First I have been driving GM vehicles since I was 17yr old and now I'm 45. My dad worked his entire career for GM in the factory. Throw in a '91 Camry we bought from my in-laws in 1999 and currently use daily. But I'm having a hard time trying to be true to the brand I grew up in. I drove my dad's 2012 Malibu LT and although a pretty nice car, the 4cyl/6 speed trans. made (to me) it seem like a fairly slow car. I'm also used to our '00 Impala LS interior space and very good mpg's for that car.. My '00 Silverado 1500 has 231,000 miles on it and runs good. But I was disappointed in the upcoming new GM trucks since they look so much like the current ones. I asked in the forums about the new Malibu and the consensus was to keep our Impala instead. Our Camry's vintage seemed to define Toyota's legacy as a great car manufacturer and have thought of going that route in the future. Does anyone else seem to be drifting away from GM? Since we have 2 vehicles from the 2000 era, I think I prefer that technology and styling to what we are seeing now. My wife is not loyal to any manufacturer, but part of me feels like I'm cheating on GM. The Cruze is the only current car I would consider buying. Direct injection, VVT, AFM, and aluminum engines make me leary of owning one. All my current vehicles range from 214,000-280,000 miles. I thought about Honda too. Any owner reviews of their new(er) GM vehicles good and bad? Your thoughts are appreciated.
Calling all GM fans...
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I own a 2010 Impala LT and a 2010 LT Silverado 1500. I'm very happy with both vehicles. I have several friends that have bought new GM vehicles in the past few years and are happy with their vehicles also.
Sounds like its time for a Tacoma test drive!
You need to read my lastest posts. When a GM product does have a problem it can get out of control quickly.
bought granddaughter 2012 cruze
I have been well pleased with my GM purchases though I will say they seem to have more than their fair share of quirks that GM regards as normal. No such quirks can I foresee affecting the longevity of the vehicle and I have had no major issues. Noisy steering columns, brake pads that are highly metallic and squeak (though they last a LONG time), six speed transmissions in the trucks that just feel hesitant, etc. I have not experienced all of these but they are the common ones I hear on a daily basis.
All car makes have quirks as with anything man made. I had both a Toyota and Honda that where good cars but also had plenty of quirks.
The new GM product offerings are very impressive and definitely class competitive if not class leading.
All car makes have quirks as with anything man made. I had both a Toyota and Honda that where good cars but also had plenty of quirks.
The new GM product offerings are very impressive and definitely class competitive if not class leading.
I grew up with GM and was diehard loyal. Still have my Malibu drag car and still use the occasional small block or GM component in my builds.
My loyalty went out the door though after we bought our ’04 Malibu Maxx. We had so many problems it wasn’t funny. GM would not stand by me. Ended up taking GM to court and after a year and half of delays and doo-dee, we finally came to a decent cash settlement and kept the car. For all its issues, it still rides nice and gets good mileage. I’ve taken care of the many issues myself (the servicing dealer always seemed to cause more harm than good). The weirdness of the Maxx with the big rear cabin and hatch fit well into our lifestyle with the kids. It just really hurt that GM wouldn’t stand by me.
Fast forward to now and I have no brand loyalty. In fact, my wife and I will absolutely not buy another GM. My new toy hauler is a ’12 F150 (and my next project is a bone stock 302/3speed ’75 Bronco) and I have no regrets at all. When it comes time to replace our Maxx, we’ll look elsewhere too. My wife isn’t big on imports (I could care less) so we would probably consider a new Taurus. I wouldn’t mind taking a crack at Chryco though and *gasp* some of the new Hyundai’s look pretty cool too.
Either way, don’t feel like you’re cheating on GM, ‘cause in the end they could care less about you. You could probably say that about them all.
