Saltwater versus Freshwater Motors

[Frank C]

Would I ever buy another Ford?

Thank you, Cap't GIF!

Your pix frequently induce eruptions of spontaneous laughter ...
is therapy your sideline?

[mark,97x]

funny i wouldn't buy another chevy truck trans went out 2nd time at 39,000 miles,,wifes grand marq 112k and still has orig brake linnings,oil chgs and 1 set of plugs only, great ride but what do i know,i have a yamaha 50 f/s

[Sloop John B]

A depressing string for many, I think.

Throughout my youth I drove foreign cars. In my late thirties I finally got around to giving it some thought and bought American. The vehicles I now have are specifically featured above (Lincoln TC, GMC).

I pause and realize all my kids are driving foreign cars. I think 95% of us have Japanese outboards. And where did this Dell computer come from?

[mark,97x]

malaysia

[Chip Hindes]

Dell laptops are made in Malaysia, but I believe desktops are made in another foreign country, TX.

[Frank C]

Dell's laptop components are engineered and designed in Taiwan just like all other major brands, though final-assembled here. That permits their build-to-order system that's nearly driving HP and Toshiba out of the business. Also, Dell offers 3 years of on-site service (Latitude models for business) for a very reasonable cost. You can even get that warranty with their refurbs - check their "outlet."

Regarding USA auto manufacturers, every story about a bad GM engine can be countered by a similar owner complaint about a different lemon, a Ford transmission, or engine, or both, etc. Every bi^chsite devoted to Chevy problems has a similar website complaining about Dodge or Ford. The new Ford Powerstroke diesel has especially annoyed complaints, but the GM Duramax has as many detractors as supporters.

I've purchased 1 new Dodge truck, 2 new Ford trucks and 3 new GM trucks since 1986. All were completely (amazingly?) trouble-free, but then I'm probably not as picky as some. (My Mac has been trouble-free, too). I wonder if the bi^chsites are just magnets for malcontents.

Don't sweat the small stuff ... Enjoy life!

[Catigale]

I wonder if the bi^chsites are just magnets for malcontents

Exactly. Its the ironic power and downside of the internet.

Not exactly random samples are they??

Consumer Reports surveys are one of the lesser biased surveys on autos, and of course arent tainted with marketing dollars, but even in their large sample sizes you suffer from bias:

Ill confess I didnt reply to the Annual Auto survey this year, got lost in the pile, so they lose data from three troublefree cars I run.

If they were bad apples, you could imagine I would have gone to the trouble to fill them out.

[Chip Hindes]

[Dell's laptop components are engineered and designed in Taiwan just like all other major brands, though final-assembled here

Again: My one year old Dell Inspiron laptop says "Made in Malaysia". It's the desktops that are assembled in TX.

Regarding USA auto manufacturers, every story about a bad GM engine can be countered by a similar owner complaint about a different lemon, a Ford transmission, or engine, or both, etc.

My horror story involves an '86 Chevy Astro. I special ordered it and waited nearly four months for delivery. Problems: Engine? Yep. Transmission? ditto; Rear differential? that too. Front end, brakes , electrical system, power steering. All rebuilt, replaced or major repairs under 50K miles.

Worse than this total piece of crap vehicle was the utter contempt and disrespect with which I was held by the local dealer.

Before that, I had been a GM man all my life, as was my father. I know it's a long time to hold a grudge, but on principle, I will never buy another GM vehicle, ever.

[Mark Prouty]

Why can't one compare a '86 Astro to a Rolls-Royce?

A 86 Chevy Astro pulls up at a stoplight next to a Rolls- Royce. The driver of the 86 Chevy Astro rolls down his window and shouts to the driver of the Rolls, "Hey, buddy, that's a nice car. You got a phone in your Rolls? I've got one in my 86 Chevy Astro!"

The driver of Rolls looks over and says simply, "Yes I have a phone."

The driver of the 86 Chevy Astro says, "Cool! Hey, you got a fridge in there, too? I've got a fridge in the back seat of my 86 Chevy Astro!"

The driver of the Rolls, looking annoyed, says, "Yes, I have a refrigerator."

The driver of the 86 Chevy Astro says, "That's great, man! Hey, you got a TV in there, too? You know, I got a TV in the back seat of my 86 Chevy Astro!"

The driver of the Rolls, very annoyed by now, says, "Of course I have a television. A Rolls-Royce is the finest luxury car in the world!"

The driver of the 86 Chevy Astro says, "Very cool car! Hey, you got a bed in there, too? I got a bed in the back of my 86 Chevy Astro!"

