Great Car - But You'll Wait Forever For Parts

[Wafflekyd]

I got my C6 last October, and love it. At least as far as I can remember. I got in a minor accident in January. No damage to the drivetrain, just to the front bumper and right fender areas. I had it towed to the top Chevy dealer body shop in this area, and they told me that the repair would take two to three weeks max. Not a big deal, or so I thought.

Now, two months later, I'm told that the repair could take many months - forever - who knows. It seems that they can't get a part for the car. They've got all of the parts except for some silly brackets that hold the front bumper on. The body shop has been told that Chevy doesn't have any of these brackets. And if Chevy doesn't have any . . . well, you get the gist.

The frustrating thing is that there doesn't seem to be anyway to get answers, or anyone to turn to. The body shop would love to finish the car, but if they can't get parts, can't fix it. And all Chevy seems to be able to tell me is "They're on backorder. We have no idea when they'll come in."

People warned me that this might be a problem if I ever got into an accident. Seems that Chevy and particularly Corvette have a very poor track record on parts availability.

So, if you like your C6, drive it carefully. If you get in an accident, even a minor one, you might not see your baby for a few months.

[JJS]

Bummer.

[kingman]

Hi

If you bought it through GMAC or leased it l would stop payments until the parts came in. Or at the very least l would have them extend the warranty period for the length of time your C6 is layed up.

There is some kind of law regarding the responsibility of auto makers having in stock replacement parts.

I would call GM and have an area rep meet you at the dealership or speak to him over the phone.

This is totally wrong.

Alan

[sothpaw]

I agree w/ Alan. Tell GM they can keep that car and give you another of equal value.

Time is money. GM knows that. The 2005 is brand new and you paid to be one of only a few on the road right now. By September there will be more.

Customers get bored and buy new cars--they count on it, that's what the platform configuration does--allows them to quickly respond to change in customer taste. Maybe you were only going to keep this 2005 for 36 months. To be out of it for 4 months would be 10% of your total ownership time. Not fair. Requires compensation.

Bottom line, GM can't reasonably ask you to pay $800/month for a car you can't use because of their supplier problem.

A more reasonable solution from their point of view might be to have a machine shop local to you machine the piece from a GM drawing/spec.

[Wafflekyd]

I'd be concerned that if I withheld a payment, it would adversely effect my credit. But your idea on contacting GM and trying to get face-to-face with a rep is a very good one.

Thanks for your reply.

[Wafflekyd]

Originally Posted by sothpaw

Bottom line, GM can't reasonably ask you to pay $800/month for a car you can't use because of their supplier problem.

A more reasonable solution from their point of view might be to have a machine shop local to you machine the piece from a GM drawing/spec.

Lots of good ideas! Thanks.

I'm going to drive to the body shop today and push the idea of having the brackets locally machined. If nothing else, maybe some fresh approaches will get someone at the body shop or at Chevy to take some action.

[sothpaw]

Originally Posted by Wafflekyd

I'm going to drive to the body shop today and push the idea of having the brackets locally machined. If nothing else, maybe some fresh approaches will get someone at the body shop or at Chevy to take some action.

Yes, and don't let them say "Sir, the GM part is cast so we can not machine it". As long at the metal alloy is identical, the machined part is actually stronger as it is more flaw free. Forged parts are stronger than machined though--sort of doubt GM would need to use a forged part on a bumper. But the love casting, casting is cheap, mass production.

What you need is a 1 time deal part, so damn the expense. If it cost them $100 to machine for you this once vs $10 to cast when they get their foundry back on line, so what, as far as you are concerned?

[jrose7004]

That would be just great!

[Wafflekyd]

Good news! Rather coincidental after weeks of complete inaction, but the day after I posted my parts problem above, I got a call that the part had just come in. They worked on the car for two days and I just picked it up. I was ready to follow some of the advice I received here on getting the problem part, but it proved unnecessary. We had been waiting for the bracket to come in for several weeks, but I'm glad it finally came in. Thanks to those who responded for their ideas and moral support.

[Edmond]

Good to see that things worked out! It must've been hard being that you're down in Texas and the weather lets your drive year round!

[1955 BelAir]

Glad you got it back!