Cadillac Accountability

[catbert]

Originally Posted by David Topus

Hi. I am new to the forum community, and I really just registered with the hope that someone in it will be able to provide some assistance to what has become an enormously aggravating and frustrating situation.

I have a '97 Eldorado with 106,000 miles. I've had it for four years and it is my third Caddy. I really like it, but it has had many, many mechanical (and other) problems, especially in the last year and a half. Over the life of the vehicle it has been in the shop 20+ times, and I have personally run close to $10,000 in repairs since 60,000 miles. Luckily some of it was covered by an extended warranty. Now the car won't start and the dealer tells me the entire electrical/computer system isn't working, so they don't even know why. The dealership (even after ALL the work they've done on the car and the revenues they've gotten from it) is charging me $87 an hour -- JUST TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. I want to buy another Caddy (a 2001 STS) but they won't even talk to me about the trade in value of the Eldo until they figure out what's wrong.

But here 's the rub: Cadillac corporate won't give me an ounce of consideration for my trouble. Despite the fact that the car has been a mechanical disaster, and that I've had all the repairs done at a Cadillac authorized dealer, AND the fact THAT I WANT TO BUY ANOTHER ONE, they basically are telling me it's too bad. Is it possible that this company, trying to uphold a quality brand, would wash its hands of a car with 100K miles, period??? I mean, is that how long they think their cars will last? How much time and money does a customer have to spend on a $46,000 vehicle before the company steps in and has some accountability. I'm not even asking for much -- just some kind of consideration for the trouble, and to keep my as a loyal customer. Would they really rather have me agreeing with most people who say "never buy a Caddy"??? Could they possibly be so short-sighted as to alienate an otherwise loyal and enthusiastic customer -- one who would give them the benefit of the doubt in terms of buying another car????

Shame on them I say. For nominal financial consideration (helping pay to figure out what's wrong with the Eldo so I can at least trade it in), or perhaps a coupon for discount on the next car, or even an extended warranty on the next one, I'd be a happy Cadillac owner. Unfortunately, they are telling me it's my tough luck and that they have no accountability for a vehicle with over 100K miles. If that's how long they expect their cars to last then they deserve what they get reputation-wise. But still, I can't believe they would take that position.

I'd hate to be you, but the truth is that I've never heard of any manufacturer making good on repair for a vehicle over 100,000 miles UNLESS THERE WAS A DEFECT THAT COULD BE A LEGAL LIABILITY FOR THEM. Now the dealer is a different story. I can't imagine any dealer treating a current, let alone a potential near-term buyer like that. Hell, if I was the General Manager of the dealership, I'd give you wholesale for your ride against a new Caddy, like they probably would anyway. Then I'd tell the service manager that he has one day to find out the problem with the trade-in or his replacement would get the opportunity.

Seriously, I'm driving my 39th car, and I've never had non recall warranty work of any magnitude covered by the factory especially at those miles. Sometimes the dealer will fudge for the goodwill, but not the factory. I'd say you have a dealer problem...any dealer who can't diagnose a problem these days should not be in business.

You have a bad dealership, and there is a lot of that going around. IMHO BTW - I'm having a similar problem with an Acura dealer who can't find a defect in a 2004 Acura. bouncer:

[SLS97]

Cadillac's accountability is for and with the 1st buyer/owner. When a Cadillac is purchased used the accountability is with the dealer, they made the profit from the sale. When the warranty is over, it's over.

[gothicaleigh]

The car has over 100k miles on it! No company in the world will gaurantee their vehicle that long. 100k is a nice long lifespan for a car. Can it last longer? Yes, if it was well maintained and taken care of. Unfortunately 90% of the cars out there do not fit this description, so no business is going to back a car with that many miles.

[kcnewell]

It's nice to see that some people around here have some COMMON SENSE! ( In reference to the last few posts. )

[elwesso]

I dont know why people think that they should expect cadillac to take care of their problems well after warranty.... Sure, I dont think these things should happen, but they do!

However, that doesnt mean you deserve some respect..... I dont think they should have disregarded you, especailly since you want to buy another cadillac!