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MarkD

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MarkD Senior Enthusiast

MarkD

Posted
Posted

At the end of February, I bought a 1999 GMC Z71 3-door SLT.

 

It had 88k miles on it.  I got a good price on it.  I bought a 12/12 warranty for $1300.

 

After 30 days and ~800 miles, problems started...

 

-shifter cable messed up (very hard to move shifter)

-ABS module quit

-Steering groan

-Driveline "clunk"

 

Warranty covered the steering groan and nothing else.  I told them to fix whatever the WARRANTY would cover.  Cost, $100 deductible,  $197 diagnosis of other problems (3hours)

 

To fix the other items would cost $1500-$1800 out of pocket.

 

The used car manager does not seem to be too willing to "help" me with these expenses.  But that is still an option(not rejected yet)  I haven't spoken with the dealership owner or General Manager yet.

 

Another option is a trade.

 

Current possibilities are a

-99 3-door stepside Z71 w/ 35k miles

-00 3-door fleetside Z71 w/ 75k miles

-hold out a few weeks and see what comes available

 

What do you guys think?  Consider my mods, what would be salvageable, etc.

MarkD Senior Enthusiast

MarkD

Posted
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I have also changed ALL fluids w/synthetic, replaced the e-brake pads, replaced the front diff seal, and cleaned the truck EXTENSIVELY.  

 

Cost's other than cleaning ~ $400

GnatGoSplat Enthusiast

GnatGoSplat

Posted
Posted

The stiff shifter, I've never heard of anyone else having that problem, so that might just be regular ol' bad luck.

The ABS module is a common problem with all 99's.

I think all 99's with the original ABS computer will have it fail at some point.

I'm not sure about the steering groan, as mine seems to make more of a clunkity clunk type sound, which is almost more of a sensation than a sound, but noise in the steering column is also a very common problem with 99's and some 00's.  The fix is to fill the steering intermediate shaft full of grease.

Driveline clunk is a common problem up to at least 01, GM has a new nickel plated slip-yoke to fix it.  However, I've heard greasing it alone will fix it.  My 99 has this too, and I haven't bothered trying to fix it.

 

Anyway, your first 2 possibilities are likely to have the same problems as the truck you have now.  Different truck, same problem.

 

Or I would recommend holding out for an '01 or '02, as they seem to have more bugs ironed out.

 

However, I think after you fix the common problems, you should be ok (and all the problems you mention, I've heard are common on just about all 99's, except for the stiff shifter thing - never heard that one before).

SnakeEyeSS Senior Enthusiast

SnakeEyeSS

Posted
Posted

CALL THE LOCAL TV NEWS RIGHT NOW!!!!

I'm dead serious about this. stuff like this, with different companies happens all the time around here, and all our local news stations have deparments to deal with this. This is what happens here in NE Oklahoma when the "comsumer" deparment of the NEws station is told, and asked to help. The news calls everyone involed, that are not helping you, to figure out what is going on. Realizing that their very business is on the lin and in clear and present danger, they usually act quickly, to get the persons problem fixed quickly. Why? becuase if they fix it, they will be on the news and look a little bad. If they don't? Then they are on the news and look REALLY bad.   You may have programs like this at your local TV stations. Call immediately, When I watch the news, most people get complete results in their favor within two weeks. Only once wasd nothing done, because the bad business(man) literally dissappeared. But I don't think this dealership will be going anywhere, so the NEws may just get the job done!

MarkD Senior Enthusiast

MarkD

Posted
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Solutions per the Service dept.

 

The shifter problem can be repaired by replacing the shifter cable (binding).

 

Replace ABS computer

 

Steering fixed (new intermediate shaft)(has been done under warranty)

 

Driveline greased (has been done)

 

I have composed a letter, to be sent certified mail to the owner of the dealership and the BBB.  I haven't sent it yet.

pstewart Enthusiast

pstewart

Posted
Posted

All great suggestions- I especially like the News thing. In LA they used to have a whole section devoted to a guy by the name of Judd Makelvane(sp?) anyway- he really got results. Before you send a letter to the BBB- you might want to check with them to see if he is a member or not. If he isn't, it's a waste of postage....

 

Good Luck and BTW- I'd keep the one you have

 

-Patrick

SnakeEyeSS Senior Enthusiast

SnakeEyeSS

Posted
Posted

From what I've heard, even if they are a member of the BBB, the BBB is limited to what they can really do. Who really asks the BBB for info until something goes wrong anyway?  I'd still call the news, you won't lose anything.

