WarrenJ Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 It's been a bad week I'm afraid. I'm still a little dopey about some things, and I don't want to seem like "Chicken Little," but this comes from Bank of America . . . . "By last week the situation for General Motors had become so desperate that speculation swirled regarding the odds that the company might soon be forced to file for outright bankruptcy, a move that would have seemed unthinkable only a few weeks ago. For the record, GM officials insist that no such move is even being contemplated. But the Detroit Free Press reported late last week that Bank of America is now advising investors that a Chapter 11 filing by GM is "inevitable" though not necessarily immediate [emphasis mine]. SOURCE: http://www.nypost.com/business/57364.htm Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjtjwdad Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Yikes ... not good! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted November 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Yikes ... not good! Jim I'll say! A GM bankruptcy would (will?) have enormous repercussions worldwide. Regards, Warren P.S. I'd be deleriously happy to have this report proved wrong. There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Forbes has a slightly different view of the situation. I'm still trying to decide if having Kirk Kerkorian in the mix is good or bad for the long term.... http://www.forbes.com/newsletter/2005/11/1...oapbox_inl.html Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jupiter57 Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 You would think that GM would have trouble in bankruptcy court considering that for years, they have been giving their Execs. BILLIONS on Bonuses while claiming losses in the MILLIONS! I believe they will find a way out of filing. Just my $.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinrea Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 oh don't worry.. they will pass it over to korea and they will make the new cadillacs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 they will pass it over to korea and they will make the new cadillacs. ...If the design hasn't been stolen by some Asian company already. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EldoGuy Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 IF they ever make a Cadillac " Made in China " . . . I change brand right away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dasher Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 If we knew the answer to this one we could rush to our brokers and take advantage of the current low, low, low GM stock price. Even though I don't know the answer, I'm still tempted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBOYLE15 Posted November 18, 2005 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 All you have to do is read this board and you can easily fighure out why GM is in trouble. Cadillac is the flagship of GM. My next car will be a Lexus. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted November 18, 2005 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 All you have to do is read this board and you can easily fighure out why GM is in trouble. Cadillac is the flagship of GM. My next car will be a Lexus. Charlie You do realize that internet forums do not present a true pictire of reliability don;t you? Most don't seek out an internet forumn to brag about reliability. There are Lexus discussion boards that show a lot of problems with those vehicles as well. Why is your next car going to be an overpriced Toyota that just copies Cadillac? Please enlighten us. Hopefully, your job is not eliminated due to loss to a foreign competetitor... Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBOYLE15 Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Example: Wife's 1999 Seville with 40k on it went into dealer today because of a few drops of oil on garage floor. Dealer called. Reseal lower half of the great NORTHSTAR motor. Replace steering rack. Replace master cylinder. Squeak in rear...Replace sway bar bushings. My costs $50.00 GM major guard. This is a well cared for 40k car. Now you wonder why GM is in trouble. Have friends with Lexus and another with Infinity and Maxima. No problems like this. It's called RELIABILITY. Whoever builds the best product will get my business! American workers have to take PRIDE IN THEIR WORK. GM is a joke with the Cadillac. NORTHSTAR is junk. The other car we have is a 2001 DTS. Once out of warranty No more GM for me! They can concentrate on their SUV's and sink with them! GM is once again behind the curve! Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 All you have to do is read this board and you can easily fighure out why GM is in trouble. Cadillac is the flagship of GM. My next car will be a Lexus. Charlie You do realize that internet forums do not present a true pictire of reliability don;t you? Most don't seek out an internet forumn to brag about reliability. There are Lexus discussion boards that show a lot of problems with those vehicles as well. Why is your next car going to be an overpriced Toyota that just copies Cadillac? Please enlighten us. Hopefully, your job is not eliminated due to loss to a foreign competetitor... Kevin, I agree with you - ANY brand has its specific problems, including Lexuses and Mercedeses. I just read a description of a Mercedes 500 SEL on ebay. The private seller mentioned he had had all the service records and the cost of repairs over some 8 years totaled... $30,000.00 ! Nevertheless, I do not agree with your other statement. If someone does not show up here it does not mean his/her car is in better shape. We all drive the same cars. Period. The shift solenoids fail no matter who drives the car a member of an Internet forum or someone who does not know how to turn a computer on. I would even dare to assume our cars are maintained better since we at least heard of coolant supplement. BTW, our Guru mentioned some day the quality of Cadillacs assembled in China was exceptional. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBOYLE15 Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 You got my personal experience on a 40k well cared for car! Whoever builds the best car will get my business! Is that not the way Capitolism works or am I supposed to support a poorely made or Designed product? GM needs to wake up! Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 All you have to do is read this board and you can easily fighure out why GM is in trouble. Cadillac is the flagship of GM. My next car will be a Lexus. Charlie If you read Lexus board you probably will decide to go with BMW instead. But do not switch to BMW before you read their board. All brands have problems. