Comments on: Chrysler working on emergency overhaul of Sebring, Avenger sedans

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:07:33 +0000

The Patient is dead.

Veda: “I’d overhaul the whole car instead of just the interior.”
That’s the way to do it, just scrap these two losers, and bring in something new from the ground up.

johnnycanuck: “I hope Nardeli remembers he’s not still with Home Depot, otherwise we’ll end up crown moldings on the headliner and ceramic tile on the dash.”

That’s good!

Blakkarr: good, post on December24 at 6:59 pm

115: “The Sebring interior is ok in the right colors.”
No, the Sebring is just a Loser.

SwerveEarly: “WOW 1115 really loves his mid-level family sedans, such passion for boredom. He must run straight to the bathroom with some lube when his mom hands him the new consumer reports every month.”

That’s worth a near-laugh. If I weren’t at work, I’d probably at least chuckle.

Comment by mazdaman: “I still can’t believe that Daimler would have allowed Chrysler to release such subpar vehicles into the market, especially in such a competitive segment.”

One again, you’re talking sense. This is an embarrassment.

By: Htay9500

Htay9500 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:58:52 +0000

chrysler finally wakes up.

By: Rover3500

Rover3500 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:39:01 +0000

1115 has serious issues…

By: CarStar

CarStar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 04:29:21 +0000

Right zoomzoomr and MazdaMan…the difference was that previous lineups of Chrysler vehicles were well done right out of the box. Chrysler had a string of hits starting with the original Intrepid and Ram pickup… although the “cab forward” look was stretched too far on the second generation full-size FWD cars. That was right about the time of the Daimler “merger.”Daimler did not really share platform technology until the Crossfire and the new RWD 300, Magnum and Charger came along. These designs are successful because they are
well- built RWD designs that outclass Ford, GM, and most imports. They continue to sell well despite high gas prices. Avenger and Sebring were not thoroughly developed-possibly because Daimler was planning on
pulling out before last February and wanted a hasty
re-skin to attract suiters. They were trying to
capitalize on the success of the RWD designs but the execution is not as successful. Now, the newer designs appear to be more overly conservative in lieu of the Sebring/Avenger criticism. From the looks of the latest Dodge car and truck concepts, the flat styling looks too
bland. This is okay for imports but not for US brands. That could be a problem for sales because Dodge is known for accentuated styling and Chrysler for graceful
allure. If Chrysler really wants to make noise in the mid-size segment it has to offer something no one else has- RWD mid-size cars that are stylish and fuel efficient. The Challenger may be the right platform
for a sedan that captures the public as the full-size RWD models have.

By: zoomzoomr

zoomzoomr — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 01:00:23 +0000

Nice posts mazdaman and CarStar.. very thoughtful reflection on Chrysler’s legacy and heritage. It is a shame that Daimler let the production vehicles slip into such disastrously overwrought designs, particularly in light of the incredibly styled concepts Chrysler showed during the same period! Having driven a rental Sebring earlier this year, I can attest to the hard plastic dash and glare-prone chrome shifter surround as design distractions. Hopefully the new management can achieve their goals.

By: CarStar

CarStar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:01:16 +0000

Let’s face it, it was a mistake for Daimler-Chrysler to let go of the Tom Gale design team. Maybe Cerebrus-Chrysler can hire the whole team back.

I would also suggest they take the shortened Challenger platform and use it as the basis for the next generation Avenger. Chrysler should skip FWD altogether and become the RWD and 4WD leader in Detroit. Nissan could supply their small car needs-not Chery-please, no.

I like my 2004 Stratus, which is nearly 4 years old, the styling is especially well done and distinctive, the interior is okay, and the only mechanical problem with 54K documented miles is the windshield washer stopped working. Some of the comments above are from people who remember the old Big Three way of building cars.

By: mazdaman

mazdaman — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:56:10 +0000

I think an interior overhaul combined with minor exterior tweaks might improve the Avenger’s chances in the market. I think the overall “mini-Charger” exterior design is attractive and uniquely “Dodge”. I would also like to see Chrysler LLC make this car more competitive by offering a 4 cylinder/6 speed automatic combo instead of the current, outdated 4 cylinder/4 speed auto combo. I believe the Avenger could be a salvage worthy product if Chrysler LLC is serious about correcting its shortcomings.

