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Sorry I haven't been around much, I've been busy getting my girlfriend (who just moved back up here from Texas) and I moved in and buying new stuff for the new place ... when you live with a girl, they money tends to go other places than into your car. It's cool though, cuz I've been able to customize the rooms and buy some SWEET contemporary wierd looking furniture and that 65" TV I've been wanting all while killing 2 birds with 1 stone ... I'm buying cool "guy stuff" that I want while at the same time it's "home stuff" so that keeps her happy too. I'll be getting back to the G-RIDE when the snow hits though. Well that is my public apology for not posting ... hope you all accept it and BLAME MY GIRLFRIEND !!! LOL !!!
http://members.cardomain.com/herrmdogg
HerrmDogg
thanks in advance,
phases78
http://phases78.homestead.com/300m.html
I guess they are all the same. I mean, not the fluids, but the service managers.
I just let them do what they knew how to do and did not force them to go into unchartered territories.
The dealership was given $500,000 by the city to locate in West Covina about 5 years ago. Then the City of Azusa offered them $1,200,000 a year later to locate there, which they accepted. Lawsuits ensued and they relocated to West Covina.
They wanted West Covina to give them $500,000 to get out of their current mess, but the city refused. I think they've applied for bankruptcy (the dealership, not the City).
I had a bad experience with this dealership. About a year and a half ago, my wife called them about a loss leader ad for a 300M, which ran every week with the same VIN. I had called other times and was told the vehicle had just been sold. When she inquired about the vehicle, they said they couldn't find it, so she asked them to look. They said she had to come down. She said she would come down if the vehicle was available. The salesman said that if she wanted a car at that price she had to come down and look for it. She told him if they were advertising a car at that price, they had to have the car available or document its sale. The salesman then said "Let me introduce you to Mr. Click" and hung up.
My wife was furious, called back and demanded to speak to the Manager and raised hell with someone who identified himself as the Manager. He apologized profusedly and told her she could have any base 300M at the loss leader price, if she came down. He also agreed to allow us $15,000 on her 98 Dodge Avenger.
We went down, asked for the Manager, but he wasn't in. However, they would honor any offer he had made. We actually went so far as to choose a vehicle for sale and when the paperwork was presented, the numbers didn't come out. They were charging full MRSP on the 300M and adding $2,000 to the price because the Avenger because it was "worth only $13,000, not $15,000". And they denied offering the loss leader pricing on the phone! When we gave them the name of the Manager, they said they had no one there by that name. That is how they cheated people -- some got confused and signed the papers. I told them they were crooks, I would never do business with them, and walked. I really should have called the BBB.
From what I hear, DC is being pressured to repay all these people if there is no money to pay the lawsuits...
And do you need to modify anything to use it or is it just a straight swap?
Thanks much!
Oh no- don't even kid about the "Christine Syndrome" with everything going on in the news. Funny thing is, I never had any vibrations, no light shows, no limp mode, no bad window motors, no rattles etc. and mine was an early- built April 98- model.
guesswho1-
When I got my CL-S, I was looking for the wheel weights! Then I realized that I had those stick on weights. How nice. NO scratches on the wheels. WHY don't more alignment places use them? It's better than scratching those beautiful, shiny, aluminum wheels. Hope your back is better.
fuzzywuzzy and ruski-
This weekend, when I was in Keene, NH, I stopped by the Nissan dealer to check out the new Altima with that big engine and duals. Nice looking car. I think it's bigger than the Maxima. The guy wanted me to drive it, but I didn't want to waste his time because I'm not in the market yet! LOL.... I think I now have 9,200, trouble-free miles with 2 dealer visits for oil/filter changes and a tire rotation. So different then Christine.
intrepidspirit-
I THOUGHT the "5-STAR" dealers that I went to in the 33 months that I had Christine were bad, but this guy beat them all!! How's the paint holding up? Are you using Zaino?
Phew- just read the 112 messages that I missed on this long weekend! Still never caught up with the thousands of messages I missed when I was in FL this summer! ;-))
fastdriver
If I get a chance soon, I'll see if I can get to a dealer around here and drive one. Anything special to look for- road noise, wind noise, sloppy shifting, sticky windows? Just kidding!
