Chrysler For Sale: GM Bids, Canadian Offers, DamilerBenz Won't Talk

[a6m5]

All I can say is, "buyer be aware". I wouldn't trust Daimler-Benz backstabber after that ugly "merger"(copying Toronado) with Chrysler.

 

[JCE]

All I can say is, "buyer be aware". I wouldn't trust Daimler-Benz backstabber after that ugly "merger"(copying Toronado) with Chrysler.

Huh? You'll have to explain that one. I don't get it.

 

[V1P3R]

I don't care about Dodge or any other part of Chrysler any more... The ****ed up the Viper... I hate their ****ing Tv commericals and well their cars are ugly as **** now.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

The best thing for Chrysler might be for Hyundai/Kia or Toyota to buy them. Chrysler could benefit from the build quality increase while getting a better R&D department. I may hate Chrysler but it wouldn't take much for them to redeem themselves to those of us who don't like them.

Chrysler/Dodge needs more of this:

And less of this:

Er... unless your point is "less badge engineering", I don't see why one of those is good and the other is bad. It's the same car. And I really don't see how the 300C is a bad thing for the group, how is a discounted Mercedes ever a bad thing?

I do really like the idea of Toyota grabbing them, only for the sheer hilarity; suddenly Chrysler would have incredible build quality and dependability, leapfrog the other American companies... but it wouldn't be American anymore!

 

[Joey D]

I want Al Gore to buy it, can you imagine how boring those cars would be? It would be a perfect selling point, I mean boring cars never hurt Toyota.

 

[TheCracker]

The best thing for Chrysler might be for Hyundai/Kia or Toyota to buy them. Chrysler could benefit from the build quality increase while getting a better R&D department. I may hate Chrysler but it wouldn't take much for them to redeem themselves to those of us who don't like them.

Mercedes Benz had a good reputation for build quality - before they 'merged' with Chrysler. Toyota's whole image rests on it's reputation for build quality/reliability - they're hardly going risk that by buying Chrysler are they?

 

[Jim Prower]

Chrysler/Dodge needs more of this:

And less of this:

You've got them backwards...Lemme fix.

Chrysler/Dodge needs more of this:

And less of this:

 

[Dave A]

Er... unless your point is "less badge engineering", I don't see why one of those is good and the other is bad. It's the same car. And I really don't see how the 300C is a bad thing for the group, how is a discounted Mercedes ever a bad thing?

It's a discounted, out of date Mercedes, wrapped in an ugly body.

 

[Joey D]

They are both crappy cars, I've driven the new Sebring, it's for old people and rental car places.

 

[a6m5]

Huh? You'll have to explain that one. I don't get it.

When the DaimlerChrysler came together, it was supposed to be a merger. It pretty much ended up being a takeover.

 

[Danny]

I hope GM don't buy Chrysler.

They have enough of a monopoly already.

 

[Tornado]

They are both crappy cars, I've driven the new Sebring, it's for old people and rental car places.

I'm tempted to agree now that more reports are debunking the intial praise, but you must admit: Whoever thought the Crossfire would look good as a sedan needs to be shot. The Avenger at least looks pretty good in person (in my opinion slightly more refined than the Charger, even), regardless of how terrible both are.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm tempted to agree now that more reports are debunking the intial praise, but you must admit: Whoever thought the Crossfire would look good as a sedan needs to be shot. The Avenger at least looks pretty good in person (in my opinion slightly more refined than the Charger, even), regardless of how terrible both are.

My experiences with the new Sebring lead me to ask the question, "Why?" Why did Chrysler think they could cross the 300 and the Crossfire together and make a sedan? Why is the belt line so high on a car like that? It certainly doesn't make it look 'tough'...

Between the Avenger and the Sebring, I'd take the Dodge simply because it looks like there was an effort made for the styling inside and out, and it actually has a competent suspension beneath it.

 

[JCE]

Er... unless your point is "less badge engineering", I don't see why one of those is good and the other is bad. It's the same car. And I really don't see how the 300C is a bad thing for the group, how is a discounted Mercedes ever a bad thing?

I do really like the idea of Toyota grabbing them, only for the sheer hilarity; suddenly Chrysler would have incredible build quality and dependability, leapfrog the other American companies... but it wouldn't be American anymore!

The 300C to me looks terrible. I just don't like the exterior design. And as for that last sentence, there really isn't much true "American" cars left--if any at all!

Mercedes Benz had a good reputation for build quality - before they 'merged' with Chrysler. Toyota's whole image rests on it's reputation for build quality/reliability - they're hardly going risk that by buying Chrysler are they?

Problem is, ZERO of Mercedes reliability leaked into Chrysler's products. An old E-class or SLK plaftorm doesn't count.

You've got them backwards...Lemme fix.

No I had them in that order for a reason thank you. 👍

When the DaimlerChrysler came together, it was supposed to be a merger. It pretty much ended up being a takeover.

If Mercedes took them over then why does the Chrysler side product suck so bad?

My experiences with the new Sebring lead me to ask the question, "Why?" Why did Chrysler think they could cross the 300 and the Crossfire together and make a sedan? Why is the belt line so high on a car like that? It certainly doesn't make it look 'tough'...

Between the Avenger and the Sebring, I'd take the Dodge simply because it looks like there was an effort made for the styling inside and out, and it actually has a competent suspension beneath it.

The Sebring on the outside and inside looks a HELL of alot better than the Avenger. The new Avenger looks like ASS! The new Sebring may be rubbish, but at least Chrysler is TRYING. And I applaud them for TRYING--thus that car gets into my positive list.

The problem is Chrysler's image is shot, nothing short of groundbreaking quality improvements followed by fantastic designs will bring them back. If Americans take over Chrysler (or a Canadian for that matter) it will ruin their image even more in my estimation. Chrysler needs a fresh start with another auto company, and I think someone in Korea or Japan would easily work here. But alas the problem of technology sharing would be hugely one-sided. Chrysler shares the Heml variants and the other company shares everything else. Kind of lop-sided if you ask me.

 

[Joey D]

I'm tempted to agree now that more reports are debunking the intial praise, but you must admit: Whoever thought the Crossfire would look good as a sedan needs to be shot. The Avenger at least looks pretty good in person (in my opinion slightly more refined than the Charger, even), regardless of how terrible both are.

The Avenger does look slightly better, but it's got this Jay Leno chin thing going on that just looks weird. I don't like the Charger's style so a baby Charger just doesn't do it for me. I still don't understand why people just don't buy the Lancer.

Anywho, some interesting information from LLN.

Former Ford president and Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca discusses the "sad state of leadership" in the United States today — and within the American auto industry — in a book titled "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?"

Iacocca is highly critical of the merger between Daimler-Benz and Chrysler, which he feels has lead to Chrysler's troubled position today.

"I'll always believe that if I hadn't chosen Bob Eaton to succeed me as chief executive at Chrysler, it would still be a strong, profitable, American car company," Iacocca writes. He blames Eaton and Juergen Schrempp, the former head of Daimler-Benz for the ill-conceived marriage.

Iacocca describes the moment he found out about the merger in 1998 as "the lowest low" of his life. "I gave 15 years of my life to saving that company and now I wondered if it was worth it."

On the other hand, he has concerns about the possible sale of Chrysler. If the company "is kicked to the curb, it will be as a shattered remnant of the great American car company it once was."

Iacocca's criticisms go beyond the auto industry, with harsh critiques of today's politicians and their lack of leadership.

"We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car," Iacocca writes.

I also recommend "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" it's a pretty good book.