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Open Letter to Chrysler & Ralph Gilles

144K views 228 replies 143 participants last post by  someotherguy 
#1 ·
What do you want to see become of the LX platform?
What running changes would you like to see in the existing vehicles?
What derivatives of the LX would make you buy another?
What do you want to see changed or added to the existing vehicles?

Post your comments and suggestions here so we can give DC ONE place to look (because we know you're watching!) ;)
 
#28 ·
DMAG said:
What do you want to see become of the LX platform?
What running changes would you like to see in the existing vehicles?
What derivatives of the LX would make you buy another?
What do you want to see changed or added to the existing vehicles?

Post your comments and suggestions here so we can give DC ONE place to look (because we know you're watching!) ;)
My feedback to DC on the Magnum:

1) Please fix the right pull issue.
2) Make the nav system either voice or touch-screen controlled.
3) Give us some auto-transmission alternatives - either manual or CVT.
4) 7/70 warantee was a big reason I switched to DC (I used to be a Nissan owner). Bring it back.
5) Dirty rear window - fix it somehow.
6) Please keep designing new and creative vehicles like the 300 and Magnum, at resonable prices.
 
#29 ·
1) Fixed a long time ago.
3) CVTs use bands and so far nobody has a material that will take the torque. Plus cvts are for economy vehicles to keep the engine in a narrow power band, not sport wagons. Forums not withstanding, it is doubtful the demand for a 5spd manual would be worth the tooling costs, emission certifications, and penalty to the corporate fuel avg.
4) The warranty is like rebates. If you don't need it to sell a car, you don't use it.
 
#30 ·
desquirrel said:
Forums not withstanding, it is doubtful the demand for a 5spd manual would be worth the tooling costs, emission certifications, and penalty to the corporate fuel avg.
Wouldn't a 5spd manual IMPROVE fuel efficiency?

btw, i like the automatic

and ditto to captain kirk on the nav system--current system is years behind the times
 
#31 ·
No, the engine and computer management systems control the trans, engine (and MDS). More than likely, a manual trans would not allow MDS to work. In modern engine/transmission combos, automatic transmissions can come within tenths of the mpg of manual trannies. With turbos, the auto is frequently faster 0-60 also due to the computer not letting the revs drop between shifts.
 
#32 ·
desquirrel said:
...
3) CVTs use bands and so far nobody has a material that will take the torque. Plus cvts are for economy vehicles to keep the engine in a narrow power band, not sport wagons. Forums not withstanding, it is doubtful the demand for a 5spd manual would be worth the tooling costs, emission certifications, and penalty to the corporate fuel avg.
...
Nissan figured out how to properly mate a CVT to the Murrano, if I recall correctly, a 250 horse SUV. Hardly an economy vehicle. It can be done.
 
#34 ·
I'm trying hard not to get hot under the collar, but this post merits some corrections:

desquirrel said:
2/3rds the size and power
Where are you getting your data?

Size seems a LOT closer than 2/3:

Curb weight of the Murano: 4000 lbs
Curb weight of the Magnum: 4125 lbs

Wheel base of the Murano: 111 inches
Wheel base of the Magnum: 120 inches

Overall length of the Murano: 188 inches
Overall length of the Magnum: 200 inches

Power:

250/340 = .735

That's more like 3/4 than 2/3.

Towing capacity: 3500 vs. 3800. A far cry from 2/3.

If you're saying that a 3.5 liter engine is a far cry from a 5.7, I agree. But in terms of the actual application, it looks like these large vehicles are very close. Granted, the Murano's 7.5 0-60 isn't quite as nice as the Magnum's low 6, but I still think the auto transmission is bleeding all sorts of power.

desquirrel said:
and Nissan had to do all kinds of tricks to keep the tranny together.
Could you explain what you mean? What are these 'all kinds of tricks'? Any website links you could point me towards? The only thing I've found so far is that it takes special trans fluid.

desquirrel said:
How long it stays together has yet to be determined.
The same can be said about the MDS in our Magnums, or the IMA systems in Honda hybrid cars. 40 years ago, the same could have been said about a hemispherical combustion chamber! I'm sure Nissan did due dilligence when testing the CVT, just like most auto companies do when putting newer technology into vehicles.

desquirrel said:
If you think it is in any way comparable, more power to you.
They sure seem comparable from where I sit. 3/4 of the drive-shaft power, and pretty close sizes and weights. The technology can't be that intolerant of an additional 90 horsepower.

Listen, I don't really want to argue the piddling details. I just want DC to see that there's customer interest in taking the power of the hemi engine, and putting as much of it as possible on the road. I don't know a ton about transmissions and torque converters and CVT technology. I just think it sounds like a really good way to get the most bang for your fuel buck.

