Aussie Motoring

Chrysler announced today that it would be recalling over 290,000 SUVs to reprogramme the computer that’s connected to the anti-lock braking system.

It seems that Jeep Grand Cherokees, Jeep Wranglers, Dodge Nitros and Commander SUVs have experienced braking problems that has lead to at least one accident and all vehicles within the affected groups well be recalled.

Undoubtedly this recall will extend to vehicles in Australia.

Chrysler is also recalling Dodge Avenger sedans and Chrysler Sebring convertibles to have a problem with the door latches and locks corrected. There are over 72,000 vehicles covered by this recall.

by Stuart Livesey

Consumer Reports is a US based expert, indepenent, non profit organisation not unlike our Australian Consumers Association so when they do their annual report on the best and worst cars it’s well worth a look … unless you happen to be Mercedes Benz.

If you happen to be Mercedes Benz then the 2007 report5 does not make for good reading or good public relations. Almost every current Mercedes Benz model appeared in the list of the ‘least reliable’ used cars. The SL, SLK, CLK, CLS along with the E, R and M class models all made an appearance in the list.

Other manufacturers didn’t do much better. Five vehicles made it to the ‘most disappointing’ list and four of them were from Chrysler. Of interest to us here in Australia both the Sebring and the Caliber were included in that list.

You can read more about the report here

by Stuart Livesey

Unless something major happens between now and later in the year 2007 will see Chrysler make a big splash in the Australian motoring market place.

Last year we say Chrysler launch the Dodge Caliber - a rather unattractive vehicle that seems to be neither one thing nor the other.

And this year we’re scheduled to see the introduction of the Sebring - a convertible that is probably going to be priced a little beyond the reach of the average Australian motorist.

Apart from the fact that Chrysler makes both of these vehicle they share another common feature and that involves a Japanese car maker. You see, when Chrysler went into design mode with these two vehicles they decided not to start from scratch. Instead they started with a platform designed by Mitsubishi so the basis of both these vehicles is Japanese.

Proudly American … but made in Japan. I wonder if they mention that in their publicity.

Australian Summer Cars 4

We’ve looked at some of the European convertibles in this series so far so perhaps it’s time to look at some of the American convertibles that are either here or are coming.

Let’s start with the Chrysler Sebring; it won’t be available in Australia till sometime after September but there should be plenty of interest in this one.

The Australian specifications are yet to be released but in the US this front-wheel drive car comes with a 4 cylinder 2.4 litre motor and the base model retails for $26790.

The Australian version is expected to retail for something less than $A57,000 which suggests that we won’t be seeing the US base model out here.

Whichever version we end up seeing here in Australia it will be interesting to see what the critics think of it. The latest version of the Chrysler Sebring - as seen at the Detroit Motor Show - did not attract much favourable comment from American motor journalists.

Australian Summer Cars
2000 Holden Barina Cabriolet - the cheapest convertible

Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet - it’s French so expect the ususual.

BMW Series 3 Convertible - making it’s debut at the Brisbane Motor Show