Upset that he did not have a bed, the driver of the Rolls-Royce sped away, and went straight to the dealer, where he promptly ordered that a bed be installed in the back of the Rolls. The next morning, the driver of the Rolls picked up the car, and the bed looked superb, with satin sheets and brass trim. It was clearly a bed fit for a Rolls Royce. So the driver of the Rolls begins searching for the 86 Chevy Astro, and he drove all day. Finally, late at night, he finds the 86 Chevy Astro parked, with all the windows fogged up from the inside. The driver of the Rolls got out and knocked on the door of the 86 Chevy Astro. When there wasn't any answer, he knocked and knocked, and eventually the owner stuck his head out, soaking wet.

"I now have a bed in the back of my Rolls-Royce," the driver of the Rolls stated proudly.

The 86 Chevy Astro owner looked at him and said, "You got me out of the shower to tell me THAT?!?!"

Then the driver of the '86 Astro says, "my Astro is faster than your Rolls. My Astro is blue and your Rolls is white. Everybody knows blue vehicles are faster than white ones. He goes on to say its all in the mods man. I got a sailboat. A Mac 26X you ought to see the mods in it. Why, its got a shower in the head! You got a sailboat? You got a shower in the head?"

[Moe]

My one year old Dell Inspiron laptop says "Made in Malaysia".

Yeah, so does mine. Inspiron 8600.

--
Moe

[Terry Chiccino]

I agree with Chip on General Motors dealer service. I tried several dealers servicing my Chevy Tahoe and was treated with nothing but BS! I was a Chevy man all my life but finally gave up when I took my car to the dealer for the last time. They tried to dell me a bill of goods, of which half I know I didn't need. Sold the Chevy. My last General Motors product that I'll ever own. It's not the vehicle it's AutoNations!

[Mark Prouty]

I'm just joking Chip. I can understand why you'd never buy another GM vehicle after that Astro.

(I hope my Tahoe holds together!)

[Frank C]

[Dell's laptop components are engineered and designed in Taiwan just like all other major brands, though final-assembled here

Again: My one year old Dell Inspiron laptop says "Made in Malaysia". It's the desktops that are assembled in TX.

Oops, sorry - Latitude notebook computers are final-assembled here - mine says "Made in USA." Both the consumer and business brands (Inspiron & Latitude) are designed, engineered, tested & qualified by Compal in Taipei. Their major components (mainboards, drives, displays, etc.) are virtually identical, though the Latitude uses a somewhat heavier-duty chassis. The components are built wherever it's least costly. Taiwan commerce (and jobs) have become more like USA and Japan, so lower-paying assembly jobs have been shifted elsewhere.

The Latitude's build-to-order strategy requires local assembly and its higher price covers USA labor. Apparently some Inspirons are pre-built to more general categories, though that's puzzling too - seems like you can order the Inspiron for one-week dellivery from Texas in nearly any configuration.

Regarding USA auto manufacturers, every story about a bad GM engine can be countered by a similar owner complaint about a different lemon, a Ford transmission, or engine, or both, etc.

My horror story involves an '86 Chevy Astro. I special ordered it and waited nearly four months for delivery. Problems: Engine? Yep. Transmission? ditto; Rear differential? that too. Front end, brakes , electrical system, power steering. All rebuilt, replaced or major repairs under 50K miles.

There 'ya go - luck of the draw. My first truck purchase 20 years ago was a 1986 Chevy Astrovan. Drove it ~75,000 miles without any problems. In fact, my then-16 year old son learned in it and drove it occasionally, so it definitely absorbed some abuse. In 1995 I bought another one, this time a GMC Safari with all-wheel drive, with essentially identical performance & service record to the earlier Astro. I never had the need to return either of them to the dealer for any service at all. (That's a good thing, I guess).

[Robert]

We had a 1998 Olds Silhouette, bad car, 27 times in for warrantee repairs (mst of dash fell off 1000 miles from home, transmission made UFO sounds replaced, etc..) in 45K miles. But we liked the dealer and always had respect and prompt service, although I did have to talk them down on some regular maintnenance prices that were too high.
..
So we got the 1998 running perfectly and sold it. Then bought a 2002 just like it (using a special discount again for about 30% off). The 2002 has 55K miles now and so far after initial adjustments to the shifter and 3 or 4 replacements of the radio for CD problems all its had is blown head gaskets which were promptly repaired. There is an occational smell of antifreeze again so we think head gaskets again in the next 10K miles or so. We have a 100K mile warrantee part of purchase agreement at end of Olds existence, and a good dealer / shop for warrantee work, so we are reasonably happy.
..
The second time around our expectations are much less, so we don't stress out over things that can be fixed that don't cost us anything to fix.

[Catigale]

. But we liked the dealer and always had respect and prompt service

Im in professional high tech sales for a living, and work for the leader in the industry in quality, performance and price (i.e. the high end)

In the world of high tech, we still have product problems that come up ....but 10 years of carrying the bag have taught me that simply taking care of the customer as best you can, including communication and TRUTH will keep if not all your customers, certainly ALL the ones you want. Its so simple its almost funny, and my competitors havent figured it out yet.....go figure..

Since this was work related, anyone need a laser??


Catigale [/quote]