Chrysler Cars OK ??

[mstrjon32]

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
To me, that speaks volumes.


Oh, and what do they say? Because all I'm seeing is that after decades of owning Chryslers, he's bored with them. That says nothing about the reliability or quality of the cars.

I've never owned a Toyota or Honda and I'm already bored with them! That doesn't mean they are bad cars.

 

[cousincletus]

One thing that impressed me over the years is Chryslers seem to be designed with the mechanic in mind. Everything I have ever done to a Chrysler product was straight forward.

 

[Cutehumor]

My brother in law traded in his 2002 dodge neon four months ago for an 09 Vibe because the car would start when it wanted to. He took it to a Dodge dealership in town three times and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. The car always started up for them they said. So he got fed up, traded it in on a used 09 Vibe

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: cousincletus
One thing that impressed me over the years is Chryslers seem to be designed with the mechanic in mind. Everything I have ever done to a Chrysler product was straight forward.


My dad says the same thing... He also hates GM for how complicated simple repairs aren't and should be... Makes him

 

[labman]

Originally Posted By: cousincletus
One thing that impressed me over the years is Chryslers seem to be designed with the mechanic in mind. Everything I have ever done to a Chrysler product was straight forward.


Most of my Chrysler experience goes back to a 71 Valient. I traded it on an 81 Phoenix. My father in law ranted on and on about how hard it would be to change the back spark plugs. Unlike the Valient, I could use a ratchet on all of them. I think the Phoenix had 30,000 miles on spark plugs. I forget what OCI I used on the Valient, but the oil filter was the worst thing I ever worked on, sideways with the torsion bar running right down the middle of where you needed to swing a wrench handle.

More recently, last Memorial Day, the rear brakes on my son's Neon packed up. I blame the previous workmanship, not the car. It was a rush job trying to get him on the road to get home before midnight. I really don't think it was any easier than my Cavalier.

 

[cousincletus]

On the GM FWD's these days, it looks like they can be made more accessible by removing the front motor mount and tilting the engine forward. I loaded at my Impala 3.4, and although it looks like it can be done w/o tilting the motor, I think I will do it anyway when the time comes. Not much extra work. I had an old Volare from 1977, and it was the easiest car to work on i ever owned.

 

[Bill888]

Originally Posted By: Bill888
I was raised in a Chrysler/Plymouth family (grandfather had a dealership) so keep in mind that I've been emotionally attached to the brand since the 300's and original Plymouth Fury cars. Six years ago, my wife was looking for a convert with 4 useable seats which limited her choice to Chrysler or a few expensive imports. The motor that seems to be the problem with Chrysler is the 2.7 V6 which, of course, we have and is how I ended up finding this site (just google Chrysler sludge problem.)
I will say that we've had no engine problems, but I am religious about OC's and use PP every 3K. We also had an electrical problem that the dealer couldn't solve and I finally did (so much for Chry.Corp extended warranty option.) Like many Chrysler dealers, that one is finally out of business and the Dodge franchise has inherited their repair business.
If I could do it all over, I think I'd avoid Chrysler. Unlike some other mfgrs. with problem engines, they have failed to admit a problem and have taken no action to correct what seem to be inherent design flaws. There's a reason everyone buys Toyota & next time I'll be in there with them.
Good luck,
Bill

To clear things up, my quoted comment specifically refers to the 2.7 V6. The motor is a POS and has an unusually high failure rate. The difference between Chrysler and other "problem" motors from other manufacturers is that Chrysler fails to recognize the problem and deal with it. Toyota, VW, et al, have some problem motors but have, in various ways, dealt with the consumers.
The original poster asked for advice from owners and here again is mine: The 2.7 is a time-bomb. There's really no reason to buy a CC product if it has that motor in it. When we bought our Sebring Conv., I somehow assumed that CC either wouldn't put a "bad" design it that car, or that any problems were at least corrected in the previous years of production.
Spend your money elsewhere.

 

[mstrjon32]

Originally Posted By: Bill888
The difference between Chrysler and other "problem" motors from other manufacturers is that Chrysler fails to recognize the problem and deal with it. Toyota, VW, et al, have some problem motors but have, in various ways, dealt with the consumers.


It took a class action lawsuit for both Toyota to recognize their sludger problem and GM to compensate for intake manifold gaskets. I don't think either of them are any better.

 

[rszappa1]

Can you say Ultradrive.....what a peice of [censored] from Chrylser...and how many years did it take them to fix it....10 plus...

 

[Ed_T]

80's Voyager bot new, multiple transmission failures.
Same story neighbor's Caravan.
Next neighbor's Intrepid engine grenades.
Our LeBaron GTS, head gasket leak, unalignable front end.

I told my wife to shoot me before I ever stepped into another Chrysler//Dodge dealership. I'm still here.

 

[PT1]

I have had 5 Chrysler vehicles. 2 T&C mini-vans that were nice but on had a problematic transmission but got traded on another that was great. We then went to 3 of the old style Durango's with the 4.7L V8 and all 3 were flawless. Then Chrysler change styling to the Kenworth front grille and the wife said "Yeech". So we got a Lexus RX330 which was flawless as well. So Chrysler styled us out of their vehicles.

But the old style Durango was the best 4x4 SUV ever made IMO. If they still made them we would still be driving them. I went full size GM Suburbans and had 2 total lemons.

So now we are 100% Toyota products. But our Chrysler vehicles were WAY better than the GM ones. The quality & reliability of the Durangos were as good as the Toyotas we have now.

