Problems/Extraordinary Costs during Ownership

[vasudeva]

Maybe the info. that could be posted on this thread is already there in the forum in one place, but I thought of starting a thread where members can put all problems experienced during their car ownership. The format can be

Model, Month/Yr of Purchase, Problem/Fault at how many Kms, solution and cost, any other useful info on dealer/company response.

These should be actual and honest (most of us overstate the FE and understate the problems). And no perceptions: eg, ride is bumpy, gearbox is tight, rearview mirror is useless, etc.

Cost may not be relevant because with the prices of metals and plastics doubling and trebling since 2002 (blame China), new car market not growing so fast during 2007, margins under pressure, automakers can at least recover profits on replacement parts.

If this thread does not serve a purpose, it can be deleted.

[vasudeva]

Here is my report on Opel Corsa 1.4 GSI

Model: Opel Corsa 1.4 GSI, September 2003, present mileage: 36K
Problems:
1. Rear left power window lifter not working (July 2005, 15K,
no spare available, got it repaired after a week).
2. Fan belt fuse or something faulty resulting in overheating: 10K kms, May 2005
3. Fan belt down after 3 yrs in Nov 2006: replaced at 26K kms and Rs. 3000.
4. Battery down after 3 yrs in Nov. 2006, at 27K kms.
5. Repeated instances of brake and engine lights coming and going off at random.
6. AC started tripping in Sep 07 at 35K with AC going off, got repaired for Rs. 1000.
7. Windshield wiper not working. Yet to get it repaired (car sits at home, is used for 30 kms per week, and monsoons are over!)
8. After a super ride till 2006, shockers now complain at around 35K kms.
9. Paint jobs quality: inconsistent across GM dealerships in Delhi/Ghaziabad, generally OK but not comparable with Maruti (I owned 800 and Zen for 8 yrs) or Toyota (recent paint job on Corolla), and a little palm greasing can work wonders and cut your bills!

[diabloo]

Greasing whose hands ?

Originally Posted by vasudeva

a little palm greasing can work wonders and cut your bills!

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by diabloo

Greasing whose hands ?

Greasing the hand of one particular service advisor (and not the chief) at British Motor in Conn. Place (sadly now closed). He would put say 4 litre engine oil or some other thing (say coolant). The official bill would say be Rs. 1000. Give him say Rs. 500, and the item would not appear on the bill at all. How he managed it, I did not care to ask. No wonder, British Motor is now closed. It is the service arm of Triumph Motors. Some other visit, pay him Rs. 1000 and an extra door gets painted.

[sushrutha]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

Greasing the hand of one particular service advisor (and not the chief) at British Motor in Conn. Place (sadly now closed). He would put say 4 litre engine oil or some other thing (say coolant). The official bill would say be Rs. 1000. Give him say Rs. 500, and the item would not appear on the bill at all. How he managed it, I did not care to ask. No wonder, British Motor is now closed. It is the service arm of Triumph Motors. Some other visit, pay him Rs. 1000 and an extra door gets painted.

May be British motor got closed becuase of THE "particular service advisor (and not the chief) "

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

May be British motor got closed becuase of THE "particular service advisor (and not the chief) "

Not relevant here, but because of labour disputes and management shakeup. Might have opened again (have not checked for 6 months).