Yet another GM is suffering topic

[SnakeEyeSS]

I am now more worried about GM than I was yesterday

 

I went to several GM dealers today looking at new models(brother is in the market for a slightly used car. After driving the new Malibu, and talking to salesmen about them(on my reccommendation since they have gotten good reviews), he is now looking for A new generatio Camry. Neither the Salesman, or owners of the new Malibu are very impressed. he said almost all the ones they could find have noticeable stains do to almost all of them having very light colored interiors....one's seat was coming apart with 20K miles. The salemen even said that of the newest Chevy's an Impala would be your best bet, as the other models have a fair share of problems.

 

Looking at interior quality myself, I would much rather buy a "import" that is built in the US, than some of the out of country made US brand cars. I'm wondering how much it would have costs GM just to reduce the plastic molding seam ridge on the Colorado's dash(toward the windshield)? ITS A ONE PIECE design!!! There shouldn't be a SEAM!!!!

 

I keep reading and reading that new GM's have much nicer interiors, but the only one that shows it is the GTO, which isn't even a US car! All that has happened is that the materials now "look" metallic. same hard plastic, just different texture.

 

The only thing they have going for them seems of be the trucks.

 

the new Grand Prix is probably one of the nicest, and the G6 is alright too, but GM hasn't really made any progress in the market. the imports used to be a few times ahead, now they are MANY times ahead in material quality.

[Elwood 2000]

I would NOT buy an Impala. We are very unhappy with the quality of ours.

[Mark_in_Tulsa]

I would NOT buy an Impala. We are very unhappy with the quality of ours.

 

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Same for my parents.

 

Here is an artical from last year. GM makes a apology, for makeing crappy cars for the last 20 years. And vows to make changes.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0630/p16s01-wmcn.html

 

Granted this was last year, but hopefully they are headed in the right direction.

[MillerClemsonHD]

I am now more worried about GM than I was yesterday

 

I went to several GM dealers today looking at new models(brother is in the market for a slightly used car. After driving the new Malibu, and talking to salesmen about them(on my reccommendation since they have gotten good reviews), he is now looking for A new generatio Camry. Neither the Salesman, or owners of the new Malibu are very impressed. he said almost all the ones they could find have noticeable stains do to almost all of them having very light colored interiors....one's seat was coming apart with 20K miles. The salemen even said that of the newest Chevy's an Impala would be your best bet, as the other models have a fair share of problems.

 

Looking at interior quality myself, I would much rather buy a "import" that is built in the US, than some of the out of  country made US brand cars. I'm wondering how much it would have costs GM just to reduce the plastic molding seam ridge on the Colorado's dash(toward the windshield)? ITS A ONE PIECE design!!! There shouldn't be a SEAM!!!!

 

I keep reading and reading that new GM's have much nicer interiors, but the only one that shows it is the GTO, which isn't even a US car! All that has happened is that the materials now "look" metallic.  same hard plastic, just different texture.

 

The only thing they have going for them seems of be the trucks.

 

the new Grand Prix is probably one of the nicest, and the G6 is alright too, but GM hasn't really made any progress in the market. the imports used to be a few times ahead, now they are MANY times ahead in material quality.

 

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Cant squeeze your suppliers that much and still expect quality. That along with cutting corners in design its no wonder many of the interiors look like junk. They not only force suppliers to lower prices they constantly choose lower quality when they could get a higher quality product. I know this for a fact.

[SnakeEyeSS]

I looked a a year old RSX-S pre-owned at a dealer, didn't drive, just checked it out because they have peaked my interest since they came out. NICE interior. some people are saying the Cobalt Interior is better, but there is no way. it simply just looks so much better, and the texture LOOKS better, you can see the quiality. and the RSX-S only costs pennies more than a comparably equipped Cobalt SS. Not a fan of the preferated leather though. Plus, Acura saw thw upcoming competition(can't say the same for GM) and upped the compression ration to boost power 10 HP with the 2005 models. I think they did some intake work also.

 

I'm no Honda fan, but that Acura is one nice car. If I was in the market(for a FWD car), that's where'd my money would go.