My loyalty went out the door though after we bought our ’04 Malibu Maxx. We had so many problems it wasn’t funny. GM would not stand by me. Ended up taking GM to court and after a year and half of delays and doo-dee, we finally came to a decent cash settlement and kept the car. For all its issues, it still rides nice and gets good mileage. I’ve taken care of the many issues myself (the servicing dealer always seemed to cause more harm than good). The weirdness of the Maxx with the big rear cabin and hatch fit well into our lifestyle with the kids. It just really hurt that GM wouldn’t stand by me.
Fast forward to now and I have no brand loyalty. In fact, my wife and I will absolutely not buy another GM. My new toy hauler is a ’12 F150 (and my next project is a bone stock 302/3speed ’75 Bronco) and I have no regrets at all. When it comes time to replace our Maxx, we’ll look elsewhere too. My wife isn’t big on imports (I could care less) so we would probably consider a new Taurus. I wouldn’t mind taking a crack at Chryco though and *gasp* some of the new Hyundai’s look pretty cool too.
Either way, don’t feel like you’re cheating on GM, ‘cause in the end they could care less about you. You could probably say that about them all.
GM refused major warranty issues on my last 2 SUV piston slapper lemons. I am done with them forever.
GM , after blowing off bond holders, stock holders, and suppliers in a multiBILLION dollar bankruptcy CLAIMS to be "profitable".
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Ultimately you must buy what you like. Look for the best vehicle that you enjoy driving and has the feature set that meets your needs at the best price. No producer of anything is loyal to the end user so there is little reason to be loyal to them. You must do what is right for you and your family with your money and make the best decision possible.
The manufactures have a very select group of captive customers. They are called dealers. No one else buys cars from manufactures. The internet is littered with stores of folks that are or where brand loyal then got burned on a purchase or a product and snapped to the reality that a manufacture is only concerned about the end-user in so far as they need them to buy from dealers/or distributors so that they can sell them more. This is true of nearly all brands and all products, not just cars.
The manufactures have a very select group of captive customers. They are called dealers. No one else buys cars from manufactures. The internet is littered with stores of folks that are or where brand loyal then got burned on a purchase or a product and snapped to the reality that a manufacture is only concerned about the end-user in so far as they need them to buy from dealers/or distributors so that they can sell them more. This is true of nearly all brands and all products, not just cars.
Well, let me put these thoughts to you:
I've never been a GM guy. I was Mopar first, Ford second, and GM a pretty distant third, imports: when heck freezes over and pigs fly. I'm close to your age- 49 in my case- so the cars that influenced you are the same ones that influenced me, and for whatever reason we sorta drifted to the opposite conclusion.
But right NOW, I would say I'm MORE likely to buy a GM than ever before in my life. I still think they make some mediocre stuff- the Malibu never seems to break out of the 'mediocre' mold, but then its in the same class as the Camry, Fusion, Accord, and Avenger and I've just decided that whole CLASS of vehicle defines the word "mediocre," so maybe its not the Malibu's fault. But my point is that GM is making some of their best stuff ever. I like their smallblock v8 more than EVER in the past. I think they've got pretty reliable transmissions. The Volt is the best hybrid technology out there, although overpriced. The Cadillac CTS-V (and its descendants)... just wow. So in my opinion, if you pick the right class of vehicle GM is an outstanding product.
Take that as coming from a life-long GM detractor. ;-)
I've never been a GM guy. I was Mopar first, Ford second, and GM a pretty distant third, imports: when heck freezes over and pigs fly. I'm close to your age- 49 in my case- so the cars that influenced you are the same ones that influenced me, and for whatever reason we sorta drifted to the opposite conclusion.
But right NOW, I would say I'm MORE likely to buy a GM than ever before in my life. I still think they make some mediocre stuff- the Malibu never seems to break out of the 'mediocre' mold, but then its in the same class as the Camry, Fusion, Accord, and Avenger and I've just decided that whole CLASS of vehicle defines the word "mediocre," so maybe its not the Malibu's fault. But my point is that GM is making some of their best stuff ever. I like their smallblock v8 more than EVER in the past. I think they've got pretty reliable transmissions. The Volt is the best hybrid technology out there, although overpriced. The Cadillac CTS-V (and its descendants)... just wow. So in my opinion, if you pick the right class of vehicle GM is an outstanding product.
