<VV> Corvair versis other car failures.

[Ron]

You're right on with your message.  I'm glad I heve my reliable Corvairs as 
a backup for my Chrysler Crossfore.  The Crossfire is 100% Mercedes SLK 320 
under the skin and Mercedes parts are not reliable.  Chronic failure points 
are the RCM (Relay Control Module) which stops you dead, the CPS (Crankshaft 
Position Sensor) which also stops you dead, the theft warning system which 
may go off at any random time while driving or parked and the steering wheel 
lock which has a habit of refusing to unlock.  That last item cost one 
Crossfire owner $1200 to have fixed at a Chrysler dealer.  However, my 
enterprising daughter fixed hers for nothing when that failure occurred on 
her Crossfire.
A Crossfire is really great to drive between failures but you do need a 
Corvair when the failures happen.  You're also screwed when they happen as 
Chrysler no longer stocks any parts for these cars that were last sold in 
2008.  If you need a mechanical part you go to Mercedes.  Because of that 
fact, I would never buy another Chrysler vehicle.
RonH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Hubbell" <whubbell at verizon.net>
To: "Joel McGregor" <joel at joelsplace.com>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 10:59 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> how many miles do you drive your Corvair a year and on one 
trip?


> Well... technically speaking, Corvairs don't usually "come with a list of 
> people you can call in the middle of the night to come help you for free" 
> either, but I get your point.
>
> Bill Hubbell
>
> On Sep 19, 2012, at 12:01 PM, Joel McGregor <joel at joelsplace.com> wrote:
>
>> There is an illusion that new cars are inherently more reliable.  It may 
>> be true in some areas but...  Most areas that I see are simple things to 
>> fix.  Electronic ignitions and fuel injection make most people think 
>> their vehicles are more reliable in that they require less maintenance. 
>> The thing is they still break and when they do they are much more 
>> difficult to fix.  Corvairs get an unfair bad reputation even on this 
>> list because of their age and sometimes bad aftermarket parts.  (fuel 
>> pumps)  The things that can strand you on the road with a Corvair aren't 
>> any worse than any new car.
>> Fuel pumps?  I don't see any difference in reliability and no newer car 
>> is as easy to replace.
>> Blower bearing?  What new car doesn't have more bearings to deal with? 
>> Water pump, idler, tensioner etc
>> Alternator/Generator?  They seem to fail quite often on newer vehicles 
>> and are again usually harder and more expensive to replace.  Solid state 
>> regulators are an improvement that we can and do easily use.
>> Carbs?  This is one area that isn't as reliable as new vehicles but is 
>> usually easy to repair on the side of the road and also normally gives 
>> lots of warning.  Fuel injection usually gives no warning.
>> Valve seats - this is a problem.  I've never had a valve seat fall out of 
>> anything but a Corvair but I've driven tons of miles and only lost one.
>> Transmissions?  I've had and seen far more trouble with newer cars.
>> New cars - how many new cars come with a list of people you can call in 
>> the middle of the night to come help you for free?
>> I am about to replace the steering wheel sensor on my wife's CTS.  You 
>> have to remove and disassemble the steering column to do it.  I've never 
>> had to replace the steering wheel sensor on any of my Corvairs.
>> I've also replaced 2 window regulators in the CTS.  Never had to do that 
>> in any of my Corvairs either.
>>
> _______________________________________________
> This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are 
> the property
> of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, 
> mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, 
> http://www.corvair.org/
> Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
> Change your options: 
> http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
> _______________________________________________
>