1 replies

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groverexploder

January 23, 2009 8:56 AM

@taking_this_easy: How this got past the PR department, we'll never know.

January 22, 2009 10:40 PM

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1stMarDiv

My dad's worked for Chrysler 25 years now and we always get into arguments because he truly does believe American cars are the shit, while I myself happily purchase quality foreign cars. He'll get a kick out of this though.

8 replies

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Tmoney02

January 23, 2009 2:32 PM

@1stMarDiv: Well I have a whole host of people to select from to respond too so I will just select the OP.

Hey you know what american cars may have improved - that may be true. But it means squat if the foreign competition has improved their cars even more. Then the rankings dont change. American cars still trial the pack.

Also I find it amusing that there is so many saying all American cars are crap yet Ford is great. If everyone looked at the 2nd link I provided above you would see that ford is listed #3 on preconceived notions (I can see why now) of reliability while the true reliability chart doesn't have it even in the top 10.

Well at least bully for Ford for fooling so many people, they are doing half their job right (advertising, word of mouth, etc.). Now they just need to have a product line that matches up.

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January 23, 2009 5:53 PM

@Tmoney02: I'm not sure if you have been reading the replies, or even know WTF you are talking about anymore.

One person in this thread said all but Ford are crap. The rest are either agreeing or disagreeing with what I've been saying.

It looks like you have finally admitted that American cars have improved. Good for you, you're making progress.

Next, American cars have been cited NUMEROUS times as now being on par with imports in reliability, long term cost of ownership, and final build quality.

Let me make this clear to you (I thought I had been clear but you seem to be a little thick) - I am not a domestic fanboy. I was an import fanboy forever. However, knowing that domestic quality has improved and they are actually building nice looking cars for a change, I am interested in a few models. I don't know why you are getting your panties in a bunch because I said I am considering a Ford, maybe your security comes through internet arguments. I don't know.

Anyway, I'm greatly losing interest in this debate, and now that your argument has fallen apart, I don't really see any reason to continue with this. Have fun with whatever cars you own in your life, you can rest assured I could care less what you choose.

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 4:59 PM

[wheels.blogs.nytimes.com]
[jalopnik.com]

@Tmoney02: Can you read? I provided you with a link where, in the last couple of months, Consumer Reports indicated that Ford matched Honda and Toyota in reliability. Also, JD Power semi-objectively measures number of problems reported by owners for their reliability (initial and long term) studies.

ford is right up there in both studies, and actually mercury is second only to lexus in long term reliability (three years).

So again, READ articles before opening your mouth.

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Tmoney02

January 23, 2009 7:49 PM

@downwithmonstercable:
It looks like you have finally admitted that American cars have improved.

POS improving to crap is improvement but nothing that will help automakers and sales. which was more to the point of the article and The OP. I have no idea (other than perhaps an overabundunce of self importance) you think I cared that you were buying a ford or why you would get so riled up over a post. I was taking issue with your first statement. American cars have improved a lot lately.

Next, American cars have been cited NUMEROUS times as now being on par with imports in reliability, long term cost of ownership, and final build quality

If you would care to provide me with some proof that would be great. It should be easy since you say NUMEROUS times it has been cited. I assume these are all third party completely independent entities (aka not JD Powers.) I have provided two different studies from two different years from a 100% independent third party, so I think its only fair you do the same.

Anyway, I'm greatly losing interest in this debate
I didn't realize their was a debate I just pointed out the facts and no one has yet to legitimately dispute them, just get riled up like bees who had their hive knocked over.(which is fan boy behavior)

now that your argument has fallen apart
I dont see how, but whatever you say apparently is true.

Have fun with whatever cars you own in your life, you can rest assured I could care less what you choose.
Fine by me as I never cared what car you choose.

January 23, 2009 12:24 PM

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shepd

@1stMarDiv:

:) My dad worked for an auto parts plant in Canada far as long as yours, but not one branded by one of the car companies. Budd Canada, to be specific (now defunct). When they started to make parts for Mercedes, Mercedes sent the parts back time and time again for defects. The parts were made with the same skill and raw materials quality as the Jeep parts they were making earlier (in fact, I believe the Mercedes parts line replaced the Jeep line there). But nobody ever sent any of the Jeep parts back. I suppose they were \"good enough\" for a Jeep. But not good enough for a foreign made car. :D

My dad only once drove an \"American\" car to work, simply because he got a really good deal on buying it. It did blow up in less than 10 years (none of the imports did that). He knew that imports had to be better quality after witnessing the stupidity in that place, because any worse than what that plant was pumping out and the cars would literally melt apart like M&Ms.

Different strokes, I suppose...

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January 22, 2009 11:21 PM

@1stMarDiv: American cars have improved a lot lately. After only owning Japanese cars, I am seriously looking at a Ford as my next purchase.

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Corporate_guy

January 23, 2009 3:26 AM

@downwithmonstercable: Why? Just find out which toyotas are made in america and buy one of those. Fords might have gotten better in gas mileage, but they are still overly complex and hard to work on. Just pop the hood of a fusion, there is no room and wires and junk everywhere. Then compare that to a toyota. It should make your decision easy.

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January 23, 2009 5:46 PM

@Corporate_guy: I'm not sure to what post you're replying to that I made... but saying that Fords are overly complex to work on... that's the case with just about any car these days. I think it's kind of silly to say that Fords are complex and Toyotas are not. All new cars are complex under the hood with all the electronics, save maybe for the low end models from the different brands - ie Corolla, Fit, Focus, and Cobalt. But mid-range sedans like a Fusion will have less space due to higher end, larger components, more electronic stuff, etc.

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Adam2010

January 24, 2009 1:27 AM

@downwithmonstercable:

I don't see myself ever buying a domestic car, they are in fact unreliable and tend to cost more that a comparable import. I've got nothing against cars made in the U.S. I've faithfully purchased Toyota cars that are made in the U.S. Toyota developed Six Sigma manufacturing with Dr. Demming (American). When Dr. Demming went to Ford, they basically told him to take a hike. It's funny how hindsight is 20/20, now the domestics are playing catch up and with Bob \"I'll screw your company up\" Nardelli at the helm of Chrysler there doomed. He did it to GE, Home Depot, and now Chrysler. Go a head and buy your Ford (made in Mexico, Canada, U.S., etc...), someone's got to keep your local mechanic in business.

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Kevin Weber

January 24, 2009 4:25 AM

@Adam2010: You just gave the most idiotic, generalized statement I've ever heard. Do some RESEARCH before you talk! Geez!

There are plenty of domestic cars cheaper and more reliable than any comparable imports. Check out the Ford Fusion as just one example.

