Terrible Tom wrote:
>
> Bob Tom wrote:
>
>> What with D-C latest restructuring plans, all options are being
>> considered
>> regarding the Chrysler division, including selling it. Latest rumour
>> is that
>> GM is talking to D-C about buying :-( Also, the Warren(sp?) plant is
>> apparently
>> being cut back to one shift. Doesn't look too good for Dakotas or Rams!
>>
>> Sad, sad times in Moparland X;{
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
>
> hmmm - well the top brass at D.C just keep making blunder after blunder.
> The redesign of the Dakota for 05 saw a large decrease in sales,
> because the following that Dakota had before, looked at it and said -
> nuh-uh! having seen the new face lift they have given Dakota, in person
> at the autoshow... I don't have good predictions either. They are not
> likely to redesign it again considering its not selling well. Then
> again Dakota is D.C's only soldier in the compact truck market. Granted,
> while I personally think the Colorado is more ugly than the Dakota,
> there are FAR more Colorados and Canyons on the road - that I can see at
> least - than the new Daks. Not having an economy version of the Dakota
> hurts the trucks fleet sales potential. Which D.C seemed to never care
> about. There is a huge market for light duty delivery trucks. Every
> auto parts store in the country needs one... Mst use Rangers and S-10s,
> and now Colorados.
>
> D.C also dumped lots of Chrysler's revenue into the Daimler end of
> things... back when Chrysler was a cash cow in the late 90s - with the
> roaring success of the Neon, the Ram, the Dakota and the minivan
> lines... there was lots of funds heading into the German side of things.
>
> If GM aquires even a tiny portion of Chrysler stock or nameplates -
> (shudder) well I guess it doesn't matter because I will never buy new
> anything, anymore. Maybe a volkswagen... because there just isnt
> anything I like thats for sale today. Even the super duty which I have
> always respected and liked (I can feel Norah's glare on me now) looks
> uglier than the GM's!! Dodge created a freaking monster with the 1994
> Ram! They started the "we're going to be bigger and bolder than you!"
> trend in the light duty pick up market. Everyone tries to bigger and
> badder and in the process the trucks are getting uglier and uglier!
>
> I sat in a Caliber... a car I really liked.... Until I sat in it. It
> may boast bigger dimentions than a Neon, but the line of sight out of
> the cars windows is terrible. And the car's interior just feels tighter
> and smaller than a neon.
>
> Chryslers trend towards a factory "chopped and channeled" look - with
> their high door lines and narrow windows looks cool and I think would be
> cool for a couple of sporty cars... but NOT FOR THE ENTIRE BRAND LINE!!!
> The 300, the Charger, the Magnum, the Caliber, the Dakota, the
> Crossfire. (are they still making Crossfire? I didn't see one at the
> autoshow? but then again I didn't actually make it over to the Chrysler
> Brand section now that I think about it).... I sat in them all at the
> Auto shows... a few for the first time this year...
>
> I'm not a big guy and I'm telling you I felt like the roof was crushing
> in on top of me! This was a major turn off! I was seriously
> considering a Caliber when the Ram was paid off - because the Neon is
> needing repairs (as I yammerd on about earlier this week) and i thoguht
> it would be nice to have a new sporty car with a stick shift. Not a
> chance in hell after sitting in that thing will I buy it. I don't even
> need a test drive.
>
> So - I'll jsut keep on fixing my junk and buying used junk like the junk
> I have now. Screw buying new.
>
Hmmm, I have been rather enamoured with the caliber myself....Mebbie I
might have to re-think that...
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Mar 01 2007 - 00:44:23 EST