 

[CharBaby]

PT1,
My experience with GM is just the opposite of yours. My GM vehicles have been much better(still not saying much!) than the Mopars that I have owned although I have enjoyed the driving and comfort of the Mopars much more. But, had many more issues with Mopars unfortunatly. I say to people, "buy what you like". I've had excellent succuss with Honda, Toyota and Nissan thus far. I can't beleive the difference in reliability in my case. And I don't even like driving them(forign) as much as the domestic vehicles. In my oppinion, the domestic vehicles are better riding and quieter and just as good looking as anything out there. But, the repairs are just too high for me(all the ones that I owned).

 

[IndyIan]

I have a 15 year old Neon with the original exhaust and struts, 2nd headgasket though. Only 100,000 miles on it but thats going up at a rate of 250/week these days.
Personally I'd buy used Chrysler cars, they are almost always 2 or 3 transmission jobs cheaper than the comparable Honda or Toyota. Odds are it will be cheaper in the long run even if it needs a major repair.
Ian

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
PT1,
My experience with GM is just the opposite of yours. My GM vehicles have been much better(still not saying much!) than the Mopars that I have owned although I have enjoyed the driving and comfort of the Mopars much more. But, had many more issues with Mopars unfortunatly. I say to people, "buy what you like". I've had excellent succuss with Honda, Toyota and Nissan thus far. I can't beleive the difference in reliability in my case. And I don't even like driving them(forign) as much as the domestic vehicles. In my oppinion, the domestic vehicles are better riding and quieter and just as good looking as anything out there. But, the repairs are just too high for me(all the ones that I owned).


Yeah, my GM's have been trash...but I do miss that old style Durango...it was the absolute perfect vehicle for my entire family. Easy to drive, economical (for an SUV) and fun to drive. Nice interior...good sound system and excellent price. AND it handles snow like a tank...it would go through anything NE Ohio coould dish out. I never had to worry about the wife & kids in the Durango. Add to that a dealer who treated you like family and I get depressed thinking about it. How could such a great car company be in such bad shape?

My 4Runner is close but the Durango was better in every way.

If GM goes Chap 11 I will feel like they deserve it for sticking their head in the sand for so long...but Chrysler...going Chap 11...will break my heart.

 

[lovcom]

In the last 20 years, our family has owned no less then 8 Chrysler products, and every single one had major problems with reliability before 50,000 miles.

Chrysler makes the worse cars sold in America. Even the Korean makes do better. Chrysler is long past their supremacy of the 1960's and before that. Today, and relatively speaking, Chrysler makes junk. The only ones that can't face this are those that own Chrysler products, because to face this fact means admitting they chose the dummy brand. Time and time again, when compared to same category other makes, Chrysler has the worse MPG, the worse reliability, the worse dependability, and the worse resale value.

I find it exceedingly funny that someone will think Chryslers are good because they had a good experience with their one or few Chrysler products, while ignoring the massive millions that would say otherwise.

And now Chrysler wants to merge with Europe's 'Chrysler" Fiat...two losers team together to lose even bigger....

 

[mstrjon32]

Nevermind.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: lovcom
In the last 20 years, our family has owned no less then 8 Chrysler products, and every single one had major problems with reliability before 50,000 miles.

Chrysler makes the worse cars sold in America. Even the Korean makes do better. Chrysler is long past their supremacy of the 1960's and before that. Today, and relatively speaking, Chrysler makes junk. The only ones that can't face this are those that own Chrysler products, because to face this fact means admitting they chose the dummy brand. Time and time again, when compared to same category other makes, Chrysler has the worse MPG, the worse reliability, the worse dependability, and the worse resale value.

I find it exceedingly funny that someone will think Chryslers are good because they had a good experience with their one or few Chrysler products, while ignoring the massive millions that would say otherwise.

And now Chrysler wants to merge with Europe's 'Chrysler" Fiat...two losers team together to lose even bigger....


Well I guess almost 1 million miles on 5 Chrysler vehicles and only ONE transmission shifting issue means that I should be buying lottery tickets....

Add to that one horribly totalled mini van wreck and my wife and daughter get out and walk away unharmed....hmmm Not "junk" in my memory.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: lovcom
In the last 20 years, our family has owned no less then 8 Chrysler products, and every single one had major problems with reliability before 50,000 miles.


Ok, I believe you but one question: What were you thinking after vehicle number 3? 4? 5? 6? and then #7 that convinced you to buy #8?????

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: lovcom
In the last 20 years, our family has owned no less then 8 Chrysler products, and every single one had major problems with reliability before 50,000 miles.


My family has owned:

1983 Reliant
1986 Reliant
1987 Reliant
1988 Reliant
1990 Cherokee
1990 Omni
1990 Horizon
1991 Acclaim
(2) 1995 Neons
1997 Grand Cherokee
1998 Breeze
1998 Cirrus
1999 Intrepid 2.7 (I cringe to add this to the list)
2000 Grand Cherokee
2001 Stratus Coupe
2002 Liberty

and never one single major mechanical failure. Never a tranny, a head gasket, or any failure which left the vehicle undriveable. Most were kept to around 100k, some more, some less.

We stopped buying Chrysler recently for various reasons, but not reliability. They currently don't make many products I personally find appealing, but to say they are "junk" I disagree with.

 

[wafrederick1]

Chrysler has the cheapest and easiest transmissions to rebuild.The 1998 and up transmissions in 1998 and up Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler Concordes,300Ms do not go out,they sit on the shelf most wrecking yards although they only have problems with the speed sensors.Chrsler did one mistake and I remove it,a checkball in the bottom transmission line going to the radatior in 1994 and up Dodge trucks.The checkball is nylon which melts and will plug the line right up.Most transmission shop wil tell you this.