1996 Chrysler Cirrus Consumer Reviews

Terrific car!

Written by: A Brown on 03/05/2003

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LXi Sedan

Review

I have had nothing but good driving from this car. It is zippy and fun, yet roomy enough and with features which allow haulage of larger items. Great!

Favorite Features

Nice acceleration

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders do not hold tall cups

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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currently looking

Written by: nice carnot reliable on 01/08/2003

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LXi Sedan

Review

We bought this car after looking at another chrysler LX. We liked the leather and sound better. since the buy, we have had lots of problems. rear tail light quit working due to a corosive electrical plate($50). then the ABS went out($500plus). and now the brakes wont work half the time. when we press the peddle down every once in a while it just wont move. very dangerous! no one can figure it out without ripping into it deep and charging an arm and a 2 legs. very unsatisfied.

Favorite Features

sound system, looks, power(V6)

Suggested Improvements

reliability, part prices

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Love This Car!

Written by: Cirrusly Tuned on 12/04/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

I bought my Cirrus used in 1998 with 50K on the odometer and haven't had a problem with her since. I have done all my own maintenance on the vehicle even though I am a layman when it comes to car repair. I have found quite a few aftermarket parts available and I have spent a little time at the track. The ride quality is good and the engine is peppy. A big bonus is the ability to carry 5 full size adults.

Favorite Features

Rooominess, instrument layout, easy maintenance.

Suggested Improvements

Stronger transmission.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Ok car, but beware reliability gotchas

Written by: jmkf on 11/11/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

This is a very nice car -- when it is working. We have had several major repairs over the life of the car (we are second owners, but might as well have been the first, since we got it with 9k miles). The A/C was addressed twice, the 'spark plugs and engine electrical' many times (until out of warranty when a third-party garage actually found the problem and replaced the alternator/coil assembly), and the climate controls had to be replaced once.

Favorite Features

HANDLING!!! This car has a great suspension. Unfortunately, it is mated to either a POS 4-cyl. or a mediocre 6- cyl.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability -- we will be driving this car into the ground and, unfortunately, I don't think that will be that long nor will it be at a very large number of total miles.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Glad We Bought the Extended Warranty!

Written by: mcambs on 09/29/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

The poor reliability of my V6 Cirrus LX will prevent me from ever buying Chrysler products again! The styling is great and it was fun to drive but it was often in the shop for MAJOR repairs. The entire air conditioning system was replaced over one extremely hot summer and the entire rack and pinion was also replaced. I'm glad we paid for the extended warranty when we bought the car new! At 70K miles the car began to lurch, accelerate, and die. Neither the dealer nor an independent shop could solve this problem. After $1000 I gave up and traded it in on a VW.

Favorite Features

Nice exterior styling and fun to drive. Seats are comfortable even on long drives. Also, my Cirrus got great mileage on the road (about 30+ mpg).

Suggested Improvements

Road noise is annoying in the Cirrus (changing tires did not help). Glare on the "cab forward" windshield is difficult to ignore. Chrysler needs to address reliability and make it a priority!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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impressive

Written by: greenmopar on 09/01/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LXi Sedan

Review

i have over a 130k miles on this car and the only probs i have had is the power steering air compressure i used to race the car at the track not a good idea i tore the differentale out of the tranmission but thats my fault only thing i dont like about i tis lack of aftermarket parts

Favorite Features

cd player suspension

Suggested Improvements

transmission

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Piece of Crap

Written by: Disgruntled on 06/26/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

Never buy based upon "Car of The Year". This vehicle has been a huge disappointment,from a bad radiator at 40K (approx); a broken control arm bracket at 30K; leaking freeze plugs at 60K; car dies at idle and trys to at highway speeds (dealer twice has not been able to determine the cause), clunking noises in the front left suspension and in the right rear that no one has been able to fix, radio display that quit when new and now the replacement no longer works; an airconditioner unit that had a kinked metal tube that would not allow it to cool below 80, door panels where the paint scratches off around the hand rest...

Favorite Features

We were first drawn by the looks and magazing reviews. The premium sound system sounds really good, but what is the value in a vehicle of such poor quality!

Suggested Improvements

I can only hope this vehicle has been a lemon and does not represent the norm, otherwise the only suggested improvement I can make is for Chrysler to scrap production of this model.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Chrysler Cirrus LXi '96

Written by: amazura on 05/09/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LXi Sedan

Review

I am just the third owner of this vehicle from March '02 ,have just already spent $240 to repair the Idle speed control.The display of the radio doesn't work but I can still enjoy the premium sound .Anyway , I still love it.It's great to drive on the highway with the 2.5L engine and luxury interior.Good ABS helped me many times.

Favorite Features

Although it is 2.5L , but it drinks less gas/miles than I expect: 7 gallons for 150 miles from Austin to Houston.

Suggested Improvements

Does not have top cover for any accessories box.Anybody can open my fuel tank at anytime and fill anything into it .Noisy tranmission. Poor manufatory's alarm system and alarm remote.

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HEAD GASKET TROUBLE 3 TIMES

Written by: RAFITZ on 03/15/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

I have just learned that our Cirrus with only 30,000 miles is in need of it's THIRD HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT . Yes..THIRD! I called Chrysler and all they are going to do is charge us a % to have the head gasket replaced again.. and by the way, there IS NO GAURENTEE that the $$$ we put into it will be the end. After searching the web, I have learned the Chrysler Cirrus has te same engine as the Neon.. yes.. the neon which is known to have head gasket troubles.. and of course Chrysler DOES NOT stand behind their cars..Thank you Chrysler... And I hope this will help a future buyer from being scammed as we were.

Favorite Features

Trunk space is wonderful! I can fit many containers of oil in it. Especially since most of it will eventually end up on my garage floor.

Suggested Improvements

Head gasket replacement and a company to stand behind te vehicle... These would be my suggestions.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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