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I know what VictimofGm is talking about re the intake manifold gaskets.
GM 60º V6 engines have always been prone to lower intake manifold gasket failures, ever since the days of the 2.8 V6. It's almost a 100% failure rate and it can fail in 2 modes. One, it leaks anti freeze all over the outside of your engine. Messy, stinky, but usually not fatal. The big one though is when it fails without warning internally, dumping a load of coolant into the oil pan. By the time you realize something is wrong the bearings have been wiped and it's new motor time. Mode 1 was about $1000 to repair, mode 2? Good luck with that. And since it isn't a safety issue, an engine faulure doesn't result in death or injury, those vehicles will never be recalled. My last new "It's the New GM!" vehicle was an Aztek with the 3.4l V6, and before it got to 100K those LIM gaskets went. It's a helluva money maker for the dealer service department.
A GM TSB is not a recall. It's a bulletin sent out to the dealer that details the repairs needed, parts needed, time needed, and unless you specifically address the TSB at the time you submit your vehicle for service it will be ignored and the delaer will treat it like they have heard of such a problem. This means they need to do some diagno$ticS on it before they actually repair it, with updated parts that still fail down the road. My experience was with a transmission failure, addressed by a specific TSB that clearly stated the transmission did not need to be replaced. My dealer charged me $125 to tell me the transmission was unrepairable and it woud be $4000 for a new one.....at 60K.
I really do not understand brand loyalty to begin with but to have any loyalty towards GM is a sign of utter lack of thinking.
In my opinion, the only really reliable automobile engine that GM has built since the days of the 350 (5.7L) V8 was the 3.8 V6. It was long-lived and, for its size and era, pretty fuel-efficient. GM's gas truck engines over the last decade or so have been relatively long-lived, albeit that some of them are pretty thirsty. I am unimpressed with GM's 4 cylinder car engines, making me unenthused about any of the car offerings.
the intake gasket on my grand am has been 'leaking' externally for about 8 years now slowly. I've just left it, at the advice of the local mechanic.
Other then that I've actually had very little go wrong on the grand am over the years... can't complain. I agree automakers should fix defects though and not ignore them for years.
Guess I got lucky there was no major internal coolant leak. I'm about at the EOL on this car, having had it 14 years now! :O
Looking to get a Prius, Civic, or Accord... Camry if the price is right.
The old saying goes...you get what you pay for. So when you buy a junky Cavalier....Cobalt...Corsica....Beretta.....Lumina .....Celebrity....Chevette....Ciera....6000....T10 00....Vega....Tempo....Topaz....Escort....Lynx.... .Omni....Horizon....Reliant....Aries.....what do you expect?
You aren't expecting to buy a death trap. The most unsettling notion of this entire situation is that GM was aware that there was a problem and failed to address it, which would have saved lives. If you fail to see the reason in that then you're a cynic beyond belief.
In my opinion, the only really reliable automobile engine that GM has built since the days of the 350 (5.7L) V8 was the 3.8 V6. It was long-lived and, for its size and era, pretty fuel-efficient. GM's gas truck engines over the last decade or so have been relatively long-lived, albeit that some of them are pretty thirsty. I am unimpressed with GM's 4 cylinder car engines, making me unenthused about any of the car offerings.
Agree with this. I have owned the 3.8 V6 and the 5.7 LS1 V8. Both have been phenomenal engines, both had some pretty impressive gas mileage for their times.
Even in my V8 Camaro I am able to get 27 miles to the gallon on the highway, my 3.8 V6 Monte Carlo SS was able to get about 30-31 on the highway. Those engines are bullet proof.
The Chevy Cruze seems to be a recreation of the Chevy Cobalt ... my rental car last week, a Chevy Cruze was recalled and I was asked to "return it immediately" to the agency.
The Chevy Cruze seems to be a recreation of the Chevy Cobalt ... my rental car last week, a Chevy Cruze was recalled and I was asked to "return it immediately" to the agency.
The Cruze improved upon the Cobalt platform in MANY ways. They have a lot more amenities, have more options, more power, higher fuel economy, look nicer. It's unfortunate that GM is having problems again. These kinds of recalls, defects, and reputation can really do a number on an auto company, and just as they were beginning to make a rebound.
I still drive a 13 year old GM car, runs like a charm.
I've had several GM vehicles over the years, all have been reliable and nearly bulletproof. My '89 P/U had 225,000 on it when I got rid of it, still burned no oil, had never been into the engine or trans. Total cost of repair costs over it's live was ~$1000. My Pontiac only had a little over 100k on it, but I never put anything into it, and nearly the same with my old X-11 Citation...other than rust, a curse of everything in the early 80s. Nissans, not so much. I'm finding parts much more expensive and the vehicles more difficult to work on. Same from what I've seen from friends Toyotas that I've worked on. GM rust issues? Remember when Toyota P/Us literally rusted in half and broke in two?
The Cruze improved upon the Cobalt platform in MANY ways. They have a lot more amenities, have more options, more power, higher fuel economy, look nicer. It's unfortunate that GM is having problems again. These kinds of recalls, defects, and reputation can really do a number on an auto company, and just as they were beginning to make a rebound.
I still drive a 13 year old GM car, runs like a charm.
The way that I look at it is this.
The Cruse attained only 30 mpg; my older Corolla achieved 37 mpg on the same routing.
It had more bells and whistles than the Cobalt but reminded me of still another rental car. The Hyundai Elantra that replaced it was a MAJOR upgrade.
I USED to drive only GM vehicles, but honestly, I was tired of being on a first name basis with my locala mechanics.
I agree with everything you said except the part of GM not having many loyal owners. GM owners (in general Chevrolet owners) defend their vehicle even if they have had to dump numerous repairs into it. My cousin defends his Impala to the core even after transmission failure at 40k, several overheating issues, electrical problems and the list goes on. He like many other GM owners will say "Other than that it's been a great car." Stubborn to the fact that maybe the old brand just isn't that great.
I think that's just human nature. If they admit the vehicle has faults that somehow translates to them making a bad choice. I had GM vehicles for a long time. They ran great. Pretty reliable. There are just IMO better choices out there than what GM offers today. Or I should say vehicles I like better.
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Stubborn to the fact that maybe the old brand just isn't that great.
