I've noticed that the switchgear on GM's B-class crossovers (Trailblazer / Encore GX / Trax / Envista), in general, particularly the stalk-levers, is a cut above the switchgear on many other GM vehicles.

One thing that is definitely a poor design, IMO, on some of GM's latest models, is putting the Park position for the transmission on a small button at the tip of the column-shifter. That is just ASKING for serious damage if you accidentally hit that button while the vehicle is moving. It would probably be a deal-breaker for me.




Fortunately, the GM Korean models all use a proper console-lever with a traditional fore/aft PRNDL motion, without that kind of nonsense.

 

The switchgear in the TB/Encore and Trax is perfectly acceptable for an entry-level economy cute-ute. It is the higher end stuff where GM really lacks. Nothing special.



this ^^^ is pretty cheap looking

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Proper shifter for an improper 3-cylinder

 

Agree on the GM switchgear...always lets a GM vehicle down.

Yeah, I was very surprised to see this one I drove today on the lot. They have a black one coming in too that isn't spoken for.

 

If they programmed it right, pressing P while moving shouldn't do anything.

I am not going to test that on my BMW but I would bet money it won't go into park while driving

 

Whats funny to me is everyone complains but Germans been doing it for 40 years lol.

 

Can you elaborate on this on what German vehicle is doing what?

 

Bold talk of quality issues from a 4Runner driver.....

 

Adjust a 2004 A4 convertible 4 cyl for inflation and it's right at these prices.

 

Well, most reviewers disagree with you. They LIKE the fact that you have real *****/buttons for the climate control, and not have to make all your adjustments screwing around with a fussy touch-screen.

It gets the job done. This is not the Geo Metro 3-banger from the 1990s.

 

​​​​​​
Thank you so much, and just to everyone who's thought of me over the years. It really means a lot.

One of my spouse's friends is a therapist and she asked just casually in Vegas "is there anything you do that helps, do you have any hobbies?"

I was like.. "Well, I'm a big writer and I'm a forum person and spend hours a day writing, talking about cars and just conversing with car buddies."

She was like "That's absolutely a hobby and that's great. That's the same thing as penpals basically... I think that's great that you do that."

So again, thanks.

This whole thing, we're on the tail end but this has been so awful overall I can't even explain it.. it has however made me stronger as a person so that's good.

But yes, in and out of cars are not an issue, I might have to finagle it a bit climbing into the Yukon but it's fine. I'm now walking up and down stairs, it's crazy. It just started happening without my thinking about it.

I thought I was paraplegic and wheelchair bound for the rest of my life back around the Holidays from this stretched nerve complication, even though the doctors said it would get better I didn't believe any of it, just basically because of how much I've been through (this started in 2020... 5 surgeries.. I had run out of hope).

Physical therapy is going greattttttt. My guy is about 25 and I've liked him from the start but he told me last session his favorite show was The Sopranos, lol and he brought it up. LOL, I told him "moving forward we'll have a lot to talk/laugh about." He's only seen it 3 times, a true amateur.

Thanks again for all the well wishes from everyone, those who have sent me PMs or mentioned me here... I really appreciate it.

The way things are coming back that I never thought would I really don't have words for how it feels, just ecstatic. Though I still have a year at least to keep recovering and doing PT, I'm already planning next trip to Vegas lol.

Appreciate it all, guys.

 

Not disputing your claims but I'm telling you, GM has gotten their **** together with some vehicles at least. The Denali finally has the buttons and switches down just about, pretty much like Lexus. The Yukon's switchgear is great, you can tell they sweat the details. The buttons and levers and switches are all very high quality.

 

I seem to have joined CL at the tail end of your journey. Back pain and back issues is. No. Joke. The fact that you can keep a positive attitude and have a sense of humor throughout is commendable. I give you kudos for persevering and so happy your surgeries have helped and worked as this is not the case for everyone and I’ve known someone where back surgery made it worse — they did not have a successful outcome as you have. I know they keep coming up with newfound and better ways in the medical field to be more successful with their surgeries, treatments, etc. This is quite a success for your doctors and surgeons and especially you!!

I appreciate you sharing your firsthand experience throughout this whole chapter of your life and hope for continued success and improvement in your mobility.

 

are we also adjusting for wage growth or lack thereof for a complete picture or just keeping it incomplete with inflation?

 

If we do then prices are better today relative to what you get, mostly because the baseline is so much higher these days in terms of what is the bare minimum a new car will come with.

However if we are adjusting for same relative level of car not absolute end product then modern pricing is far worse and most everything has degraded in quality relative to before.

 

Thanks for this post!

It would be a huge change for sure! And far away from the familiar stuff.

So yes…. I work for Boeing and they want me to head to SC to lead a group we’re forming down there. A huge career opportunity but we’re still processing it all and the family has mixed emotions.

Side note, it’s a long flight but in-flight internet rocks!

Current situation:



I don’t want to derail Car Chat any more than I have so I’ll put up a Clubhouse thread soon.