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Adam2010

January 28, 2009 6:20 AM

@Kevin Weber: It was supposed to be a generalized comment, captain obvious! Yes domestics have improved over the years but the are still at least a decade behind most Asian and European autos. (I've done my research, I happen to be a design engineer) Go ahead and look at your Ford Fusion, I dare you, even better you go buy one of those (you'd better purchase the extended warranty) you'll have a great resell on that. From reading your other post, it seems to me that your a Ford fanboy!!! LOL, you should apply for a janitors position in fords marketing department, they'll need a cheerleader in the months and years to come.

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 5:35 AM

@Corporate_guy: Where a car is built doesn't really matter. It's where the profits go, who employs more suppliers, etc. American companies employ a LOT more Americans than Japanese companies do.

January 23, 2009 12:17 AM

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Tmoney02

@downwithmonstercable: no they haven't improved at all. I think you may be falling for the repetition trick. Automakers and their \"friends\" keep saying \"American cars have improved a lot lately\" and it keeps getting bounced around in every article and tv news report until it seems like the truth. It is not.

You can go ahead and refresh yourself:
2006:
No top 10 car is american

From 10 days ago:
The 10 Most Reliable Car Brands VS Your Preconceived Notions - Spoiler - No American brands on top 10 most reliable list.

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ToddMU03

January 23, 2009 6:28 PM

@Tmoney02: What about #3 Ford, #4 Cadillac and #7 GMC?

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ToddMU03

January 23, 2009 6:29 PM

@ToddMU03: Whoops misread that. I'm an idiot.

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unpolloloco

January 23, 2009 5:56 AM

@Tmoney02: FORD has improved a lot. GM/Chrysler are spewing out the same crap they have been for years.

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 6:41 AM

@unpolloloco: I've been talking about Ford a lot and they are growing back into becoming an elite automaker, however they haven't taken TARP funds so they aren't really what this article is about anyway. I just don't think it's fair how some people like TMoney lumps Ford in with Chrysler.

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mariospants

January 23, 2009 3:20 AM

@Tmoney02: You know, some bad apples can spoil a whole orchard. As a result, I'll never buy a Volvo, Infiniti or an Audi ever again (even though I love what they do when they do it). I've had some great Fords, but one messed up Ford has ruined all of that good will. That being said, my only exposure to a Chrysler products is a Dodge Magnum and I'd gladly buy another one if they ever made it again; what an awesome and dependable car.

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 1:09 AM

@Tmoney02: [www.consumerreports.org]

Consumer Reports JUST admitted that Ford's reliability is now on par with Toyota and Honda. And that's from a publication that has been more biased against American cars than any other recently. JD Power's quality studies have shown American brands like Mercury, Lincoln, Buick, Caddy, and Ford in the top 10 and top 5 for years. Next time before opening your biased mouth, you should probably do a little more research.

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Tmoney02

January 23, 2009 8:02 PM

@Kevin Weber: Funny you forgot to mention the words Excluding those in your quote, excluding those being Ford Trucks, which, correct me if I am wrong is their top selling products by a long shot. So if the majority of your products are crap you can still say Ford on the whole is not better than Foreigns.
Thus Ford as a whole can be lumped in as being on the same level as the other domestics just they have the greatest promise of moving up in the future.

Also I could care less what JD Powers says, as someone else pointed out, JD powers has an incentive to provide good ratings to domestics. (I will reprint the comment since it sums up nicely: Who to trust... an unbiased publication that takes no freebies or advertising money, or a publication that depends on advertising and has to keep those advertisers happy? Hmmmmm

Now if you would like to point me to something from a truly independent source please do so. You were on the right track with your first link but it failed to actually say what you thought it did. According to Down with monster cable there is NUMEROUS studies to cite from so you two should have no problem.

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Kevin Weber

January 24, 2009 4:22 AM

@Tmoney02:

So what you're saying is, I refuse to listen to anyone else's thoughts on reliability except who agrees with my preconceived notions, even though JD Power conducts its study based on reported problems, which is pretty objective. It doesn't matter who gives them money, they aren't doing the testing in these studies. Consumers who own the cars are.

If you are unwilling to consider any source other than the one that has previously (although doesn't anymore) agreed with your opinion, then you are an irrational person and it's useless to continue this argument.

As far as the trucks thing goes, everything in this thread had mentioned cars, including your statements. Consumer Reports had the courtesy to praise Ford's improved quality and mention how their cars are now equal with Honda's and Toyota's in quality. You should do the same. I mean, they're the only source you respect right?

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AdvocatesDevil

January 23, 2009 1:18 AM

@Kevin Weber: Who to trust... an unbiased publication that takes no freebies or advertising money, or a publication that depends on advertising and has to keep those advertisers happy? Hmmmmm

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 5:32 AM

@AdvocatesDevil: Well, now they both agree that Fords are as reliable as Jap cars.

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January 23, 2009 12:32 AM

@Tmoney02: Ouch, I have been thoroughly owned. There is overwhelming supporting data to show the reliability of american cars has improved. Throwing two charts that consumerist posted from Consumer Reports doesn't really give you much of a platform to stand on. Those same charts say that Korean cars are better than all European cars. Right.

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smythe

January 23, 2009 1:43 AM

@downwithmonstercable: By all means, please buy a ford. Someone is going to have to keep these companies in business.

Also please keep us all updated in the amount of dealer trips you have to make for recalls and unexpected \"maintenance\".

Go ahead, I dare you.

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kmw2

January 23, 2009 1:59 PM

@smythe: My anecdata, let me show you it! I drive a 2006 Ford Focus. I've put 92,000 miles on it in the last three years commuting back and forth to school. Other than a change of brake pads (kindly covered under warranty), oil changes and two tune-ups, my ownership costs at this point have been zero. Only one recall, for a problem that took five minutes to fix. Not so bad, really.

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JayXJ

January 23, 2009 2:56 AM

@smythe: I've had several. Decent luck out of most of them. I've had several Japanese cars, no real difference in dependibility.

Resale was another matter though.

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 5:33 AM

@JayP71: Resale is more of a product of public perception than actual fact. Americans are stupid and often rely on word of mouth for stuff like this rather than doing research. Now that Ford is gaining such positive reliability press, I would guess in a few years the resale numbers will be similar.

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January 23, 2009 2:11 AM

@smythe: What's up with all the animosity? I was for the longest time a Honda fanboy. My parents have owned two Fords, an Explorer, and now an F150. No issues with either one. They traded the Explorer for the F150 when it had 150k on it.

I know american companies have built reps as unreliable gas guzzlers. But that really is not the case anymore. I have family that's only owned Chevys - no issues there. I can't speak for Chrysler because I don't personally know anyone that drives one, but I'd imagine they've made the same strides.