I'll let you know. I think I have your e-mail address.
fastdriver
The wife will get the new car and I will take the M. I think I can handle that. I showed her the new Altima as we were passing the Nissan dealer Sunday. We would have stopped for a test drive but the car dealers are closed on Sundays. Well yesterday I got my November Road & Track. On the cover 10 hot cars for under $25000. One of the things I really love about the M is the lack of any noticeable Torque steer. Well 5 out of 10 of the test drivers for Road & Track said it has Major Torque steer. If any of you guys test drive one let me not what you think about Torque steer compared to the M .
sel714
Ask them if they remember the Oldsmobile Toronado? It had a differential from 1966 to aprox 1991. They've bound to have serviced one of those before. Although, my dad had one in 1982 and sold it in 1995 with over 200,000 miles and never replaced the gear lube in the differential.
A lot of people don't change the lube in RWD diffs either over the life of the car. It winds up getting replaced when a pinion seal leaks and requires repair. I've always put in some Amsoil synthetic and left it alone for life. Why does Chrysler suggest we change it every 15K and NOT USE synthetic? Today, wouldn't they have a synthetic lube installed from the factory? Otto, do you know the answer to either question?
http://www.ritchiefamily.com/links.htm
Phases - Here are my "how to" pages, including spoiler, letter removal, clock face (a different way from how Scott does it), etc.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1620463
All--Saw an info video on Dura Lube the other day. Has anyone used their products/additivies for the oil, gas, etc. They supposedly really reduce friction and clean, etc. and they had lots of demos of the products and testimonials in the video. They were not cheap either. Any input?
Special--Got a chuckle out of the ad verbage on the shift knob for the Special from the Canadian web site. Strange, it looks like the exact shift knob on the 99M, that went to the chrome-wood and then back again. And what does "waterfall" leather seats mean? Looked like the normal pattern to me. I don't think I can wait til model year 2004 1/2 for the N. Crossfire may be out before then, and if the interior appearance is improved [after SDMike's input],and it comes with 275hp, I may be tempted if the Chronus is not available or the Caddy Evoq exec. cars hold their inital price too long.
Fuzzy--The Lexus 300 ES just came out, and the ads in our local papers make it look pretty sharp. And its the only thing lately that is close to the M in front end appearance. Looks a lot less like a Buick than the previous models. Never rode in one but for $32K+ or -, you can probably find one. But I don't think the Lexus people negotiate on sticker very much.
Can't do a dual exhaust - leased car (that and too pricey for the wife
As for the Altima - I test drove one with my wife when she was looking for a car. I was not impressed. It had that low quality interior feel - was not nearly the standard of the M. For slightly more it is a much better car. She really wanted something just a little more refined. All in all a good value - but if you're looking that price/model check out the Accords - you can get an EX for just a hair over $20k - about 3K more for the 6 cyl, but the vtec 4cyl is a nice engine. The only problem with the 6 is it doesn't come with manual trans - only auto. The manual vtec is faster...
Wow. I forgot how beautiful the car is. After 50,000 miles, it still looks and drives like new.
It has been a pleasure to own.
Ed
PS: the leasing deals on the 300M right now are excellent.
"The difference in H.P between the two motors is the low output 3.5 does not have the manifold tuning valve on the intake plenum that the 3.5 HO uses , also I'm sure the engine computer software is different . If you look at the front of the black intake plenum (look were the top rad hose comes off the motor) of the low output motor you will see were the valve has been removed."
Does any of this apply to a 2000 300M, i.e., do I have this valve? If so, do I want to keep it if I were going to replace the air intake system?
the alero we did was purple to orange to blue. insane. it was off the hook..but..i'm looking for something more aggressive. purple is outta the question for me the orange was phat but maybe a little much. anyway HERM BACK ME up on this, he knows more than this on me right now, but like a pint, like what you used to drink chocolate milk in school, used to be $768, and now you can buy a whole quart, 4 PINTS, for $524! this is dupont btw. a friend painted his car himself, a tiny 89 crx, used like 3 pints of paint, not a good job but still looks badass...it only cost him $400!! $400 for chameleon paint job..wow
My paint is holding up very well -- no fading, no discolorization, everything matches (except bumpers, which I think is normal with all Chryslers after a year or so). I have to admit they did have the paint done right after several coats and rejects by me, but they should have swapped the car instead of keeping it for a month and giving me something less than a "new" car. All is forgotten but not forgiven...you know how that goes!
