Consumer reports recommends NO Mercedes! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

iNeon · #16 03-01-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I don't agree with THAT! The 203 C Class cars, mechanically, structurally and sitting in the drivers seat are a Masterpiece IMHO. It's the gadgetry that makes a nightmare out of them. If you could wave a magic wand that took all that gadgetry out of it, it would be a GREAT car, and it would CERTAINLY be FAR superior to a Neon and MOST other cars when in the drivers seat.

They just got ahead of themselves on the technology with fiberoptics throughout the car, exotic traction control that even includes a gyroscope, etc.

There is a TREMENDOUS amount of Chrysler backlash from you people, and it's completely undeserved. Chrysler had many successes-- The 1993-2000 Chrysler cars are all gems apart from the imported Sebring/Avenger. The neon was selling 250,000 units a year not because it was a terrible automobile, but because it was far and away the best car in it's class. More power, more room, a better ride-- all for less money than anyone else's tiny box. It'd give a c220 quite the run for it's money.

It's good for the earth, too.

The particular examples I speak of are a 1997 Ram(210k) 1996 neon(totaled at 70k), 1998 neon(150k), 1997 Grand Cherokee(sold at 70k) and a 1997 Intrepid(sold at 175k) and the baby-- a 2003 Town & Country(50k)

My family has only ever had 1 car so needy as the w123 has been, and that was a 1987 Taurus. Chrysler cars may not beat Mercedes-Benz automobiles in trim, but they're superior in many ways. Don't confuse a nice car for a reliable one-- they rarely mix.

Chryslers problems are that Mercedes won't let them build the cars they're capable of building because they'd cannibalize E and S sales. The problem child over at MB is the w163 and that car's measure of influence on the current line. They've not been the same since that set of technology found it's way into every model.

Oh yeah, and I blame the Germans for the whole "any car you want so long as it's an SUV" thing at Chrysler. They're outsourcing the next compact to the Chinese. Thanks Daimler.

#17 03-01-2007, 11:56 AM

WOOoooww.... TOUCHY, Touchy, touchy.....

I worked for a short time at a very large Chrysler dealership and saw firsthand what the Neon is about. It's a service headache, a rattle trap and a FLIMSY put together car. I test drove a number of them to determine what ailed them, and I saw plenty of them ailing. It also is NOTHING when sitting in the drivers seat as compared to a 203 C Class. Note I say a 203 car. That is the one that they began building in MY2001. I never drove a 202 so I cannot comment on that one.

All that said, I'm very pleased that you are happy with it. Chrysler does indeed need customers to come from SOMEwhere.

JPMOSE · #18 03-01-2007, 12:08 PM

All my family members drive Mercedes (and have for years) and I must say most problems started with the W129 and W140 chassis forward. All the W113, W109, W111, W116, W126,W107 and W123 were much more "bullet proof"! I still think Mercedes makes great cars but ever since all the computerized functions have come into play....problems...problems...problems! I just wish Mercedes had imported many of the electronic items (mainly the ones added in the 1990's and forward) from Japan!

I don't blame these problems on Chrysler at all (although I think some of the new Mercedes styling has become a bit too jazzy for me tastes, but that's a subjective thing).