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AlteredBeast

January 23, 2009 3:32 PM

@downwithmonstercable:

\"I can't speak for Chrysler because I don't personally know anyone that drives one\"

There in lies the problem!

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January 23, 2009 5:53 PM

@AlteredBeast: I figured someone would call me on that :) But I didn't mean it as anything other than what I said.

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parad0x360

January 23, 2009 1:14 AM

@downwithmonstercable: Where is this data? I have looked for it and no reliable company has been able to provide any. Sure the tv ads say it but hey also say American made cars are green and made in green factories which we all can clearly see isnt true.

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January 23, 2009 2:13 AM

@parad0x360: I'm not talking about green. I'm talking about reliability and improved mileage. Numerous JD Power awards, CR best pick awards, car/truck of the year awards... hugely improved CR ratings, independent studies detailing data... look around. If you can't find it, you fail at the internet.

January 22, 2009 10:45 PM

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Graham Kilmon

@1stMarDiv: i'll bet he rocks a members only jacket too

January 22, 2009 10:45 PM

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Bladefist

Well, using some of the money for marketing is a great idea. Market new cars, with new features, get the word out on financing. I know some would disagree. I am bitter about the bailout, but since they got it, I'm ok with them using it on marketing, because it's an intergal part of them building their company back up.

Now with that said, that AD is just absolutely stupid. Thanking us for something 63% of us were against.

They should have used that money for showing off a new car.

At the end of the day, you should direct your anger at the government for giving these neophytes a bailout.

Look at that, government economic neophytes giving private sector neophytes money. Who is the biggest group of neophtes? Us. For re-electing the same people who supported the bailout when America was very clear on how they felt.

12 replies

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warf0x0r

January 23, 2009 4:01 AM

@Bladefist: I happen to like the Wall Street Journel So I'm very happy they got some money out of the deal.

January 23, 2009 10:49 AM

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lemur

@warf0x0r: You like the Wall Street Journel? But what about Farbes or the Econamist?

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Wormfather is Wormfather

January 23, 2009 1:42 PM

@lemur: I prefer the cumsumerist.

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theblackdog

January 23, 2009 3:04 PM

@Wormfather is Wormfather: Did fleshbot change their name?

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oneliketadow

January 23, 2009 3:38 AM

@Bladefist: Do you know what neophyte means? You are using it in the sense of \"fool\", but it actually means novice or beginner.

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Bladefist

January 23, 2009 3:17 PM

@oneliketadow: Agreed, and they are economic beginners. IE, Economics 101 type thinking.

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theczardictates

January 23, 2009 1:46 AM

@Bladefist: This word neophyte: I do not think it means what you think it means.

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Bladefist

January 23, 2009 3:17 PM

@theczardictates: I know what it means

January 22, 2009 11:18 PM

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squablow

@Bladefist: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

The worst part is, Cerberus Capital Management didn't want to invest their own money into the company turnaround, even though they have the money to do it. Not worth the risk of their own cash, but apparently it's worth the risk to ours.

Just wait until the next round of bailouts. The gov't will take a stake in the company, and the UAW will basically be government workers. They'll be getting money and benefits forever, you'll never get rid of them then.

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jamar0303

January 23, 2009 2:30 PM

@squablow: ...Wasn't Fiat supposed to be taking over soon? Soon enough Chrysler is going to be one of those \"foreign\" makers too, I guess.

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TVarmy

January 23, 2009 2:53 PM

@jamar0303: Just because 20% is owned by a German company, and 35% is owned by an Italian company, does not make it any less of an American company. It's as American as Nestle chocolate.

Anyway, so long as I drive their car that looks and drives like a bathtub without antilock brakes, I will consider them American down to the very core.

January 22, 2009 11:07 PM

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kissinggames

@Bladefist: [letmegooglethatforyou.com]

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Jabberkaty

January 23, 2009 4:40 PM

@start-as-you-mean-to-go-on: Er, how is it not appropriate in that context?

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Bladefist

January 23, 2009 3:16 PM

@start-as-you-mean-to-go-on: Thank you, I know what the word means and I stick to what I wrote.

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TVarmy

January 23, 2009 2:48 PM

@start-as-you-mean-to-go-on: Haha, burned.

January 22, 2009 10:58 PM

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jwissick

I love my Jeep. I hope Chrysler lives so I can buy another Jeep in a few years.

8 replies

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Allen Garlow

January 26, 2009 5:47 AM

I love my Jeep too.... of course mine was made before Chrysler bought Jeep and turned them into plastic peices of crap.

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doodzed

January 23, 2009 4:30 PM

@jwissick:
You will be able to buy another Jeep. It will just be owned by someone other than Chrysler/Cerberus. I would guess it will be a much better vehicle than what you have been buying till now. Can't get much worse right?

January 23, 2009 11:59 AM

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mavkato

@jwissick: Jeep is the only valuable part of Chrysler. If the company tanks, Jeep will be sold to the highest bidder, like it has with all of the other owners it has previously had. Unfortunately, it seems to be cursed. Just ask Kaiser, Willys, AMC, etc.

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meske

January 23, 2009 6:07 PM

@mavkato: Jeep and their minivan division. Heck, the VW is a rebranded Town and Country.

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TVarmy

January 23, 2009 2:54 PM

@mavkato: Still, if Chrysler goes under, any remotely American manufacturer would love to take over the brand. Heck, a European company could probably pick it up without too much fuss if they kept the vehicles about the same.

January 23, 2009 11:56 AM

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TechnoDestructo

@jwissick:

Jeep will survive. Chrysler could tip over and break, burst into flames, and explode. Jeep would be just fine.

Someone will buy Jeep.

January 23, 2009 12:08 AM

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Gerald Valentine

@jwissick:
Glad to know we all paid billions so you can buy another jeep in a few years.

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crazyshoes

January 23, 2009 3:38 AM

@Gerald Valentine: Having a Jeep is worth it, even if it were Trillions and not just Billions.

It's a Jeep thing, mmmkay?

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Fenders-Stratosphere

January 23, 2009 4:47 PM

@crazyshoes: It stopped being \"Jeep\" the day that AMC lost it. Now that was when I was proud to announce that I owned a Jeep and back then it really was \"a Jeep thing\".

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batsy

January 23, 2009 3:44 AM

@crazyshoes: I loathe jeeps and the creepy cult they have created.

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warf0x0r

January 23, 2009 4:02 AM

@batsy: Yeah come to think of it most of the jeep owners I've ever known have been creepy people... what does that say about me! O.O

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batsy

January 27, 2009 1:29 PM

@warf0x0r: Hm, I'm not sure, but I'm in no way saying that jeep owners are creepy people.... just that they love their jeeps a bit much.

