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Washed my 04 Cavalier

NickD on Fri July 18, 2008 10:30 AM User is offline

That was a mistake, counted seven dents on it, most around the sides from people banging their car doors into it, but can't explain the dent in the roof nor the hood. Heard about paintless dent repair, but is it worth the money? Maybe I should just load my paint sprayer with mud and give it a coating. With 45 K on it now, and very careful driving, getting whines and rumbles that I never noticed before. Maybe the greaseless rear hubs need replaced as well as the manual transmission, get that blacklash whine when I take my foot off the gas that I never got before.

92 DeVille is still quiet, but prefer using the Cavalier with the high price of gas, did use the AC some yesterday on a 400 mile trip, seems to have a light rattle now that wasn't there before, but still nice an cold. We did get 37 mpg, even with detours and closed ramps that added more to our trip. Took my wife to our closest USCIS field office where she did pass her US citizen test, now has to wait to say her oath, then we will be done with the USCIS. That was good news for us, but think my car is falling apart.

mhamilton on Fri July 18, 2008 1:51 PM User is offlineView users profile

I've read very good things about the painless dent repair, but have not used it. You or the tech would have to pull the door panel and headliner to get at the dents, though. That may not be worth the hassle.

Can certainly understand why a majority of people will not buy US cars. At least the small/economy cars, seem to know how to build SUVs and trucks, and used to know how to build big cars. These econ cars seem to be nothing but trouble, cheaply made and lots of little problems. Had that '01 Ford Focus, less than 20k miles and the power steering started to leak like a sieve, a/c started leaking rain water when parked uphill. Sold that a few years ago for my aunt.

MikeH on Fri July 18, 2008 2:27 PM User is offline

When I was out in San Diego, during a contract, a hispanic woman driving a H2 backed into me in a Raplh's parking lot. The SUV had plates from Mexico and she had no insurance. So, because I was driving a rental with no coverage I figured if I turned it in with the big ass dent they, being Budget, would charge me mightily. So, I got some estimates to have the dent removed. Only one guy would do it. The rest turned the job down because the dent was next to the left headlight and softball size. They all said it was too close to the edge. The guy that did the work had been in the business for over 20 years. Well, $300 and 2 hrs later you could not tell that the car had ever been dented. As it turned out, the day I turned the car in it was raining so hard you really could not see so I could have probably gotten away without fixing the dent - but - had to - conscience and all that stuff.

I think if you get a guy that has been doing it for a while it would be better than going to a body shop. If the dent had been on the door or roof the cost would have been a whole lot less.

bohica2xo on Fri July 18, 2008 3:59 PM User is offline

Just damaging the cars americans won't damage....

It should be acceptable practice to leave an uninsured motorist's severed head jammed on the antenna of their own car - to serve as a warning for others.

B.

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"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

HerkyJim on Fri July 18, 2008 4:58 PM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: mhamilton




"...Can certainly understand why a majority of people will not buy US cars. At least the small/economy cars, seem to know how to build SUVs and trucks, and used to know how to build big cars. These econ cars seem to be nothing but trouble, cheaply made and lots of little problems. Had that '01 Ford Focus, less than 20k miles and the power steering started to leak like a sieve, a/c started leaking rain water when parked uphill. Sold that a few years ago for my aunt.

Hmmm, '08 Corolla has 6 mos. and turned 5,000 miles today. Zero issues. Did take it in to stealer for 5,000 mile service last month. Had a ticking noise audible at low speeds in a quiet place. Wanted it on-the-record. HaHa, dumb me...rocks in the tread. 41+ mpg overall so far.

Ashamed (as an American) to admit that I did not even consider any other make or model when I bought this car. Had I gone shopping; I would not have included GM, Ford, or Chrysler. Their reputations precede them....

