Would you still buy a Chrysler?
By Jason Buckland, Sympatico / MSN Finance
Mexico City, at least, has to be happy about this one.
The dominant story in yesterday’s headlines – of course – was Chrysler’s filing for bankruptcy protection and, while it gives Mexico a breather from constant reports the swine flu has turned its signature city into a bonafide ghost town, it also raises a key question for the auto maker going forward.
Would anyone actually buy a Chrysler at this point?
Barry Obama seemed pretty confident in the auto giant’s long-term success in his national address Wednesday night, but that hardly means much for the average customer puttying the idea of buying a car around in his hands.
The only thing worse than Chrysler’s sales seems to be its line-up of cars which, aside from the 300 and, I guess, the Town & Country, doesn’t exactly offer a set of wheels anyone will be jealous they didn’t get their hands on first.
But, perhaps remarkably, Chrysler dealers aren’t worried.
The Star reports business was as usual (likely, as usually slow) at dealerships across the GTA just after news broke that the company’s U.S. division had filed for Chapter 11.
Customers apparently didn’t care – “It doesn’t bug me,” said one – and dealers were content to put on a happy face no matter what the outlook.
To be fair, the dealers don’t have reason to switch careers just yet. Not only are local plants expected to stay open, but salesmen have the crutch that all warranties from new cars will be backed by the government, whatever state Chrysler finds itself in.
“In an era of government co-ownership,” the Star writes, “no one should worry about sending documents over to Queen’s Park or out to Ottawa simply to get repairs done under warranties.”
So, that’s going in the auto maker’s favour. But, again, this brings us back to our original question.
Most of the cars that seem to come off Chrysler lots aren’t exactly Chryslers, at least in their traditional sense. Dodge appears to have a more successful line with more desirable vehicles, and Jeep owners would rather make love to an electrical socket than be caught driving anything else. Yet is the Jeep Fraternity enough to keep things going?
Would you consider buying a Chrysler?
Posted by: Konrad Frederiksen | May 1, 2021 6:22:12 PM
I have been a licenced tech for over 10 years with experience at a dodge dealership and a gm dealership, as well as 2 independents working on all makes of cars. Every company has it's own pros and cons. I would rather work on and drive domestics as ALL vehicles breakdown occasionally. Mainentance is key. I have owned a Toyota Corolla, (Rusted out), A Datsun 510(electrical system had complete meltdown), Honda Accord(transmission went), Gmc truck(cooling system, tranny problem), I currently own 2 grand Caravans (1996 and 2004), 96 needed a tranny recently and 2004 has electrical shortcomings, I also leased a 07 chev silverado 1500 brand new(Terrible mileage). I bought a 2007 Ram 3500 mega cab yesterday and love it. It is 3 times the truck the chev is and gets better mileage while wieghing way more. I bought it the same day chrysler filed for chapter 11. I needed a truck that can pull/work and can still be comfortable. The only con I have to this truck is it's union built. Unions have screwed every industry they have infected from railroad to air travel to health care. I have been asked to join a union before, I answered never! If I can't survive at work under my own accomplishments then I should find a new job. It's my job to lose first before it's taken away. DRIVE WHAT YOU WANT, SCREW UNIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jeverden | May 1, 2021 6:24:39 PM
I just bought a 2008 Dodge Nitro and love it! Chrysler has tons of vehicles going for it.
Am I concerned about a problem developing? I suppose that would suck but what were my other options... GM??? they are in the same shape!! Oh wait!! I know I should have bought an import... Thats what created the problems the big 3 are having in the first place - No loyalty to our North American Autobuilders... That and these #@!%##@ UNIONS getting too much power.
Just my opinion!!
Posted by: Mike | May 1, 2021 6:40:15 PM
Screw Chrysler and GM, Ford can take over for them.
Posted by: ron anderson | May 1, 2021 6:42:36 PM
Would i buy a Chysler, not a hope in HELL, it always has been junk and thats one of the reasons it's now dead in the water, too bad so sad hahah
Posted by: WDR | May 1, 2021 6:45:45 PM
not only would I I did just took delivery of 2009 Dodge Ram Hemi Laramie loaded
Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: C Mitschke | May 1, 2021 6:46:56 PM
Yes; would buy Chrysler/Dodge again. Was thinking of buying a Dodge Dakota due to options/size and price. A diesel option would be nice. Ran my 1985 Dodge 600 SE 4Cyl into the ground after 100, 000's of Kms. Used it cross country and towing to boot. l
Posted by: Just Sayin' | May 1, 2021 6:47:33 PM
Absolutely NOT!!
If a company can't run a successful business then we'll be bailing them out forver.
People will just buy a different vehicle. The employees will move to manufacturing for car companies that are successfully run.
Posted by: Jeff | May 1, 2021 6:50:58 PM
I own a Sebring and it has given me very good serviee, better than two of three foreing cars that I owned and equal to the third. My girlfriend also drives a Chrysler product and we would definetely cosnider one if we were replacing our current vehicles. I have also driven a number of them through the office I work and they have given good performance over the years, even when not maintained as per the manual.
