News Flash! Americans don't want expensive and unreliable cars😳

AbleGuy

Officious Intermeddler
More bad news for Stellantis?



The maker of huge American brands Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Ram reported a staggering 70 percent drop in profits for 2024.

The corporate owner of the brands, Stellantis — the third biggest automaker in the US — said it cannot sell cars quick enough, with one model sitting on lots for over a year before selling on average.

Steep prices for several models are putting off buyers. The Jeep Wagoneer, for example, starts at $59,000 and top models reach upwards of $114,000. “

Meanwhile, several cars, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler, are prone to breaking down frequently, landing below-average reliability ratings with Consumer Reports.

Americans don't want to buy expensive and unreliable cars - which has (led) to a 25 percent drop in sales in the US, with Jeep badly hit. That is a bigger fall than the 11 percent in Europe.

Globally, profits for Stellantis — which also makes Fiat, Peugeot, and Maserati —fell from $19.55 billion in 2023 to $5.78 billion last year, according to its latest earnings report.

Stellantis also blamed delays delays to the launch of new models — leaving gaps in its range.

One glaring weakness is Stellantis’ lack of a small pickup in the Ram lineup. The Dodge Challenger, previously the smallest vehicle in its portfolio, was discontinued after the 2023 model year, leaving a gap in its range.
 

deserteagle56

Adventurer
They definitely need to step up their game as far as reliability. I've been a Jeep owner for many years - but my current one is a 2006. A couple years ago I was considering buying a new one - more comfortable, more roomy than my TJ, and they featured that 8 speed automatic which is a wonderful transmission. So I began doing my research. Going on the Jeep forums, most of the posts I saw was of people crying about the problems their new Jeeps had. Atrocious service from Jeep dealers. And of course, atrocious prices. The Jeep I built on-line stickered at $71,000!

Still driving my 2006. It may not be as comfortable as the new ones but it IS reliable...and it IS paid for.
 

ThundahBeagle

Well-known member
More bad news for Stellantis?



The maker of huge American brands Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Ram reported a staggering 70 percent drop in profits for 2024.

The corporate owner of the brands, Stellantis — the third biggest automaker in the US — said it cannot sell cars quick enough, with one model sitting on lots for over a year before selling on average.

Steep prices for several models are putting off buyers. The Jeep Wagoneer, for example, starts at $59,000 and top models reach upwards of $114,000. “

Meanwhile, several cars, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler, are prone to breaking down frequently, landing below-average reliability ratings with Consumer Reports.

Americans don't want to buy expensive and unreliable cars - which has (led) to a 25 percent drop in sales in the US, with Jeep badly hit. That is a bigger fall than the 11 percent in Europe.

Globally, profits for Stellantis — which also makes Fiat, Peugeot, and Maserati —fell from $19.55 billion in 2023 to $5.78 billion last year, according to its latest earnings report.

Stellantis also blamed delays delays to the launch of new models — leaving gaps in its range.

One glaring weakness is Stellantis’ lack of a small pickup in the Ram lineup. The Dodge Challenger, previously the smallest vehicle in its portfolio, was discontinued after the 2023 model year, leaving a gap in its range.

They can blame delays of new model launches all they want. That's just whistling past the graveyard. Make a GD solid car. Make it reliable. Sell it at a reasonable price

And dont be afraid to get the electronics right, and dont be afraid to start selling stripped down Jeeps, Trucks, and Grand Wagoneers again. That's what people loved, that's what made ya famous
 

ThundahBeagle

Well-known member
More bad news for Stellantis?



The maker of huge American brands Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Ram reported a staggering 70 percent drop in profits for 2024.

The corporate owner of the brands, Stellantis — the third biggest automaker in the US — said it cannot sell cars quick enough, with one model sitting on lots for over a year before selling on average.

Steep prices for several models are putting off buyers. The Jeep Wagoneer, for example, starts at $59,000 and top models reach upwards of $114,000. “

Meanwhile, several cars, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler, are prone to breaking down frequently, landing below-average reliability ratings with Consumer Reports.

