I Like Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 12/07/2018 at 13:04 • Filed to: Memes, FCA, Hellcat, BMW, Mopar

6

35

Last true “enthusiast” brand these days. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! right now (dangerous, I know) and realized how we don’t give FCA enough credit.

^ nice . FCA truly has a sense of humor too.

Milky > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:12

2

Same.  The only thing I have against FCA is killing the Viper instead of giving it an automatic.  

way2blu does a rev update > Milky 12/07/2018 at 13:16

5

It’s like the inverse of what happened to the Subaru Forester XT:

Subaru: * makes enthusiast SUV*

Enthusiasts: yay!

Subaru: CVT only

enthusiast SUV:  2% of sales

Subaru:

For Sweden > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:18

4

FCA is good

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:20

2

I was surprised how much time I spent waiting for the wifey to test drive FCA vehicles (Wrangler, Challenger, 500, Ram 1500). She’s not really that conscious of what FCA is or car stuff in general, but it seems like anything interesting to her these days is made by them.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:22

1

ugh

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:22

1

i like fiats... and i liked the chrysler i had

so i guess i like fca

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:39

7

For all the flak we give FCA on the reliability and safety front, the most unreliable, unsafe modern FCA car is still worlds better than typical cars of the 1980s.  And they do that while offering a variety of interesting products that have a huge following.

Spanfeller is a twat > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:42

0

I mean, they do have a point.

RPM esq. > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:50

1

Last true “enthusiast” brand these days

FCA’s fine and makes some cool things ( if you don’t give a shit about build quality, anyway) but let’s not go overboard.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 13:52

4

Of all FCA brands I like Dodge right now and I applaud what they’re doing especially the part where they stick the absolute beast of a V8 NA or Supercharged in anything and everything.

Three major complaints I commonly hear are this:

1. Reliability- Yes overall they’re not good as a whole brand, but some specific models are more reliable than others. I subscribe to Consumer reports and the Dodge Charger, Challenger and Chrysler300 are equal or better than comparable American cars and even some Japanese sedans for 2016 and 2017 models. And if they continue till the all new ones comes 2020ish, final years should have more than above average reliability. The 5.7 seems to be solid, and so does the ZF 8 speed.

2. Cheap Interiors- I don’t mind, as long as it is within a certain price-point. Soft plastic and some hard switches on something new or used under $30K?fine. But on a new $60K Hellcat or Durango? hard pass. But they have comfortable seats, and are spacious. I rented a Chrysler 300s recently and I saw not fit and finish issues. Also, Uconnect more than makes up for the rest of the interior- It is fast and easy to use.

3. Old platform, heavy- So what? It’s not like they haven’t improved on that MB chassis since 2005. I would argue that since they have been steadily working on it and that means they have been incremental improvements.Plus these are GT cars IMO, not sportscars. You’re not taking them on a track everyday or a canyon run every weekend. They are big, comfortable and fast and unabashedly American, and from what I have read and seen handle pretty well for their size. Speaking of which, I have only driven V6 Chargers and 300s, perhaps I should try testing the 5.7 or 6.4s sometimes.

A used V8 Charger (5.7 or 6.4) or Chrysler 300 is not out of the question for me in the future as a family sedan. They are the last true remaining Large American RWD sedans and I like their appeal. They offer a lot of bang for buck. Example- You can get a 2 year old 2016 300s that cost $45K new, with the V8, leather heated vented seats navigation panoramic roof etc. for under $25K

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

https://www.carfax.com/phoenix/sticker/v3/CHRY/nbA7E7xlGq8b0yoQk8wluVf5v95EQGxUeBHjYdHILNo.cfx

ihm96 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 12/07/2018 at 14:06

2

If you want nicer plastics in your 60k 707hp beast then you dont get 707 hp lol. If you want nice materials and over 700 hp expect to pay ferrari money

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > ihm96 12/07/2018 at 14:12

2

Of course 707 HP negates everything else. Looks like 2019s have better materials all around. But something like a Durango where they’re competing with luxury SUVs in pricing especially , they need to do better. But that’s OK with you because 6.4 Hemi, then good for you!

Textured Soy Protein > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 14:41

1

I’m not going to defend BMW because they forgot how to make steering feel, and CarPlay but not Android Auto is a damn $300 option that they want to (or maybe already have) switch to a subscription plan when that shit comes standard on base model Kias.

I want to like Alfa Romeo, but they need to work on their reliability, and offer an intermediate engine option between the 2.0T (which is admittedly one of the more powerful ones available) and QF models.

way2blu does a rev update > Textured Soy Protein 12/07/2018 at 14:55

0

Alfa Romeo: we’re the passionate enthusiast brand and all about driving dynamics and we’re BACK in America

Enthusiasts : yesssss

Alfa: and we have a carbon-fiber, mid-engine, direct-steering, fun-to-drive sports car!

