1995 Chrysler Cirrus LXi review from North America

I purchased this car along with an extended warranty from a local dealer. The extended warranty was certainly a good investment, as it paid for itself two or three times over during its 24,000-mile lifetime. During the 44,000 miles I've had this car, I have replaced:

O2 sensor

EGR sensor

camshaft position sensor

crankshaft position sensor

distributor

A/C compressor

A/C lines

A/C evaporator.

(and the usual: brakes, tires, oil, etc.)

Most recently I've been told that the timing belt needs to be replaced before it goes out and that Chrysler recommends replacement of the water pump while the timing belt is off. Seems reasonable from a mechanical standpoint, but the cost estimate from a local Chrysler dealer is $1100 + tax. If I have this work done, the total cost of the repairs I will have made to this vehicle is in excess of $8,000. Since I purchased it for $6995, this disappoints me greatly.

When things are working well, I like the car quite well. It usually gets me from point A to B and back again.

The seats are comfortable for short distances, but uncomfortable for long car trips. Don't go from Florida to Alaska in this car.

Engine noise is very minimal.

A/C system does not do a very good job of cooling the car down. A dealer tells me that this is due to the "large amount of glass" in the Cirrus, but I have yet to come across passenger sedans with less glass.

This car is from the era when Chrysler and Mitsubishi partnered, and (as recently has been brought to light by the media) Mitsubishi is now acknowledging many serious design flaws in such vehicles as the Cirrus. The Chrysler dealer to which I have been taking this vehicle has seconded that opinion.