[net.misc] Does GM really do this on purpose?

dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) (11/21/83)

(We don't get net.auto or net.flame at utcsrgv, so I'm
reduced to posting this here.)

We bought a brand new 1980 Chev Malibu in August 1980, and
"protected" ourselves with the "GM Continuous Protection Plan".
During the 2 years the Plan gives you over the original 1-year
warranty, we didn't use it once. In August, a week before the
Plan was to run out, I took the car in for a complete 150-point
checkup. No problems.

Yesterday the transmission gave out. Looks like it'll cost
$500-700 to fix.

How on earth do they time the thing so well? Have other people
had the same experience? Or was it just bad luck?

Still muttering under my breath,
	Dave Sherman
-- 
 {allegra,cornell,decvax,ihnp4,linus,utzoo}!utcsrgv!dave

spear@ihopb.UUCP (Steven Spearman) (11/23/83)

I knew someone once who claimed he had a friend who
claimed he was an obselesence engineer for a Detroit
automaker (I don't remember which).  His job was
supposedly to design parts to wear out after 'x' amount
of time.  
Of course, since this is a friend of a friend story,
I don't know if I would take it seriously, but it isn't
all that far fetched either.

Steve Spearman
ihnp4!ihopb!spear