1998 Chrysler Cirrus Review
Price Estimate: $1,303 - $2,165
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Great looking car has a ton of standard features for the price. We really appreciate the standard ABS, speed control, air conditioning, and remote keyless entry.
Cons
- No base model, so the entry-level Chrysler is a little more expensive. We wish that we could get traction control on this otherwise great car.
What’s new
LX model is dropped. A powered driver seat, a 2.5-liter V6 engine, a tilt wheel and power windows, locks, and mirrors are now standard equipment. The LXi also comes in five new colors and as with all other Chrysler products, depowered airbags are standard.
For sale near Marietta, GA
Vehicle overview
We really like the Chrysler Cirrus. It offers more car for the money than nearly anything else in the compact class. Comfortable seating for four (five in a pinch), and a standard equipment list that includes antilock brakes, speed control, deluxe stereo, power locks and windows, remote keyless entry, V6 engine, leather seats, power driver's seat and a HomeLink universal transmitter make this car competitive with many luxury sedans from the United States and Japan.
For 1998, Chrysler is trying to boost sales in the face of competition being tossed up by the Mercury Mystique, Honda Civic and Nissan Altima. This year's options bring more standard equipment than ever before, but the base model LX is no longer an option for the thrifty. All of these accouterments are perfect for turning the Cirrus into the ideal car for empty-nesters or young individuals who don't need or want a big car, but who like the luxurious touch. Of course, Chrysler's minivan success has given them enough insight to know that including an integrated child seat on the options list won't lose them any points.
Our main complaint about the Cirrus is with the powertrain offered to buyers. The old 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine made 150 horsepower and 165 foot-pounds of torque, better than arch-rival Mercury Mystique. Unfortunately, the V6 offers only 18 more horsepower and five more foot-pounds of torque. We don't think that the V6 justifies additional cost. To make matters worse, the Cirrus is not available with a manual transmission; something that vaults the Mercury Mystique into the sport sedan category when coupled with the optional V6 engine.
Other than these gripes, the Cirrus continues to impress. Chrysler is making great strides in design and engineering, and we understand that quality has become a major priority at the company since a well-known consumer group pulled the plug on its endorsement of the LH-Series sedans and the Jeep Grand Cherokee due to low owner satisfaction scores. If you like the Cirrus but want something a bit sportier, check out the Dodge Stratus ES which can be had with nearly the same level of luxury, the V6 engine and Chrysler Corp.'s auto-manual transmission.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Georgia
$177/mo for Cirrus LXi
Cirrus LXi
vs
$154/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Chrysler Cirrus Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Cirrusly
4 out of 5 starsearzy, 02/21/2011
1998 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 4dr Sedan
Car handles well, and seems to hold the road greatly.
I never feel like I"m going to go out of control.
The gas mileage isn't great considering it's such a small V6.
The airy cabin provides a lot of sunlight which can make the a/c work harder in the summer, but helps warm the car in the winter.
Plenty of headroom for 6+ footers, and the large bottom seat cushion provides good thigh … support not found on most imports.
A lot of standard features make you feel like you're in the top of the line Chrysler model, and not the lesser equipped Dodge Stratus/Plymouth Breeze.
The engine wants to rev to make it's best power, but doesn't require everything it's got to pass people.
Great car if you can stand the ride.
3.88 out of 5 starsSam, 12/08/2008
1998 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 4dr Sedan
This is a great looking car, very reliable, fun to drive, easy to maintain and a great car for the money. The downside, it rides like a truck, you feel every bump in the road and you will have to utilize the radio to drown out the wind and road noise. Will I keep the car long term, without question considering the cost of new cars.
Surprisong car
4.75 out of 5 starsBraves511, 04/28/2002
1998 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 4dr Sedan
This car is my first and at 17 you want
a sports car i saw this thought old
persons car but this car is actually a
really great car it is a smooth a drive
as an Oldsmobile Aurora minus the
heated seats.
171,000 miles and still going
3 out of 5 starsMark in PA , 11/11/2007
1997 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 4dr Sedan
The car was purchased at 95,000 miles. I knew the person & needed something inexpensive. I you are the kind of person who will do oil changes every 3k-4k, transmission serviced every 30k, do the major overhaul/tune-up at 100,000 and again at 160,000 and not abuse the car over bumps/road, this car will last and last. At 171,000 miles now, its no luxury vehicle compared to what's on the … road today but it is cheap to operate and and gets pretty good gas milage for a car built in 1997. If you are thinking of purchasing one with lower miles (if you can find one), I'd only purchase if you can be shown repair records. I figure this car will last till 200,000 miles.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cirrus since its last redesign.
1998 Cirrus Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $177/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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