KCvetteowner

I agree with you there's no Customer Service just Customer Avoidance with GM.

craigbergermd

8 years ago the childhood dream of owning a vette came true when I purchased a 6-speed silver convertible with red interior. It's been fun and I will always have a spot in my heart for corvettes but I will never buy another.

In 8 years (only 70K miles) the car has been in the shop for close to $10K in repairs. I just picked up the car last week (over $2K in repairs) and today it would not start,stranding my pregnant wife and myself. My wife drives a 2000 honda civic with over 100,000 miles and I think its been towed once.

Before the corvette I owned a 1990 toyota celica and put over 140,000 miles on it before I finally sold it. At 140K miles it was way more reliable.I really should have held onto it b/c it prob would have saved me money in rental cars while the corvette has been in the shop.
Before the celica I owned an '84 pontiac firebird which was pure crap.

Many of my friends own Porsche and are very happy. They are definitely more reliable and have much better looking interior. Sorry guys, I know most people on this board are diehard vette fans but my next car is prob going to be a porsche.

C5naples

I get so tired of everyone complaining about US auto makers. Some of the worst cars we have ever had have been imports.

dieseldave56

The paint issue; been around a long time and seen clear coats peel or sun blister but have never experienced it myself. Metallic colors seem to be in part to blame as the sun light is reflected back.

My '87 GN has its original paint, its been color sanded to remove 'orange peel' but is just like new. The 1979 Trans Am with its Heritage Brown is also original to the car and it and all the decals are as new. The '84 1/2 20th Anniversary Mustang GT 350 is as new.

My cars do not sit outside or in the garages uncovered. I do not drive them in weather ( we have DD'ers for that) .I use Meguiar's products only, for what that's worth.

GM products from the mid 1970's to late 1980's had the worst fit and finish in history ( my 57 years of history anyway). They did not seem to care but world trade has opened their eyes for more than a decade. My opinion.


GM stock prices are down because of the countries fuel and financial
issues .

mike348

Had my hatch replaced by service manager under GM goodwill at 3.5 yrs. . Bought my car new so that was a deciding factor. Too bad the hatch blister takes past 3 yrs to show up. Went to a show yesterday and seen 3 bad ones. I haven't seen any that were worse than heavy orange peel.

Shinyredone

A little over 5 years agao I bought my 01 Vert. I noticed a few days later that it had the dreaded rear diff. oil leak. I took it to the dealer even though it was just out of the 3/36 thinking that they would probably cover it. The service manager spoke with the Region Manager who denined the claim, he said it was because the car had to few miles on it. Which was 11K at the time. Maybe some BS maybe some truth, anyway I paid the $500.00. We all should remember that we own this car for a reason, yes it certainly has some issues as all cars do, but we would also agree that it has something else that most cars don't! I have been lucky since then, other then the fuel gauge issue, no other problems.

ksg32198

My 04 Z06 with 22k was doing the same thing on the decklid and crowsfeet in the nose. I had to threaten with a letter from my attorney and GM repainted my entire car. It wasnt cheap either because I made them remove bumpers, doorhandles, seals, glass, mirrors...just about anything that could come off. I hate to say it, but sometimes you have to take legal action.

NEVERL8C5

Just think how this will feel when the overpriced ZR1 starts to have these issues. Guaging by the paint quality I have seen you could get a better finish with Weatherbeater and a foam roller.Sorry I gave away their secret.
GM runs away from most big problems but we keep buying.
A good service manager can find a way to satisfy the customer beyond the manufacturer.They don't like it but they can do it.Keep trying and good luck.

ZeroToSixty

Listen to this guy,........I was a Service Director at a Porsche dealer and believe me, the guys that recieved "Good Will" services paid for by the manufacturer were the even tempered fellows. No doubt that GM has a paint issue,......they just dont want to make it public.

This picture proves that even if you drop 100k on a GM you will still get mediocre paint.

craigbergermd

How do I go about getting some of this "GM Goodwill"? I have been taking my convertible in for 5 years for leaking windows and each time (until now) the dealerships said they could not duplicate the problem.

mag red vette

My 'o4 coupe has paint that is so thin, there are places where you can see the primer and/or composite panels. Although still under warranty, the dealer says this is "normal wear and tear," and is not covered. As mentioned in previous posts, my car is garage kept, we don't have acid rain, and my other vehicles that remain outside all day and all night do not have this problem. And this is suppose to be 3 stage paint?

ZeroToSixty

Ask the service manager when the next time the factory service rep will be visiting the dealership and ask to make an appointment to see him.
Explain the issue fully but shortly,...Show them every reciept you have where they could not duplicate the problem, what they recently found and whether GM will participate in a goodwill repair for a longtime GM customer. Many times they will offer half the cost or you pay for labor they pay parts,......just to appease.

HERK

Well said.

RayCE

Take a look at these thread


http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1810388

jparr

I have a freind that runs the paint line at Meridian automotive , they paint the honda ridgeline bed and jeep hardtops. He said he talked to a GM paint tech and was told the paint should hold for atleast 4 years before it starts to break down .. so in other words a paint job should last the warranty of the car..

screw991le

Push the issue. GO to a differnt dealer and bring them this. Keep calling GM until you get it resolved.

Document ID# 1538514


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rear Hatch Surface Blistering (Replace Hatch) #04-08-51-003 - (Jul 20, 2004)
Rear Hatch Surface Blistering (Replace Hatch)
1999-2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Condition




Some customers may comment that the paint is blistering around the rear hatch. Refer to the area shown in the illustration above.