Take that as coming from a life-long GM detractor. ;-)
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
GM , after blowing off bond holders, stock holders, taxpayers and suppliers in a multiBILLION dollar bankruptcy CLAIMS to be "profitable".
Fixed it for you.
GM , after blowing off bond holders, stock holders, taxpayers and suppliers in a multiBILLION dollar bankruptcy CLAIMS to be "profitable".
Fixed it for you.
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
But right NOW, I would say I'm MORE likely to buy a GM than ever before in my life.
Good for you. Let us know how it works out.
But right NOW, I would say I'm MORE likely to buy a GM than ever before in my life.
Good for you. Let us know how it works out.
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Well, let me put these thoughts to you:
I've never been a GM guy. I was Mopar first, Ford second, and GM a pretty distant third, imports: when heck freezes over and pigs fly. I'm close to your age- 49 in my case- so the cars that influenced you are the same ones that influenced me, and for whatever reason we sorta drifted to the opposite conclusion.
But right NOW, I would say I'm MORE likely to buy a GM than ever before in my life. I still think they make some mediocre stuff- the Malibu never seems to break out of the 'mediocre' mold, but then its in the same class as the Camry, Fusion, Accord, and Avenger and I've just decided that whole CLASS of vehicle defines the word "mediocre," so maybe its not the Malibu's fault. But my point is that GM is making some of their best stuff ever. I like their smallblock v8 more than EVER in the past. I think they've got pretty reliable transmissions. The Volt is the best hybrid technology out there, although overpriced. The Cadillac CTS-V (and its descendants)... just wow. So in my opinion, if you pick the right class of vehicle GM is an outstanding product.
Take that as coming from a life-long GM detractor. ;-)
Small block V8s are the wave of the future?
Well, let me put these thoughts to you:
I've never been a GM guy. I was Mopar first, Ford second, and GM a pretty distant third, imports: when heck freezes over and pigs fly. I'm close to your age- 49 in my case- so the cars that influenced you are the same ones that influenced me, and for whatever reason we sorta drifted to the opposite conclusion.
But right NOW, I would say I'm MORE likely to buy a GM than ever before in my life. I still think they make some mediocre stuff- the Malibu never seems to break out of the 'mediocre' mold, but then its in the same class as the Camry, Fusion, Accord, and Avenger and I've just decided that whole CLASS of vehicle defines the word "mediocre," so maybe its not the Malibu's fault. But my point is that GM is making some of their best stuff ever. I like their smallblock v8 more than EVER in the past. I think they've got pretty reliable transmissions. The Volt is the best hybrid technology out there, although overpriced. The Cadillac CTS-V (and its descendants)... just wow. So in my opinion, if you pick the right class of vehicle GM is an outstanding product.
Take that as coming from a life-long GM detractor. ;-)
Small block V8s are the wave of the future?
I doubt there is any wave of the future regarding internal combustion technology. I think we have taken it as far as it is going to go. It is the cheap and reliable but has never been even remotely efficient from a technical standpoint.
Originally Posted By: millerbl00
You need to read my lastest posts. When a GM product does have a problem it can get out of control quickly.
Yep. I have driven more GM than any other make, starting with the Olds 98 I inherited from my granddad: his last car, my first. Not that I did not drive other cars (Corolla, Crown Vic briefly) but mostly GM. On the whole, nitpicks aside, I was happy....till two years ago, when my previously reliable '04 Chevy Classic went berserk with an undiagnosable, unfixable ***expensive**** problem with the fuel pump/electrical system. Supposedly it stemmed from the infamous Passlock problem and spiraled downhill from there.
Did I mention expensive? And frustrating. No one could fix it. I got to know the local AAA tow drivers very well.