January 22, 2009 11:01 PM

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relax_guy

isn't their slogan \"like a rock?\"

could change it to \"like our skulls\"

January 22, 2009 11:05 PM

2 replies

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JulesWinnfield

@relax_guy: That's Chevrolet, a different shitty car company.

January 22, 2009 11:08 PM

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relax_guy

@JulesWinnfield:

damn that would of been an awesome play on words.

cry-mores-ler?

i fail.

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Wormfather is Wormfather

January 23, 2009 1:44 PM

@relax_guy: No dood, it wasnt. Sorry.

January 22, 2009 11:05 PM

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sebadoh128

Thomas Jefferson wins today's internet.

That line was classic.

4 replies

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econobiker

January 23, 2009 5:39 PM

@sebadoh128: Yes righty- at least 100 recommendations on that comment...

January 23, 2009 12:49 AM

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BlondeGrlz

@sebadoh128: Funniest thing I've read all week.

January 22, 2009 11:41 PM

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)

@sebadoh128: Total win.

January 22, 2009 11:13 PM

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mac-phisto

@sebadoh128: agreed. 'copters & 'skates all around.

January 22, 2009 11:08 PM

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Sorentso

I never considered their car lots when I go to buy a new car, and now I probably wouldn't ever consider them; or give them another chance for that matter.

American cars are junk, I've had three and one was an outright lemon.

January 23, 2009 12:56 AM

1 replies

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nicemarmot617

@Sorentso: Yep. I'm from Michigan and several family members worked for GM. I tried two; one died (admittedly I bought it used), the other was brand-new and a lemon in the most horrifying fashion - its brakes repeatedly failed. And they never successfully fixed it.

My third car was Japanese and never broke down and got 40mpg on the freeway. I had to sell it when I moved to Manhattan. I miss it!

January 22, 2009 11:14 PM

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lodleader

love my xterra... 90+ percent built in the USA, zero maintenance, no bailout, eat it Chrysler

3 replies

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 1:12 AM

@lodleader: Built in the USA does not mean the profits stay here. There's a reason that buying Japanese cars counts against our trade deficit. Not that you'd care though. You keep screeching like a 12 year old girl who got her cell phone taken away for the weekend \"BUT it was BUILT HERE!!!!!111!1!!!!\"

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RedwoodFlyer

January 23, 2009 3:11 AM

@Kevin Weber: Last I checked, buying a car from the Big 3 doesn't result in any profits anyway...

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Zeruel

January 23, 2009 4:45 PM

@RedwoodFlyer: Ohohoho BURN!

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obamaramallama

January 23, 2009 5:36 AM

@RedwoodFlyer:

ZING!

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Quilt

January 23, 2009 1:43 AM

@Kevin Weber: Is there nothing to be said for the people that get paid to build that xTerra? There are other ways to invest in a country other than final profits. Keeping all of it in the States would be ideal, of course.

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 5:38 AM

@Quilt: I'm not suggesting a tariff or anything, I just want people to get the facts straight. Ford is now on the same level as Toyota and Honda in reliability, and has been better than Nissan for some time now.

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jamar0303

January 23, 2009 2:33 PM

@Kevin Weber: ... in other words, SUVs to SUVs Ford is still down there. You might have a point there if we were talking about the difference between a Nissan Bluebird and a Ford Taurus or something.

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 5:01 PM

@jamar0303: I just thought it had to be made clear that overall, Ford has higher quality vehicles than Nissan.

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KyleOrton

January 23, 2009 6:30 AM

@Kevin Weber: Perhaps, but since he specifically mentioned the Xterra I think it's important to note that Ford's reliability and quality has improved despite its larger SUVs and not because of them.

It just took a bunch of new passenger cars to make up the difference.

January 22, 2009 11:14 PM

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DrGirlfriend

Wow, that 3rd comment down was all sorts of awesome.

Mainly I'm just surprised to see a lengthy comment that is coherent and properly spelled (except for \"loosing\", but I'll give that a pass) and punctuated. But also, it's all true.

4 replies

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working class Zer0

January 23, 2009 5:12 AM

@DrGirlfriend:That was great. I would have needed a cigarette after writting that.

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Feminist Whore

January 23, 2009 3:14 AM

@The_Legend: Oh look! I see, telekinesis123 responded disagreeably with YOUR comment, so you scampered on down to respond disagreeably with his, using the same language! Fucking genius! I hope my 3 year old doesn't pick up on this.

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The_Legend

January 23, 2009 4:28 PM

@alphafemale: I hope your 3 year old doesn't whine like you.

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January 22, 2009 11:23 PM

@DrGirlfriend: I was definitely surprised to not see any trolls.

January 22, 2009 11:23 PM

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The_Legend

The issue was that another blog slammed the ad. A bunch of the same comments wound up there. Some actual Chrysler product buyers went there and disputed the slams and were bounced. The mob then went to the Chrysler blog and slammed it (almost word for word). These weren't actual Chrysler buyers, just troublemakers. CU never found a Mopar it didnt slam anyway so since the Consumerist is now owned by them, I see the lineage.

January 22, 2009 11:52 PM

2 replies

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Telekinesis123

@The_Legend:

Yeah as you say \"they are not Chrysler buyers\" but yet they still had to pay for its bailout, it makes it even worse, you fail.

January 23, 2009 12:16 AM

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The_Legend

@Telekinesis123: Yeah, they paid for it with dollars loaned to the US from China by banks bailed out by the US with 30 times the cash. I guess the banking system is thanking us every day. No thank you note from them, not even a loan.

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GTI2.0

January 23, 2009 2:37 PM

@The_Legend:

Not all of it came from China - we basically \"printed\" most of the money, devaluing the dollar. Regardless, whether it was loaned or printed, it comes out of the American taxpayers' wallet in the end.

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The_Legend

January 23, 2009 4:31 PM

@GTI2.0: I guess AIG should send a full page ad thanking for not a loan, but cash money from the government, at their resort in AZ

January 26, 2009 10:44 PM

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trujunglist

@The_Legend:

Quite simply, AIG is not that stupid. They made the mistake once of letting people find out about it, they'll not be doing it again.

January 22, 2009 11:37 PM

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Borax-Johnson

I especially liked the comment about Bob Nardelli/Home Depot. I've been saying that for years.

1 replies

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Anonymous

January 23, 2009 3:56 AM

@Borax-Johnson: Wow lets not forget Nardelli's other screw ups; GE Power Solutions, Black and Decker, Montgomery Wards, and Home DePot! Nice, look at his severance packages. He has destroyed many american business'. Coca Cola was smart enough to can his ass before he broke them!

January 22, 2009 11:42 PM

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coan_net

This just shows you how out of touch these people who are running the car companies are.

We are out of money... lets take our private fleet of jets to Washington for a meeting...

