GM offered to Buy Back my 99 Sierra..sorta
Question:
Well, I don’t know how often you buy new vehicles and trade in new vehicles, but I kept my datsun pickup for 20 years, my Honda Accord is 13 years, old and my Dodge RAM is 5 years old. I bought the RAM was I was 46 I expect it to be the last truck I buy. I was surprized that the S-10 ran that long, but ANYWAY the point is: 1) GM is not an honest company. Company wouldn’t even talk about fixing a sealant leak that caused virtually every S-10 engine from 82 to blow-up. A mechanic warned me about it and I had to pay out of my own pocket for GM’s design fault. See also comment about rebate. See any 1982 S-10’s driving around with the original engine?? 2) Their mangement and design skills stink. Anyone that made the decision to switch from English to Metric in the middle of a production run should ask why?? 3) The S-10 was/is a horrible truck….it really was a passenger car with a pick-up bed. I work for an outfit that drives trucks over back-country roads. The S-10 trucks are always the last vehicles in the fleet. People drive them if there are no other trucks available. That said. I still had my datsun if I needed a real truck for most those years. Then bought the RAM. The S-10 became a passsenger car for around town. With the issue of the engine blowing-up issue, and fact you couldn’t change plugs easily, the oil filter was wedged between the exhaust pipes, etc. etc. and other design faults I hated that truck. But it did run without major problems, it was those little things that drove you nuts every time you changed the oil, etc. GM probably could build quality cars if they wanted. They could also provide good customer service if they wanted….they just don’t. BTW….This is about GM not their dealers, there have been a couple of good ones that I ran into over those 18 years. Unfortunately, many couldn’t stay in business because of the product. Vladimir – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You know, something tells me though, that if you’ve had that truck for 18 > years, it couldn’t have been THAT bad. No offense if it was, but then why > did you have it 18+ years? > Joe > Count yourself lucky. I’m still waiting on my rebate for my 1982 S-10 > truck. > When I was shopping for the truck a GM salesman said "We want to sell you > a ever > buy. > My favorite part about the truck was they switched from English to Metric > halfway through my truck. So it was half english and half metric
Response:
GM lets the customers and dealership techs tell them whats wrong with their vehicles. they don’t test their vehicles long enough before they release them to the public. my opinion.
Response:
In alt.autos.gm > >ABS, spotted leather and the list goes on. He said why don’t I just buy > >it back because no matter what I do you will never be happy.
That was the smartest thing this guy said and he was absolutely right.
Response:
> SMoo: > Don’t want to start a flame war, but the last two "American" trucks I > owned were made in Canada. My two Subaru cars were made in – Ft. Wayne, > Indiana. AFAIK Toyota trucks are also american made.
Yup, as are the Mazda pickups (Ford). Subaru is partial owned by GM now Reliability and customer service is how the ‘foreign’ makers captured so much of the US market. — RV and Camping FAQ http://kendaco.telebyte.com/rlindber/rv If Windows is the answer I would really like to know what the question is
Response:
> 1) GM is not an honest company…..
They are not much worse then Ford/Dodge/etc. When you compare their screwups (Vega, pickups gas tanks), with other firms (Pinto Gas Tanks), they are only a bit less likely to admit them > 2) Their mangement and design skills stink….
Yup, one of the things that worry me the most is that GM is still ignoring that fact that their independent Saturn unit is doing so well and that they will start to ‘control’ it the way they do their main units. > 3) The S-10 was/is a horrible truck….it really was a passenger car > with a pick-up bed…
I don’t think they are that much worse then the other mini-trucks and mini-vans in that respect. > GM probably could build quality cars if they wanted. They could also > provide good customer service if they wanted….
They do, they are called Saturn, why the rest of the company isn’t run the same way is an open question. — RV and Camping FAQ http://kendaco.telebyte.com/rlindber/rv If Windows is the answer I would really like to know what the question is
Response:
Hmm, Saturn doing well? Not from what I’m reading in the business papers. Maybe they have a good customer service model, but as a profitable business they don’t seem to be much of a success. They certainly aren’t lighting the world on fire with exciting products either. Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com
Response:
AFAIK?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> SMoo: > Don’t want to start a flame war, but the last two "American" trucks I > owned were made in Canada. My two Subaru cars were made in – Ft. Wayne, > Indiana. AFAIK Toyota trucks are also american made. > Joe Near > You might as well wipe your ass with the cash if youre going to buy a > foreign piece of shit… > I prefer Fords, but I’ll take a Chevy or even a DUDge over that import > crap… ESPECIALLY if it has that coffee can tailpipe tip!