[Elwood 2000]

United Airlines is leaving a trail of bread crumbs thru the court system for other airlines, GM and other car companies to follow.

 

I think we are witness to the beginning of the end of corporate America and in the end, the "suites" will come out like fat cats and the rest of America will take it on the chin pretty good.

[Jester4736w]

Something needs to happen with this country! I'm only 20 years old, and for me to see the country falling is pretty sad because i havent been in it for long, really. GAS PRICES ARE THE ROUTE TO ALL OF THIS! As far as the cars being made cheaper and all, it's because people want a cheap car now, something that is good on gas and inexpensive to buy and operate (Which is actually what people have wanted all along). IDK much about this subject really, just makes me mad, that at 20 years old i've started to notice this country tumble, i can just imagine what it must be like for some of our older members to see it. It must look like it is completely falling to nothing.

[ctfan]

Something needs to happen with this country!  I'm only 20 years old, and for me to see the country falling is pretty sad because i havent been in it for long, really.  GAS PRICES ARE THE ROUTE TO ALL OF THIS!  As far as the cars being made cheaper and all, it's because people want a cheap car now, something that is good on gas and inexpensive to buy and operate (Which is actually what people have wanted all along). IDK much about this subject really, just makes me mad, that at 20 years old i've started to notice this country tumble, i can just imagine what it must be like for some of our older members to see it.  It must look like it is completely falling to nothing.

 

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I agree with alot of this. I to am 20 years old. This country, as much as I love it, is going down. Not just in the buisness world, but the way people are acting and treating other people. I read a story over at another Chevy site about how a bunch of idiots hung and skinned a live dog. What the hell is wrong with people these days.

 

As far as GM is concerned, it sucks and it sucks big time. I don't really have a suggestion as to what they need to do to fix it except listen to the customers. They are the ones paying the salaries, writing the monthly check. Make something they like and they should, in therey return to where they once where. Easier said then done, I know.

 

William

[SnakeEyeSS]

Sorry Jester but cheap made cars DO NOT last as long as quality made ones. I don't think anyone here will argue that a Cavalier will out last a Civic. When I worked at a lube shop, an abused GM compact would barely be ticking, but a Carboned out the wazoo Civic that was beat and battered seem to have a lot more life left in it, and responded better to maintaince.

[ril850]

Gm also needs to keep an eye out for its share of the truck market, the Tundra and Titan are both very impressive trucks.

[jamashke]

I have done my fair share of busting my butt for a living. I have worked in a concrete plant as a mixer and finisher (box colverts, jail cells, etc.), worked in a steel plant making I-beams from scrap metal like cars, etc., lay water mains in the everglades, and did the old saying of dug ditches for a living. I finally broke into the office environment and the class of people and their work ethic sends chills up my spine. I see something that needs to be done I do it. Others say well it is not in my job title. Even if it is helping a women (sorry ladies) pick up a box full of paper reams. Other people just walk by. Yet they make more than I do even though I "produce" like and even more/better product IMO. ok ok now to the point....

I see most jobs in the US becoming service type jobs. I see very little in manufacturing and skilled type work. There are a few people out there that classify as skilled workers (like a concrete finisher) but they are getting close to retiring. There are no replacements for them as the job is too tough or is not in an office or doesn't pay enough. So what happens they have to raise the salary of an unskilled worker that produces crap. Then it has to be repaired and then the cycle begins. Eventually the skilled work goes outside the US not only for the pay but for the skilled workers. From what I have seen this ALL begins at home when you are coming of age.

 