When I finally gave up on the Chevy last summer---later than I should have---I needed a car pronto and was determined to pay cash. That left few options; despite my new and well-earned skepticism toward GM, I went with a 2000 Saturn SL1 as the best choice under less-than-ideal circumstances.
I plan to drive this car for years, barring an unlikely sharp upturn in my financial situation. When the time comes for a new ride, I will not rule out GM completely, but the nightmare with my last Chevy---which had been great up till then---turned me from "lean toward GM, all else equal" to "GM only if it's a great deal on a newer model with NO PASSLOCK."
And then there's the bailout....
You need to read my lastest posts. When a GM product does have a problem it can get out of control quickly.
Yep. I have driven more GM than any other make, starting with the Olds 98 I inherited from my granddad: his last car, my first. Not that I did not drive other cars (Corolla, Crown Vic briefly) but mostly GM. On the whole, nitpicks aside, I was happy....till two years ago, when my previously reliable '04 Chevy Classic went berserk with an undiagnosable, unfixable ***expensive**** problem with the fuel pump/electrical system. Supposedly it stemmed from the infamous Passlock problem and spiraled downhill from there.
Did I mention expensive? And frustrating. No one could fix it. I got to know the local AAA tow drivers very well.
When I finally gave up on the Chevy last summer---later than I should have---I needed a car pronto and was determined to pay cash. That left few options; despite my new and well-earned skepticism toward GM, I went with a 2000 Saturn SL1 as the best choice under less-than-ideal circumstances.
I plan to drive this car for years, barring an unlikely sharp upturn in my financial situation. When the time comes for a new ride, I will not rule out GM completely, but the nightmare with my last Chevy---which had been great up till then---turned me from "lean toward GM, all else equal" to "GM only if it's a great deal on a newer model with NO PASSLOCK."
And then there's the bailout....
Buy whatever brand makes you happy. I've been a Ford man my whole life, but within the past couple of years have had two '96 Jeep Cherokees thrown at me, very cheap. I live miles off the highway and there are several days out of the year where I need a 4WD vehicle, so they fit in nicely.
Do you think any manufacturer would be loyal to you?
Do you think any manufacturer would be loyal to you?
I myself am a diehard GM fan, my first car was a 91 lumina, 2nd was an 88 s10, 3rd 2004 impala, 4th a brand new 2011 gmc sierra crew cab 4.8l and I loved It! Although not a power house my 4.8 was a solid simple truck, I lost it in an accident couple weeks ago, after my insurance settlement I bought a 2009 sierra 5.3 with very very low mileage and in excellent shape couldn't pass it up! GM hasn't done me dirty, my impala was pretty solid and very reliable, only problem I ever had was the funky shifts, my current truck has the annoying drive line clunk, I blame the afm, but I can live that.
I'm not a GM fan, but since you're used to 91 Camry I think you will find the current gen Toyota products to be lacking significantly in overall quality, fit and finish and material choices when compared to the old models. GM, on the other hand made significant improvements over last few years.
In other words, test drive everything and don't assume anything about any brand solely based on past performance, especially a decade or two old. Lots of things changed since then.
In other words, test drive everything and don't assume anything about any brand solely based on past performance, especially a decade or two old. Lots of things changed since then.
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
I'm not a GM fan, but since you're used to 91 Camry I think you will find the current gen Toyota products to be lacking significantly in overall quality, fit and finish and material choices when compared to the old models. GM, on the other hand made significant improvements over last few years.
In other words, test drive everything and don't assume anything about any brand solely based on past performance, especially a decade or two old. Lots of things changed since then.
Well said...
I'm not a GM fan, but since you're used to 91 Camry I think you will find the current gen Toyota products to be lacking significantly in overall quality, fit and finish and material choices when compared to the old models. GM, on the other hand made significant improvements over last few years.
In other words, test drive everything and don't assume anything about any brand solely based on past performance, especially a decade or two old. Lots of things changed since then.
Well said...
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