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBOYLE15 Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Yea all brands have problems but Cadillac has more than other Brands, Do some research. Even the service manager at the Cadeiilc dealer drives a Lexus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Example: Wife's 1999 Seville with 40k on it went into dealer today because of a few drops of oil on garage floor. Dealer called. Reseal lower half of the great NORTHSTAR motor. Replace steering rack. Replace master cylinder. Squeak in rear...Replace sway bar bushings. My costs $50.00 GM major guard. This is a well cared for 40k car. Now you wonder why GM is in trouble. Have friends with Lexus and another with Infinity and Maxima. No problems like this. It's called RELIABILITY. Whoever builds the best product will get my business! American workers have to take PRIDE IN THEIR WORK. GM is a joke with the Cadillac. NORTHSTAR is junk. The other car we have is a 2001 DTS. Once out of warranty No more GM for me! They can concentrate on their SUV's and sink with them! GM is once again behind the curve! Charlie Lower case seals don't leak to the ground - they seep and the enging looks greasy...if you have read any of the archives, you will know this - that was confimed by the Guru awhile back. Of course - no foreign car EVER has any problems... the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence....just ask any of their owners...No one who switched to a foreign brand will EVER admit any problems with the foreign brand - that would be admitting that they were wrong. I work with a guy who has an '04 Honda - that thing has been back to the dealer so many times for warranty work it's ridiculous... The Northstar is junk??? I wonder what kger2 would have to say about that - his just turned 220,000 miles. There is another member of this board who has 400,000 miles on his Northstar Cadillac. I have 106,000 on my Northstar and have not had to do anything to it other than normal maintenance. You ought to go down to a local GM or Ford plant and preach about worker's pride in their work... Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 One thing I forgot to mention in my last post: While someone is bragging about Lexus' reliability and maintenance costs - consider the Lexus has a timing belt which must be replaced every 70,000 miles as part of normal maintence. This is a MAJOR job - costing in the $1500 range. If it is not done and the belt breaks, major engine damage results - costing much more than $1500.... Cadillac uses timing chains and self adjusting tensioners that do not need periodic maintenance. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 All you have to do is read this board and you can easily fighure out why GM is in trouble. Cadillac is the flagship of GM. My next car will be a Lexus. Charlie Charlie, Please sell the Cadillac NOW and buy the Lexus, we don't need malcontents like you hanging around. Your 99 while it has 40K miles on it, is SEVEN model years old, and personally I don't think that 5,700 miles a year is adequate to keep the car in shape, it sits too much If you think Lexus is better read the following threads regarding your wonderful Lexus. ONLY a fool would think that LEXUS is more dependable than Cadillac. Take your pompous attitude out of here after reading some of these problems about your wonderful LEXUS, WAKE UP, you are in the WRONG Cadillac board to start badmouthing it. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=25256 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=25178 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=21060 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=25023 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=22056 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=24474 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=24424 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=24108 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=24055 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=10834 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=21676 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=23481 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=23335 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=22344 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=22485 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=22392 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=22180 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=21995 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=21998 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=21348 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=20713 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=21596 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=20121 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=19280 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=21238 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=20900 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=19291 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=10715 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=18459 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=22231 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=18729 HAHAHAHAAH HERE IS A GREAT POST!!!! It's somewhat common for 7+ year old LX450 cylinder head gaskets to blow. Prevention involved keep the cooling system in perfect shape. That means you should change the thermostat and thermostat gasket now using genuine Toyota parts and use nothing but a 50/50 mix of distilled water and Toyota Long Life antifreeze in the system. Also means you should remove the radiator roughly every 5-7 years so you can clean the bugs and dust out of the fins and also clean the AC condenser in front of the radiator at the same time. Also means you should get the cooling or other engine systems fixed immediately if the engine temperatures gauge ever starts to read even slightly higher than normal for any reason. Here is one (gas mileage has WORSENED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE YEARS ) I have had my lx450 for about 7 years, and for the most of it my engine light has been coming on frequently, recently I have replaced both o2 sensors, egr valve, oil change. plugs, wires... what do I got to do to solve this annoying problem, Lexus diagnosed it as o2, then egr, and now they want 95.00 an hour to search for electrical problem!! also my gas milege has worsened dramatically over the years please help with any advice you might have, truck has 110,000 KM. or 70,000 M. HEAD GASKET My wife just blew the head gasket on our 97 450. It has 156K on it. I'm wondering how common this is, and what are the chances of a more serious underlying problem. For the most part, the truck has been very reliable and maintained well. Based upon a number of things, I'm not sure if I should "open the can of worms" or