Americans don't want to buy expensive and unreliable cars - which has (led) to a 25 percent drop in sales in the US, with Jeep badly hit. That is a bigger fall than the 11 percent in Europe.

Globally, profits for Stellantis — which also makes Fiat, Peugeot, and Maserati —fell from $19.55 billion in 2023 to $5.78 billion last year, according to its latest earnings report.

Stellantis also blamed delays delays to the launch of new models — leaving gaps in its range.

One glaring weakness is Stellantis’ lack of a small pickup in the Ram lineup. The Dodge Challenger, previously the smallest vehicle in its portfolio, was discontinued after the 2023 model year, leaving a gap in its range.
Give us a new Dakota to go up against Colorado and Ranger. And give us a Rampage to go up against the Mav. And get us some inexpensive, stripped down models
 

Todd780

OverCamper
They can blame delays of new model launches all they want. That's just whistling past the graveyard. Make a GD solid car. Make it reliable. Sell it at a reasonable price

And dont be afraid to get the electronics right, and dont be afraid to start selling stripped down Jeeps, Trucks, and Grand Wagoneers again. That's what people loved, that's what made ya famous
You can still get a stripped down jeep here? They even have crank windows.

Screenshot 2025-02-27 154036.png

Screenshot 2025-02-27 154132.png

But, the majority of people don't want base model vehicles. Dealers stock what sells. Most cheapy stuff got cancelled cause no one wanted it.

I'm a wuss, at bare minimum I want heated seats and a remote start, lol
 

ThundahBeagle

Well-known member
You can still get a stripped down jeep here? They even have crank windows.

View attachment 871457

View attachment 871458

But, the majority of people don't want base model vehicles. Dealers stock what sells. Most cheapy stuff got cancelled cause no one wanted it.

I'm a wuss, at bare minimum I want heated seats and a remote start, lol

Jeep is about the only place you can get stripped down. Which is odd because its part if Stellantis, which us who is having g a hard time.

But this stripped down Jeep is nearly $500 a month, unfortunately. I know prices go up but geesh
 

86scotty

Cynic
They definitely need to step up their game as far as reliability. I've been a Jeep owner for many years - but my current one is a 2006. A couple years ago I was considering buying a new one - more comfortable, more roomy than my TJ, and they featured that 8 speed automatic which is a wonderful transmission. So I began doing my research. Going on the Jeep forums, most of the posts I saw was of people crying about the problems their new Jeeps had. Atrocious service from Jeep dealers. And of course, atrocious prices. The Jeep I built on-line stickered at $71,000!

Still driving my 2006. It may not be as comfortable as the new ones but it IS reliable...and it IS paid for.

I bought my wife a '21 2.0 turbo Wrangler in 21. Has about 36k on it now and has given us no problems whatsoever. It did pitch a fit when the factory battery died a few months ago. Weird symptoms can happen and fool you with the dual battery setup (lithium auto-start battery or whatever it is) under the main battery. Replaced main battery and no further problems.

Just my vote that they are still pretty reliable vehicles. Jeep Wranglers fall into that category of being so popular with so many on the road that even if you read lots of complaints online there are still millions of happy customers driving around happily with nothing to complain about.
 

yamaha225

Active member
You can still get a stripped down jeep here? They even have crank windows.

View attachment 871457

View attachment 871458

But, the majority of people don't want base model vehicles. Dealers stock what sells. Most cheapy stuff got cancelled cause no one wanted it.

I'm a wuss, at bare minimum I want heated seats and a remote start, lol
This! I have heard so many people complain about how all they want is a base model vehicle and if automakers would just make a simple car they’d sell like hotcakes.

In addition to the wrangler you can also get base model pickups and base model cars. But guess what, everyone buys the higher trim levels because they like the features. And I also think there is some amount of “keeping up with the Jones” involved for many people as well.

I’ll also say that at least the Wrangler is pretty dang reliable especially if you get the 3.6 V6 and a manual transmission.
 

86scotty

Cynic
This! I have heard so many people complain about how all they want is a base model vehicle and if automakers would just make a simple car they’d sell like hotcakes.