Hey we got some money - lets waste some saying thanks in which will do nothing to help our business.

----------

What do car companies need to do: New leaders.

Leaders who's pay reflect how the company is doing. If the company rebounds and makes big profits, then the leaders of the company can have big pay checks. If the company is doing poorly and not making money, then the leaders should get less money. (NOW - They get more money in the hopes they can turn things around....) FAIL

January 22, 2009 11:43 PM

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Blb3303

Chrysler Buys a Starring Role in Terminator 4.. ?? !!
( Flushing sounds ) ''''''
As from Fox news . [www.foxnews.com]

Wow there goes the $$ again...

January 22, 2009 11:45 PM

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Telekinesis123

They pulled the blog because the people they were supplicating to represented their opinions and it didn't fit in with their PR spin? Guess it was a bunch of BS after all...big surprise.

January 23, 2009 12:13 AM

1 replies

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The_Legend

@Telekinesis123: Kind of like CU buying the Consumerist...fail for you.

January 22, 2009 11:51 PM

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RStui

I'm sticking with my Mercedes. Made in Sweet Home Alabama, providing tax income to my state to pay for schooling, roads, and growth.

I was against the Bank \"Bailout\", I was against the Car \"Loans\" and I'm starting to hate the TARP program as a whole.

Screw You, Chrysler, AIG, BoA, and all you other losers.

January 23, 2009 12:02 AM

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Bourque77

The only american vehicle i would consider would be a muscle car (vette or mustang) or a truck. At the moment I love my subaru wrx. I will soon be getting a toyota camry, its reliable and gets great gas mileage. To hell with the p.o.s. american sedans.

January 26, 2009 10:46 PM

3 replies

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trujunglist

@Bourque77:

I really, really want a Challenger. It's basically the only car I want. Oh well, maybe I'll wait for a fire sale and snag one for a big discount once they all fold.

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 1:17 AM

@Bourque77: The Ford Fusion is now more reliable and fuel efficient than the Camry (and looks about 1000x better too, if I do say so).

[jalopnik.com]

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January 23, 2009 3:30 AM

@Kevin Weber: If its any of the diesel Fords from overseas, they actually are very good for mr. environment. Only *now* have they sold them here though.

January 23, 2009 12:09 AM

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AliyaBabasaur

on the link to the blog through Digg there is an article about their \"massive cost reducing efforts\" in which they describe how they recently saved $230,000 using employee work reduction.

2 replies

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January 23, 2009 3:29 AM

@AliyaBabasaur: I.E. hourly cutbacks and *cough* layoffs? Niice jargon, Chrysler!

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jwinston2

January 23, 2009 7:53 AM

@Oranges w/ Cheese:

Whats your point? When your competitors can pay less to their employees and make a better product, you as an employee need to expect cutbacks or layoffs. These are not government jobs you know, oh nevermind.

January 23, 2009 12:09 AM

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JulesNoctambule

As long as I can get my hands on a Volvo 200, 700 or 900 series I'll never drive anything else. Sucks paying the price for decades of stubborn refusal to innovate, doesn't it, Chrysler?

January 23, 2009 12:22 AM

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Patrick Mcgranaghan

Consumerist censors people all the time.

6 replies

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kexline

January 23, 2009 5:30 PM

@Patrick Mcgranaghan: Don't you mean \"Cnsmrst cnsrs ppl ll th tm\"?

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Rectilinear Propagation

January 23, 2009 3:08 PM

@Patrick Mcgranaghan: Is it censorship when they tell you up front what isn't allowed?

January 23, 2009 12:27 PM

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MisterE

@Patrick Mcgranaghan:

No, they don't. Although users have asked in the past that I was censored, or had my account deleted for posting my views, the fact I'm replying proves otherwise.

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groverexploder

January 23, 2009 9:04 AM

@Patrick Mcgranaghan: And what the crap does that have to do with Chrysler?!

Did Consumerist get a massive bailout we haven't heard about yet? Did Consumerist just place a massive moronic ad?

January 23, 2009 12:57 AM

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TorrentFreak

@Patrick Mcgranaghan:

I've never been censored and I've said some pretty horrible things in the past.

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Quilt

January 23, 2009 1:52 AM

@TorrentFreak: Samesies.

January 23, 2009 12:23 AM

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Canino

Out of maybe 60 or 70 cars my immediate family members have owned over the past 50 years, I can think of only one Dodge truck and one Jeep. The Jeep was a piece of crap and rode like a go-cart.

Dear Chrysler: how about you give the money back and go away kthxbye.

1 replies

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bbagdan

January 23, 2009 4:00 PM

@Canino:

Actually, go-kart handling is desirable. But I get your point anyway.

January 23, 2009 12:44 AM

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El_Fez

Apparently Chrysler is not used to people actually *READ* their blog.

1 replies

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econobiker

January 23, 2009 5:42 PM

@El_Fez: Yeah, they still buy $200,000 print copy ads to reach their target market.

January 23, 2009 12:45 AM

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Chantillian

CEOs. They just don't get it.

January 23, 2009 12:56 AM

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krispykrink

Basically it all boils down to \"Thanks for all your money, and we didn't even have to give you a car!\"

Man, I'm in the wrong line of business.

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legwork

January 23, 2009 1:11 AM

What ya got right there is some reeeal professional mismanagement.

Methinks Mr. Nardelli's working on his next golden parachute.

Chrysler's next Mr. Ex.

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FrankenPC

January 23, 2009 1:20 AM

Funny thing is, I used to only buy American until I drove Japanese technology and now I only buy Japanese.

So...WTF! I say DIE American garbage! After suffering with horrible autos I have to bail these bozos out?? My GAWD! Let the better manufacturer win dammit! That IS CAPITALISM! Wow we are hypocrites.

4 replies

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Kevin Weber

January 23, 2009 5:41 AM

@FrankenPC: I would love to know what your job is where you wouldn't be affected by half a million people losing their jobs basically overnight.

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FrankenPC

January 24, 2009 8:41 PM

@Kevin Weber: You're right. When I said DIE I meant the corporation. I would love to see someone like Toyota buy those plants and keep everyone employed.

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srenee

January 23, 2009 3:02 PM

@Kevin Weber: People shouldn't be guaranteed jobs when they are employed by a company that makes mediocre products. What's the point of paying people to make something no one wants to buy?

January 23, 2009 10:54 AM

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TaterTom

@Kevin Weber: As much as all those people losing their jobs would suck, I believe it would overall be a good thing.

For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.

Once the big car companies come down, it seems to follow logic that their fall will effect a change in how we perceive transportation, and how we should accomplish it. These companies are certainly part of the reason we don't have more interest in renewable energy.

Just because what these companies and their employees do has been successful so far, doesn't mean that's what will be profitable, ethical, or good in any way.

