GM's commitment to quality.Caution longish post.

[derklug]

I just finished doing timing chains on a 07 CTS with 38k, the timing chains were streched and setting cam timing codes per the TSB.(Not under warranty, salvage title on theft recovery) With my flame suit on, and considering the number of GM employees here, is GM really commited to quality? I would hate to see a replay of the late 80's when GM ran the 4.3 in the Cadillacs that couldn't go 50k without developing a low end knock, Lincoln put out cars only a grandmother would drive, and the imports got their toe in the door for high end cars. Currently, Cadillac is doing some great designs while Lincoln is as exciting as reading a phone book, but is the commitment to improving overall quality being stressed at all levels? I would hate to see the Lexus, Infinity, Acura trio gain more ground.

[djsnoflake]

I can't speak for a GM employee, but in my opinion the GM of 2010-2011 is in a completely different realm as far as how to run a business compared to the GM of 2006-2007.

[TheCaptain]

Originally Posted by djsnoflake

I can't speak for a GM employee, but in my opinion the GM of 2010-2011 is in a completely different realm as far as how to run a business compared to the GM of 2006-2007.

I will second this!

[8cd03gro]

I think you're jumping to conclusions based on a car that was wrecked. Besides, if a TSB fixes the problem, I don't really consider it an issue. I don't really get what you're talking about with lincoln either. I think the MKS with the ecoboost is pretty awesome, as well as the MKT and MKX. The MKZ is a great car too.

[King Sun]

we can agree ford and chevy has and is stepping up the quality meanwhile dodge.........

[Stew]

Originally Posted by King Sun

we can agree ford and chevy has and is stepping up the quality meanwhile dodge.........

Meanwhile Dodge is in the process of overhauling the vast majority of their models basically focusing on every nitpick of basically every model. Getting shining reviews so far for their new high quality class cometitive or even better interiors, a nw fully modern V6 engine, completely new GC, Charger and Durango that are truly setup to be class leaders, yeah, meanwhile Chrysler indeed........

[ffrcobra_65]

quality....easpecially car quality, is something that can't be proven over just a few years. GM, Ford, blah blah blah....you claim quality and reliability for them 10 - 20 years from now and you have an argument.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Stew

Meanwhile Dodge is in the process of overhauling the vast majority of their models basically focusing on every nitpick of basically every model. Getting shining reviews so far for their new high quality class cometitive or even better interiors, a nw fully modern V6 engine, completely new GC, Charger and Durango that are truly setup to be class leaders, yeah, meanwhile Chrysler indeed........

Meanwhile Chrysler redid the Sebring's interior, renamed the car "200," but found out that they forgot to change the Sebring's exterior...

[Stew]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Meanwhile Chrysler redid the Sebring's interior, renamed the car "200," but found out that they forgot to change the Sebring's exterior...

Actually they did what they could. new front fascia, new fenders, revised rear, more would have been senseless since it is to be replaced in the next couple years. Anyways, you missing the true point, it's not about looks but quality of the vehicle and the drive. Along with those exterior changes, you get the 283 HP V6 with a 6 speed auto and 29 MPG highway (all considerably above the Malibu), a totally revised suspension where like 9X percent of the bushings have been replace along with different springs and shocks and a lower ride height. The interior is totally redone with soft much materials and a very upscale looks and feel. I have seen a few pictures of different Sebrings from the LA autoshow and the Chrysler pictures origionally released do NOT do this car justice! Besides you are basically concentrating on one model. Hell, they are even updating the compass so it looks good. The only real one of their refreshed 11s out right now are the Wrangler (MAJOR interior improvements but wait for th 12 model when it gets the Pentastar) and the Patriot, which is heads and tails above earlier models in build quality (and apparently it works because the local dealer sells everyone they are getting in very short order, some as soon as they get them in). Trust me, these refreshed and redesigned cars are going to be up there with GM at least, though I believe the Avnger/200 will have to wait until a complete redesign to be truly competitive with the Fusion.








Doesn't look too bad to me

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Meanwhile Chrysler redid the Sebring's interior, renamed the car "200," but found out that they forgot to change the Sebring's exterior...

Now watch as the cars arrive on the showrooms with 'Sebring' badges..