On the other hand, I think the Sebring will need more than an interior redesign to help its sales performance. The awkward and garish exterior design needs to be addressed as diligently as the interior design. I’m not sure if cleaning up some of the exterior details would be enough to enable it to make more of an impact in the midsize segment. At the very least, I think it would require a complete restyling of the front and rear of the vehicle as well as removing the large black plastic slab from the C-pillar.

I still can’t believe that Daimler would have allowed Chrysler to release such subpar vehicles into the market, especially in such a competitive segment. Even if the products didn’t have a Mercedes three pointed star attached to them, it still made Daimler look bad. I really hope that Cerberus’ efforts can elevate Chrysler’s fortunes and reputation.

By: cookie4me

cookie4me — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:27:24 +0000

I agree with vlphil, take the rakes out of the hood and re-do the c-pillar. What is with that funky door line in C-Pillar of all the recent Chrysler products? Its just ugly! I really like the exterior on the Sebring Convertible but please change the C-pillar on the sedan! I’m glad to see it took new ownership before someone realized that interiors were on the bottom rung in the industry.

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:29:39 +0000

WOW 1115 really loves his mid-level families sedans, such passion for boredom. He must run straight to the bathroom with some lube when his mom hands him the new consumer reports every month.

By: Get Real

Get Real — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:02:34 +0000

Chrysler interiors were garbage from the 90’s.

They copied Ford with cheap plastic everywhere.

Main problem with Chrysler is it falls apart soon after purchase.

The finish rubs off and things start rattling all over.

By: autonut

autonut — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:03:01 +0000

Horse power was adjusted by all manufacturers last year to adhere more to the standard. I think SAE is being equated to DIN. DIN is European measure and although both standards measure “horse power” European horses were alway a bit more potent. After adjustment/alignment all cars “lost’ some power in reporting.

By: A4

A4 — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:40:57 +0000

hahaha shucks i thought Chrysler realized how hideous the sebring was on the outside. oh well.

By: jjayc08

jjayc08 — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 22:53:43 +0000

Johnny- I think part of it was either:

-Flexfuel (which I can say that it did make a decrease, although I’m not sure if it’s the rating your thinking about)
-New ratings from Chrysler.

By: jjayc08

jjayc08 — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 22:52:41 +0000

…They say, his left nipple is in the shape of the Nurburgring…

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 22:46:42 +0000

Carstar: the previous generation Sebring/Status look better inside and outside. They only thing I’d like in my ‘06 Sebring from either of them is the 3.5.

Also, any idea how 11 horse disappeared in the 2.7 between ‘06 and ‘07? Something to do with flexfuel?

By: C6Racer

C6Racer — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 19:49:15 +0000

Bull****, you´re not THE Stig.

By: The Stig

The Stig — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 19:18:47 +0000

Hey Nardelli – you can do it, we can help.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 19:08:40 +0000

If it’s Gm Ford or Chrysler, then its total CRAP !

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:07:29 +0000

I say out of the unreliable low resale American car companies (all of them ) the interiors of Chrysler are probably the worst
Of course the Koreans are better A friend of mine has a new Kia Optima and the interior was great and the new 2009 Hyundai Sonata interior has really stepped Hyundai’s game up and they are serious about the family car segment. The Malibu can forget it
The Sebring interior is ok in the right colors All they basically did was copy the VW Passat but with poor execution. Chrysler needs better materials and better leather on the seats.
The Sebring also needs some thinner front lights like the Nassau concept
Chrysler needs to drop the 2.7 V6 and stick with the 2.4 and 3.5 and maybe a diesel later on and they should be fine
I like what Cerebrus is doing and hopefully they can get Chrysler to a point where they are competitive with import players

By: CarStar

CarStar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 14:45:02 +0000

I currently drive a 2004 Dodge Stratus SXT as a second car and I don’t see a problem with the interior. It is relatively basic but I didn’t buy the car for interior appointments. If I wanted a flashy interior I would get a Jaguar.

