Contacting Cadillac Management Team RE: Poor Product Quality

[durask]

Originally Posted by Anyadike

There were some interesting conclusions in CR's last auto edition. The most suprising to me was that CR doesn't recommended a single Mercedes-Benz model because of incredible reliability issues. While Honda and Subaru had 100% recommendation rates for their models, Mercedes had 0%. GM had 36%. They stated that rating a car by the automaker generally is not a good idea, but you need to watch out for the 2 least reliable brands on the road today: Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover.

I would take anything CR writes with a huge grain of salt. To put it frankly, their statistics are utter crap.

Anecdotally, though - based on the german cars that we owned - not impressed with the quality at all. Definitely LESS reliable than the domestics that we also owned/own.

One thing I will say is that the dealer makes all the difference. If they employ good reps and good mechanics who actually make an effort to troubleshoot your car when it breaks down, then an occasional trip to the dealer is no big deal.

[Chief_AT]

I'd take anything CR says as the closest to accurate as you will find. For example, this last auto issue is the result of polling "nearly one million readers". That's a hell of a lot more owners than I can talk to in my neighborhood. And, while I'm up on my soapbox, I may as well point out that all CR's "statistics" are identified by source. When an outside lab ran faulty tests on child seats recently, CR pulled the article and apologized as soon as they found out. They're now re-doing that test internally. CR is pretty reliable, unlike Consumer Digest, who actually sells their "best buy recommendation" for $25,000 for autos.

[z06bigbird]

I am sure that my lifestyle is different from most other people, but here is how I get dealers to take care of me. (I am a car nut; I live and breathe cars.)

I visit my dealer once or twice a month (socially).

I pay particular attention to the srv mgr.

I ask either the serv mgr or the cashier people 'which service writer should I use?' That is a good first step if you have not previously been at that dealership. They know who the turkeys are. Srv mgr can also tell you which are the best mechanics. I generally request certain mechanics if the work to be done is within their training.

I occasionally drop off snacks for service writers and mechanics, especially after they do some kind of work on my car.

Employees (like all of us) dislike certain customers. These customers are called PITAs. Pain in the butt. I try not to be a PITA, and I know my occasional snacks help soften my sometimes blunt approach.
They appreciate it, and I pick up a lot of helpful hints.

When I get frustrated, I go to srv mgr and ask for some help. He/she normally responds with a smile and a very helpful approach.

I recently had a GM dealership replace a $2500 rear end after warranty and at 50k miles. I told owner of dealership that no part of the drive train should go at that kind of mileage. I offered to split the cost with him. He told me to take $300 to cashier at end of process. Rear was still bad, and I again offered to split the cost. He refused, saying that I did not want to split these repairs. At that point, he replaced entire rear.

Mechanics and service writers then pigged out on burgers, fries, and blue bell over next few days.

Honey, burgers, tacos, fries, ice cream, etc go a long way. Everybody comes out happy.

[NY_Mikep72]

I also got mine from Scholtz, in White Plains. What has been your experience with their service? I doubt I would buy another car from them based on my experience. I have brought up the possibility of maybe there being a defect in the frame of the car, how else could you explain 6 issues with the driver's side front end (struts, ball joints, etc...) and was ignored by the service manager. Plus, I think I will go Japanese for my next car. The new Infiniti G35 looks hot.

[bigblockcadillac]

Originally Posted by NY_Mikep72

I also got mine from Scholtz, in White Plains. What has been your experience with their service? I doubt I would buy another car from them based on my experience. I have brought up the possibility of maybe there being a defect in the frame of the car, how else could you explain 6 issues with the driver's side front end (struts, ball joints, etc...) and was ignored by the service manager. Plus, I think I will go Japanese for my next car. The new Infiniti G35 looks hot.

i never brought my cts to them for service, but i purchased it from them. I live about 45 minutes north of them, so it's a little too far for service. My ac compressor never worked from the beginning(good thing I have a warranty). In hindsight they seemed a little shady but I got a good deal on the car. In my opinion, they're a bunch of wannabe wise guys until you call them on it and they cry like bitches. If I was you I would take it for service at another cadillac dealership and see what they say. With all that front end work, i would definitely look into the lemon law. Good Luck

[bigblockcadillac]

here is my cts

[JimmyH]

Consumer Reports is a good publication, but aside from a few long term fleet vehicles, all their reliability stats come from subcribers. I am not judging one way or another, just saying what is.

And if GM is in bankruptcy, I think that is news to everyone. (Delphi is in bankruptcy, not GM, no matter how likely it may be.)

[Richie]

Originally Posted by Juniorverse

GM isn't bankrupt because of the fantastic reliable vehicles they churn out. They are bankrupt because most of their products aren't worth their weight in steel.

Just to let you know, GM is not bankrupt. Delphi, which is a major parts supplier for GM, is in Chapter 11. And Delphi's filing had nothing to do with quality - their bankruptcy was related to extremely high labor costs.

[RobertCTS]

GM was even rumored to have an interest in buying Chrysler Corp. Daimler wants to dump Chrysler.

[JimmyH]

Originally Posted by RobertCTS

GM was even rumored to have an interest in buying Chrysler Corp. Daimler wants to dump Chrysler.

Daimler wants to dump them so bad, they were going to buy enough GM stock to give GM the money to buy Chrysler. But... aint gonna happen. GM isnt that stupid.

[NY_Mikep72]

Here is some comedy relatiog to this matter.....

The dealer has had my car since Monday. Just today I get a call saying that the front end is fixed and the noise is gone. BUT....they don't know which compenent that they changed cause the issue....In another 5 months, I am sure the issue will be back. Good thing I filed my NYS Lemon Law paperwork.