Chrysler, GM Closures: 10 Ways To Get Huge Deals

Wall Street Journal:

Chrysler and General Motors last week said they were closing nearly 2,000 dealerships across the country as part of their restructuring plans. And that, of course, means a lot of inventory must be sold quickly.

This hits an industry already struggling with a collapse in sales. It's the biggest buyer's market in living memory.

Looking to take advantage? Here are ten things to bear in mind.

Read the whole story: Wall Street Journal

Comments

[BlueZoo]

One item of note not mentioned in the article is that the dealers who have to close are stuck with whatever their inventory is. Neither Chrysler nor GM are taking the inventory back so these dealers are ready to make any possible deal. If you know how to work on your own autos, this is a terrific time to buy a car and you won't see these deals again!

[bluedoctor]

At least not until the next market crash....

[thrugreeneyez]

What will they do with the Hummers that they probably can't even give away?

Maybe homeless people can use them for shelter as they are about the same size as a studio apartment.

[KillTheMessenger]

Wait... I wouldn't have bought a car from them when they could honor their warranties. Now buying a car from them when they can't is supposed to be a good deal? Sounds like short term thinking is alive and kicking in the good old US of A.

:-)

[susan20515]

You would have to be nuts to buy a car from one of these companies.

[thrugreeneyez]

Only a fool would buy a car from them.

[JScott]

The Chrysler 300 is really really nice-compact size (relatively speaking) spacious interior, decent engine rack & pinion steering, 4w disc brakes all independent suspension with RWD-pretty much the same specs for a MBZ or a Corvette.

Dodge Ram ok for a truck I guess.

I'd say all their RWD cars before the K series were really really old and backward-the last to use old tech live axle semi elliptic leaf springs unchanged from the end of WWII up unitl the stopped making em in the early 80's, only diff. was the torsion bar front suspension.

[bluedoctor]

Other than perhaps the Dodge Ram, Chrysler products are terrible. Overall, GM is average in terms of quality when compared to other brands but Chrysler is really bad. The American automakers in general, perceptions of reality are behind the actual reality; people who assume that all American cars are bad are misinformed. But Chrysler actually deserves the negative labels.

Defenders of Chrysler will likely point blame at Daimler. Since before Daimler took over, Chrysler was really healthy. Ok, lets blame Daimler for Chysler's downfall. It doesn't change the current situation however. Whomever deserves the blame, it doesn't change the fact that Chrysler sells some of the worst cars in the US.

[BlueZoo]

How many Chryslers have you owned? I have a 1987 (yes!) fuel-injected Chrysler LeBaron that has had one repair in its lifetime - a radiator. I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee that has had NO repairs in its lifetime. I've driven both cars across this country several times with no problems whatsoever. Simple and consistent maintenance avoids a myriad of problems with any car. I'd buy a Chrysler product any day of the week!

[bluedoctor]

My dad had an '87 plymouth voyager and I had a '00 dodge stratus.

The stratus was ok but after hitting 120,000 miles I had $500 repairs every 9 months until I got rid of it in October at 148,000 miles. The voyager was terrible. Stopped dead on the road a few times before it had even hit 100,000 miles. He had to get the engine rebuilt a couple times and he ended up spending a small fortune on repairs. He has owned GM and Ford since then (my dad is fervent believer in buying American only) and has experienced fewer problems. He has an oldsmobile now that is having its share of costly repairs and is becoming reminiscent of his '87 voyager. He tells me that his next car will likely be a Ford Escape.

So my family has had bad experiences. Seems like you haven't. I'm actually pretty jealous, but still happy for you.

What I said about Chrysler's quality is backed up by recent quality surveys from basically everyone but a couple examples are JD power and Consumer Reports. It seems that everywhere I read a review of Chrysler built product has a very negative review. Recently I have read that Chysler's poor record is tied for last with Suzuki. That doesn't mean I'll swear off them forever. I actually love rooting for the underdog and right now ain't no one more of an underdog than Chrysler.

[AZterritory]

Yeah, great deals. But then at the end, you've got a GmM or a Chrysler . . .