Most parents scoff when they find out my child does not make a weekly alouance for doing nothing. If he works he gets paid. No work no money, sloppy work no money, no money no fun. You have to work hard and smart and many people are not teaching their kids these things. They just think get out of my hair, not my problem, pay for college and they are good. Well guess what I for one am sick and tired of having to raise other people's children. It is funny there was an unrully kid that came over and broke my son's TV because my son and the other kids did not want to play what he wanted to. The parents were like who gives a rats a$$. Well I have to admit my son does well during B-Days and Christmas for honor roll etc. so all of the kids like to come over. Well that was the only boy not allowed. I talked with him and said you cut my yard to my liking for a month you can come over and play whenever my son says it is ok. Well guess what that boy now is very respectful to me and the other kids and is now welcome in my house. He calls me Mr. and my wife Mrs. He will cuss right at his parents but he knows don't even look cross eyed at me as there are Repercussions for all of your actions!! People have no idea of what even means anymore. Thus what was said above and from what I have seen in other posts and even on the news. Just a little while ago (not even 15 years) a kid was disrespectful other people in the room would stare down the parents and make them even leave if they did not make their kid mind. Now days it is a free for all and people just look the other way. I think it stinks especially since this attitude is being transferred to the work place thus causing less product for the same amount of time. Don't you dare say well people are working more now than they used to. I say they may work more than 40 hours but how much of that 40 hours is work?! I run a tight shift where I work and they pull their weight. One does not the others help me replace them. When they start they are like wow he is an a$$hole but after about 3 months they realize wow look at what I do, how fast, and hey even the VP puts us up above the other departments for quality of service and quality of product but not sacrificing quantity. Imagine that.....

 

Oh guess what I am only 30ish (been married for over 10 years and still faithful imagine that... Another one of the most beautiful things in the world has been destroyed by lack of respect for one another)

[99silveradoz71]

Pretty much hit it all on the head with the last poster. I see too much of it at work. "My son/daughter won't go to school, can you send an officer over?" That would've been the day when I was growing up. The times have changed and it all starts at home.

[Hotwire]

ditto, i'm raising someone else's 13 yr old daughter, and have a 7 month of my own, it's rough.

 

and back to the GM thing, my mother in law bought a malibu and I'm afraid to ride in it, the thing is terrible quality, i've owned 2 96-97 genre chevys and just pretty much lost faith. this 00 i have now, even though I love it, has issues, rear seat stitching coming loose, tailgate cables worries, rear windows leaking, steering column click, jumpy drink holder, visible unfinished headliner, SAME 4 L 60 friggin E that has DECADES OF PROBLEMS, fockin weather stripping won't stay over the 3rd door.. wtf gm?!?! get yer heads out of yer azzes, get rid of the corporate bs and get some REAL car people in there to run the company. seems like gm is just a bunch of people doing a job and not working to make something right. Congrats on the LS series motors, I'll give you that, but wrap something worthy around the friggin things...

[Elwood 2000]

jamaske, I will keep off my soapbox, but I have one foot on there with you!!!

 

Did anyone ever think that in the "dark boardrooms" of GM, this was a "plan" by a small handful of people? Not trying to be a conspiricy theory guy or anything, but think about this. They HAD to know what kind of expenses were coming around the bend. They promised the moon to the union workers, betting on the come. Well, the come is here and it is time to pay up. Guess what? With competition being as much as it is, they don't have it. Well, put yourself in bad shape. Cheaper materials, cheaper labor, cheaper products. Arthur Anderson is NOT the only firm who knows how to make books look good or bad.

 

Your quality has slipped below the norm, you are losing market share. The boom of the truck and SUV is taking it on the chin because of gasoline prices. With bankruptcy laws they way they are, they can file, get rid of over-promised pensions, break current union contracts allowing them to lower wages and benifit packages, get rid of TONS of employees that can't be fired because of a union contract which have been or will be replaced by more machines/robotics, and you become a very lean and mean auto-building machine. You just cut your expenses by a HUGE percentage and have a competitive price in the marketplace. Poor reputation for quality?? Guess what, you know have the profit margins to buy a little bit better quality parts that can be assembled by a drastically lower overhead labor force, build a better car/truck and make HUGE profits in the process.

 

Folks, GM will never "close up shop" for good. They will go thru a process like a catapilar and when they are done, they will end up a beautiful butterfly.

 

Today they are bogged down with huge costs and poor management decisions of the past. This is the path to lead them out. Play by the rules (bankruptcy laws) that have been set forth and win the game.

 

 

 

Just my thoughts!

[RyanbabZ71]

Just to chime in

 

I would NOT buy an Impala. We are very unhappy with the quality of ours.

 

I really enjoy my 2000 Impala. I have had some problems since getting it last Sept but overall it is a very good car (knock on wood not to jinx myself haha)