Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. My first car was a 1985 Toyota Corolla LE. When I sold it, it had 298k miles on it. The new owner got a car with the original clutch, never had a single mechanical problem, started on the first crank even in dead of winter, never burned oil, and got 40MPG. The thing was a tank…you couldn’t kill it. And believe me, I tried to near the end because the resale value was only like $400. I once actually drained the oil and drove around for 2000miles and it never even overheated. I finally gave up and put oil back in. The car won. My 95&1/2 Honda CRX Si was the same story; two best cars I’ve ever owned.

In contrast, years later I decided to give American a try and bought a second hand 98 Ford Taurus with 60k miles on it. The car was owned by a reputable person and had clean maint records and was in great shape. By the time it reached 96k miles, the car was dead. Transmission was shot, head gaskets blew, brakes lines ruptured, radiator leaked, it leaked oil (which dripped onto the headers), burned oil and sometimes wouldn’t start…all at the same time. The repairs would have cost more than twice what the car was worth so I ended up just giving it away to charity. Worst car I’ve ever owned and the Taurus was supposed to be one of the best quality American cars; doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. And to top it off…I’ve heard similar horror stories from hundreds of friends, family and acquaintances.

The moral of the story…quality build matters first and foremost. Ergonomics and appearance are gravy. I care more about the peace of mind knowing that your car will get you where you want to go with the least amount of headaches…period. Until American car companies prove they can build an exceptional car that proves its value by amazing its owner, I will never buy another American car EVER. It saddens me to say that but I just don’t trust American cars and have no reason to. You can’t polish a turd. So all this talk about better interior materials is a moot point anyway. Who cares if the interior is nice if the car can’t make it to 100k miles without requiring half the original purchase price in repairs?

No. If this article and suddenly brilliant idea from Chrysler was from 5 years ago, then maybe kudos would be in order. This is not news to anyone except obviously the Chrysler people.

They’re screwed. I see Jeep being picked over, but truly, is there one single Chrysler model that isn’t outplayed by another manufacturer with a better product?

As my mom used to say you only get one try to make a good first impression and the domestic 2.8 sure haven’t made any good impressions on me in the last 17 yrs. That’s why i buy Honda.

The domestics are getting their corporate butts kicked all day every day by the Japanese and to a lessor degree the Europeans and Koreans. Wonder why Toyota is gaining so much market share??? Answer: look at the crap coming from the domestic 2.8 for your answer.

I’m sure all 3 domestics (the 2.8)will be more than happy and will do all they can to make sure the Japanese reach their sales targets.

We currently drive an ‘06 Mazda3 5-door. The interior design is brilliant, the interior materials, however, could be less hard and shiny, but that’s a very minor complaint considering how happy we are with our purchase. We paid for a sharp-looking car that handles well, that can carry a good amount of stuff, that can carry 5 people in a pinch and is good on gas. Unless you’re constantly rubbing your hands on your dashboard or rapping your knuckles on it, the materials “quality” is not that bad. The interior design more than makes up for hard plastics in this case. Chrysler’s problem is that their interior design is just as blah as the materials.

…because for a large group of people the exterior of the 300 and Hemi is what sold it.

Wouldn’t some kudos be in order here? Chrysler is attempting to fix their biggest problem now, and not waiting until the next product cycle.

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No. No kudos. The company is doomed. No matter what they do, it’s too late.

Now this is the conventional wisdom of the majority of the news media, blogs, and pundits, which may, or may not, turn out to be true. Who really knows? We’ll find out eventually. As for me, I say good job, and – it’s about time!

By contrast, my sister has a 2005 Toyota Sienna. Sure it’s the loaded model, but even at 3 years old the thing looks LIGHT YEARS ahead of the Chrysler. It has a beautiful tan interior, it feels bright and open, the dash and center stack have great curves and thoughtfully placed components. The materials are soft with varying textures and tight seams.

My question: isn’t Chrysler supposed to be a premium brand? Shouldn’t every Town and Country come standard with auto doors and lift gate, power everything, and the nicest materials? It felt worse than a Kia. Sad.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/chrysler-to-revamp-sebring-avenger-early-viper-facing-the-axe.html

I had high hopes for the Journey when I saw the press photos – at least over the Avenger and Sebring. However, the interior is very disappointing in person. The 2009 Ram’s interior isn’t as nice as the 2009 F-150’s, but it’s the best I’ve seen from Chrysler in a while.

I actually don’t think the 300C has that bad of an interior. The materials seem to be half decent. My gripe on that and in the vans, etc. is that the design is so lacking. How many different ways can they design a rectangular center stack??

Man that was funny and inciteful.

What is not realized is for 30 years this has been going on and for 30 years the entrenched Big 2.8 have clamored that their quality is on par or this new vehicle is truly competitive. Then they fail to keep that promise time and time again.

Sorry but my last two GM’s had a lot of quality problems even though when I bought them the sales guy claimed it’s as good or better than all the competition. What was really my motivation was I got a good cheap deal rather than their quality – and like it’s other domestic brethren – 90% of their customers are there to buy a deal and not the vehicle itself. Big 2.8 are the Walmart of cars today – hardly anyone goes there for top quality – just the best deals. You can’t change anyone’s mindset quickly especially if you never deliver.

I don’t mind a spartan interior on a Jeep vehicle – but a crap interior in their other vehicles is inexcusable.

-ted

No, classic Detroit would be to release a shoddy product and wonder why nobody’s buying it. I think Chrysler deserves a bit more than a snicker for recognizing one of their biggest problems and doing something about it, which is what other Detroit automakers have failed to do in the past.