Posted by: Woody | May 1, 2021 6:56:56 PM
I'm a Dodge NUT there is no other vehicle as far as I'm concerned . There never was another car co. as far as I'm concerned . The quality and reliablity is second to none .The only way you would see a gm or ford in my driveway is if someone was visiting me
Posted by: Richard N. | May 1, 2021 7:03:38 PM
I've worked for unions for 5 years and I can honestly say that "most" of the people that work for unions are lazy and overpaid! 50 years ago unions were a good thing because companies had too much power and were taking advantage of their employees. However, in the present we have many labour and human rights legislation that a lot of unions are not even necessary anymore (although some industries should still have them). The employees just hide behind the union knowing that it's difficult to fire them so they just do minimal work.
Posted by: woody | May 1, 2021 7:12:31 PM
GM's in more trouble then chrysler
Posted by: Jeff | May 1, 2021 7:13:09 PM
Other than poor spelling, guess I should have had my glasses on, let me add further that I have owned a number of different cars over the years and so far my Chrysler Sebring with about 145,000 km on it has given me the best service. I have owned Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, and Toyota and, to be honest, they were all no better and, in some cases worse, than my current Chrysler vehicle. After discounting normal maintenance I find that the costs to maintain it have, in current dollars, have matched or been lower than the costs for the other vehicles I owned.
Many of the people posting have used this as a way of bashing unions and the governments. The question is whether a person would purchase a Chrysler product not whether you agree with bailouts and unions. So that is what I have done, looked at the vehicles I have owned, their reliability, and the cost to purchase a vehicle. Based upon that I can honestly say that I would give serious consideration to a Chrysler product.
Posted by: Wayne | May 1, 2021 7:14:58 PM
Not if hell froze over,Their service was crap,customer service worse,spent $25 grand on a 2001 Intrepid and what a mistake,beautiful car more problems than a Lada,warranty means nothing to them or repeat buyers even less.Buy a import and leave Chrysler alone,they made the mess they are in now!!
Posted by: JMD | May 1, 2021 7:24:47 PM
HELL YES !!! I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to purchase a variety of Ford, GM and Chrysler products over the years. Chrysler wins hands down for road handling, comfort and overall cost after warranty has been exceptional. True, you give up a lot in depreciation with most North American built vehicles, but with the miles I have had to drive, this inconvenience is more than worth it. I can't wait to see what Fiat will do - they have wanted to find a strong foothold in the North American market for quite some time and now have it...new and better Chrysler products on the way. I hope the new company, whatever it ends up being called, does the name and product line proud.
Posted by: Peter | May 1, 2021 7:25:40 PM
CERTAINLY NOT. HAVE A 2001 SEBRING WITH 80 K. AND NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. GOODBYE CHRYSLER, HELLO TOYOTA.
Posted by: dave | May 1, 2021 7:33:48 PM
To all the haters: 1) Educate yourselves on the English language.
2) Educate yourselves on the products that you continually slam.
3) Educate yourselves on the CAW- they did not design the so called boring vehicles that you continually whine about.
4) Educate yourselves on real greed. One of the three stooges that succeeded in running Chrysler into the ground collected $24 MILLION U.S. bonus last june when the CAW began giving concessions in a contract signed 3 months early to help the company.
5) Get over yourselves. How many of you would not drive a domestic because of what your loser friends would think?
Posted by: Big K | May 1, 2021 7:52:04 PM
Hmm. 1993 Intrepid. 80,000km over 3 years, with 2 transmissions, one head gasket, one a/c condenser, and dozens of little troubles. 1997 Stratus (why I bought another Mopar I'll never know) owned for 3 years, about 90,000km. 1 transmission, 2 head gaskets, 2 a/c condensers, 1 catalytic converter, one behind the dash fire, one collapsed seat, 2 failed ignitors.....you get it. My 2000 Honda CRV has 270,000km on it and has cost me nothing but maintenance, and my 2002 Accord with 165,000 on it is the same. Ask me again if I'll give Chrysler another try?
Posted by: david | May 1, 2021 8:07:54 PM
Oh God i hate these cars.I had chrysler Intrepid 2 years ago and it is 2000 model.I have been through hell with the car.I bought it for 6000.And i have spent more than 4000 in two years and guess what its still broken.I would never buy the cherysler again and i would never recommend to my family or friends.Life is tough and this car made it worser.
Posted by: i boese | May 1, 2021 8:10:31 PM
It makes sence to buy north Americans cars, Why would you buy a car marked in a foreign country. I believe charity starts at home. I bosen
Posted by: John White | May 1, 2021 8:16:31 PM
I WOULD NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT EVER AGAIN THIS IS ALL A CRAP GAME NOW THE PARTS PEOPLE ARE GETTING INTO IT AS WELL AND WANT MORE IT'S A MORE MORE MORE GAME NOTHING LESS I WOULD NEVER BUY ANYTHING AGAIN AMERICAN MADE WHY CAUSE I DON'T FEEL ANYONE IS WORTH 75 DOLLARS AN HOUR SORRY LOTS OF US WORK IN FACTORIES AND WISH WE'D MAKE THAT KINDA MONEY IT'S A FACTORY ONLY NOT A DOCTORS OFFICE WAKE UP FOR CHRIST SAKE CAN'T YOU SEE GM IS IN LINE FOR THE SAME THING AND IT'S A LOSING GAME FOLKS WAKE UP THE GOVERNMENT WENT AHEAD AND DID THIS WITH OUT CANADIAN'S SAY WHYT IT'S ALOSER GAME I WOULD NEVER BUY NORTH AMERICAN EVER AGAIN BYE BYE AND TO BAD CANADA IS GETTING SCREWED