just did the upper intake and lower gaskets on my wife's Bonneville right at 100K. Just did a fuel pump in my sons LeSabre at 76K. I'm always fixing something on the cars, usually minor, but necessary.
I've had very good luck with mine (91 Bonneville 280K, 98 Bonneville 170K, and 04 Bonneville 90K) We put about 20K/yr on them, and it seems we need to spend about $300-500 on them every 4-5 years without anything but regular maintenance in-between. (except the 91, that's never needed anything except brake-jobs and oil-changes in the last 185K miles of which I know the history on) The only problems we've had is upper intake plenum on both the 98 and 04, and the alternator on the 98.

I really think the best way to go without spending a lot of money is a used 3800 V6 GM, and do a tune-up, brake job, and upper intake plenum before she takes it home... make sure everything is good and the common problem parts are replaced before they break and she has to pay someone to fix it. Upper intakes go 80-100K, so that should go trouble-free until she's out of college. :)

They also get 27-30mpg pretty easily and are relatively big safe cars for their mileage.

FWIW, the 3400 is a good motor also, even better is one that has had the LIM gasket changed.

SixActual, .....I know what this call sign meant in the military, does it mean the same thing with you, sir?

(Didn't mean to change direction here, but I was just curious)

il put my 2 cents in here. what breaks at 50k miles on one car could last 500k on an 100 other identical cars, import, domestic, whatever make. i think we all know imports are pretty reliable. i am a gm guy, have been since i was a kid, used to think anything gm was made in usa, HA, not anymore. some of the imports are probably more american than the domestics which is kinda scary but then again isnt EVERYTHING made in china now? saw a big bag of shrimp that came from wal mart said "made in china" why are we buyin shrimp from china:p

Maybe because there are alot of shrimps in China,:D

We have a hyundai, and the 100k warranty isnt all thats cracked up to be. Our input shaft bearing went at 86K, also from alot of internet research the std. clutch is only good for about 60K. And not covered. thats about a 1400 dollar repair bill. I had a friend who owns a import repair shop look at my car, diagnosed it, but hyundai didnt want to cover the bearings, because I didnt put a hyundai clutch in it. After 2 months of writing letters, posting nasty responses here, craigslist, Sticking 3in. letters on the door of my car. I finally got ahold of a manager that agreed that the clutch wouldnt have anything to do with the bearing, especially since it started before we replaced the clutch! Well I think all is going to work out. They are going to honor the warranty, they just want us to pay for a new clutch kit. they even priced it wholesale. So we're having the other dealer check it out this weekend and get the parts in, so they can fix it.
After talking to Hyundai USA, they pretty much told me that if you take your car to the dealership for ALL the maintnance and theres a issue, the repair is covered very quickly. BUT if you add up the cost of all the maintnance at the dealership, you could buy a whole new car, by the time your warranty is up. I'll post up how the dealership treats us. Im hoping it all goes smooth. Aside from the bearing the car really is a decent driver. We bought it as a travel car to get the kid to out of town tournements, and it has done that pretty economically. 36mpg. jim