Enthusiasts: heck yesssss

Alfa: and it’s automatic only

4C: sells freakin DOZENS

Alfa:

Textured Soy Protein > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 15:07

1

I think the issue with the 4C is less that it’s got flappy paddles and more that it’s a pain to get in and out of and the seats are only sized for 7/8-scale adult humans. I’ve tried it. I’m an athletic 5'11" and 205 lbs with a 34" waist, but my ass is too big for the seats. It’s a toy of a car even among toy cars.

ihm96 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 12/07/2018 at 15:17

0

Lol you would never catch me dead shopping for a new luxury SUV and if I was it would be an AMG most likely. My point is just that its different goals. If you want a really nice interior and a quick coupe you can for something like an E400 Coupe that clocks in at 60k with all the nicest materials and comforts but only a mere 300+ horses. If you want to pay 60k but want double the power, you get cheaper materials haha. I’ll stick to my two 90s BMWs though until I get rich, and then I’ll just buy classic cars

fintail > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 15:19

2

Never owned one, but I have rented many (Charger, Challenger, 300, Grand Cherokee) and haven’t hated any of them. If anything, I will give them credit for uconnect being really easy to use, and the Challenger Scat Pack I rented last month was kind of cool:

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 12/07/2018 at 16:17

2

I stand firm on the belief that FCA reliability is directly tied to the types of people who generally own them.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 12/07/2018 at 16:26

0

Overall, FCA has been an incredibly good influence on Chrysler car interiors.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 12/07/2018 at 16:38

1

I think a lot of FCA’s reliability issue comes from the general types of people who buy them.

Usually they’re lower income people who can barely afford the payments, let alone afford the maintenance required to keep it in top shape, so they buy them, drive them into the ground, then complain when things break.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Spanfeller is a twat 12/07/2018 at 16:40

0

“They” have clearly never actually driven one.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 16:42

0

I’m with you on this one.

i86hotdogs > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 12/07/2018 at 17:16

0

C ouldn’ t agree more on this. Too much power being accessible too easily. 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 12/07/2018 at 17:19

2

That factor definitely comes into play but it’s only one of the factors. I feel disregarding reliability surveys and ratings completely is as ill-advised as completely trusting them . I am brand agnostic, so I look at model specific info, and the forums are great for that. Even Toyota has had unreliable models.

CB > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 17:50

0

I really don’t think “let’s put stupid power in a few of our cars” makes them an enthusiast brand. There’s a lot more to being a car enthusiast than going fast in a straight line.

Spanfeller is a twat > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 12/07/2018 at 18:04

0

I’ve driven countless FCA products and my conclusion is that the engine does make a big difference.... in all of them.

My jeep without the 5.7 wouldn’t be worth it IMHO. I feel like they’re GTA debadged cars: no character 

way2blu does a rev update > CB 12/07/2018 at 18:06

1

CB > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 18:13

1

One car that got killed off.

way2blu does a rev update > CB 12/07/2018 at 18:19

0

Because it’s actually less of a value proposition than the straight-line cars. The Hellcats & Demons & Hellephants are good for FCA. Launching towards a brighter future in 10 seconds or less...

jasmits > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 21:12

0

Strongly disagree. It’s our own fault that we aren’t getting the next hot Fiestas and Focuses in the states, they’re still going to be making them . And who knows, we weren’t sure the last crop would make it here either and they did. FCA has the Wrangler, otherwise they don’t beat Ford for enthusiast cred in a single segment. And even that is a give and take with the Ranger Raptor.

way2blu does a rev update > jasmits 12/07/2018 at 21:47

0

That’s fair, Mustang & Raptor are nice for sure. The new Edge ST doesn’t really have the cool factor of a Durango  SRT or GC Trackhawk though.

jasmits > way2blu does a rev update 12/07/2018 at 22:33

0

Definitely true, but it blows the Journey GT out of the water which it’s more apples-to-apples with.

Also I’m not really sure I’d call the Durango SRT an enthusiast vehicle and for the same price as a Trackhawk you could have an F150 Raptor and your choice of a Focus ST, Fiesta St, Ecoboost Mustang, CPO Mustang GT or CPO Focus RS(and a new GT or RS wouldn’t push the budget out toooo far), I know where my $87 grand would go.

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > CB 12/10/2018 at 04:40

0

I’ve driven a large variety of their cars at my work, and they’re highly endearing in the most subtle ways. Like the oil dipstick says SAFE on it, Jeeps are co v ered in drawings, even the 200 Chrysler has a picture of the Detroit Skyline (except they 9/11'ed Ford’s buildings out of the picture). And let’s not forget the six (SIX!) mystery buttons on the back of the steering wheel. What do they do? Who knows, let’s press ‘em.

Also, almost all of their cars (save 500L and Journey?) have some kind of kickass engine offering. From 200 to Sebring to 500 to Dart to Ram whatever, they’re all either loud or fast (if you pay up).

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > way2blu does a rev update 12/10/2018 at 04:41

1

4C: The only car famous for its handbrake surround panel.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 12/10/2018 at 07:24

0

Seems like any time I hear of an issue with Mopar, say the 90s “transmission issues” for example, the majority of them are the direct result of poor maintenance.

When you take a transmission that should have it’s fluid/filter changed every 15-30k (depending on use) and drive it 100+k without changing the fluid/filter, it’s on you.

I feel like at this point, reliability surveys are just people’s bias playing into their info.