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: Peggy Forsythe | May 1, 2021 9:50:26 PM
Just another note Chrysler is going to let the Jeep Liberty that caught fire be repaired by the insurance company without giving us the information of what caused the fire and without any assurance this will not happen again. Would anyone out there want to drive a car that has a police record and fire department record without knowling what caused the fire. Note this fire could have started in my garage, I guess my insurance company would be expected to pay for that too. So much for warranties with Chrysler. Note I now owned other cars domestic and foreign, never have I every had a problem like this. I am Still renting a vehicle with no solution insight. I wonder what the Canadian Government would think about this situation since the Government are planning to contribute Canadian funds to keep this Chrysler " car manufacture" alive and from going bankrupt. Peg
Posted by: gary | May 1, 2021 9:57:31 PM
It would be great if Jeep could detach it'e self from them, I liked the cj's
Posted by: John Michael | May 1, 2021 10:05:40 PM
Oh Boo Hoo...the tears are flowing down my cheeks listening to the plight of these poor CAW workers. Regardless if it's $25, $35 or $40 an hour plus benefits you're still way above the average working person. I can't see where anyone is worth anything more than minimum wage when all they do is tighten a bolt on a production line. Welcome to the real world guys. Can you handle it?
Posted by: Ken | May 1, 2021 10:20:06 PM
I have never been a fan of chrysler. But after owning a number of Fords that were trouble free (accept for one that was severely damaged in an accident) I decided to break with tradition (mine) and I traded a 1990 Tempo for a 2002 Honda Civic that was THE worst car I ever owned! I dumped the Civic for a 2005 Corolla. I also bought a 2006 Camery a year later. Both were huge mistakes! Huge!! In the two years I owned the Corolla, it was a mechanical nightmare! Nothing worked right! The Camery was only a year old when the transmission went (18,000 kilometers). While it was being repaired, I rented a Ford Fusion. When I got the Camery back, after two weeks, I dumped it! Guess what I bought? That's right! A 2007 Ford Fusion! Since the Corolla was "The Boss's" car, she wanted to hold onto it for another year. We finally replaced it with a 2008 Focus! Both the Fusion and the Focus are far superior to the Civic, Corolla and Camery. You can keep your Hondas and Toyotas! I'll keep my U.S. based cars thank you! Now, saying all that, I do have beef with the Fusion. Why can't Ford offer a manual transmission with the V6? (My Fusion is the 4-cylinder with the 5-speed manual, and I love it! But I'd like it better with a V6!))
Posted by: D.Boos | May 1, 2021 10:20:47 PM
Just brought home a new dodge caravan sxt,what sweet family vehicle. Not only is it quality built with options that no import can touch, the price with the dicount the gave us ($11,500) was unbelievable.This myth about quality imports is just that...a myth.
My wife and I spent two weeks looking and test driving all brands of vehicles both domestic and imports and did not find one import that could touch this Chrysler product.
I think with these huge discounts our domestic car dealers are handing out, Honda and Toyota are the ones that will be in trouble in the next year or two.
Posted by: J CORMIER | May 1, 2021 10:21:24 PM
I WOULD'NT BY CHRYSLER CRAP IF THEY WERE THE ONLY CAR MANUFACTURER ON THE PLANET. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! NO THANKS!
Posted by: mudman | May 1, 2021 10:22:45 PM
i would not hesitate to buy a dodge.
Posted by: Warren Mason | May 1, 2021 10:23:19 PM
I have an 06 Sebring Convertible as my summmer car. Enjoy it very much. I will without hesitation buy an brand new 09, from stock. The roads in Niagara are full of Sebring Convertibles, well there is a lot of Mustangs (lol)
Posted by: Dwayne | May 1, 2021 10:28:28 PM
Hell yeah, I'd buy a Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep.... if the vehicle fulfilled my requirements. I'm due for a new truck next year and the 2009 Dodge Ram is definitely on my radar. And I'm drooling over the Challenger! Absolutely love that car! Considering trading in the Buick Allure for a Challenger....