Cause
An insulator material between the inner and outer panel may be leeching through the outer panel causing it to blister.

Correction
Replace the Rear Hatch. Refer to SI Document ID #657265.

Parts Information
Part Number
Description

10374349
Panel Assemble Rear Compartment


Parts are currently available from GMSPO

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

B3710
Lid, Stowage, Replace
0.4 hr

C0660
Glass, Back Window Replace (Fixed Roof)
1.0 hr

A2730
Lid, Rear Compartment -- Refinish/Clear Coat
1.6 GK

Add:
Paint Mix Time
0.3 hr




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document ID# 1538514

craigbergermd

Just an update since my last post. My oil gauge had been periodically dropping to zero for a few months. When it began I brought it in to be serviced by the dealership and they replaced the oil pressure sending unit(that was a few hundred dollars, but I don't recall exactly). This fixed the problem for a month or two then started up again. About the same time and the security light started periodically flashing and it was about time for the regular maintenance so I brought the vehicle in for service. They could not reproduce the oil gauge problem so of course they did nothing about it. They blamed the security light on a faulty ignition switch so they replaced that at a tune of about $500. I picked up the car thinking everything was fixed and in working order.

A week later the car died stranding myself and my pregnant (4 months) for over an hour in the hot Florida august Sunday sun. I had the car towed back to the dealership Monday. By 4 pm they called to tell me it was the battery and that they were replacing it. By 4:45 they told me the car drained the new battery and that there was something else wrong with the car. (Add the cost cost of another rental car day to my bill). Tuesday they said it was the computer that controls the interior electrical system and that needed to be replaced(add another $700 to the bill) I picked up the car again thinking that everything was working but the oil gauge is still periodically dropping to zero.

I am not that savvy about cars. If its a sensor problem that's OK but I know what happens to a car if the there is no oil lubricating the engine. I feel much better when I see the gauge working and I don't think that is too much to ask for so I called the service manager on friday. He told me to drop the car off Saturday and they would take a look at it. Saturday afternoon I called around closing time and was told that "the guy that does that work was not in" and that they would need the car until tuesday (closed on labor day). Add another 4 days to the rental car bill..... Happy labor day everyone!

blacksedan87

First of all - I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your car and that it has left you and your pregnant wife stranded. That being said however - how are these examples of GM's poor quality. From reading a previous post of your further back, I was able to ascertain that your car is a 2000 (eight years old). Why do you think that an eight year old car is not going to suffer and mechanical or electrical breakdowns?

Secondly - from reading this post, I don't see that GM has let you down in the repairs of your car. The dealer that you have chosen to fix your car sounds like a lemon to me. Unfortunately, so many times cars get labled as lemons, when the reality is the dealer service department mis-diagnoses problems, performs shoddy or half-assed repairs, and the vehicle owner experiences a repeat of the problem.

The C5 and C6 are very complex automobiles, that have many micro-processors and sensors squeezed into a very compact package. The days of competent mechanics that are familiar with every car their employer sells are long gone. It was easier in the old days, because cars were a lot simpler. Today - to really be able to correctly diagnose a problem, and to then perform the correct and appropriate repair, and to perform said repair in a workmanlike manner - all in the interest of the customer not coming back with a repeat problem, requires a specialist, who is not only trained, but experienced. And....not rushed to fix ten other cars waiting for him.

My recommendation to you - either find another dealer, find another repair facility familiar with Corvettes or sell that car and buy yourself something reliable like a Hyundai......because when they are eight years old, they still run and perform perfectly with no failures or errors.

cjohns

Like a guy posted before me I just bought a vette for fun with no illusions of there quality.Dad was a lifer GM man and I wish I had a list of the crap that went south on his cars(all purchased new)I've had 3 Accords& a now a CRV..NOTHING!!! I have a 98 and it is had 3 owners all women so it's very nice...but what a pile of crap!Rattles and squeeks..and I love the scratches in the door glass!!!Nope except for the line workers loosing work and the obvious impact on the economy I have no hard feelings for the big 3 loosing their collective asses...people pay their hard earned money and get crap!And I know you don't want to hear about Honda & Toyota but they are made by Americans(so it's not the workers fault)there just not designed by American companies.The big three are reaping the benefits of all the years of making their crappy cars!!!I too have many stories about my junk American cars and great imports..I'll never buy American again.

71vetteinva

I'm a little confused as to why some of you even own a Corvette. If you don't like the car you bought, then trade it in for a foreign sports car. That way, when your Porsche needs it's yearly $600 brake maintenance, you can complain about it on the 911 board.

What about an Evo or an STi? What about an older Toyota Supra? If you want an Honda, then you're welcome to buy an S2000 if you like.

You guys need to stop visiting dealerships for any of your repairs on any car you own, unless it's under warranty. I learned this lesson a long time ago. They don't call them stealerships for nothing. My local Chevy dealership does a good job, but is two to three times more expensive on most repairs than my local independent garage.

Your car is not so complex or exotic that it will baffle an independent garage. The owner of my local shop used to own a supercharged 2004 Corvette. They do a perfect job on my car.

As far as a Honda or a Toyota. Those cars are so incredibly boring that they aren't worth owning, much less driving. They are also way overpriced. I can't believe what an Accord or Camry with a V6 costs. It's pretty much what my V8 Mustang was new. I guess the S2000 might be somewhat entertaining, but honestly, it's not all that fast and they make no torque down low.