Faults:
The car is dark green; the paint on most horizontal surfaces has oxidized so badly, the car appears to be green and white now.
There is a large rust spot on the back left quarter panel and small rust spots all over the roof.
The electronic idle motor failed and that was very expensive to have repaired.
The pulley that runs all the belts is a two piece pulley; it broke and then broke the timing belt cover. Both had to be replaced.
The hydraulic cylinder in the clutch failed.
The car was delivered with a dent in the left rear quarter panel; the dealer sent me to a body shop in Calgary that was out of business.
When I took delivery, the low gas light was on - I had to buy gas just to be able to drive it home.
The switch on the driver's side to activate the interior light when the door opens has not worked properly since I bought the car - it usually sticks and requires manual intervention to activate it.
I do not smoke and rarely use the cigarette lighter; it is only used to power a hand held ham radio. Recently, I noticed it was loose and I discovered that it had literally fallen apart. (I would like to meet the engineer who designed the location of this device; it must have been quite a party).
The power mirrors quit working within months of the warranty expiring.
The screws have become loose on the trim along the driver's side door.
General Comments:
I have written to Chrysler several times and have been ignored every time.
My wife drives a Maxima and it is a truly wonderful car.
I will never buy another car from Chrysler.
Turning on the air conditioning as I drive down the road feels like I pulled on the emergency brake.
31st Mar 2003, 11:24
This is my 17 year old daughter's first car to get her back and forth to college. Purchased it privately for $850 less than a month ago. It broke down 40 miles from home. Stopped running and wouldn't start. Sounds like it is going to start, but doesn't. Pushed it to a nearby shop a couple of blocks away (thank god it's light). Mechanic says we need an MPI Control Unit which refurbished costs about $500-$600. And, yes, we were told it is a Mitsubishi and would cost a whole lot more from the dealership. We are now looking in Salvage yards where it should cost us about $325. Apparently, the Idle Speed Control Servo is bad (costs about $100-$200) and that is what caused the MPI to fry. I think we are going to get it fixed and pray for the best. Overall though, my daughter loves her little Laser RS!