Originally Posted by
arejohn
Perseption is reality.
Lee Iacocca said that he did not understand why the owners of Mistsubishi 3000s were more pleased with their cars than owners of Dodge Stealths because the cars were the same.
I always figured it was because Dodge service sucked.
Not entirely the case. The 3000 came with a 24 valve engine.
But yes, the dealership reputation was a big part of the problem. By the middle of the 90's that had been completely reversed. When Daimler took over, it again improved. There was a real excitement at the dealerships both is sales and in the shop.
Since 1965 I had always loved Mopar. We did have a few GM products in the 70's mostly the result of bad dealer service at Dodge/Chrysler. But then I read Iacocca's first book and literally went out the next day and bought a Lebaron Mark Cross Convertible. We were hooked ever since.
I also bought Benzes, so when these two companies joined I was ecstatic.
Just as I was about to pop for a 2002 SLK 320, the Crossfire Concept came into view. To me, it was a perfect child of that marriage. Still is.