In addition to the wrangler you can also get base model pickups and base model cars. But guess what, everyone buys the higher trim levels because they like the features. And I also think there is some amount of “keeping up with the Jones” involved for many people as well.

I’ll also say that at least the Wrangler is pretty dang reliable especially if you get the 3.6 V6 and a manual transmission.

I had a manual transmission 3.6 before her 8 speed auto 2.0. Never going back. That 6 speed Wrangler (a 2016) was the slowest, most anemic vehicle I've ever owned. Something about the 6 speed manual Jeep in those years was just lousy. I strongly recommend trying before you buy.
 

ThundahBeagle

Well-known member
You can still get a stripped down jeep here? They even have crank windows.

View attachment 871457

View attachment 871458

But, the majority of people don't want base model vehicles. Dealers stock what sells. Most cheapy stuff got cancelled cause no one wanted it.

I'm a wuss, at bare minimum I want heated seats and a remote start, lol

Man, I admit, remote starter is a Godsend in cold, snowy winter days. Fire that mother up, and by the time I shovel the snow to make a path to her. She's nice and warm.

Heated leather seats? Never thought in a million years I'd have them. Lady Beagle insisted. Well, I ain't complainin'.

But I'm in my 50's and I bought it used. And I still like the idea of stripped models.

(I heard it right after I said it)
 

ThundahBeagle

Well-known member
This! I have heard so many people complain about how all they want is a base model vehicle and if automakers would just make a simple car they’d sell like hotcakes.

In addition to the wrangler you can also get base model pickups and base model cars. But guess what, everyone buys the higher trim levels because they like the features. And I also think there is some amount of “keeping up with the Jones” involved for many people as well.

I’ll also say that at least the Wrangler is pretty dang reliable especially if you get the 3.6 V6 and a manual transmission.

A new pickup truck started showing up in our office parking lot. Not brand new, just new to being in the lot. It's a GMT900, probably a 2007 to 2010. Totally stripped down. White, crank windows, 5.3 liter, shifter for 4x4 -not a button or dial, single cab, 6 and a half foot bed, no bed liner, cloth seats...with a 2 or 3 inch lift and BFG TA KO2's. Dont look like much but shes got it where it counts, right?

Love my truck but a truck like this holds a special place in my heart.

Kind of like all those U-Haul Chevy pickups for rent. Elegant in simplicity
 

Zeep

Adventurer
I have a '05 LJR, and the wife ordered a '21. Both have been very reliable so far but, I do worry about the battery issue on hers. She has a lot of bells and whistles on hers. Mine is stupid simple, with manual trans.
Stellantis seems to be run by lawyers and not car guys. Friends' wife works where the Grand Cherokees are built, and they keep building them, even when they're not selling. They seem to be very mismanaged.
 

Todd780

OverCamper
Man, I admit, remote starter is a Godsend in cold, snowy winter days. Fire that mother up, and by the time I shovel the snow to make a path to her. She's nice and warm.

Heated leather seats? Never thought in a million years I'd have them. Lady Beagle insisted. Well, I ain't complainin'.

But I'm in my 50's and I bought it used. And I still like the idea of stripped models.

(I heard it right after I said it)
Yer fancier than I am! The heated seats in my truck are cloth. I don't even have leather! :ROFLMAO:

Wifes Bronco Sport has a heated steering wheel. Kinda thought that was useless.... until I drove it. It's quite lovely. I could still manage without though.

Biggest surprise to me was how much I love the 360 cameras in my truck. When I ordered it, I was going to pass on the option. But, decided it would be handy for hooking up to my trailer which I do on my own 90% of the time. Love, love, love them! Especially when parking a 22' long vehicle, lol

Again, not required. But, nice to have....

Not sure if it's an option on the Wranglers, but I'd probably pass as I don't think I'd need it for the driving I'd be doing.

If I can find one, ideally I think a Sarge Green Willys 2 dr with the turbo 4, 8 spd auto, hard top, heated seat pkg would give me everything I'd want / need.

Rubis are cool, but probably overkill for the offroading I'm doing. Just seems most 2 dr Wranglers here are either base model like the one I pictures above or loaded Rubicons.
 

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