...about GM. Now, I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but it must be said.

I recently attended the Calgary International Auto and Truck show. Saw some very nice vehicles, and some cool concepts (I'll post pics, mebbe later), however I was disgusted by GM'* offering.

It wasn't due to a lack of vehicles, because trust me, they had far more there than any other manufacturer. Rather, it was the quality of the cars, mostly the interiors. I know this argument has been made against GM before, but I had never verified it myself, until now. And I assure you, the quality of GM interiors is appalling.

The term "Rubbermaid" interior really applies here, as much as I hated that parallel before. EVERY GM car I looked at, be it a Colbalt, a GP, a fully-optioned Lucerne, a C6 vert, or a Silverado had practically the same interior. Sure the design was different, but they all used the same shoddy plastics, and most used the same turn-signal stalk GM has been using since the 90s (ok, it'* sleeked up a bit, but its the same stalk essentially). Sure, there were different accents in some, but the basic interior felt the same among all vehicles, and there were a lot of common parts. The only car in the entire show that had a comprably crappier interior, was the Toyota Yaris, a $20000 sub-compact. Even the new Civic had an interior superior to most of the GMs there. Compared to every other manufacturer there, the cars in general lacked the polish, finish, and "excitement" of others.

Other things I noticed: cheap flimsy plastic engine covers. HORRIBLE orange-peel paint jobs, I noticed this even on cars like the C6, CTS-V and XLR-V. I would be PISSED if I paid $80000+ and got a paint job this horrible, hell I'd be pissed if it was that bad on a $15000 car. Overall it seems as if GM was concerned with putting out a million and one models, but few of them posess substance. The only vehicles I would classify as innovative (and I use that term loosely), would be the C6 (b/c you get so much performance-wise for so little) and the Solstice/Sky (great styling and affordability). Every other vehicle IMO was inferior to other offerings in its class.

GM really needs to step it up. It is a sad day when I can go to the Ford booth, and be more impressed with their offerings...

Now, just so it doesn't seem like I'm only ragging on GM, there were a lot of other manufacturer "WTFs." Example: the top of the line Mercedes S550 (MSRP $112000) shared the same cruise control lever as the Charger, 300, Magnum, and had really cheap door handles and sunvisors, appalling. The Mini Cooper-* had this flimsy metal wire cupholder that looked like it was off a mountain bike (pics later :P), in a $44000 car, disgusting. And lastly, the interior of the Yaris epitomised crappy. It was so cheap and flimsy, I was concerned I would break it right there, let alone if I owned it and actually drove it.

They sure don't make them like they use to! I agree that the amount they charge us for the product they are supplying isn't comparable. I can't see paying so much for something that looks cheap.

I think the manufacturers should take pride in their products and offer us quality vs. quantity products. I don't mind paying a little extra for something that will last me a long time.

Over the weekend I saw a very nice 2006 GP GXP that was fully loaded and I would have loved to drive off the lot with it.....if only I had $35,000 just sitting around.

Do you think it might have to do with the state laws governing MPG and emission regulations? The car manufacturers probably use cheaper lighter materials to lighten the vehicles gross weight to better the fuel economy?

They also probably factor in serviceability, making you come back to buy a new cup holder because the flimsy one snapped right where they designed it to.

I dunno. Mitsubishi has a line similar to what you just explained. Especially the Diamonte...luxury CRAP.

Well, the american automakers are held by the balls thru the unions, no wonder they have to cheapen up on quality just to turn a profit. They need to cut the unions loose, and tell 'em, "well, we're either gonna go under with union workers, or stay afloat with non-union workers".

I feel bad for the guys who have real skil, who don't have jobs anymore, but, I'll lose my job if I don't adapt my skills.

Right on, Ryan... GM is in trouble for a reason...




How did the Yaris interior compare to the previous Echo Hatchback?

You know you used to think that a company like GM wouldn't be in so much trouble like it is right now. They just updated their losses for 05 and their stated losses went from 8Billion to over 10Billion dollars. 10 billion dollars in one year. I read somewhere that they had somewhere around 23Billion in reserve cash but they just went through half of it in one year, holy crap. It is hard to fathom a loss of 10 billion dollars in one year, better hope that 06 they are at least in the black. I still want parts for my car in a couple years. Hears to hoping a better year for GM.

I agree 100%.

Plus, just look at the problems with all the problems with our cars that they NEVER addressed. Mainly the PLASTIC intakes, and the window regulators (among others). It seriously makes me mad to no end that they knew of the problems for so long, and just looked the other way.

I think the problems they are having is just them getting what they deserve from all the years of not giving a $hit.

Yes, i noticed that too. The exteriors look nice, but just aren't made right...like you said, the paint jobs are atrocious...(spelling) and chip very easily. The interiors really are nothing special...leather really is not leather anymore. I agree 100%.

Leather wasn't completely leather in the 88-91 SSE days, for that matter...

thats very true...but nowadays, its not a whole lot better, it is more like vinyl now...they need QUALITY not quantity