Location: The avatar shows my motivation to work .... Work takes place in Houston, Republic of Texas .... Motivation takes place in CA, NV, UT, CO and similar locations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolBlessed
I can't believe it. Called the dealer today about 2 and they actually had a door handle in stock. I arrived at the dealer a little after 4 and was out by 5. Can't beat that. And to top it off the weather was great for riding both ways with the top down.
The power of Karma.
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__________________
Her name is MariSOL
In Spanish that means The Sea and The Sun.
VIN 6Y101319, delivered 10/15/05. 83,519 miles.
Just another member checking in with the broken door handle problem. Mine is an 06 na with 11700 miles #502. Handle on the drivers door popped out Sat afternoon. Took it to my dealer Monday And they found an extra handle in the area and had it installed in about three hours.
Location: The avatar shows my motivation to work .... Work takes place in Houston, Republic of Texas .... Motivation takes place in CA, NV, UT, CO and similar locations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumix
Sorry Gizmo, but you gotta tell it like it is. You can't get a problem fixed until you admit that you have one. It's not a deal killer, I'm on my third sol and they haven't scared me away yet, but EVERYTHING I said is true and well known to the forum. You've been in the shop enough to know what I'm talking about.
This post isn't meant to be offensive, just a realistic estimation of the current state of affairs. Happily, my 08 shows significant improvement over my 06's, so they are getting there...but they still have a long way to go.
Heck...I thought I was being generous by not mentioning the cup holders. You see, it's a mixed blessing. I like the solstice...enough to buy three of them. But it's still typical GM quality, which is really pretty bad considering this is one of their most modern designs. If anyone cared even slightly, they could do a lot better. I'm reminded of that each time I'm in the service bay talking to a service writer that doesn't have a clue about these cars. They don't know and they don't want to know. GM needs to stop selling "units" and start selling "cars". -Lumix
Nope, my ONLY warranty items have been a broken latch on the driver's door and a bent driveshaft. The driveshaft was probably a result of my accident, where I flew through the air for about 20 feet, landing on a concrete wall on the far side of a drainage ditch. I imagine the impact started the bolts to getting loose, resulting in the bending.
My other shop times are only due to physical damage from accidents (2).
You listed a lot of "problems." Except for the leaking pinion seals and related differential failures (which probably only affected 6% of all the 20,000 owners of 2006 models), none of the others have affected even 1% of the cars produced. I continue to object to your post as extremely unfair to the Solstice. Name ANY car and we'll find 30 different problems suffered by one or more owners.
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__________________
Her name is MariSOL
In Spanish that means The Sea and The Sun.
VIN 6Y101319, delivered 10/15/05. 83,519 miles.
You listed a lot of "problems." Except for the leaking pinion seals and related differential failures (which probably only affected 6% of all the 20,000 owners of 2006 models), none of the others have affected even 1% of the cars produced. I continue to object to your post as extremely unfair to the Solstice. Name ANY car and we'll find 30 different problems suffered by one or more owners.
.[/quote]
I understand what you're saying. I'm not so sure about the 1% figure you quote but I know what you're saying. My brother was a BMW mechanic for many years and a quick trip to the service bay will show you dozens of cars waiting in line. Hopefully we all know that there's no such thing as a perfect car, not to mention one that never breaks. Just ask any Mercedes Benz owner. And god help you if you own a porsche/ferrari/lotus.
But two things really bother me...
1) This is a brand new car. Modern design should really prevent so many quality control problems, and most of the design flaws. Sadly, that hasn't happened. I would challenge you to name "one single car" that is a fully 21st century design, and still has a list of problems like the one I've quoted.
2) Despite all their incompetence, GM is still has the deepest pockets of any car manufacturer in the world. They could do much better if they really wanted to. But instead they pay consultants to tell them that the "perceived difference in quality" really just doesn't exist. What a crock that is.
GM has everything they need to improve both design of their cars, and service after the sale. But again, that just hasn't happened. They're completely capable of doing it if only they had the incentive to. As proof, I offer up their full size trucks. Competition has forced them to be both well built and cost competetive...and they are. My 15 year old C-1500 has never failed me and is running as well as the day I bought it. It's never had a single warranty repair. As far as that goes, it's never had a major failure of any type. It's 15 years old and may outlive my solstice. I'm really worried where these cars will be in five years. -Lumix
I can't believe it. Called the dealer today about 2 and they actually had a door handle in stock. I arrived at the dealer a little after 4 and was out by 5. Can't beat that. And to top it off the weather was great for riding both ways with the top down.