\"Be(ing) affected by half a million people losing their jobs basically overnight\" sounds to me like half a million people thinking about better things to do, and capitalism's way of evening the playing field taking its course. If you support car manufacturers' [or any entity, for that matter] influences for their positive impacts, then you should accept their negatives as being a necessary evil, outweighed by the advantages attained in the process.

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omgitsgene

January 23, 2009 1:31 AM

I think it's time they take a full page ad out apologizing for their full page ad thanking us for giving them our money! It's the only answer!

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Silversmok3

January 23, 2009 1:36 AM

I really dont care about this ad-They were already dead to me long before this stunt. Google 2.7 oil sludge to see why.

2 replies

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Ubermunch

January 23, 2009 4:33 AM

@Silversmok3:

Google Toyota Oil Sludge and see what you get. Pretty disturbing. (But I still own a Toyota) Two years ago Toyota lost a class action suit on 3.5 million vehicles that had HUGE engine sludge problems.

Chrysler sucks... but they aren't the only negligent manufacturers.

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Silversmok3

January 24, 2009 1:08 AM

@Ubermunch:

The difference is Toyota saw the light and made things right-as did Audi, as long as you can prove that you didn't neglect the engine.

Chrysler allegedly denied a woman who had her motor serviced *exclusively* at the dealership warranty coverage over this issue-and still sticks its head in the sand today.

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Ubermunch

January 24, 2009 1:43 AM

@Silversmok3:

I'm with you... but still... Toyota sucked in this situation. Especially when they tried to make folks pay for a $4000 engine to cover their (Toyota's) negligence. Point is: Any company can be shitty. Unfortunately Chrysler does shitty better than any other auto maker... so I;m with you their brother.

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Kaisum

January 23, 2009 1:36 AM

So uh...freedom of speech? Why did this site go down? Freedom to have the laws bent by loop holes? Fucking ridiculous.

2 replies

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sqlrob

January 24, 2009 3:01 PM

@Kaisum:
\"Freedom of Speech\"? You keep using that word, I don't think it means what you think it means.

Their server, their rules. They were free to take it down, it doesn't impact freedom of speech at all (*CONGRESS* shall make no law...). Notice we're discussing it here. Forcing them to pay for our views is the antithesis of freedom of speech.

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Kaisum

January 23, 2009 1:38 AM

Whoops, it was their blog. I can't believe they'd even let people leave comments. Talk about dense.

\"They will express nothing but gratitude!\"

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balthisar

January 23, 2009 1:37 AM

This is why populism is an evil, evil, thing. We recently have empowered powerful politicians that cater to these ignorant loudmouths. America, it was nice to have known you!

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consumerd

January 23, 2009 1:51 AM

I would have felt better if crysler would have spent the money on retraining and more fuel efficient cars.

That had to be the most stupidest waste of money for ads I have ever seen.

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Keter

January 23, 2009 2:18 AM

I have been saying for years that the gap between upper management and reality was causing trouble...even in my wildest dreams I would never have imagined that it would lead to this level of blatant epic failure. Chrysler has taught the world a lesson in cluelessness, failing to learn from its mistakes (remember the private jets taken to lobby Congress?), irresponsibility, and shooting itself in the foot while the foot was in their mouth. The smart thing to do would have been to take the lumps and reply to them with meaningful answers, done in the cheapest way possible (via the blog). They blew even that.

Stick a fork in 'em, they're done.

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bnet41

January 23, 2009 2:43 AM

@1stMarDiv: @downwithmonstercable:
I truly want to believe this. I truly do, but the marketplace and Consumer Reports tell a different story. The price between a used foreign and a used domestic is vast. That to me says a lot.

I am very much in the market for a new or gently used car, but $15-$20k is a lot to risk on the promise that domestics are better. I don't know how they get around that though. I want a car that lasts at least 200k. All my cars have come close to this, and none have failed outright. Each time I switched the car was fine and could've gone longer. I just was in a position to get another one.

I just don't see as many domestic cars(not trucks there seems to be a higher quality focus on those) out there with that kind of mileage. I see especially Japanese with that mileage all over the place.

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cmdrsass

January 23, 2009 3:03 AM

... if only people could work up this kind of anger against our elected kleptocrats.

1 replies

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econobiker

January 23, 2009 5:55 PM

@cmdrsass: That will not happen until the journalism industry is broken up enough to limit the influence of businesses on it.

You can see how biased the media/journalism industry is by examining the treatment of alternative/3rd party political candidates/parties in 2008.

This industry cowers or sucks up to the business controlled money and so only will generate info-tainment or report-mercials about the two major business owned parties. And the majority of people are lead by the supposed neutral media. Look how many voted independent in 2008 versus D or R and you will understand the problem.

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kathyl

January 23, 2009 3:05 AM

The way I see it, we have an unemployment problem and a \"wasting bailout money they should never have gotten in the first place\" problem.

I say we (I mean, the government almost owns them at this point, right?) find a few candidates among the unemployed who might be able to run a company without running it into the ground and padding their parachute, and make some replacements.

(I mean, I know we'd just be switching out the employed for the unemployed, but no plan is perfect and surely we must be able to find someone who gives a rat's butt about actually doing a good job.)

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VRWC

January 23, 2009 3:11 AM

Just curious as to why nobody's bashing the UAW and their multi-million dollar golf course? Yeah, it's all Chrysler's fault that they're bankrupt. The greedy, fat-cat blackmail and extortion specialists that call themselves the UAW couldn't possibly have a hand in it too, could they?

And boycotting Chrysler is really, smart -- that'll just ensure that the money never gets paid back.

All those blaming Chrysler and only Chrysler are plain old ignorant sheeple. Get a clue before you rant.

2 replies

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econobiker

January 23, 2009 5:57 PM

@VRWC: People are not bashing the UAW since they didn't make the upper level decisions which designed cars no one desires...

January 23, 2009 11:40 AM

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Phexerian

@VRWC: You are calling us ignorant and you still think we can get the money back? ROFL, it's gone bubba gump. GONE!

UAW is another topic for another time. Certainly there are problems with them as well. They aren't a true union.

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bohemian

January 23, 2009 3:25 AM

My Chrysler is a money sucking poorly engineered lemon full of known issues they refuse to recall. We would sell it but nobody would buy it. That damn vehicle has left me stranded more times than I can count and in some less than safe situations too.

We should have had a stake in the company for the bail out money we already gave them.

Nerd-deli needs to get the same treatment that moron at Merrill Lynch received.

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January 23, 2009 3:28 AM

Umm.. wait a minute - we, the people, actually had a say in this? Um WHERE?