MarkD Senior Enthusiast

MarkD

Posted
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Posted

My point with the dealer is that when I bought the truck, I was a little antsy about reliability.  I was told "hey, get the warranty then, and have the security of 12 months of no repair bills".  

 

I contend that I would not have bought the truck without some sort of guarantee.

bassdog Enthusiast

bassdog

Posted
Posted

Salvage what mods you can and trade it in. Keep in mind that the cost of trading it will most likey compare to the cost out of pocket to fix it (barring you have a loan for the full amount of the truck). The only difference will be that you can "hide" that money in the loan of the new truck.

 

Not to be a wise a@@ here, but if you do buy another warranty, read thru it first and see what's covered and what's not. I have never bought a third party warranty just for the problems you are having now. Do some research on the net and buy your own warranty, not the dealers "recommended" one.

 

Tough decision  ???

Big Boy Enthusiast

Big Boy

Posted
Posted

Trade it in on something newish.  Something with some factory warranty left.  If it has 2 miles and 2 days left, that will allow you to extend the BUMPER TO BUMPER warranty.

No hassles.  Might want to talk to other customers of this dealership.  You might need to find another dealership.

MarkD Senior Enthusiast

MarkD

Posted
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Posted

Last night I went to the dealership (after hours) and looked at the trucks he had...

 

The Red '99 SLT(35k miles) he had was not in any better shape than mine(strike 1), it is a stepside and I cant use my $500 toolbox (strike 2), they want my truck  plus at least $4000 for it (strike 3)

 

The White '00 SLT(74k miles) has a 60/40 front seat (don't know about that), seems to be in pretty good shape (+), will need the same maintenance as my '99 did ($400, strike 1), may be able to get a bumper-to-bumper, because it is less than 75k miles (+), very close to even trade w/ mine (+), Has the polished GMC 6 spoke rims (+),  I am gunshy about 75k miles (strike 2)

 

Being prepped 00-01 SLT (38k miles) red w/pewter bottom(strike 1, don't like 2 tone), price?, close to new w/rebates, I haven't seen it.

 

Future?

 

GMCJoe, I see what you are saying about my grief being w/ the warranty company, but I still disagree.  The warranty company documented what they covered with the dealership.  The salesman and "finance guy" spent over an hour convincing me that I had nothing to worry about with this truck if I got the warranty.  I even mentioned a front axle seal leak I wanted fixed before purchase, he told me to get the warranty and wait a few weeks before bringing it in to get fixed. ( I fixed it myself ).

carguru Senior Enthusiast

carguru

Posted
Posted

Mark,

 

Was the extended warranty you bought a bumper to bumper?  If it were, they should fix those problems.  Most of the problems you listed are not common wear issues.  If it is the GMPP plan, you might be able to check with another dealer for second opinion.  I've had some of the same issues with the nearby dealer even when the original bumper to bumper warranty was in effect.  I ended up taking it to another dealership and they took care of the problem no questions asked.  As a last resort, I would look at trading...probably from another dealer.  I would also stay away from the '99 models because you may end up with some of the same problems.  You would be able to salvage much of the mods.  But all the cleaning and fluid changes are lost.

MarkD Senior Enthusiast

MarkD

Posted
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Carguru,

 

I spoke w/ the warranty co. (GMPP) and they told me the same thing the dealer did.

 

What I was sold was not a bumper-to-bumper, but I was told it was everything but b-t-b. (without specifics).  To paraphrase, normal wear and cosmetics excluded.  

 

Over a month later, I got the booklet from GMPP.

THE BIGPUNN Enthusiast

THE BIGPUNN

Posted
Posted

i think your best bet will be to call a lawyer that specializes in these type of problems.  lemon laws in some states only apply if the vehicle is under so many miles. i called a friend of mine, he is the service manager at my local gm shop and he said that there are some things that they can do if the vehicle is under 60k. your issue is more or less a problem with the warranty company...i think you said gm. read all the fine print on the warranty as see if there any exceptions ie. wear and tear. the bbb only documents trouble they dont go after businesses.  the problem you have either way, is a truck with 80k+, the owner before you may of not taken any care of it at all. i would go to another dealer and trade it in asap. even if gm did fix all those things, what would go wrong next? a truck can only be as dependable as the original owner is, no matter what brand.

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