Heh, they have them in stock for a reason
I've had to replace one on my car too. Oddly enough, the passenger side...least used
__________________
Bill Hahn Jr., Hahn RaceCraft, Inc. Home of the World's Quickest and Most Powerful Solstices
First to the 14's, 13's, and 12's in the 1/4 Mile
12.00 @ 117 MPH Street Solstice World Record
Hahn RaceCraft, Inc.
Turbocharging GM's since 1988 http://www.turbosystem.com
Just another member checking in... my passenger side handle pulled out last Tuesday... lucky for me the dealer had one and it was replaced the same day.
__________________
2006 Mysterious purchased back in June '06... GM CAI and catback exhaust, 15% tint, Moda MD2's, debadged rearend, smoked lights (all of them), painted windshield frame, blackened grilles, blackened rear fascia, and vertical doors. Many more mods to come... I'll keep you posted!
Passenger side; off to the dealer this morning so they can eyeball it and order parts.
When I took it in I showed them that the driver side handle was gapping away from the body as well. They stepped up to the plate and replaced both exterior door handles.
We had ours in for recall work and the day we were to pick it up the dealer called and said our HANDLE also fell appart. So they fixed it while they had it.
Sorry to hijack the thread but Lumix has it right. I have been astounded by the ignorance and arrogance exhibited by several dealers. They don't know the product and they don't know/care enough to do the research to fix problems efficiently.
It is clear to me that GM is leaning on the dealers so hard they are afraid to do a good job and take care of issues. It may be that GM can make things better by reducing the number of dealers but only if they choose to build'em better and support their products properly.
Sorry to hijack the thread but Lumix has it right. I have been astounded by the ignorance and arrogance exhibited by several dealers. They don't know the product and they don't know/care enough to do the research to fix problems efficiently.
It is clear to me that GM is leaning on the dealers so hard they are afraid to do a good job and take care of issues. It may be that GM can make things better by reducing the number of dealers but only if they choose to build'em better and support their products properly.
Love the car, hate the company!
Blackdog
I disagree. GM is willing to listen, make changes -- wish you had been at MECCA II this week to see for yourself. It is the DEALERS! And we should help GM decide which ones to keep and NOT. I have recommended the dealer I bought my Solstice from to a number of people including at least one who bought a Solstice from them and more who have used them for service. The salesman, service writer, service manager, and the wrench turners have been helpful, willing to listen, fix problems with a smile, and improved the Solstice experience. Went in this week with a minor issue and old one that had been delayed by me not them. The whole crew was new! All I got was the standard "It is suppose to be that way" "There no record on problems with that item" No it is not and GM fixed the item in the TLC tent at MECCA II -- Thank you. To "Skys are different" Even after I pointed out they had the same part numbers.
There is another Pontiac dealer in the area and the only reason I did not buy from him was color availability. Went by and talked to his parts guy a couple of days ago. Great guy and service manager too -- I will have my next appointment with them. I talk to a number of people every week about buying a Solstice (six today at the Museum) and the second thing I tell them (after how much I love the car) is to ask a couple of owners in their area about their dealer before they pick a dealer to buy from. We need to avoid bad dealers and tell GM and our friends who they are. They want our $$ so they should earn it.
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__________________ Cheers
GMH
Mysterious GXP
May you always be topless with a full tank
NASSOA Founding Member #95
Team Solstice!! Folding@home Team
Just joined the "Broken Door Handle Club" today. Driver's side.
1 1/2 years old with over 12,000 miles. I baby the car...it hates me!
I've never had a new car break so often with me...two pinion seals and now the handle...never thought I'd say my Mitsubishi Eclipse was a more dependable vehicle.
GM...stop the madness...don't use plastic where metal makes more sense.
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---------------- WEASEL Aggressive 2007 GXP Auto Dec 4, 2006
• Mods:
DDMWorks Race Backbone • Garage opener integrated into header • Side blinker/marker • K&N Filter •
Shorty Antenna • Wolo BADBOY horn...fun! • Engine fuel pump insulator
Relocated the flat tire kit from the trunk • Custom armrests...cheap versions...LOL
3 failed pinion seals...300+, 9,700+, & 12,636 miles
Replaced outside driver door handle June 2008
Canvas top replaced June 2008.
Gas cap replaced June 2008.
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-Lumix
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