[rotharch]

There's a rectangular knock-out panel in the lower portion of the front bumper - there's some type of device behind it. Anybody know what it is? Just curious...

 

[sgilbert]

That is a cover for the female end of the tow ring bolt that SHOULD have been in the jack compartment. You have another on the back bumper.

 

[TSS]

All true except that the tow ring no longer comes standard w/ the vehicle (at least as of 2006). You need to get it from the parts dept if you want it.

 

[donjumpsuit]

Lets all give a "hip hip hurray" for the most noted american car manufactures luxury brand nickel and dimeing their brand to death and hoping that nobody notices.

 

[TSS]

Lets all give a "hip hip hurray" for the most noted american car manufactures luxury brand nickel and dimeing their brand to death and hoping that nobody notices.

I understand what you are saying. BUT, first, how many owners do you think ever:
1. knew the ring was there in the first place;
2. knew how to use it;
3. ever actually used it?

It was a reasonable cost savings IMO. Those who want it (like me), can get it. However, GM does not have to pay for the 98-99% that never ever get used plus it makes the vehicle lighter!

p.s. Now, if you want to complain about the cargo net being taken away as standard equipment in 2006, count me in let me climb on your band-wagon. That was ridiculous.

 

[MortnCyn]

I kept all but the net from our '04 and got the dealer to give me the net. Think they probalbly stole it from another '04 or '05. The ring could be handy if you needed a pull out of the snow or whatever. Found the ring with other goodies. A pair of gloves to handle tire change, a strap to hold the tire down, and a plastic cover for the tire. They never bothered to tell you where you were going to put the tire if you were using the 3rd seat and had passengers with luggage.

 

[donjumpsuit]

They never bothered to tell you where you were going to put the tire if you were using the 3rd seat and had passengers with luggage.

The answer to that question would be "roof"

As far as TSS is concerned, have i ever used it? Lets see, they notch out an area in BOTH bumpers for this specific use and don't provide it to you? Anything that is specifically designed should have a purpose, save storage compartments. Should I store something in this crevaase? They carved out a place for headlights and provided those to me.

I am dissapointed that GM is trying to save money, and cut about 30 dollars of materials from thier luxury brand. I mean is it that much extra to include the functional items (cargo net (it has the hooks for one), tow ring, and gloves/tire changing implements). I mean we are lucky we get floor mats i would assume.

You don't see this from BMW, or Mercedes. These are the competition. GM should recognize this.

 

[TSS]

The answer to that question would be "roof"

As far as TSS is concerned, have i ever used it? Lets see, they notch out an area in BOTH bumpers for this specific use and don't provide it to you? Anything that is specifically designed should have a purpose, save storage compartments. Should I store something in this crevaase? They carved out a place for headlights and provided those to me.

I think headlights were an option too in 2006. I decided to get them on mine. In fact, maybe that explains all the problems SRXCRUISER is having with his headlights....

Don, I hear what you are saying. I was just more worked up about the cargo net myself - and this is from a guy that got the tow hook from the parts department and I have actually used it.

 

[rotharch]

Whoa...I didn't realize what excitement I would cause just by asking a question. For those of you (and me) who lament GM's decision to cheapen things primarily by eliminating them, whddaya'll think about having to use the Walgreen's 99 cent key ring flashlight to illuminate the glove box and console because GM decided to cut a few bucks from a $51,000 "luxury" car...oh, well.

 

[TSS]

There you go. Now you are going to fuel the fire. Don't even get us started on the glovebox light or taking away the inside door safety lights in 07. :bouncy:

 

[GMJim]

It's call decontenting. What can we remove,exclude,take off, to save money, and charge the same for the vehicle.
The tow hook is an export requirement. I never understood why we couldn't have done two fascia's. We can't be exporting that many. Just another way to save money I guess. I think it looks quite stupid myself.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

tow ring bolt that SHOULD have been in the jack compartment!?!?!?

Whoa - that's great info - NO ONE KNEW what the wierd bolt was in my cargo area - I just wanted them to reassure me that it wasn't a "spare part" we'd find a use for later.

I sold it to some kid at a garage sale and he wears it on a chain around his neck. Some Egyptian s#@* or whatever.

 

[ArcticAir]

How about the GAS CAP being on the passenger side and a push to open and push close cap cover. I would have liked it on the driver side and with a lever release beside the drivers seat. A light in the glove box? what for! You cant fit nothing in it anyway.

 

[wbyrum]

Does anyone have the part number for the tow ring? What is the cost?

Thanks!

 

[jimlantz]

GM Jim wrote:
It's call decontenting. What can we remove,exclude,take off, to save money, and charge the same for the vehicle.

Ok, now I understand why Cadillac charges big bucks for their factory navigation unitl. And then takes away the compass on the rearview mirror and the digital clock on the radio.

True, you can look at the little triangle on the nav unit and try to figure out what direction you are going, as far as an instant read of SW, NE, etc. Forget IT!

True we have an analog clock, placed in a location where it is almost impossible to take a quick glance at and get the time.

It's not just a matter of what can we remove, exclude, take off, to save money. It's now what can remove, exclude, take off, and charge extra to do it.

 

[GMJim]

Does anyone have the part number for the tow ring?

25729106 or 10367821

 

[wbyrum]

Thanks, GMJim!!

 

[Infrared in Idaho]

How about no underhood light or center console light in the storage armrest? My son's 93 Volvo has both, and they were standard equipment back in 93. I wonder how much GM/Cadillac ready did save in their cost cutting ideas?

 

[robhersch]

How about no underhood light or center console light in the storage armrest? My son's 93 Volvo has both, and they were standard equipment back in 93. I wonder how much GM/Cadillac ready did save in their cost cutting ideas?

Our 1964 Pontiac Bonneville also had both as std eqpt as well as a glove box light and a trunk light and a 303 HP 6.5L V8...at out-the-door cost of $3,400.00 ...

Our 2005 SRX has courtesy/ warning lights in all 4 doors, front & rear air, UltraView, multi-adj seats, Bose w/ 6CD player, OnStar, etc, etc, 320 HP 4.6L N*V8 at $51,000.00 (would guess that GM needs many more cost cutting ideas to continue ~ $2,600.00 per car sold for GM retirees);
but we still love our SRX and we would not swap it for both a 93 Volvo and another 64 Pontiac.

 

[TSS]

Great point Rob. Lets not forget about ABS, traction control, stability control, tons of airbags...etc ...etc. And, comparatively with the cost of inflation, the vehicles we drive now, SRX included, are a relative bargain.

A 20K house in '64 is likely at least 200++K today. Using the same multiplyer (x10), the 3400.00 Pontiac would be 34,000. You can get a heck of a Pontiac (ie G8 GT) for approx that amount today that is better and safer in virtually everyway. A bargain if you ask me. If getting there means I don't get an underhood light that I actually need maybe once or twice in my total vehicle ownership, that is fine with me. I know how to use a flashlight.