11th Aug 2009, 00:57

GM can't afford to build their products in America because American workers form Unions and demand more money. Not to mention the fact that GM promised its former employee's pensions when they retired, so they are now paying these retiree's $2,000 bucks each, every month. Another piece of evidence that shows GM isn't financially capable of producing a vehicle on par with Honda or Toyota. When Honda builds a Civic with a $16,000 budget, they can use the full $16,000 to build a car. When GM builds a Cobalt on a $16,000 budget, they have to send $2,000 to the now retired auto worker, leaving them $14,000 to actually build said Cobalt, and they then sell it for $16,000 still! This is why domestics are such a bad value. You're paying $16,000 on a car that was designed with a $14,000 budget in mind.

12th Aug 2009, 02:43

It's not only the unions fault. What about poor management, CEOs getting million dollar bonuses.

You know why the foreign company's don't have unions, it's because they take care of their people. Toyota employees make more than any other car company and they get better benefits.

12th Aug 2009, 18:14

" A very expensive disappointment". That applies to everything GM has ever made.

13th Aug 2009, 12:50

""A very expensive disappointment". That applies to everything GM has ever made."

Agreed.

23rd Aug 2009, 18:31

I have a 2000 Silverado with 115,000 miles; bought it used, have replaced the entire front end, brakes, front seals.

The truck has absolutely no power. It is in and out of passing gear on relatively mild inclines. It always feels like it is towing a trailer, what is wrong with this truck? No engine codes, are my fuel pump weak injectors plugged???

24th Aug 2009, 14:40

It's possible that you need a new fuel pump or injector cleaning. And domestic owners, guess what needed a ton of front-end work at just over 100,000 miles? Well it's not the imports as we can see from this poor soul.

26th Sep 2009, 21:37

2000 Silverado LS 2wd Extended Cab (3 door)

I bought this truck new, it now has 155,000 miles. Mobil 1 was put in at 500 miles. Here is a list of the problems I have had...

PROBLEM - Wind noise from the back seat windows.

SOLUTION - Replaced both windows and frames under warranty.

PROBLEM - Piston knock from day one when engine is cold, no matter what the ambient temperature is.

SOLUTION - No solution. As explained to me early on from GM, it is from the skirtless forged pistons. They slap the cylinder walls until they swell up to fill the bore. I was informed that GM has 5.7 engines with 3,000,000 miles on them with the knock that have never been rebuilt.

PROBLEM - Sticking throttle.

SOLUTION - Cleaned the throttle body under warranty.

PROBLEM - Wind noise on the windshield trim after adding a bug guard.

SOLUTION - Put RTV under the rubber trim.

PROBLEM - Transmission sun shell cracked @ 101,000 miles.

SOLUTION - Rebuild transmission.

PROBLEM - Differential goes out on the highway from striped spider gears.

SOLUTION - Installed a salvage differential.

PROBLEM - Rust appearing on the drivers side rocker panel below the extended cab and also at the base of both doors.

SOLUTION - Let the POS rot, I'm tired of sinking $$$ into this money pit.

PROBLEM - Transmission dead @ 115,000 miles because the shift solenoid came lose and shot through the case, cracking it, lost all fluid and cooked the tranny.

SOLUTION - Installed a new tranny.

PROBLEM - Fuel pump died @ 145,000 miles.

SOLUTION - Installed a new fuel pump.

PROBLEM - Transmission had a thrust washer come out @ 155,000 miles, cooked another tranny.

SOLUTION - Rebuilt transmission AGAIN.

PROBLEM - Heater only puts out lukewarm air.

SOLUTION - None found yet, just now looking into it.

The engine on this truck has been awesome, it uses very little oil and still runs strong with no smoke. I have been a Chevy guy all my 47 years, but this is the last one and I have exchanged a few emails between me and some VP at GM regarding this.

22nd Aug 2010, 17:41

I bought new a 2000 Silverado 1500 2wd 5.3 engine. Being a car fanatic, it's extremely well cared for. It has 90.000 miles on it.

The driver's rocker just starting to rust through. I live in Massachusetts. Lots of salt on the roads in the winter.

As for mechanical issues, I replaced the thermostat and EGR valve.

Fuel gauge does not read sometimes (needs a fuel sender in the tank).

Rear brakes and rotors replaced at 55.000.

Needs rear brake baking plates (rusted through).

Tail gate straps replaced under warranty.

Hope to run it for another five to ten years.

29th Sep 2010, 20:22

145000 miles on a 2000 Silverado LT 5.3l EXT. cab, and it is just now needing a new fuel pump and sender. If you're going to live in the North and complain about your trucks frame rusting, get it undercoated, simple and effective.

We do all the maintenance on it, and I think I can get another 100000 miles out of it.

Great truck, and I just bought a 2003 GMC Sierra 5.3 SLT 5.3l EXT cab, and it runs flawlessly too.

You may also want to look at this website, it has some interesting facts on what's considered American or not.

21st Oct 2010, 19:52

I bought my 2000 Silverado Z71 used in 2002. Cost a bundle, but thought it was a good quality truck with some nice features. I was wrong. Since that time, I have:

Had windshield leaks; replaced entire windshield twice.

Had a failed rear end within 3 months of purchase.

ABS sensor issues, rusted.

Rear brake shields rusted off.

Fuel tank sensor failed.

Dash gauges failed.

Ignition switch failure.

Positive cable to starter, rotted off.

Both door window motors and regulators failed.

Tail gate cables broke, and hinges and trunnion to tailgate rotted off.

One partial brake line failure due to rust through at left rear, fixed, and then followed by a complete brake line failure due to rust through. Almost got killed in this one!

Both rocker panels and inner rockers dissolved into rust.

Water pump failed and both quick disconnect plastic heater hose fittings at the firewall, blew off and could not be reattached. That was a flatbed truck rescue.

Fuel tank straps rotted off.

All 4 fenders above wheel opening rusted through.

Left rear cab corner rusted through.

Now, those two round frame cross members supporting the rear shocks, fuel tank and spare tire carrier and muffler are about through with rust out! I can deal with most issues, and have, but this is killing me. Never thought I would see this truck basically disappear in front of my eyes by RUST, RUST, Rust and lastly, rot. Spoke with a Chev dealership body shop, and they treated me like I had a case of Aids or something. No more GM anything for me.

The kicker is, this truck is treated very gently always. I own 2 40 year old British MG's that combined have never caused me this kind of grief.

BP, Hingham, MA.