Sergio: "Uh.. you-ah deed not-a see-ah anythin' Heeeere we go~!"

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Zabo

Now watch as the cars arrive on the showrooms with 'Sebring' badges..

Sergio: "Uh.. you-ah deed not-a see-ah anythin' Heeeere we go~!"

Actually they have already showed the car, complete with "200" badged on it (though the location on the rear pillar is not very good looking).

[Number 3]

As a GM employee, I can guaran-damn-tee you that GMs commitment to delivering quality has NEVER been more focussed. It is part of nearly every discussion and our current Quality and Validation leadership have this as priority one.

Now I always caution people on judging quality on a car you don't know the history on. For all you know the car wasn't maintained. Do you know how many oil changes were performed? How the car was driven? Who has worked on it?

Even my own family has bought high mileage used vehicles and had problems with them and told me, "see they just don't make good cars". If you don't know the history it's a crap shoot. That is one reason why buying certified used "can" be an advantage. You get a 1 year warranty and a certified GM inspection. I'm not sure what you get buying a certified salvaged car.

[ffrcobra_65]

I didn't know you only get 1 year warranty on GM certified pre-owned. ThE GM certified inspection is tricky. If you were buying a used car from
someone, would you really pay or trust that someone to do the inspection on their used car? Just saying, whenever I buy a used car, I take it to a different place for a PPI ( pre-purchase inspection).

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by derklug

I just finished doing timing chains on a 07 CTS with 38k, the timing chains were streched and setting cam timing codes per the TSB.(Not under warranty, salvage title on theft recovery) With my flame suit on, and considering the number of GM employees here, is GM really commited to quality? I would hate to see a replay of the late 80's when GM ran the 4.3 in the Cadillacs that couldn't go 50k without developing a low end knock, Lincoln put out cars only a grandmother would drive, and the imports got their toe in the door for high end cars. Currently, Cadillac is doing some great designs while Lincoln is as exciting as reading a phone book, but is the commitment to improving overall quality being stressed at all levels? I would hate to see the Lexus, Infinity, Acura trio gain more ground.

i'm kinda leery too!..the "general" built a lot of "crap" over the years,and quite frankly,that IS the reason why they got into trouble financially...of course,NO ONE wants to admit to this,but you can bet THAT WAS the reason!..i'll figure i got a good one if i can get past the warranty with NO issues!..keepin' my fingers crossed!...just sayin!"

[chevys]

Originally Posted by Number 3

As a GM employee, I can guaran-damn-tee you that GMs commitment to delivering quality has NEVER been more focussed. It is part of nearly every discussion and our current Quality and Validation leadership have this as priority one.

Now I always caution people on judging quality on a car you don't know the history on. For all you know the car wasn't maintained. Do you know how many oil changes were performed? How the car was driven? Who has worked on it?

Even my own family has bought high mileage used vehicles and had problems with them and told me, "see they just don't make good cars". If you don't know the history it's a crap shoot. That is one reason why buying certified used "can" be an advantage. You get a 1 year warranty and a certified GM inspection. I'm not sure what you get buying a certified salvaged car.

Thanks for your insight and I understand your comments about buying used and agree. My faith has been killed by parts that fail on cars and trucks that are bought new and maintained to the tee. Im talking about alternators, starters, water pumps, Ac compressors, various sensors, electrical gremlins ect.... Im talking 50K miles here. It just seems like they cut corners and put the cheapest thing they could on to get you out of warranty. My stuff has fallen apart around the engines. I dont for one minute think that GM is the only company that has done this. I would say it was dumb luck but I have had too many GM cars and trucks and know otherwise. Granted most were 90's vintage but it leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you plop down 600 bucks for a AC compressor just out of warranty.

Has that mindset changed? I was told once by a guy who worked in quality control at a factory that made power window motors that they could build a motor that would last for xyz motions but nobody would pay for it. I believe you when you say quality is a major deal these days. I just hope somebody is looking at long term durability issues. Im about to make a long trip in a older Gm truck and the last thing on my mind is the engine. Its everything else.

I know its a delicate balance on quality parts and cost. I wonder if you could shed some light on any of this?

[Hylton]

When I read your first sentence, I thought you were going to talk about the plastic chain tensioner on the LS3 vs. the more rugged setup on the LS1.