My $0.02

NickD on Fri July 18, 2008 6:22 PM User is offline

Toyota's get dents too, as well as Honda's, Nissan's, my 88 Supra does have very slight dent in the rear quarter panel, very difficult to see, have to knee down and get the light just right. But it spent most of it's life in my garage. My son, following the stock market feels that GM may go broke, but it seems like after years of trash, Ford is kind of getting it's act together.

Toyota is making some weird looking stuff.



But their sedan looks pretty nice, do they make a coupe? Can't seem to find one.



Suppose if I leave it in the garage parked next to the Supra, it won't get dents either.

Edited: Fri July 18, 2008 at 6:23 PM by NickD

mhamilton on Fri July 18, 2008 6:44 PM User is offlineView users profile

Well, I've never been the market for a small car, so I can't really say for sure what the various brands have going for them. I just know that the US made economy cars are not leading sales. The most obvious reason (from my point of view) for the poor quality is cost cutting--I can not imagine any US worker being cost-competitive with an overseas factory worker. And then there's the automation, which it seems the big 3 are still catching up on. What do Toyota workers do in their US plants, babysit the robots?

Of course all of them have their problems, spent many weekends working on friends' Toyotas. One had no heat due to poor solder joints in the ACC, trunk leaks, cold temperature stalling... among other problems.

Give me a full-frame GM car or truck any day, would not expect any problems before 200k miles. And even then would not worry about being stranded on the side of the road. After demolishing a Seebring, still made the 500 mile trip home in my Malibu. And after fixing the body the only latent effects are 2 odd dash rattles and a slightly large fender gap.

HerkyJim on Fri July 18, 2008 8:14 PM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: NickD
Toyota's get dents too, as well as Honda's, Nissan's, my 88 Supra does have very slight dent in the rear quarter panel, very difficult to see, have to knee down and get the light just right. But it spent most of it's life in my garage. My son, following the stock market feels that GM may go broke, but it seems like after years of trash, Ford is kind of getting it's act together.



Toyota is making some weird looking stuff.







But their sedan looks pretty nice, do they make a coupe? Can't seem to find one.
of






Suppose if I leave it in the garage parked next to the Supra, it won't get dents either.

Yep; weird, bizarre, whatever. Looks like a Corolla below. No coupe. I can get an 18x18x24 carton (my default airline "luggage" these days) in the back seat of the Corolla easier than in the back seat of my '72 Valiant 4-dr. Trunk wouldn't close on the box in either car.

The silly little fiberglass "effects" along the bottom of the Corolla cost quite a bit extra...people buy this stuff. Amazing! or maybe not so amazing..."performance indeed. Ha!

NickD on Sat July 19, 2008 9:19 AM User is offline

Is your Toyota immune to dents? If so, how to you prevent them? Wife feels she is responsible for several as she has to rush to the hospital and park wherever she can. Even next to a rusted out 81 Ford pickup.

Is it really true they design vehicles for just the showroom?

2005Equinox on Sun July 20, 2008 2:32 AM User is offline

People think Toyota is imune to everything. They find out when the repair costs come.

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2008 Chevrolet Impala LS
1981 Pontiac Bonneville


2007 Sears Craftsman Lawn Tractor


1985 Chevrolet Caprice


1986 John Deere 165 lawn tractor

HerkyJim on Sun July 20, 2008 12:55 PM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: 2005Equinox
People think Toyota is imune to everything. They find out when the repair costs come.

I suppose some do...Not me.

Sceptic is my middle name. I've had a chance to own, drive, work on, and read about quite a few cars in the last 47 years. I know that Toyota parts are more expensive than Mazda parts. Had an old mazda when I worked in Saudi.

Worked on a '76 Landcruiser and an '89 Toyota pickup. landcruiser had the old Chevy stovebolt three-main-bearing six. Not a very impressive engine. The rest of the machine was pretty well'engineered and constructed as I recall.

Replaced the timing chain on the pickup. 2.4l 4-banger. Not a real fun job, but I did it for less than $200. Stealers want around $ 1,500. Thought the design and quality of the Toyota was pretty good. Replaced water pump on '84 Chevy S-10 once for a friend. Not impressed with that one at all.

