Quote:
Originally Posted by Len_A
Your Dakota experience is unfortunate, but repair technician's conclusion have no validity for one very big reason - you bought it used. What did the prior owner put it through and what repairs were done before you got it?
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Len, re-read my post. The Dakota was a NEW leftover (unsold previous year model). I believe it had less than 5 miles on the odometer when I picked it up and it came with the full factory warranty.
But you're correct with your "unfortunate" comment. "Unfortunate" for me to have the same experience with the Dakota that I had years earlier with Detroit's offerings. Not just the quality of product issues, but the same cavalier response from a dealership to my problems. "Unfortunate" for GM, Ford and Chrysler that I don't believe in "third" chances, regardless how cheaply they offer their product or what rebates/incentives are offered. "Unfortunate" for these same three manufacturers that both of our kids are in the market for new cars in the next 6 months. Neither are considering any Detroit products.
I don't dispute your arguments as to whether a GM bankruptcy will have a big local, state and federal economic impact (although I disagree as to the extent of the impact at the national level), but again, I see any federal loans/bailout/leg up as simply delaying the inevitable. No one will be sending checks to me if I run my business into the ground and I don't expect them to. My employees make informed decisions every day as to whether it's in their best interest to continue to work for me or take a job with a competitor. No one can tell me that UAW employees haven't seen the writing on the wall with GM for years. What other company can you name that has made mutilple cash offers to non-retirement eligible employees to go find another career?
And I can and I do blame management. G. Richard (Rick) Wagoner, Jr., Frederick Henderson the Board of Directors specifically. Bob Lutz to a lesser degree. These folks were paid tens of millions of dollars to make the hard decisions that are best for the organization. Every one of them, to a person, should look up the definition of fiduciary responsibility. I'm sick of seeing no accountability from these big corporate CEO's, CFO's, COO's and their Board or Directors.