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

All the "car guys" bailed out of Chrysler when Diamler took over and the corp
took a powder shortly after. The poop in the dealers is that the big guys are
excited about Fiat. Wait and see. Talk of a new Viper with Ferrari power train
and under pinings. Only time will tell.

Dale Davies
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