4th May 2016, 20:44
Clearly you haven't looked at JD Power or read many online articles if you are trying to say Chrysler is a benchmark of quality. Also there is no longer a Big 3; Fiat is the owner of Chrysler, which means it is not North American.
The interior of the RM vs 90s; yes it had less wood grain, but the fit and finish was a lot better (which doesn't say much). Both cars are beautiful to drive, but the 80s B bodies are far worse than the 90s.
5th May 2016, 01:50
Hmm. First you call the 1986 Buick "stodgy", but then you say it's an "unbeatable car" and "not bad today"... you really need to make up your mind.
5th May 2016, 09:46
The 1986 Electra... It was an unbeatable car in 1986 and an antiquated fossil today.
Sadly the Oldsmobile 307 V8 was an antiquated fossil before it left the showroom floor.
I never said Chrysler was the benchmark for quality. But show me anything that even competes with the 300 or Charger today, let alone offers rear wheel drive or all wheel drive even close to that price range.
As in the past, if it isn't a Honda or Toyota, JD Power and Associates has no interest in promoting it.
5th May 2016, 13:25
And they stated that GM builds "big ugly garbage", but yet they own an '85 LeSabre.
5th May 2016, 15:18
I currently own 5 cars. Out of all of them my crossover gets driven the most. Many of us moved to these type of vehicles.
I drove full size sedans with V8s for years. Minimal issues, as most were all highway miles.
The new crossovers handle well and many are very comfortable. My last ones were full size SUVs. The crossover has many merits.
Since this is back and forth domestic and import, try an Audi Q5. Great ride, and you can select modes on both as well as performance. And then there are infinite seating settings with better support and comfort.
We have seen people being stuck in 1986-87 on this review. And it makes sense being it is the year of this review. But if you move ahead to the present, look at what many full size sedan owners now drive today. I am really sold on crossovers. Maybe one day very large sedans and maybe large wagons may return. There has to be a demand for it. If you ride in a vehicle for many hours, try a completely loaded crossover. I am completely sold on them.
5th May 2016, 19:03
Imagine that... it's an "antiquated fossil" and it's only 30 years old... what a keen sense of critical analysis!
6th May 2016, 00:43
Big ugly, cheap garbage was in reference to the 1990s Roadmaster. What a rust bucket.
6th May 2016, 01:00
Agreed about living in the past, and it's all relative.
I remember being fresh out of college, looking at the first front wheel drive Electras and Olds 98s that came to my hometown in the summer of 1985... fresh off the truck... Buick had some weird deal for a few years where the hood opened hinged at the front instead of the firewall.
We stared at the sideways mounted engine, on a car that was dwarfed by the late model 1980 something Chevy Caprice next to it.
Some old school dealers and mechanics crowded around it... some amazed that such a "little" car had so much room inside; others weren't excited about how "complex" the new front drive was, and how Buick was going to ruin another good engine with all the electronics. They changed their minds when they got the chance to drive it.
The new fuel injected 3.8 and especially the 3800 that came out in 1988 were rockets compared to the already aging 3.8 with the 2-barrel carb. And amazingly fuel economy shot upwards right with horsepower.
They were not without their isolated problems, but 30 years ago this engine was one of the few things GM did right.
You can't stop time and progress, but if you have enough money, time and patience you can learn to appreciate older cars for what they are.
6th May 2016, 06:24
A 30 year old car could seem ancient if you are 30-40 years old today. I drove these cars brand new, which was the latest modern technology at the time. I am driving new cars today. I have the exact same feeling today. They seem modern, new and have minimal issues.
6th May 2016, 10:30
I remember driving my 280ZX, and in 4-5 years had rust appearing in the rear quarters. It was a very expensive car in the early 80s. Same era. Cars today have far better rustproofing. But what I am noticing is that recent paint quality has dropped on some new models I have bought. Environmental impact being the reason. The paint finish is a concern, plus it chips easier. No amount of waxing with high end detail products seems to help. The worst paint quality I have ever experienced was a new 2010 Ford Edge. Use of lighter materials to save fuel makes some cars seem flimsy inside and out.
The luxury cars I bought in the past seemed more solid. There are air bags and more safety today for the occupants. My dad had a 1962 Lincoln Convertible and Town Cars later. Those cars new were very plush with a great ride quality. And far more solid, no doubt with thicker panels and higher curb weight. On long trips you can feel that difference. Your MPG may be cut more than half, but many of us do not fret over that alone.
6th May 2016, 11:42
We have 3 late model Challenger Hemis and 2 Dodge Rams that are definitely part of the big 3. Not the big 2. Next we will be reading that a Mack is a Volvo. Or my case New Holland equipment is a Fiat with a logo on the side. It is a global economy and maybe they would like to sell worldwide in 170 countries vs just in the USA.
7th May 2016, 01:13
Yup, with your logic Toyota is also American because it has factories here.
The Challenger is a old Mercedes platform, with a motor designed by Mercedes, in a car reworked by Chrysler/fiat, that still can't line up the rear tail lights.
7th May 2016, 14:25
Plus the newest gen Challengers are extremely fast. Plus great instrumentation. Test drive the newer larger Hemi 6 speed. We added dummy cats, better intake and catch can, and went with dark lens. That's what you may be seeing most of from behind.
10th May 2016, 00:07
Since when is it a negative to share some Mercedes quality suspension components on a straight from the factory 170 mph Challenger? Higher top end yet with the Hellcat. Take a ride in a third gen. with the higher output Hemi and comment again on the "tired' platform. These cars are very far from being low end basic transportation. Their broad appeal covers the spectrum of both younger as well as older muscle car enthusiasts. The only limitations to some may be the high cost and insurance. But it's worth it.
4th May 2016, 11:23
Cadillac engines... If you refer to the Northstar from the 1990s, that thing drank oil worse than an old beat up farm truck.