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IntelliChoice Value Rating
The chart above shows the purchase price versus ownership cost for each car from a specific vehicle class. The cars with better than average ownership cost/purchase price correlations are the best values, and these best value cars are represented by the dots below the curve. (i.e. the cars that have a lower ownership cost compared to its purchase price.) Those cars, which are worse than average or poor values, appear above the curve.
One way to view the graph is to draw a vertical line through any purchase price. You may see several dots that fall on this line - each of which is a car with a similar purchase price. However, notice the difference in ownership costs of each car represented by the vertical position of the dot. Two cars with the same purchase price can have thousands of dollars difference in ownership costs. This is what separates "good value" cars from "poor value" cars.
What is a good car value?
A "good car value" is one whose cost to own and operate is less than expected. The lower the cost to own and operate a car compared to what is expected, the better the value of that car.
But how do we know a car's "expected cost"?
For each car in the class, IntelliChoice plots the car's purchase price against the total five-year cost to own and operate it as determined by IntelliChoice research. Each dot on the above chart represents a specific car. Generally, we find that as the purchase price of the car increases, the cost to own and operate that car increases. This is why the dots on the graph tend to rise upward and to the right. This phenomenon also makes intuitive sense - as the purchase price rises, financing costs tend to rise, as do insurance, depreciation, taxes, and most other car ownership costs.
This is an important concept. It's normal for car ownership costs to rise as purchase price rises. Therefore, we can't just establish one "average" ownership cost number for each class, since cars in the class have different purchase prices. (This is why the "Relative" shown on each chart is different for cars in the same car class.)
Using statistical techniques, IntelliChoice "connects the dots" to form a curve that defines, for this car class, the relationship between the car's purchase price and car's ownership costs. This curve is our "expected cost" curve. The curve defines, for any car in the class, the five-year ownership cost that we would expect to see at each possible purchase price. If every car in the class were an average value, then all the dots would fall exactly on the curve. However, it's rare that any dot is exactly on the curve. Some dots are a little higher or lower, and some are a lot higher or lower. The dots that are a little lower are better than average car values, while the dots that are a lot lower are excellent car values (A dot that is a lot lower than the curve has ownership costs much lower than expected for a car of its purchase price). Conversely, a dot a little higher than the curve is a poorer than average car value, while a dot that is much higher than the curve is a poor car value.
Value is a relative term, not an absolute term. It is performing better than the logical expectation.
So is a Mercedes-Benz E320 expensive to own and operate? Certainly in an absolute sense. Most other cars cost less. But, when its cost to own and operate is plotted against cars with comparable invoice prices, the E320 costs less. So the E320 is not expensive to own and operate - it is a good car value. The Mercedes does not have low ownership costs, but it has low ownership costs for its invoice price.
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GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van Recalls
| Recall Date: |
JUL 28, 2008 |
| Component: |
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) |
| Model Affected: |
SAVANA |
| Units Affected: |
151
Recall Details
|
Recall Date:
JUL 28, 2008
Model Affected:
2008 GMC SAVANA
Summary:
GM IS RECALLING 151 MY 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE TRANSFER CASES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECT PART THAT CAN CAUSE EARLY FAILURE OF A DRIVE CHAIN. IF THE CHAIN BREAKS, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK MAY NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE STATIONARY.
Consequence:
IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE OR BUMPED, IT MAY ROLL AND STRIKE A PERSON, OBJECT, OR ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE DATE CODE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Units Affected:
151
Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. N080244
| Recall Date: |
JUL 11, 2008 |
| Component: |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION |
| Model Affected: |
SAVANA |
| Units Affected: |
2481
Recall Details
|
Recall Date:
JUL 11, 2008
Model Affected:
2008 GMC SAVANA
Summary:
GM IS RECALLING 2,481 MY 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA G-CUTAWAY FLEET VAN EQUIPPED WITH A 6.0L (RPO LY6) V8 ENGINE, 4L80E (RPO MT1) TRANSMISSION, 4.10 (RPO GT5) AXLE AND 75 MPH GOVERNOR (RPO 9D7). THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO FIRST GEAR ENGAGEMENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEN DOES NOT TRANSMIT POWER WITH D4 OR R SELECTED. THIS MAY BE PRECEDED BY ENGINE SHUTDOWN IF THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS 81 MILES PER HOUR IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Consequence:
THE VEHICLE MAY BE STRANDED ON OR NEAR A HIGHWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Units Affected:
2481
Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. N080218
| Recall Date: |
JUL 14, 2008 |
| Component: |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE |
| Model Affected: |
SAVANA |
| Units Affected: |
567
Recall Details
|
Recall Date:
JUL 14, 2008
Model Affected:
2008 GMC SAVANA
Summary:
GM IS RECALLING 567 MY 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA CUTAWAY VEHICLES WITH A 139" WHEEL BASE. THE FRAME RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAY BE WIDER THAN SPECIFICATION.
Consequence:
IF THE FRAME RAIL IS WIDER THAN SPECIFICATION, OVER TIME IT MAY CONTACT THE FUEL TANK HOUSING, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL AND FUEL TANK HOUSING AND WILL REWORK THE FRAME RAIL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JULY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-966-9463.
Units Affected:
567
Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. N080205
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4L60E Reverse Problem
I have 97 GMC Savana with 150,335 miles on it. Reverse is gone. My son said he pulled out on the highway and it...
08/20/2006 | 10:08 AM
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Imports continue to dominate quality surveys
Top three models per segment according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Study. "...
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Top 10 Worst Gas Mileage Cars of 2005
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tranny problem or misfire?
hello, I recently bought a GMC savana G1500 Van 1996 with a 5l V8 It came to the Netherlands in 2000 so its an a car...
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2001 GMC Savana Trekker
Merging the people- and cargo-carrying capability of a van with the go-anywhere ability of an SUV, the Savana Trekker breaks new ground as a sport-utility van. The Trekker provides adventure seekers ...
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2007 GMC Savana Photo Gallery
GMC Savana's popularity can be directly traced to its versatility: It's a proven passenger hauler - able to accommodate up to 15 passengers - it's a reliable and durable commercial cargo van; and it f...
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Merging the people- and cargo-carrying capability of a van with the go-anywhere ability of an SUV, the Savana Trekker breaks new ground as a sport-utility van. The Trekker provides adventure seekers ...
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