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boxjockey68

January 23, 2009 3:36 AM

I have a Chrysler (bought it used for CHEAP!) I will promptly be getting rid of it for another Volkswagen.

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January 23, 2009 3:43 AM

My first car was a 1992 Dodge Spirit. Ran like a horse, but it cost so much to repair! As much as I miss that car, I doubt I'll ever purchase another Dodge - especially if they can't get away from these shoebox-looking designs. I'm buying a car, not a tank, thx.

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Ubermunch

January 23, 2009 4:29 AM

Had one ***GREAT*** Dodge/Chrysler... A 1968 Dodge Dart 2-Door Convertible with arguably the greatest engine America ever made... the slant 6. I wish I had never sold that car and I pine for it deeply every day. It was solid reliable and well made.

The next Chrysler I bought was a 2001 Sebring Convertible that I loved. But the transmission self-destructed at *65,000* miles this past year - which is not uncommon as it turns out. It broke my heart. I knew Chrysler was a bit of a risk when I bought it, but I never counted on a failure of that magnitude so early in its life (note: I take pretty meticulous care of my rides and generally get 150,000 miles before selling. Heck I did 243,500 miles on a 1985 Subaru GL 4-door).

So... What did I replace it with? A 2008 Toyota Camry Solara Convertible. And I will *NEVER* go back to Chrysler - or probably any American brand now (although my 2001 Taurus wagon is still a pretty good ride even after 85,000 miles).

Chrysler lost their way so long ago that they aren't salvageable at this point. Nardelli is just the cherry on the failure cake as far as I'm concerned.

2 replies

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theblackdog

January 23, 2009 3:10 PM

@Ubermunch: Mopar needs to go back to school on building transmissions. My parents owned a 97 Dodge Ram Van and had three transmissions that self-destructed on us, luckily they were all covered under warranty.

They had no qualms trading that piece of crap in for something else after the third dime.

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Ubermunch

January 24, 2009 1:54 AM

@theblackdog:

And it's a damn shame about Mopar transmissions, because the rest of the Sebring was pretty well put together. Plus, the 2001's were really nice looking. Shit, I sold the car for top dollar... and the guy didn't even look under the hood because his girlfriend fell in love with the car's looks (like I said, I take good care of my rides).

If I could have put a different tranny on it (not the cross-dressing kind)... not the shit it was built with... I would have kept it until it fell apart a la \"Blues Brothers Movie\".

Instead... I'm driving a Toyota. Even so... I wish I had my Dart ragtop [sniff - sob]. That car was all but bulletproof. Did I mention it had three on the tree?!?!?! Does anyone under 40 remember that???

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fatetwister64

January 23, 2009 5:39 AM

EXCE A: \"Where's a good place top start blowing this money?\"
EXEC B: \"Pay-raise for us?\"
EXEC A: \"Nah we did that last week, and the week before\"
EXEC B:\"Helping our employees?\"
BOTH: \"HAHAHAHAHA\"
EXEC A: \"Nah let's just waste it on a newpaper ad\"

I'm a bit suprised they didn't work in some more full color pictures and glossy pages.

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ironchef

January 23, 2009 6:24 AM

the first draft read \"thank you suckas!\"

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Dr Steve Brule

January 23, 2009 6:38 AM

@smythe: Go fuck yourself. There, I just contributed as much to the conversation as you did.

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Trai_Dep

January 23, 2009 8:12 AM

You know, while the Big Three Wall Street Journal ads were admittedly crappy in the '70s, their ads have gotten MUCH better recently. They're actually competitive on a per-page basis to even the best Japanese car company ad!

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Marshfield

January 23, 2009 9:31 AM

I saw something very similar happen the other day. King 5 TV's (Seattle) website had an article about how \"everyone was thrilled at Obama's inauguration\" and there were reader comments at the bottom. Two comments, short and reasonable, both basically saying \"yeah, well, not me!\" and when I looked later, there were NO comments and leaving them had been disabled.

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zyodei

January 23, 2009 9:49 AM

I've had two Fords, the only two cars I've ever owned (a probe and ranger). They never gave me a problem once, EVER.

Especially with used vehicle, it is so much more important how well they are taken care of than anything else.

Still, the bailouts a joke, and I hope that Chrysler above all goes bankrupt. GM too, although I have a bit of affection for them. I'm only rooting for Ford, call me biased.

January 23, 2009 10:49 AM

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loueloui

Hmm, I don't agree. While I am fiscally conservative, well okay I'm cheap, and generally against giving our tax money over to private businesses, this is akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Taking out these ads may have cost say $100,000 at the most. That is about .006% of the money they received from us. On average it costs millions of dollars to design and engineer even something as lowly as the PT Cruiser.

Even if we paid for these ads in full, and even if you disagree with them, and think they are sappy, the sad fact is that even this example of largesse is almost too infinitesimal to worry about.

I myself actually think it's a nice touch that a company we saved from financial ruin is saying thanks. It's not like those bastards at AIG who just took the money and had a party.

3 replies

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Rectilinear Propagation

January 23, 2009 3:22 PM

@loueloui: If it were actually up to us they wouldn't have gotten the money. Thanking someone for something they didn't want to happen is really insulting.

Whether or not the money used on the ads was a significant part of the bailout funds doesn't change the fact that it was a waste of money. That they'd announce that they're wasting money we didn't want them to get from us is outrageous.

January 23, 2009 11:19 AM

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TaterTom

@loueloui: Largesse meaning gifts, money, their bestowal, or act of generosity, are you saying that the auto bailout was to small to worry about? Advertisements are certainly no gift, they are a purchase.

They can say thank you in a press release or on the web for free. They can say thank you by producing a business model that doesn't fail. They can say thank you by making a product that doesn't rely on nonrenewable resources.

January 23, 2009 11:46 AM

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Phexerian

@TaterTom: They have no right to blow any money of any amount of wasteful things like full page ads reminding us that our money was stolen, reminding us that corporate businesses run this country and can take our money at any time, and all in all giving the American citizen the biggest corporate middle finger since Nixon bailed out Lockheed Martin.

I agree with TaterTom, they could have saved money and done this for free. That would have been a good business decision as it saves money, but then again, this is why Chrysler is in this mess in the first place.

January 23, 2009 10:54 AM

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David in Brasil

The last Chrysler product that I bought was a 1979 Dodge Magnum. Go look up \"POS\" in your dictionary, and there will be a picture of that car...

January 23, 2009 11:00 AM

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TaterTom

I think this is strikingly similar to Marlboro's idea that they should spend more money advertising their donation to charity than the actual amount donated to charity.