Response:
> Ditto. A very interesting, well written post. Sue makes me glad we have > Volvo and Chrysler products. (Though I suspect this could happen with any > one of them.)
Volvo and Chrysler? Are you kidding? What about the 80,000-mile Chrysler transaxle (if it makes it that far)? And Volvo? A friend of mine bought a 1999 Volvo S70 and in the eight months he’s owned it he’s gone through four headlights, three turn signal lights, had the wiring on the left side of the car redone, and numerous other little problems- all under warranty, of course. If the dealership- Barrier Volvo in Bellevue, WA- doesn’t find and fix what’s causing the rapid lamp burnout he’s going to pursue the state’s lemon law. I’d rather have a Chevrolet any day than a craptastic Chrysler or Volvo. — – This space for rent. "Better shoot low sheriff, I think she’s ridin’ a Shetland." -Bob Wills
Response:
SMoo: Don’t want to start a flame war, but the last two "American" trucks I owned were made in Canada. My two Subaru cars were made in – Ft. Wayne, Indiana. AFAIK Toyota trucks are also american made. Joe Near – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > You might as well wipe your ass with the cash if youre going to buy a > foreign piece of shit… > I prefer Fords, but I’ll take a Chevy or even a DUDge over that import > crap… ESPECIALLY if it has that coffee can tailpipe tip!
Response:
Because mine did not do it on the test drive. It started about a month after I bought the truck. Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have seen several of these posts now, and no matter what people do, > they can’t get rid of this. This tends to make me believe that there is > a frequency that the chassis vibrates that you will not be able to fix. > If indeed the vibration was happening since day 1, why would anyone buy > it after the test drive? > Before you buy.
Response:
Then they switched from English to Metric as EACH truck went down the line, my 94 is half English, Half Metric as well… I’m happy with my 94 Jimmy, your problem with your truck can be attributed to what can be called "first year of production for a new model syndrome"… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Count yourself lucky. I’m still waiting on my rebate for my 1982 S-10 > truck. > When I was shopping for the truck a GM salesman said "We want to sell you a > buy. > My favorite part about the truck was they switched from English to Metric > halfway through my truck. So it was half english and half metric. Now the > saleman didn’t tell me that!!!
Response:
You might as well wipe your ass with the cash if youre going to buy a foreign piece of shit… I prefer Fords, but I’ll take a Chevy or even a DUDge over that import crap… ESPECIALLY if it has that coffee can tailpipe tip!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Buy Toyota. >For those not familiar with my situation, I have been trying to have >numerous defects repaired on my 1999 GMC Sierra. It was in the shop 45 >days before GM gave up on the vibration. Well the GM Area Service Rep, >Brent Lamour, came to look at my Sierra last week. He brought an >engineer with him. First he sat down with me and asked me, "Why has >your truck been in the shop for five weeks?". I said, "I hope GM was >trying to repair it." He was trying to put the length of time my truck >had been at the shop off on the dealership and me! I guess we got off >to a bad start. He, the engineer and the mechanic went on a test drive >with the EVA2, GM electronic vibration analyzer. It seems my dealer >never used it on my truck before. They returned and said the 65-70 MPH >vibrations were caused by bad tires. I said, well we have tried two >complete sets in the last two weeks, how could that be it. The engineer >proceeded to tell me that sometimes it takes 10-12 tires to find >a "good set". I said OK. What about the "launch shudder" (driveline >vibration between 5-15 MPH). The engineer said he would evaluate the >pinion height (split in the driveshaft), adjust it by changing the ride >height of the bed and the centering of the carrier bearing, then my >problem would be resolved. I asked what would happen if I loaded the >bed or carried 4 passengers or heavens forbid, tow a trailer. He said I >could not expect it to be perfect in all situations, I should expect >vibration. I asked why my 97 Silverado had not done it or my Old >Suburban or for that manner my wife’s Lumina. He just looked disgusted >with me. The GM Area Service Rep then said, "what do we need to do to >your truck to make you happy?". I said make the vibrations stop and >stay stopped and fix all the other stuff: transmission, steering whine, >popping coil springs, slapping leaf springs, clicking engine, faulty >ABS, spotted leather and the list goes on. He said why don’t I just buy >it back because no matter what I do you will never be happy. I said OK. >He said he would charge me .20 per mile on the current mileage (19,000) >even though I asked for the problem to be repaired at 1037 miles and >have waited and tried to help. I told him that was not fair. He finally >said he would charge me $3400, a discount on 2000 miles that the >service shop caused. I asked for an offer in writing. He left without >giving me one. I finally got a call from the GM Business Center >yesterday. A guy there made me an offer..