cut my loses and move on. Not sure if it has red or green antifreeze at this point. Any history that could help me in my thought process? What's the odds of this being "just a head gasket" Thanks, David the Driver ANSWER? It's been known to happen on LX 450s and '95-'97 Land Cruisers. Some seem to have a problem, others (luckily for me) haven't had a problem with the head gasket failing. Assuming you get this fixed, you shouldn't have a problem again -- i.e. it's not a common repeating failure from what I understand. More headgasket discussion: Depends how badly the head has warped/how badly it overheated. With many blown HG's, once you blow one, the next HG is more likely to blow. Blown HG's in the 80 are not uncommon. Virtually every time, it's from some cooling system problem. Maybe red & green coolants were mixed (sludges up the radiator), maybe just mud was clogging the radiator fins, causing the engine to overheat, etc. For an inline-4 cylinder toyota truck, a HG replacement is like $1200 at the dealer, so I'd expect a little more for the inline-6. There's no reason why the Toyota dealer can't do it for you (many won't work on Lexus cars, but some will), as the LX450 and Landcruiser have identical engines. You can save hundreds of $$ right there. You might also want to replace the head bolts (if needed; else you can reuse them once if in good condition [mechanic's call]). The existing head will need machining (they usually send it to a machine shop, have it pressure tested, checked for flatness, etc.). Cheap to maintain huh? Hello All - I know everyone must be tired of this question, but I would greatly appreciate some assistance after I got back from the dealer and they told me I needed 4 new pads and turn th rotors for $1,100! I know the dealer needs to make some money but this is rediculous Soft SHOCKS? QUOTE (Chipofftheoldblock @ Jun 23 2004, 08:15 PM) I just bought a 1997 LX450 last Saturday. It has 60K miles and in excellent condition except for an unusual Swaying motion from side to side when at Interstate highway speeds above 55MPH. It doesn't really bother me too much, probably because of my emotional attachment to finally having one (after a long wait). However, my wife, my neighbor, and my children have brought it up every time we get on the Interstate. Is this normal? Have any of you experienced the same problem.....or have any clues as to what may be the problem, if any? YES, this is a well-known issue with the LX450 shocks. Most dealerships will at least acknowledge that it is a known issue. It is because of the too-soft LX shocks. Solution: relplace the shocks with standard Landcruiser shocks, or change tires to a a tire with a stiffer sidewall (I'm using Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos and they solved the problem 90% but I kept the LX shocks because it is too expensive to changeover) 2004, OMG, Lexus's are PERFECT! Can't be! On my 2004 LX470, the image on the screen is like jumping and looking terrible. The Nav and other screen are perfect. Anyone else had this problem. Hate to take it back to the dealer again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Here is the timing belt issue that Kevin is speaking of http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=18729 More on the belt: The 2UZ engine is an interference engine, meaning if the belt breaks, major valve train/head damage=$$$$ (ie, you'll basically need a new top half of the engine) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBOYLE15 Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Just sharing information! and How I feel about Cadillac and General Motors. Thought that was the purpose of this Board! By the way have owned 4 new Cadillacs. Have expressed interest in Lexus But as I said once out of warranty they are gone. Will buy best for my money. Wifes 1999 was over serviced. We were given free service for 4 years. As example changed oil and filter every 3 monts not by mileage. Sorry I hurt anyone feelings But I feel Cadillacs are JUNK and cannot compete in the world market. ESPECIALLY SCOTTY WHO SEEMS TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING. (GET A LIFE) Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Oh I totally understand the "Get a Life" statement. Its hard being PROVED wrong publically like this, so you resort to attacking statements. You began this with: GM is a joke with the Cadillac. NORTHSTAR is junk Am I supposed to support a poorely made or Designed product? Yes, its about sharing facts, experienced and information, but not necessarily about unsupported opinions. Sharing ideas is one thing bashing Cadillac's to Cadillac Lovers, is an entirely different matter. Your statement about GM and Cadillac is an opinion. When you own FOUR Lexus's, THEN..... you can make an intelligent opinion, until then, you are making unsupported statements. I JUST gave you support to show you that your revered Lexus is not ALL THAT..... Now I will be fair! Kevin said before, that owners don't come here to RAVE about how good their CADDY is running, boards like this tend to catch owner's who have problems...... YOU looked at this board and said, "All you have to do is read this board and you can easily fighure out why GM is in trouble" and showed how green and nieve you are. WELL, I could say the same about LEXUS reading their board huh? But I won't, AUTO FORUMS are places where owners come to SOLVE PROBLEMS you will not read ROSY comments in forums. Try to keep an open mind about this stuff and don't be so critical. You will find if you look around that all brands have problems of one type or another. Most here are Cadillac lovers for instance, i have been involved with a 55, 59, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 74, 91 and 96. I wouldn't care if a brand new LEXUS came with Pamela Anderson in the passenger seat, I would still own a Cadillac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBOYLE15 Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 I shared facts and experiences and expressed my opnion. One of the scotty rule is no negative opnions. Do you want to make a list of what we can and cannot say about Cadillac's ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 I shared facts and experiences and expressed my opnion. The scotty rule is no negative opnions. Talk facts, and we can talk, OPINIONS, mean nothing to me, period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBOYLE15 Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Perhaps you should re read my "facts" on the 1999. Should I list the "facts" on my 2001 DTS as well? Yes opnions may mean nothing to "you" But you are not the only one that reads this board. I have no problems reading others opnions on their cars. ALL YOU WANT IS POSITIVE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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