The NEW GM now owned by Canada, US and UAW

[Grumpy]

Heaven help it..

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090706/AUTO01/907060362/GM-asset-sale-approved-late-Sunday

[Twodogs]

Just one more stepping stone toward socialism. This one hurts especially bad though, as GM (and the cars they built) was a huge part of my life. I think I'll cry now.:o

[Charles]

And the investors were robbed.

Chas

[OvenMaster]

I still want to unload my share of it for cash.

[Kamakiri]

Let's analyze the dynamic for a moment, past and present, and try to infer a bit for the future.....

I think that everyone can agree that GM failed in part because on their mainstream products, they wouldn't let go of the worn soap bar styling that debuted in the 1986 Ford Taurus. You can't add MP3 jacks, Onstar, current technology, HIDs, and rounded corners to a Chevy Corsica and expect it to sell year after year. Look at a car on the road from 1991 and one from 2008, and tell me that they're vastly different machines.

Instead of legislating automakers out of business, they're going to legislate themselves out of business as an automaker if they follow the ridiculous eco-friendly standards that they set for GM and other automakers before GM became a government entity.

This is going to be a wonderful education for the US government I think, because they're going to realize that what they want to produce (environmentally responsible, eco friendly, fuel sipping BORING CARS) won't sell.....just like they wouldn't have sold for GM if they didn't tank.

So, next, to spur notions of the American dream, you'll see the next Chevy Chevelle, looking like a plasticized retro video-tape-rewinder-like version of a Laguna S-3, with the 5 cylinder Chinese motor borrowed from the Colorado, and American flags waving in the background. Woo friggin hoo.

Let's see how long Government Motors lasts playing by their own rules. The only way they will is if they stack the deck against all the other automakers.

[Charles]

I still want to unload my share of it for cash.

You can't, and I can't. We're the new investors who are going to get screwed.

Chas

[Combwork]

Instead of legislating automakers out of business, they're going to legislate themselves out of business as an automaker if they follow the ridiculous eco-friendly standards that they set for GM and other automakers before GM became a government entity.

This is going to be a wonderful education for the US government I think, because they're going to realize that what they want to produce (environmentally responsible, eco friendly, fuel sipping BORING CARS) won't sell.....just like they wouldn't have sold for GM if they didn't tank.



We're going through the same crud here in the U.K. except that thanks to our membership of the European Union (which our politicians claim is mandatory; once in you can't get out) car makers have to reduce emissions on new models, and there's a drive (scrapage scheme) to encourage people to dump their old and in some cases reliable cars to get a discount on new ones. So far it's voluntary but any car over 3 years old has to have an annual MOT test. This is a government scheme; it would be dead easy for them to force old cars off the road by setting emission standards so low that no matter how well maintained, older cars cannot reach them.

Is GM in a position where no matter how better their earlier models are to drive, your laws are forcing them to go for new high MPG designs? If so, instead of having to use imported engines, how about designing and making them yourselves?

[Kamakiri]

Is GM in a position where no matter how better their earlier models are to drive, your laws are forcing them to go for new high MPG designs? If so, instead of having to use imported engines, how about designing and making them yourselves?


Truth be told, I don't think that Americans have ever been as good as Japan, for example, at making economical run-forever 4 bangers. American manufacturers are outstanding at making things that last forever that are inefficient, however. This country was built out of engineering things with iron and steel, and we're damn good at it.

In the oil fields of Saudi Arabia, the most popular vehicle is the 9C1 police version of the Caprice, and the Ford Crown Vic police interceptors, because no other car can withstand the heat and climate extremes, for example.

And, in 500 years, when the rule of human beings is a thing of the past, the insect-like 6 foot tall creatures that will inhabit the Earth will be driving vehicles powered by small block Chevy V8 engines, and using 1950s era Farmall tractors (which incidentally will run on fuels with as low as 60 octane).

It's true to say that if every family in the world moved into a regular suburban neighborhood with a house and a small plot of land, the entire world's population would fit inside the state of Texas. Environment my ass.....it's just another way to sell something that's repackaged and has lower quality by giving it a popular moniker.

[Sandy G]

Yeah, ever since I can remember, if you mention "Environment" in almost any context, it becomes sacrosanct, & therefore, unassailable.

[Charles]

Yeah, ever since I can remember, if you mention "Environment" in almost any context, it becomes sacrosanct, & therefore, unassailable.

Gentlemen, the name of the game is the same...but we'll be increasing the ante.

So dig out them pocketbooks,

Chas

[merrylander]

So how come our V6 Impalas get better gas mileage than the Toyota RAV4 4 bangers? In addition to the new Malibu Chev has the new Cruze in the works thhat should give those toy Otas a run for their money

Funny part was when Florence was teaching English to young executives in Japan they told her outright that while they had lost the shooting war they would bury us financialy and they did with our help.

[Kamakiri]

So how come our V6 Impalas get better gas mileage than the Toyota RAV4 4 bangers? In addition to the new Malibu Chev has the new Cruze in the works thhat should give those toy Otas a run for their money.

Everywhere but the resale value. I didn't say that we couldn't make good engines, but you'll never convince me that America can build a small and more economically efficient engine better than they do in Japan.

I love General Motors products, I'd drive an Impala over a RAV4 any day, Impalas are great cars. But let's be realistic. In a race to see which engine will get the first check engine light or need the first head gasket, the Impala will win.

We must have half a dozen of those come through used car recon every week. Those 3400 engines are well known for lower intake gasket failures and wrist pin knock, and it shows in their resale value. Would I buy one? Damn straight, I like them. Do they have a better engine than the RAV4? Not by a long shot.

[merrylander]

Then I won't worry since both of our Impalas are LS models with the 3.8 and I know that is a damn good block. I put 140,000 mile on a Buick Century with a 3,8 V6 and it still did not burn oil.

The 2.2 litre Mazda engine in the Ford Probe I had blew a rear oil seal at 75,000 but it was cheaper to add oil than spend $300 to change a $20 part. Funny part was that engine did not like ethanol in the gas, when I gave it to the Sally Ann and bought the Impala it was giving me less MPG than the Impala.

[Grumpy]

Been a chevy guy all my life. Last van was a venture and I have to say lord what a POS the electrical system was in it. Also the 3.4 while a punchy motor is well known for blowing head gaskets in as little as 70K.

My current 2000 astovan is probably my fav chevy but even its not without its fault. Intake gasket failure is well documented at 100K or under as well starter and AC issues.

My biggest gripe with chevy is WTF is with repair costs. I bought a chevy not a BMW. What I mean is try to find an astovan starter for under 300 bones. Come on thats rediculous !