I owe GM an apology.......

onewhippedpuppy · 07-07-2007, 04:48 AM

So, typically I'm one of the first to jump onto the anti-GM bandwagon. Just ask Kaisen.

But I have to say, I really like one of their products.**

We just picked up a 2004 Cadillac SRX for my wife, and it is a damn nice car. Northstar V8, AWD, 3rd row seat, Bose audio. It's a blast to drive, reminds me of my BMW 540 but in an automatic. Very quiet on the highway, great power, firm but not rough ride. Also handles very well.

Styling is very nice (my opinion), and I really like the interior. Some of the interior materials look a bit cheap, but all are soft touch, good tactile qualities. Great use of interior space, it's only something like 6 inches longer than our old '03 4Runner, but has more room in the 2nd row, and a 3rd row seat. Seats are heaven, comfy but with good support. Leather is top notch.

Our 4Runner was a superb car, but I'd say the only area where the SRX loses to it is in the interior materials. Remember, the 4Runner was referred to as "Lexus-like" inside when it debuted, pretty high quality stuff. The SRX is just a damn nice car, I find myself liking it a bit more each time I drive it. Maybe GM is capable of building a decent car after all.

**This does not mean I think all GM cars are decent. In fact, there's still many of them that are crap. But I'm glad to see they get a few right once and a while.

Joeaksa · 07-07-2007, 05:35 AM

Glad you like them. Have looked at them and they are descent looking.

Hope that they figure out how to make a descent car. While I have not owned an American vehicle in years, I do not want to see GM or Ford go under either.

The sooner that they figure out how to make a descent car that will last longer than 3-5 years the better IMHO.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

See how nice it is in 4 or 5 years versus a Euro car of the same vintage.

GM has certainly done a lot to atone for past sins, but their weakness has ALWAYS been in durability. Rust, corrosion, material failures, stitching coming apart, paint cracking/fading, etc. I'd be very curious to see how these "new and improved" American cars hold up over time.

Moneyguy1 · 07-07-2007, 06:31 AM

European cars after 5 to 6 years? Sorry; I am not convinced. They can get expen$ive to keep in tip top shape!!!

Nice thing about American/Asian cars is that parts are relatively inexpensive.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-07-2007, 07:00 AM

The '90s BMWs that I have had were pretty expensive to keep, I can't see this costing me any more. It's a 2004 with 42k on it, and still pretty much in perfect shape. No abnormal wear, rattles, great paint, etc.

Lets not kid ourselves on European cars, they aren't exactly low maintenance either. Now had you said Japanese, then it would be a relevant point.

LeeH · 07-07-2007, 07:10 AM

Congratulations on finding your SRX. Where'd you finally find it? Were you close to your target price?

onewhippedpuppy · 07-07-2007, 07:27 AM

I found it in Denver, and picked it up for $20k. Probably cost me another $250 for my plane ticket and gas to get home, but easily worth it. It was very simple for me, as I have family out there.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Reliability is the key word....and not the biggest quality of GM products...!

Zef · Zef's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
European cars after 5 to 6 years? Sorry; I am not convinced. They can get expen$ive to keep in tip top shape!!!

Nice thing about American/Asian cars is that parts are relatively inexpensive.

Never asked yourself why GM-Ford-Chrysler sales are down...And why Toyota is now the world premier...I owned two GM ....both got there engine opened before 40 K...These engines turn like they have a pouch of sand in...I got now 240K on my Honda...still running stong...expensive parts ??? in the eighties may be...but not anymore...Just my 2 cents opinion.

LeeH · 07-07-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
See how nice it is in 4 or 5 years versus a Euro car of the same vintage.

I see lots of late late 90s BMWs go through the wholesale auction. I'm always surprised how many of the interiors have not held up well over time.

Dantilla · 07-07-2007, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
GM knows how to build trucks -

I sold my last Chevy pick-up when it topped 200,000 miles. It now has over 250,000, and going strong. Should have kept it longer.

My current truck is a 2001. 90,000, and still like new.

the · 07-07-2007, 06:32 PM

I've found with GMs, even if they hold together, they are completely devoid of any soul and thus get tiring/boring after a short time. Heck, even when I have a GM rental car, my first thought is usually "Wow, this isn't so bad," but by the end of the week I am very happy to never see it again.

But that's just me. Obviously, lots of people are very happy with their GM cars and trucks.

I'm curious to see how it goes for you, be sure to post a report 6 months from now.

legion · 07-07-2007, 06:45 PM

You sound like Jeremy Clarkson b****ing about Porsches.