Posted by: Michael | May 1, 2021 10:45:11 PM
Just read some of the comments here. A few months ago I bought my third Chrysler Town & Country after leasing a 2000 & then a 2005. In the 9 years that I've been driving these, I am elated to say I have never had to pay for a major repair other than worn tires or brakes. Not a single thing broke on any of these vehicles so far and I have 3 very busy, rambunctious children, which is why we are minivan users. We drive up to cottage country almost every weekend, even in the winter. Never once broke down or let me down even in white-out snowstorms. On the latest T&C, they were so eager for the sale, that they financed to own at the same monthly payment as I was paying on the lease for the previous vehicles. So at the end of 5 years I own it instead of just give it back. Please they threw in bumper to bumper warranty for the full 5 years. It's a no-brainer. There aren't many vehicles to choose from if you have 3 kids and still need room for gear except for a mini van...and I've repeatedly test-driven every mini-van out there. Nothing offers the value of the Town & Country. I'd completely recommend it.
Posted by: pissed | May 1, 2021 10:47:48 PM
To bad people insist on buying imports when the big three have just as good cars as the imports. When you buy an import you are supporting their country and not yours. So when you lose your job because the big three go down just remember this day when you could have made a difference. And if anybody thinks that this won't effect their jobs you are in a fantasy world.
Posted by: SCOTT | May 1, 2021 10:49:18 PM
YOU MUST BE JOKING TO BUY A CHRYSLER.THE GOVERNMENT AND BANKRUPTCY PUT THAT OUT OF EVERYBODY'S MIND.IF THEY (CHRYSLER) WEREN'T DEAD BEFORE THIS THEY ARE NOW!
Posted by: I Wish? | May 1, 2021 10:51:30 PM
I wish I could?? but they aren't they going bankrupt? I don't mean to be sarastic but really?
Posted by: pissed | May 1, 2021 10:56:36 PM
It's a bankruptcy protection to restructure debt. They should be able to come out of it in 30 to 60 days.
Posted by: Dave A. | May 1, 2021 11:15:02 PM
I love the new Challenger SRT-8. I love the Charger SRT-8. Would I buy one?-not a chance.
Posted by: corrie | May 1, 2021 11:30:17 PM
would you buy a G.M product? or a FORD product FORD may not YET be in a situation to ask for Gov't money,they saw the writing on the wall years ago.G.M is alot bigger,and has more to lose.Chrysler will not disappear,at least I hope not,I need them to be viable to keep my job.
Posted by: Dot | May 1, 2021 11:44:39 PM
Well if I may rant like all the rest on this blog--I owned 2 new Intrepids and both of the engines blew up at 100,000kms-the first intrepid was a piece of junk and I got to know the mechanics at the dealership on a first name basis- and when I tried to purchase another car from the same dealership-they laughed at me and told me that they would be embarrassed to tell me how much they wanted to offer me for the car. I should have learned from that but giving them the benefit of the doubt I bought another brand new 2002 Intrepid--in 2006 it also blew up and left me on the highway! Now I loved the handling of the car but the reliablity and workmanship was not so impressive. I would rather have a horse and buggy than buy another Chrysler product. And with the economic condition of the country--we all may be doing the same. As far as the union workers-they need a reality check! They need to learn to live on wages that the rest of the normal people survive on-and quit whining!
There my rant is done! Thank You
Posted by: Will | May 1, 2021 11:45:37 PM
Just a Quick comment that everyone seems to forget the big 3 are alwasy mentioned as needing a bail out or gov. hepl last time i checked FORD has not requested or received goverment assistance and is doing a decent job of restructuring and reducing debt with out gov hepl so yeah buy domestic and buy a ford
Posted by: Joe300Owner | May 2, 2021 12:07:37 AM
I would DEFINATELY buy a chrysler product..my first car is a 300 and i plan to own it forever and plan to buy a charger, another 300 or challenger. I love their products, its the best for I could every see. I just hate the looks and stylings of other cars. I love my 300 and chrysler products, im a devoted chrysler buyer and will always be. i've enjoyed their concepts, ingenuity and designs. I could never be bought off by any other company, for I am soo attached to my 300 like no other!!!
Posted by: Jim Abramson | May 2, 2021 12:08:14 AM
Good point made about hydro debt ,here's another one . Why do you pay p.s.t on your phone bill , i don't have anything in my house that the phone company owns ? As far crrysler co. go's i own a jeep grand cheroke lorado , on pay-day it get's half my check , wife get's the other half . both hi maintanace .