$18,641 on a truck that >stickered for almost $28,000. This seemed ridiculous. After a couple of >calls back I began to understand what they were doing. When I bought >the truck I had $2500 in rebates and a trade valued at $17,250. The >rebates included a $1000 class action settlement certificate from GM >for owners of the 73-87 GM trucks that had exploding gas tanks. It also >included a $500 rebate for being a recent college graduate (within two >years). The Business Center Rep told me I would LOSE these two items in >the buyback and they would not give me a new certificate on a new >truck. Again this is ridiculous and unfair. Additionally, in >Mississippi you pay sales tax only on the difference of the trade and >the cash price. On the Sierra I paid $388. Since the replacement truck >would be a cash deal I get to pay $1250 in tax an extra $900! In all I >estimate the buyback will cost me over $7000. It would be cheaper to >just trade the truck in at this point. My dealer said it was worth >$20,000 on a trade, that is $1359 more than the $18,641 GM is offering. >I ended up calling the "Buy Back Group" of the GM Business Center. I >explained my situation to a very nice lady. She said if the Rep wanted >to he could set up a "trade repurchase" and I would be able to keep the >rebates, certificates, etc. I had already invested in the truck. I have >arbitration scheduled for the 22nd. Although, I don’t think the BBB >settlement will be any better, I may go and use the outcome as a basis >for litigation. My state includes all court costs in lemon law awards >and I am sure I would prevail. By the way after new shackles, springs, >driveshaft, 9 tires, front hubs and another new tire on order, I still >have vibration that is getting worse as the tires wear. I will be >adding a section to my web site that details my Buy Back experience. I >will also post other owners stories regarding there Buy Backs. I would >like to compile a listing of email addresses and phone numbers that >might assist people who are pursuing a Buy Back. ie. GM Business Center >contacts, Field Engineers, Service Zone Managers, etc. I hope this >will help people know what to expect when pursuing a Buy Back and how >to prepare. If you have a Buy Back story you are willing to share >please email me the details. >Clay >http://agmlemon.freeservers.com >Before you buy.
Response:
> For those not familiar with my situation, I have been trying to have > numerous defects repaired on my 1999 GMC Sierra. It was in the shop 45 > days before GM gave up on the vibration
Count yourself lucky. I’m still waiting on my rebate for my 1982 S-10 truck. When I was shopping for the truck a GM salesman said "We want to sell you a buy. My favorite part about the truck was they switched from English to Metric halfway through my truck. So it was half english and half metric. Now the saleman didn’t tell me that!!!
Response:
It is a truck….buy a Cadillac if you want a touring sedan…
Response:
wrong with theses trucks?…..maybe I’ll go buy one,then…..
Response:
> to prepare. If you have a Buy Back story you are willing to share > please email me the details.
I just completed a buy-back with GM. I had a 99 Cavalier convertable which had been in the shop several times for a leaky top and a faulty power window. I filed the paperwork with the BBB on the advice of my dealer’s service advisor. In less than 2 weeks I had a call from the GM Repurchase Center. I was faced with the same problems as you mentioned – I had gotten a good discount on the Cavalier because it was a demo, plus there was a $2K rebate on it. If they had just repurchased the car I would have lost all that. When I brought this up, they offered to do the repurchase-trade, which allowed me to trade sticker price (less the standard deduction for mileage) to sticker price. I ended up with a Camaro Z/28, something I would not have been able to get without them letting me carry over the rebate and good discount I got on the Cav. The biggest problem I faced on this was the fact my dealership didn’t have ANY idea how this should be handled. They finally wrote it up as a trade, which allowed me to get the sales tax benefit just like I had traded my car on theirs. Except for the frustration of having the dealership muddle through the process, I was happy with the way it was handled.
Response:
You know, something tells me though, that if you’ve had that truck for 18 years, it couldn’t have been THAT bad. No offense if it was, but then why did you have it 18+ years? Joe — Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> For those not familiar with my situation, I have been trying to have > numerous defects repaired on my 1999 GMC Sierra. It was in the shop 45 > days before GM gave up on the vibration > Count yourself lucky. I’m still waiting on my rebate for my 1982 S-10 > truck. > When I was shopping for the truck a GM salesman said "We want to sell you a > buy. > My favorite part about the truck was they switched from English to Metric > halfway through my truck. So it was half english and half metric. Now the > saleman didn’t tell me that!!!
