Chrysler to cut 13,000 jobs;

Since 1979? Into practicality? Sounds like you want a K car.

You hit the nail on the head. Toyota, Honda, and the others have a very clear understanding of what the customer wants and what the customer will buy. Then, they actually build it. The Big 3, on the other hand, tend to build cars they THINK the customer wants then goes to all lenghs to convince them. Much like pushing a rope.

Never. I rented one once and couldn't stand it's very poor handling. It was so poor I almost wet off a corner that my Horizon TC3 hardly noticed. I found out they set up the K car to appeal to the typical American driver so not surprising I didn't like it. I'm from the European car handling school!

Well someone who thinks like me.

The big 3s convincing has been so poor the last few years. I haven't seen an intelligent auto ad for several years. They need to tell me why I should like a vehicle, not do stupid things in an ad to get my attention. The "foreign" makers have also started falling into this wasted advertising effort.

I.e., Toyota's silly "balance beam" ads to try to convince people that their crappy Lexus V8-powered trucks are worth a crap. Doesn't matter...they're still as much garbage as their "1 tons" of yore, which were really bad. Meanwhile, Nissan's ready to start throwing in the towel on its Titan line....just as I predicted.

I have to start thinking about a replacement for my LHS and, frankly, I'm at a total loss.

I DON'T want a truck or a minivan and I certainly don't want a SUV, so right off the top that eliminates two-thirds of the Chrysler line-up. I had initially thought Dodge Challenger, but lately my social conscious has been kicking up a stink, so I've decided it must be fuel-efficient AND it must be a hybrid and, ideally, one of the plug-in variety.

Some will argue hybrids make no economic sense and others might suggest a diesel would be a better alternative, but I really don't care. I *WANT* a hybrid and, regrettably, Chrysler doesn't offer one. And if and when they do, it will likely be available only on a truck or SUV, which would be of no interest to me whatsoever.

I have a big emotional commitment with this company. I'm also a shareholder (yes, it is a sad tale of woe we speak). I desperately want my next car to be a Chrysler but there's nothing that meets my basic criteria and so there's a good chance I'll have to turn elsewhere. I can't tell you how disappointed I am right now.

Cheers, Paul

There's not much we can do about it, but all the talking financial heads are blubbering about how Chrysler is "dragging down" the finances of Mercedes. They must have all gone crazy, or else I am. The perception in the financial world is that Chrysler is the part that sucks. I think they just forgot that it was Mercedes.

The stock sure went up a lot today! 4% or so.

, February 14, 2007.

You and I are on the same page, except I sold my Chrysler stock (twice) making good profit on their ups and downs since '81. Fortunately my LH is still running very well and I still like it, so I'm being faithful to Chrysler by not buying another vehicle for now. However a 10+ yr old car was not in my plan as I can easily afford new.

The hybrids also interest me, but I haven't seen one that meets my needs. The Camry is very close, but with the battery in the trunk there isn't enough trunk space for my needs. The hybrids with large engines, such as the Honda Accord V6, make no sense as the fuel savings are not there in real life driving.

However the whole NA auto industry currently in flux, so waiting out the situation is probably the best move. Continuing with a clean running old car is actually good for the environment; manufacturing a new car is quite a load on the environment.

Chrysler said they need more fuel efficient vehicles, then in the same breath they announced a muscle car for 2008. I'm not so sure about their recovery and DC dumping Chrysler may be a good move to get Chrysler on a different track.

It seems more often than not, Chrysler's offerings are a little out of sync with the marketplace. I don't want to bash trucks and SUVs -- to each their own -- but coming out with something like the Chrysler Aspen (and doesn't that name bring back some truly horrific memories) at a time when the public is becoming increasingly concerned about the environment, when large SUVs carry an undeniable social stigma and when many of us are genuinely worried about the future cost of energy seems absolutely incredulous. To me, this is another classic example of "what the f*ck are they thinking?".

For three generations, my family has bought Chryslers and you would be hard pressed to find anyone more loyal to this brand (seven out of my eight vehicles have been Chryslers). But right now you might say I'm a little angry with this company.

I have five more payments on the 300, so nothing will happen until July at the earliest, but for the first time I can recall, I'll be carefully evaluating all my options.

Cheers, Paul

P.S.: I bought DCX very close to its peak; from that po>You and I are on the same page, except I sold my Chrysler stock (twice)

Did you ever close the door of an Altima? Sounds like it doesn't use the best of parts. I was considering one but not so sure know. Sound pretty "tinny" and cheap.

I'll have to try that if I test drive one and shut the door behind me.

One of the many things the so-called environmentalists ignore.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')