Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my GMC and it treated me right for 2 years with very few issues. Only one problem needed to be addressed under the warranty and it was a broken crash pad piece on the driver side that had cracked and was rattling. GM builds some GREAT cars these days and I am excited about the Volt and the use of that technology expansion into other GM products. Competition is great for everyone and only helps improve the product and drive innovation.
The 05 Buick LeSabre, I traded in was a good car. It had 109 k and never was in the shop. Not very high tech but it was good. I still like my Prius better.
I've only owned one GM vehicle in the last 10 years, and it was a Pontiac Firebird. Nice ride, smooth and powerful, only had to take it in for warranty repairs about half a dozen times (brakes, alternator-twice, radio failure, power windows failure, rear-end failure, and an intermittent short that was never fixed). After warranty was over had 3 major repairs, culminating in the rear-diff going bad again. It was good to get rid of it, nice to ride when it ran fine but major parts just kept going bad on us. Now, I realize that GM has improved significantly since then, but it left a real sour taste in my mouth for GM products. If GM designed the Prius, it would probably resemble the Malibu Hybrid. I'd say it would get a whopper of 35 mpg (hwy), maybe 20 city. It would feel more powerful that its current form, but GM would probably be low-key on advertising, preferring to sell sexier cars and SUVs. Vic
i agree, my 09 silverado pick up is the best riding vehicle i ever owned, no problems, and can haul my boat or trailer without any effort. too bad it only gets 13 mpg. love my 07 prius, which i drive 95% of the time and plan on buying a phv prius in 2013. actually most modern vehicles are pretty darn good. i remember the good old days of tune ups, the cars were cool back then, but a lot of upkeep
I remember the days when Toyota's were junk, honda's as well. They have not always been junk. The problem with Toyota people is they think nothing else can ever be better. The problem with Honda people is they think nothing can be better. Same for GM, Ford, any manufacturer. I just wish instead of making blanket comments people would look at the history past.
If GM designed a Prius, it would be like a Malibu. It would be a inexpensive tight sedan with good pickup and reliability. But it would not (and does not) average 50 mpg (although it does reasonably well for a car in its class). My point is that GM didn't design the Prius because they didn't believe it would sell in quantity. The Volt is a real step-out for them. I hope they don't lose their shirts.
You hit the nail on the head. GM has been very slow to respond to market conditions, save for the EV1 which I'll let you Google and read up on for yourself. If you read/watch enough you will realize that Honda & Toyota were also caught up in the Political BS that formed. Imagine for a moment if the EV1 had NOT been killed......EV cars today would be way more advanced, and I don't just mean GM's. All manufacturers would have been pushed forward as to the slow pace of today.
i think it's a "get what you pay for" situation. A Prius probably won't have the fit and finish of 50K luxury SUV, regardless of the brand.
With this comment, I have to post my voice. yes, I agree that GM should have had it's door closed. HOWEVER, GM has produced great cars, ie......the corvette, the latest cadillac lines. I've had three different corvettes and two cadillacs. they're all awesome. Dont knock everything GM makes. Priuschat readers are educated people.......fair and just. We'll be the first to slam trolls as well as not to criticize nice cars. Now with that said and done, I LOVE my 08 prius. Cheers.
If GM designed the Prius, it would still be on the drawing boards, so the price would be out of sight. Which is probably what they want since they don't seem to be in a hurry to impact the ICE car market. Wonder why. Nobody in Washington seems to care anyways, since the current emphasis is on jobs--not conservation. Polls reign supreme.
Prius couldn't get out of a manufacturer board other than Toyota. If we look for the "environment" G21 project was born, back in 1995, with a personal comitment of the Directors and Chairmen...But most of all, the "lean design" that lead also this development. (Follow reading book "The Prius that shook the World")
Didn't you just post in another thread that you were headed to NJ to pick up one one of their "rolling turds"?
If GM designed the Prius, it would be named Precept. It would have 0.19 Cd and get over 80 MPG. It would be too expensive to produce for mainstream.
If GM built the Prius, you would have to return it every two years so they could crush it. Atleast you wouldn't have to worry about any maintenance. It would increase sales though. I guess that is one way to sell cars.
Because they have to; warranty does not equal reliability. I'd take a Toyota powertrain over a KIA but KIA has had long warranties for a long time.