When I hear "no soul", I think "It doesn't have the quirky problems of my favorite car...but I can't think of any reason that my favorite car is actually better".

the · 07-07-2007, 06:51 PM

yeah, I agree, that's a bad choice of word. But like I said, I've driven GMs that have seemed quite nice to me on Day 1, but after a week or so leave me "blah." Just the overall dynamics of the car don't hold my interest after a while.

But again, that's just me. Daily driving something like, say, your wife's '02 Sunfire or your pickup truck would be like an automotive death sentence to me. But you guys obviously like them. So be it.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and a 2000 BMW X5. I know, the BMW cost about 3 times that of the Jeep when new. BUT, the exterior paint on the BMW still looks great. Most people have no idea it is a 2000. The Jeep, it looks old. No american car can say the same.

alf · 07-07-2007, 09:00 PM

Nothin's lackin' when yur'a Cadillac'ing

onewhippedpuppy · 07-08-2007, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeeH
I see lots of late late 90s BMWs go through the wholesale auction. I'm always surprised how many of the interiors have not held up well over time.

I've owned a lot of cars over the last 3 years, and my E36 325 had absolutely the worst interior. I really can't believe BMW turned out such an absolute turd. Worse, I went from my E34 (nice) to my E36 (crap). Cheap materials, rough fit/finish, and lots of glue that just didn't want to stick anymore.

The Porsche/BMW nut that I bought my 951 from told me he would not own a new BMW that wasn't under warranty. He loved the E46 325 wagon that he had at the time, but it had been into the dealer more times that he could count. No company (maybe short of Toyota) is infallible. Of course, they've recently had Tundra V8 camshafts snapping, so they make mistakes too.

As for the lack of soul, for most GM products I'll totally agree. That has been my past experience with them. But the SRX has some character, and I'm liking it more each time I drive it. Wife feels the same way. My 2000 Silverado, on the other hand, there is a lack of soul. But it's a truck, what the hell kind of personality should it have? It runs well and carries stuff, that's all I ask of it. Speaking of the truck, it has 134k on it, and still runs like new. Not a single interior rattle either.

I'm not ready to start flying the bowtie flag or anything like that, but it is encouraging to me that they can actually make an appealing auto. I had always been somewhat skeptical of the positive reviews garnered by the SRX and CTS, now I know they are well founded.

beepbeep · 07-08-2007, 05:57 AM

Caddy has a gem of engine. It's almost unbelieavable that you yanks can make such nice things

I never got the FWD thing though.

GM makes SAAB's too...plenty of character and quirks, if you like that

P.S.
We got one of those 70's Eldorados in shop a few days ago. 7.2L V8 (with 170 smogged hp or something like that), two doors and FWD? Wtf?

Great design though!

onewhippedpuppy · 07-08-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by beepbeep
Caddy has a gem of engine. It's almost unbelieavable that you yanks can make such nice things I never got the FWD thing though.

GM makes SAAB's too...plenty of character and quirks, if you like that

P.S.
We got one of those 70's Eldorados in shop a few days ago. 7.2L V8 (with 170 smogged hp or something like that), two doors and FWD? Wtf? Great design though!

Yeah, they're finally getting smart and making their sedans RWD. Whoever thought a V8 and FWD were a good idea should be shot.

My last car was a '97 Saab 900SE. 5 speed, 4 door, 2.0 turbo, really fun little car. With an MBC it would torque steer like crazy, but it had real character. An odd car, but I miss it. From what I read, it was the last Saab to be mostly Saab, and not GM.

How America was able to get so little HP from big V8s is beyond me. It's really a marvel of engineering, how to get so little HP/liter. Stupidity like that is what put us behind the curve in the first place.

beepbeep · 06:29 AM

I checked out this particular smogged V8 from Eldorado and as I could see, the engine was "choked" to pass the emission requirements. "Headers" weren't headers but just logs, there was lot's of EGR crapola, intake/fueling was choked etc. But it had very civilized character...like an old Rolls.

But 3-speed FWD auto tranny mated to 7.2L V8 was really interesting design

New Northstar engine is a gem. It has everything "right". DOHC, 32 valves, variable cam timing...the lot! It should be installed in a sports car, IMHO. A corvette with enlarged Northstar mill and conventional suspension would be a serious "sophisticated" sports car instead of being somewhat of a "brute".

BTW, check out the new GM diesel:
Twin turbos, 180hp from 1.9L engine ex factory. Clever design and frugal to boot!

http://www.automotorsport.se/bigpix/2007/Fiatdiesel_stor.jpg