Incidentally, a google search on 'V8 CVT' brought up this interesting page.
 
#35 ·
Auto-trans do not "bleed all kinds of power". maybe 1972 not 2005.

I haven't visited any Nissan forums or read their advertizing. If you want to know about the trans pick up the Car & Driver, Road & Track, etc issues from last year and you can read about developing the belts, etc.

It is hardly "newer" technology. They've been around for many decades. I think DAF might have used the first one (2 cyl minicar). And they can "refine" it all they want, it is still designed for 1 thing: keeping the engine in a narrow power band to maximize mileage. This is great for people who view a car as an appliance, but the posters here (who complain they can't pull redline with the autostick) would never endure the "enthusiast" penalty trade off involved. They can't give away SEs for the same reason.

As to "could they develop a CVT for high power". Sure, but it would be expensive and at absolute opposite ends of the spectrum (horsepower---fuel saver tranny). The reasons for a high power capable CVT would most obviously be heavy Diesel trucks where keeping in the narrow power band could greatly improve mileage.

A CVT is not a "power sapping" tranny, but it is a "performance sapping tranny" and against the whole philosophy of the Magnum.
 
#37 ·
vynil option for the R/T's. not only do i prefer leather to vynil for durability, i have a job where i have to run or work out 5 days a week, and only on the good days does that not involve running thru mud or rolling around on the grass. everyday would be sweat stain city if not for the thick wool blanket i keep in the cargo area.

vynil would be soooo nice. i just cant seem to justify cutting up the leather to makea pattern.
 
#39 ·
Here's what Daimler and Ralph Giles can do for everyone: Fix the crappy service we get at dealers. Especially those rated 5 star. I've read two or three stories today about incompentance and "can't reproduce problem" and "if you know too much it pisses off the service advisor". This is rediculous.

I want to work on my own car quite honestly, but there is some things I can't do, like download software fixes (that's another issue), so we have to bring it in. Dealers need to be subject matter experts for us on these cars (especially for those who don't do their own work), and they need to help us get what we want and to fix issues right the first time. I'd like to be able to consult with the tech who works on my car and work with him to get it right, as I'm a competent mechanic and electrical engineer who programs computers and flashes firmware all the time.

Chrysler needs to fix this service and make it more of a user friendly and user participatory experience when the interest is there. Hiding my car away out of site and running interference with "Service Advisors" is not friendly or showing care about me and my car. I therefore stay away unless absolutely necessary.

That's not good business in my opinion. If you didn't have great styling and fun to drive products you'd be in the same hole as Ford and GM.

Please fix this...Please!
 
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#40 ·
jtkirk said:
My feedback to DC on the Magnum:

1) Please fix the right pull issue.
2) Make the nav system either voice or touch-screen controlled.
3) Give us some auto-transmission alternatives - either manual or CVT.
4) 7/70 warantee was a big reason I switched to DC (I used to be a Nissan owner). Bring it back.
5) Dirty rear window - fix it somehow.
6) Please keep designing new and creative vehicles like the 300 and Magnum, at resonable prices.
I knew the 7/70 wouldn't last long. I think that has less to do with reliability and everything to do with the market and profitablity. You simply have more overhead and less profit with 7/70 in place.

One of the other alternatives to the Magnum is the Nissan Murrano. The CVT tranny gives that SUV an edge over the rest. I am curious how the longevity of that tranny will hold up. But I see no reason not to pour R&D money into that kind of technology. The ability dial in what spot on the power band you want to accelerate and cruise at seems invaluable to me. Other than for drag racing where torque reacxhes extreme levels I wouldn't be surprised to see CVTs take over the market.

One of my biggest knocks against the Magnum, and all the LXs for that matter, is it's lack of manual transmission. A Tremec T56 would set this wagon off! With a RWD config I don't see the downside to developing a stick version? Christ I've swapped autos for manuals and visa versa in my garge in F-Bodies. Why can't DC do it in a factory design? Stronger and more fuel efficient. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Mike
 
#41 ·
So you think a CVT is a "step up" over an autostick?? They've been around for 50 years and haven't taken over yet.

A CVT is a fuel economy device. An engine uses more fuel than it should when placed under load outside of it's band of maximum torque. With a CVT the engine climbs to its torque peak and stays there at near constant rpm as the CVT pullies constantly vary the torque multiplication needed. A perfect application for a CVT would be a diesel. People with sporting pretenses: apply elsewhere.
 
