Paulette Day's GM Certified Chevrolet Monte Carlo is an example of the often tenuous relationship between automobile dealer and manufacturer. Ms. Day took her newly purchased used Chevy into her mechanic after she noticed the paint color didn't quite match up. With the car up on a rack, the mechanic quickly surmised from obvious welds and two different sets of vehicle identification numbers that this single Monte Carlo had been assembled from the remains of two wrecked Monte Carlos. While consumers perceive benefit from the certification programs offered by most automakers, a good portion of the 2000 or more dollar premium could evidently be saved by the having an independent inspection performed. Ms. Day will be suing, presumably filing one lawsuit for each Monte Carlo. – Mike Bumbeck

Certified? Yes. Satisfied? Not Always [nytimes.com]

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No Way Of The Day: GM Records First Quarter...Profits?! [Internal]