I have 6 coats of Zaino on my Inferno Red M and you KNOW how that shines! I have 5 coats on my wife's 2001 Cinammon Glaze -- looks great, but nothing shines like Inferno Red! I took pictures, but so far haven't figured out how to post them...I'm just not into photography!
From what I hear, you are very happy with your Acura...I'm really glad to hear that!
My house in my car
Anyway, it still sickens me what people do to rental cars. This is probably a gorgeous Steel Blue with Taupe interior M (which was my second choice behind what I got), but it's filthy! The seats are all yucked up with lord knows what kind of ick, it's dirty and dusty inside, and there are all kinds of blemishes on the interior...including a football size patch of some adhesive from where something had been stuck to the passenger side door, and even white paint spots on the hood! Yuk!
Again, I appreciate all of the extras I got in my M. The basic stereo is a huge step backwards from the upgraded system (especially with the basslink), and the wood trim that comes with the luxury group is so much nicer. Anyway, enough of my rant. It was still very nice to be able to drive a car that I'm familiar with. I have half a mind to go clean this thing up real good.
Still have strong police presence downtown, considering George W's weekend activities I can certainly understand why. The daily trek in and back home to Jersey is really a pain in the tukus, but I'm glad I can still make it given what happened. I'm always thankful for small favors. My S.O. on the other hand is extremely upset. Given the fact that the WTC is no longer target, that moves my place higher up on the list. There is a ferry-which she has strongly suggested I take-- that runs from Hoboken (fuzzywuzzy knows about that...) to downtown by the South Street Seaport, it will add about another 1/2 hour to my fun-filled commute. Ah to be able to drive eMily into the city, but alas and alack---no parking except for garages and I don't trust them to care for my eM like I do!
Spent Sunday washing and polishing eMily (sorry, no Zaino for drpixel....used Raindance, GASP!) and even got my 36" arms in to clean the windows! Nice to be able to see clearly outthe windshield. Too bad we had a frost last night-as I left my house there was a nice coating of ice all over eM.
Has anyone heard from Dustin? I remember that friday was birthing day for him and his misses. Hope all is well with y'all,
Doc
I think the best kept cars are at Hertz..by far. Two of the worst are Alamo and Budget. I might put Dollar with them.
I'm a young guy, 22, so I felt I needed something to feed my urges. The world of performance has just passed the 300m by. It's really sad too, becuase I would have really enjoyed a HighPo 300m. I don't even seem to miss my M, but I still love to look at them on the road and in parking lots.
I hope you guys keep up the good work, you already make every 300m owner proud!
~albert~
Sdmike, ugly house LOL!! My bra looks the same as yours with the wrinkles being in about the same spot. I wonder if they screwed up when they took the original measurements, as others look the same.
Drive a 300M, it sounds like you may be talking about that dealer in the US which is facing criminal action, that was posted on this site a couple of days ago. I would take the bet.
I also read the Chrysler Canada website in regards to the Special. Why would anyone buy it. I suggest that any one interested, should talk to Av. and have him do the mods that he does rather than waste money on this product, and why would anyone want to use premium gas because of 2 HP. Save your money!!!!!
My dealer does not or has not ordered any 2002 cars other than trucks for the oil patch, as he still has loads of 2001's and sales are really slow since the 11th. I did see two 02's at another dealership in late August and I went over there this week-end looking for prices on the turn signal mirrors and both cars are still there along with several new 01's. They do not have a price list on any 02 products.
Stay safe everyone. Mike
http://phases78.homestead.com/300m.html
phases78
Hope you enjoy your Trans Am. I would be very interested in your honest comparisons of the TA and your previous M. I know the 2 cars are aimed at 2 different markets, but I still have a bit of an urge to buy one of those last GM muscle cars.
I hear you. Glad the paint job held up okay. That's still my favorite color! I love to see sdmike2's pics. Especially like the one of the car in front of his house. I TRIED to cut out his car and put mine in the same scene, but it was a horrible attempt! I don't have the software to do this properly.
"I think most of their training is in how to tell the customer no while appearing to try to help him. LOL..."
I think you are absolutely right! My "5-STAR" dealers were all nice, as was I, but they NEVER (rarely) got it right or even cared to get it right. I can find better places to spend my time. A "5-STAR" dealer isn't one of them. ;-)
Thought I only had 8,300 miles on my car, but I looked tonight- 8,400+!! It just adds up! It doesn't take much for me to get in and go!
fastdriver