#42 ·
buschman said:
One of my biggest knocks against the Magnum, and all the LXs for that matter, is it's lack of manual transmission. A Tremec T56 would set this wagon off! With a RWD config I don't see the downside to developing a stick version? Christ I've swapped autos for manuals and visa versa in my garge in F-Bodies. Why can't DC do it in a factory design? Stronger and more fuel efficient. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Mike
Actually, in the specific case of the 5.7 MDS engine, a stick would provide less MPG than the current setup. The designers of the MDS system did not beleive that they could ever get the MDS to work reliabley with the stick.

So, there is the reason. However........the 6.1 is not an MDS engine??!!
 
#43 ·
desquirrel said:
So you think a CVT is a "step up" over an autostick?? They've been around for 50 years and haven't taken over yet.

A CVT is a fuel economy device. An engine uses more fuel than it should when placed under load outside of it's band of maximum torque. With a CVT the engine climbs to its torque peak and stays there at near constant rpm as the CVT pullies constantly vary the torque multiplication needed. A perfect application for a CVT would be a diesel. People with sporting pretenses: apply elsewhere.
I think you're confusing 'economy' with 'efficiency'. If I could use a CVT to maintain maximum torque all the way down the quarter mile, my car will be faster.
 
#44 ·
The dealer issue is the hardest to fix honestly. DCX is working on Customer Service right now, it's one of Deiter and Tom LaSorda's big issues atm.

As far as the 7/70, it's not coming back for a while. DCX quality costs are down a serious amount, and research has shown that 7 70 warrenty's aren't what draws the majority of people into the show rooms anymore from neither DCX nor any other Manufacturer.
 
#45 ·
Commonbelief said:
The dealer issue is the hardest to fix honestly. DCX is working on Customer Service right now, it's one of Deiter and Tom LaSorda's big issues atm.

As far as the 7/70, it's not coming back for a while. DCX quality costs are down a serious amount, and research has shown that 7 70 warrenty's aren't what draws the majority of people into the show rooms anymore from neither DCX nor any other Manufacturer.
That is an interesting first post. Are you a DCX employee?
 
#46 ·
What I would like to buy in a Magnum or any LX car???

1. 3L V6 turbodiesel from MB. (AWD option also)
2. 6 or 7 speed transmission to go with that diesel. (heck I'd take a 5spd even)
3. Heated cloth seat option.
4. XMRadio option.
5. MP3 capability on all radio's

If D/C offers a diesel LX by '08 I will be the first in town to own two of them. One for me and one to replace the wife's VW Jetta diesel.
 
#47 · (Edited)
DMAG said:
What do you want to see become of the LX platform?
What running changes would you like to see in the existing vehicles?
What derivatives of the LX would make you buy another?
What do you want to see changed or added to the existing vehicles?

Post your comments and suggestions here so we can give DC ONE place to look (because we know you're watching!) ;)
- better paint protection on front end and lower panels

- a Nav system that at least comes with my dealer's address on it and not his previous address and doesn't exist when you manually type it in

- a Nav system that is touchscreen rather than a joystick to spend 20 min "typing" in info

- a Nav system that only looks for places in your local area, not the store 2800 miles away that you have to scroll through to find local establishments

- auto down windows on the key remote like the VW's have on a Jetta nonetheless

- glove box light on $30k vehicles

- side air bags standard on $30k vehicles

- a cup holder that holds more than a med. drink

- a dealer that can remove water spots on a newly purchased vehicle (1 day old)

- OEM tires that don't squeal while taking a 10mph turn

- cruise control mounted on a stalk that turns with the steering wheel like Toyota's have for over 15 yrs, easier to use when driving.

- rear window open option for those longer loads that need to be brought home. Not the "2x4" misleading comment in the commercial, I mean whoever heard of a 6' long 2x4, they are 8' and longer and will NOT fit.

- a console that can hold cd in jewel cases like my Durango did (pssst, the car has a cd player)

- the rear cargo netting which attaches to these steel D-rings attached to PLASTIC mounts which give way!!! Netting only holds securely empty shopping bags or the like

- pockets behind the front seats for rear seat passengers

- better care in finishing these vehicles, ie: side moulding trim, can see the adhesive tape below trim. the rear window spoiler, plastic tape protruding out top and bottom

- and ventilated (cooling) front seats, especially driver's. for obvious reasons

And mind you, I've only had the magnum r/t for 5 weeks. My 01 Durango had no fit and finish issues.

I've had no experiences with the "5 star" dealership I've bought my car from as of yet, so no comments there. However, my dealer has a starbucks inside (with rep and free standard coffee which is just fine) and an Enterprise rentacar inside as well. Nice additions.

Also with less than 2k miles on it, no handling/rideability issues as of yet (and better not, that's why I dumped the Durango after 53k miles and a bad guide on cylinder 5 intake valve)
 
#49 ·
Automatic liftgate!!!
 
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