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From: heneghan@ihu1m.UUCP (Joe Heneghan)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.consumers
Subject: Re: How bad are the GM X-cars ?
Message-ID: <507@ihu1m.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 12-Jul-85 10:54:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihu1m.507
Posted: Fri Jul 12 10:54:16 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 15-Jul-85 02:26:40 EDT
References: <8871@ucbvax.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 36
Xref: linus net.auto:6290 net.consumers:2059

I have an 81' Skylark and although I've heard of others
having problems, here's a summary of my experiences:

1. tires that came with the car were glass belted and unbalanced
2. delay wipers were repaired 6 times and the function eventually
   stopped after 1 year (this was the works in the turn signal job)
3. the rack went out after 2 months
4. fender had to be repainted as there were sanding marks (suggesting
   body work had been done before I bought it)
5. white stress marks on the inside door panel (after 2 times of
   unsuccessful paint I gave up- incompetant labor)

1. - 5. happened in the first year

6. new transmission gasket @ 50k mi.
7. general maintenance:
   tires 
   brakes needed to be changed once so far in 80k mi.
   belts
   battery
   various bulbs
   panel behind rear window is zinc and the paint is flaking
   oil changes and lubes
   2 alignments
   air shocks for trailering
   carx muffler
   thermostat
   antifreeze changes
   computor sensor @ 40k costed $100

In summary, a lot went wrong in the first year which was covered
by warranty. After that, general maintenance was all that was 
necessary. I woudn't call it a great car but I would call it a
good car. It has a lot of head room, can pull my sailboat, good
economy with a 2.5 4 cylinder.
				Joe Heneghan