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TPS Reporter

January 23, 2009 1:32 PM

Regarding American made cars, I had a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais (spelling?) that I bought at a dealer auction, our next door neighbor was a dealer so I got it for wholesale. It was great car. Never any problems except for general maintenance. My 1st car was a Plymouth Horizon (Chrysler) and it was a piece of junk. I bought a used Toyota Corolla and never had any problems. I've never looked back.
If anyone wants to loan me $1k, I'll spend half to put an ad out that thanks you from the bottom of my wallet.

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Inail

January 23, 2009 1:38 PM

I had the same slant six as an above poster in a '66 Fury and if they still made great engines like that we'd not be posting here.

As I see it, it's really not Chrysler's fault. Do they know better? Have they spent money wisely in the past?

It's the governments fault, yes our elected officials fault, for not having more oversight as to how our well earned and taxed money is being spent!!

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GyroMight

January 23, 2009 1:49 PM

Well everyone knows what is next, a full page ad thanking us for accepting their apology for the full page ad thanking us.

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startertan

January 23, 2009 2:02 PM

And another interesting tidbit I just found:

[www.reuters.com]

2 replies

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JollyJumjuck

January 23, 2009 2:32 PM

@startertan: FTA: \"Chrysler has cut 36 percent of its employees, taking its combined blue-collar and white-collar staffing to the lowest level since 1934.\"

Yes, \"Terminator\" is appropriate.

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econobiker

January 23, 2009 8:36 PM

@JollyJumjuck: Oh I wish they had written \"great Depression Era\" in place of \"1934\"...

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tworld

January 23, 2009 3:02 PM

Ads using OUR money . . . . to thank us??? This is the same type of stupid ideas that put the auto biz in the position they're in. The higher on the totem pole of executives, the more moronic the individual. Recent case in point, George W.

If you've never read the book, \"The Peter Principle,\" pick up a copy, or better yet, borrow it from the library.

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Anonymous

January 23, 2009 3:02 PM

It's not a *total* waste of money. The ad draws attention to Chrysler and its products. It's marketing. You know, that thing companies do when they want to sell stuff.

If you took the \"thank you for investing\" bit out, it would be just another car company advertisement. I'm not a fan of marketing in general but I accept that all companies do it.

So, yeah, cynical folk might be angry by it but it's really just an advertisement that includes a thank-you. If you're not going to get angry at Chrysler for every other advertisement they spent money on to market themselves, why get uptight about this one in particular? It's doing the same thing.

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ngwoo

January 23, 2009 3:51 PM

Although bombing their comment page with insults is funny, a DDoS would have been much more satisfying.

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jc364

January 23, 2009 4:00 PM

Haha, I like that last one by Thomas Jefferson.

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Jared Kelley-Hudgins

January 23, 2009 4:07 PM

For me, is it weird to say that not only is it that American reliability just sucks, but also their branding is atrocious.

C-mon, let's get some decent, minimal and functional industrial design as well as some decent branding.

Ford is one of the worst branding cases I've ever seen, followed closely by Chevrolet. They're just out of touch with the way that people are going, and if you need a bellwether of the corporate-consumer connection, branding is numero uno these days.

Get a clue American manufacturers.

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Matthew Sadler

January 23, 2009 6:17 PM

I had four American cars, and they all were pieces of junk... got to know my mechanic a little too well. Bought a Volkswagen and never looked back - and when my wife's car dies, we'll go buy her a VW too!

Screw you, Chrysler! What happened to survival of the fittest?

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Rohan Singh

January 23, 2009 7:07 PM

You would think that by now, corporations would realize that taking down a page or blog entry has no real effect on its availability. In fact, probably all it does is further raise the ire of those who commented on it.

2 replies

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econobiker

January 23, 2009 9:00 PM

@Rohan Singh: And generate further negative publicity. Such as Consumerist.com reporting on it...

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Rohan Singh

January 25, 2009 4:51 PM

@econobiker: Exactly. It would be a lot smarter for them to update the blog entry with an apology or something along those lines.

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crappedcrusader

January 23, 2009 9:09 PM

Alright! We're sooo on track for the big Domestic Auto Bailout of 2029! Everybody get your checkbooks! There sure will be lots of thankin!

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bbagdan

January 23, 2009 9:44 PM

Chrysler has introduced much innovative styling to the industry: Minivans, the Viper, the 300c, Ram trucks. They don't totally suck.

But it doesn't take a genius to figure out that your market share will continue dropping as there are more car companies than ever. You need to downsize and focus on your most profitable lines, then diversify into other industries. Simple.

January 24, 2009 12:02 AM

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Gatcha_Journalism

No one is contesting the fact that the WSJs ad design has improved since the 70's (shit, i would hope so...). However, the real issue that remains is the absolute waste of taxpayers money on bullshit ads that provide very little to NO return on investment.

Wasteful spending is what contributed to this financial agony of the American people.

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CHarlotte Kennedy

January 24, 2009 4:29 AM

My father sold Chryslers for many years and we always had a chrysler of some sort growing up. I've owned two, the last I currently own. A concorde and I love it. It's a shame what Chrysler has done to itself. The real picture is innocent families are workers that make the cars, putting them together by specific designs engineers have planned out. The government was looking at these innocent souls, who just want to put food on the table, pay their mortgages, and insurance bills. It's an outrage that the idiots higher up on the totem pole have screwed up these folks job stability. If the government really wanted to get things run right at Chrysler and start building better vehicles, they should ask the little men what should be done. Lately, I'm starting to realize that all these people with their masters and PHD's are screwing up everything! What ever happened to trusting and taking a man's (or woman's) opinion, someone whose been on the job for 30 years and seeing what really needs to be done? I salute those hard workers and to the men in the fancy offices, jets, and fine dining every night, I say F*!#@& off! You steal from your workers and the tax payers. I'm sadly ashamed to be supporting your butt. If I had a way, the rest of my car payents would go to the little man wiring the cars or the one freezing her butt off in a car lot somewhere, whose wife just had a baby, whose husband was just diagnosed with cancer, to the family whose trying to get 2 kids through college and the third is graduating next year instead adding money to your already fat bank account! Chrysler-- you blew it! A simple press conference with workers of all sorts from your company standing in the background, a small speech of thanks and some notes of improvements being currently made would have suited us tax payers just fine!

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a_pink_poodle

January 27, 2009 6:22 AM

Not like I had a choice in the matter, but this is just adding insult to injury.

LandofMinos, Prediction, probability of procuring a poncy Prius for purchase. Piss off!

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January 28, 2009 4:50 AM

Chrysler Australia died in the arse in 1980 and was bought by Mitsubishi and gave over 25 years of quality home grown (if a little boring) products.

Yes it was sad for some to see big Aussie V8 sedans by Chrysler go in favour of smaller Japanese style economy cars but at least it wasn't a burden on the Australian tax payer.

I think it's time for America to wake up and shoot this sick horse.