Response:
This is an excellent summary of your issues! I thought I was getting the raw end of the stick with my 99 Jimmy (which has had numerous problems), but then I read your post. My issues have been resolved each time (though some have taken numerous visits); this clearly is not your experience. My gripe has been the number of issues given the length of time I’ve had the vehicle. On question: Given this response from GM, why would you even consider them for future vehicles? Seems like you would want to do business with a company that will stand behind what they’ve sold. I’m not seeing that in this case. But then again, maybe I mis-read your post. Either way, good luck! Joel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > For those not familiar with my situation, I have been trying to have > numerous defects repaired on my 1999 GMC Sierra. It was in the shop 45 > days before GM gave up on the vibration. Well the GM Area Service Rep, > Brent Lamour, came to look at my Sierra last week. He brought an > engineer with him. First he sat down with me and asked me, "Why has > your truck been in the shop for five weeks?". I said, "I hope GM was > trying to repair it." He was trying to put the length of time my truck > had been at the shop off on the dealership and me! I guess we got off > to a bad start. He, the engineer and the mechanic went on a test drive > with the EVA2, GM electronic vibration analyzer. It seems my dealer > never used it on my truck before. They returned and said the 65-70 MPH > vibrations were caused by bad tires. I said, well we have tried two > complete sets in the last two weeks, how could that be it. The engineer > proceeded to tell me that sometimes it takes 10-12 tires to find > a "good set". I said OK. What about the "launch shudder" (driveline > vibration between 5-15 MPH). The engineer said he would evaluate the > pinion height (split in the driveshaft), adjust it by changing the ride > height of the bed and the centering of the carrier bearing, then my > problem would be resolved. I asked what would happen if I loaded the > bed or carried 4 passengers or heavens forbid, tow a trailer. He said I > could not expect it to be perfect in all situations, I should expect > vibration. I asked why my 97 Silverado had not done it or my Old > Suburban or for that manner my wife’s Lumina. He just looked disgusted > with me. The GM Area Service Rep then said, "what do we need to do to > your truck to make you happy?". I said make the vibrations stop and > stay stopped and fix all the other stuff: transmission, steering whine, > popping coil springs, slapping leaf springs, clicking engine, faulty > ABS, spotted leather and the list goes on. He said why don’t I just buy > it back because no matter what I do you will never be happy. I said OK. > He said he would charge me .20 per mile on the current mileage (19,000) > even though I asked for the problem to be repaired at 1037 miles and > have waited and tried to help. I told him that was not fair. He finally > said he would charge me $3400, a discount on 2000 miles that the > service shop caused. I asked for an offer in writing. He left without > giving me one. I finally got a call from the GM Business Center > yesterday. A guy there made me an offer..$18,641 on a truck that > stickered for almost $28,000. This seemed ridiculous. After a couple of > calls back I began to understand what they were doing. When I bought > the truck I had $2500 in rebates and a trade valued at $17,250. The > rebates included a $1000 class action settlement certificate from GM > for owners of the 73-87 GM trucks that had exploding gas tanks. It also > included a $500 rebate for being a recent college graduate (within two > years). The Business Center Rep told me I would LOSE these two items in > the buyback and they would not give me a new certificate on a new > truck. Again this is ridiculous and unfair. Additionally, in > Mississippi you pay sales tax only on the difference of the trade and > the cash price. On the Sierra I paid $388. Since the replacement truck > would be a cash deal I get to pay $1250 in tax an extra $900! In all I > estimate the buyback will cost me over $7000. It would be cheaper to > just trade the truck in at this point. My dealer said it was worth > $20,000 on a trade, that is $1359 more than the $18,641 GM is offering. > I ended up calling the "Buy Back Group" of the GM Business Center. I > explained my situation to a very nice lady. She said if the Rep wanted > to he could set up a "trade repurchase" and I would be able to keep the > rebates, certificates, etc. I had already invested in the truck. I have > arbitration scheduled for the 22nd. Although, I don’t think the BBB > settlement will be any better, I may go and use the outcome as a basis > for litigation. My state includes all court costs in lemon law awards > and I am sure I would prevail. By the way after new shackles, springs, > driveshaft, 9 tires, front hubs and another new tire on order, I still > have vibration that is getting worse as the tires wear. I will be > adding a section to my web site that details my Buy Back experience. I > will also post other owners stories regarding there Buy Backs. I would > like to compile a listing of email addresses and phone numbers that > might assist people who are pursuing a Buy Back. ie. GM Business Center > contacts, Field Engineers, Service Zone Managers, etc. I hope this > will help people know what to expect when pursuing a Buy Back and how > to prepare. If you have a Buy Back story you are willing to share > please email me the details. > Clay > http://agmlemon.freeservers.com > Before you buy.
Response:
For those not familiar with my situation, I have been trying to have numerous defects repaired on my 1999 GMC Sierra. It was in the shop 45 days before GM gave up on the vibration. Well the GM Area Service Rep, Brent Lamour, came to look at my Sierra last week. He brought an engineer with him. First he sat down with me and asked me,