Bought the Corolla on the strength of Consumer Reports articles and ratings, as well as a short test drive. I don't disbelieve their reliability stats. can't agree with their commie politics, but they are a useful source of info.
HaHa. Read their latest monthly online last night. Small SUVs compared. Just coincidentally, a Dodge Caliber like I rented just before I bought the Corolla was dead last in the ratings. No American make was in top third. wish it weren't so...but what is is what is...
My $0.02

NickD on Sun July 20, 2008 6:54 PM User is offline

My experience with Toyota and Honda has been different, but this goes back to the mid 80's to mid 90's, parts were cheaper than domestics if you can find a decent dealer! Neither has suggested retail prices for parts, and some dealers are either crazy or think I am crazy, I prefer to call them crazy. One key point is if I needed a new rack and pinion boot, could get one from either Toyota or Honda for ten bucks, with a domestic, they wanted me to buy the entire rack and pinion gear to get that boot with a pricetag more than what the car was worth.

Didn't feel like driving down to Milwaukee last year when my Supra fuel pump froze, but called my local crook and he wanted 450 bucks for him. But got a Carter instead that in my opinion was a much better pump, fit perfectly at the same price as any domestic car. Ha, already got all the stuff I need to change the timing belt, valve seals, cam seals, new O2 sensor off the net if I ever get off my can at very low prices.

I really hated parting with my 86 Civic, the parts I put in that thing could have been listed on a match stick, but developed a leak in the LF caliper that I couldn't repair because the underframe rusted out and couldn't even jack it up, but still ran like a top. Was going to buy a new Civic, but a friend told me to check out GM with my GM card, got this sports coupe brand new off the showroom floor for $7,000.00, hard to turn that down. The Cavalier is actually a quieter car than the Civic with more room for a big guy and with the large sports tires, one of the best winter cars I have ever driven. But never had a car that received more dents in such a short time, and that tees me off. Also teed me off I had to spend 40 bucks for new front strut thrust bearings, but apparently a well known weak spot.

I do not feel that neither Toyota or Honda are producing the same quality they were in the mid to late 80's when they were trying to succeed in the American market.

Chevelle_nut on Tue August 12, 2008 11:15 AM User is offline

Check the VIN #'s boys - you will probably find your Toyota or Honda is made in US.

TRB on Tue August 12, 2008 11:20 AM User is offlineView users profile

I know my Tacoma is assembled in California.

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HECAT on Tue August 12, 2008 4:22 PM User is offline

News Flash - Toyota and Honda quality in U.S. market on the decline.

News Flash - Toyota and Honda says U.S. market vehicles made in USA.

News Flash - Toyota and Honda moving U.S. market mfg. to China.

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NickD on Tue August 12, 2008 5:57 PM User is offline

Can only wonder about the Chevy Volt, first it's $20,000, now twice that, GM is looking for a government subsidy so people can afford to buy it. They go through all the work to design and test that car, but talking with two different vendors for the battery that is their major obstacle. Seems all backwards to me, GM should have developed their own battery first, even if possible to get a lithium-ion battery to last ten years with thousands of recharges. Didn't read much on heating or air conditioning either with this thing or severe cold or hot weather operation. Battery capacity goes to pot in cold weather and battery life goes to pot in hot weather.

But it sounds like they are putting all their stakes into this vehicle, sure not encouraging me to buy GM stock.

MikeH on Thu August 14, 2008 12:44 PM User is offline

During the Olympics I saw an ad for the Volt. I swear they bragged that you would get 40 miles without using any gas. According to the online specs "40 miles – full electric vehicle (EV) range". Does that mean you can shut off the gas and only use electric? The specs don't say. A full recharge takes about 6-7 hrs. According to leftlanenews the price will be about $35,000 - up from $30,000. What I found interesting is that on the same web page for the Volt info there were adds for the H3. Talk about differences in economy!!!

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