By: Rover3500

Rover3500 — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 10:14:17 +0000

The interior quality of the Crysler group products is probably the worst of all the major manufacturers right now. I would say even the Korean cars have better materials and fit and finish. Its a shame because when Chrysler gets it right, they produce knockout cars – 300 was and still is cool.

But they have to realise that the bar has risen. These sorts of interiors are not acceptable in a modern car. Their styling also seems to have gone off the boil with both the sebring and Avenger lacking any cohesive design cues. Quite frankly, its hard to understand what they are playing at…its fairly obvious they are shoddy.

By: Veda

Veda — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 09:14:48 +0000

“They need to consult Audi, or get Cadillac’s new interior designer on board.”

Err no, then they’ll start peeling after a year…

By: Elvio

Elvio — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 08:34:23 +0000

Stupid and wasting money….Fire all those morons who approved the interior when they first came out.

By: Carnut4ever

Carnut4ever — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 04:56:07 +0000

The exterior is not that bad except for the ugly C pillar for both the vehicles. I doubt Chrysler can do it because it will cost a lot of money to redesign both the C pillar with the window panel.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:07:20 +0000

Why even mention the Malibu LLN is eating well off of that Gm check
Its the Accord and Camry The Sebring competes with the Fusion and Malibu
Im glad they are doing that They need some better plastics and some better leather
They may want to do all of their interiors while they are at it
That Journey could use better seats and take the desktop computer out of the center of the minivans
Cerebrus will straighten Chrysler out. Take out the 2.7 v6 option it should only be 2.4 and 3.5 and Hemi! Thats it
I like Cerebrus and their ovehaul of Chrysler
Keep it up

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:59:07 +0000

It wouldn’t be necessary if they’d act like they Wanted to make cars instead as if they HAD to. The lack of imagination across almost all makers, the declining or just plain lacking appeal of the materials palettes, and just unimpressive products are all proof of this.

Quality isn’t the issue but rather the choice of materials that look cheap even when it isn’t. Though that is subjective and a larger conversation.

By: F451

F451 — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:06:12 +0000

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7B2C00F5F2%2D02E4%2D4626%2D9B5F%2DC0DDE86245C6%7D&siteid=rss

By: sharpie

sharpie — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:36:43 +0000

At least Chrysler gets what’s wrong and starts with the interior. There are a couple Jeeps I like, but the interior was enough to make me sick just by looking at it, let alone riding in it.

Can’t say the same for Ford, where is the Euro Focus? Fiesta? Oh riiight, I forgot, I will head to Mazda today.

By: Impulsive

Impulsive — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:04:35 +0000

How things ever got to be so bad is what I will never understand. Those decision makers need to be fired.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:09:29 +0000

I hope Nardeli remembers he’s not still with Home Depot, otherwise we’ll end up crown moldings on the headliner and ceramic tile on the dash.

By: slider5634

slider5634 — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:25:07 +0000

It’s about time. Maybe this will push through the rest of their product lineup too. The entire Chrysler group lineup screams “Rental Fleet Vehicle” inside.

By: (V)ike

(V)ike — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:15:16 +0000

Hateful83 – all of the major car magazines mentioned it in their first tests. It’s pathetic. Chrysler has always had an issue with the interiors of their cars. Even the current flagship (300C, Charger) are pretty lackluster. Given they’re functional, just not good looking and definitely offer poor tactile feed back. They need to consult Audi, or get Cadillac’s new interior designer on board.

By: hateful83

hateful83 — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:50:48 +0000

I wonder if our constant bashing of their interiors helped them to realize? I doubt we have that kind of power, wait, no, we’re really not saying anything that anyone hasn’t said. Anyone with eyes can kinda tell.

By: LP640

LP640 — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:39:14 +0000

If it’s Chrysler, the its total CRAP !

By: Brendino

Brendino — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:10:51 +0000

Yeah, the exteriors aren’t the worst and I’m sure it costs waaay more to overhaul those (safety tests and the like). This is a good move; they’ll just have to market the crap out of it, and they can only do that if the product is truly top-notch. So, this is a lofty goal.