This is the second Chrysler product we bought and our last.
We had a Caravan with nothing but problems
and now Robin's PT Cruiser is starting. The starter
just went out. The shift lever has stiffened up.
She bought it on looks :)

 Chrysler should have been left to go bankrupt but instead
we spent billions bailing them out.

Paul Lamar


Chrysler has had quality control problem issues periodically over
the years.
Things get bad, consumers go elsewhere and they go on a QC program.
Cycle
repeats  over and over. This has been a long stretch of bad. I think
they have
gotten into the "more new model releases" thought pattern and have not
realized the problem. Look at Toyota and Honda; some of the best
selling cars
globally. They do not introduce many new models. Just update and
refine the
existing products. I worked at the local Chrysler dealer for a while
and they
have nothing to interest me. Look at Consumer Reports and Car and
Driver. They
both have magazines out right now with ratings. The ONLY Chrysler
product they
recommend is the Ram 1500 pickup. They are pretty good but I have
reservations
there as well. For pickups, the new Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 seem to
be very
good. Truck Trends did a test on the Ranger and describe it as a
great truck
with one problem, they are not bringing it to North America. In
Russia the
BT50 four door loaded is $35762CAD. 2.5 diesel gets 29 MPG US
highway. The
Ford is the same. Size and look is more like the discontinued Ford
Explorer
Sport Trac.
Might be good idea to take Robin to look at the new Mazda 3
Skyactiv. 2.0L
with 155HP is advertized to get 40 MPG US. These are rated very good
with 4.5
stars out of 5. Typical Japanese quality.

Dale Davies

When it comes to piston engine IMHO it is hard to beat Honda.
I love the 2004 Odyssey we have. Once I took out 300 pounds
of rear seats that 3.5 L V6  MOVES!!!!

Paul Lamar


Paul,
Pat Bedard, Don Sherman and I all worked for Chrysler.  Take that for
what it's worth.   And we all left for the Dark Side.

Didn't the PT Snoozer come out around the time Daimler quality was
part of the equation?  No worries, now you've got Fiat.  Count your
blessings.
jd

BTW John are they marketing the new Fiat 600 Abarth in the states?
I am looking for one to test drive. It would be fun & cheap car to drive
back and fourth to the airport. Poor man's Ferrari :)

Paul Lamar