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Jon
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item- =2408718486
Brake pads alone are not the only thing that can cause squealing, incorrect reassembly, caliper not moving freely on the caliper guides (there is special grease for this)are just a couple of things.
I did read on the prowler board that one guy got the wrong set of pads inside a Raybestos QS box. Reminds me of the time I went to Wal-Mart to get my Mobil 1 oil and filter when I changed over to synthetic. I took the filter out of the box to see check it out because I had never paid over $5 for an oil filter before, wanted to see what was so special about it. Well to my surprise somebody switched out the filter for a cheaper brand. That switch was obvious, it would not be so obvious w/brake pads.
Inspect the pads that are installed on your vehicle, the leading and trailing edges should be chamfered and the pads will have a groove in them. Also since you have an LHS be sure they install the pad retension springs. I am sure this is one item that gets overlooked.
- Overall, I like the look but I agree w/PSTER that the butt isn't graceful, but it may be that we just need to get used to it
- Ruski, how was the reliability of your GTP? I consider the 'M pretty good in that regard, but have no idea how the Grand Prixs are
- Interior is nice, but could use some wood grain for those of us who like that
- The 3.8 litre is now coming as a Series III--it turns me off to buy such an old-style engine. The base engine will only be 200-220 hp, will need SC to get more powere and torque. SC is more parts that can go wrong when mileage gets high.
- The wheels shown in the picture don't compare to our razorstars
All in all a fairly nice package, but not a home run IMO.
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=reviews&loc_code=index&content_code=08190438
One issue was the tranny that started shifting with a kick on the day 2. Turned out that some wire's insulation got compromised (possibly by acid from battery) and was shorting. Dealer fixed it quickly.
Another issue was a broken steering rack. Mine broke shortly after I hit a huge double pothole in NYC. But in general, there is a TSB or a recall for steering racks.
The car was a blast to drive.
The engine is an old design but it does not mean that it is old technology. It is a proven design and is quite inexpensive to produce and repair. Many say that this engine is bulletproof. It makes lots of torque down low, and the torque curve is quite flat.
The trannies in the Grand Prix are very good too. Very smart at the right time.
Also, since my seats had the "rocking" issue, and the NHTSA has a recall for that (number 03V035000), I was told that this recall did not affect my vehicle. I called the number listed in the NHTSA docuoment for Chrysler, and they told me that it affects the OTHER LH cars, but not the 1999 300M. Since Chrysler hasn't given them an owner notification schedule yet, be aware that your vehicle may not be covered under this recall.
As I said - a little disappointed in this event, but overall satisfaction with this car remains high.
http://info.detnews.com/autosinsider/sneakpeek/index.cfm
MAYBE, they mean this?
http://info.detnews.com/autosinsider/sneakpeek/index.cfm?myrec=69
fastdriver
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gas3_20030403.htm
fastdriver
Acura drivers shouldn't try regular unleaded. My brother-in-laws wife accidently filled his RL up with regular unleaded and the thing ran like s$%#$%.
Out of curiosity I had to see what the catch was, especially since I hadn't seen anywhere DC offering no payments till 2004 anywhere (I also had this unrealistic hope that due to the competitive car market, DC was actually going to resort to Oldsmobile-type incentives, silly I know for a 2004 that just came out).
What the salesman told me was that it was only on 1 specific car, and though the car was "somewhere on the lot" it couldn't be found. The other incentives? You could only take one: either the 0% DC offers, OR the 1st year's registration paid, OR no payments till 2004 (but forget about the 0%). No such exclusions mentioned in the ad itself.
Since I didn't find my magnifying glass before checking out the 5* I missed reading in the tiniest white print in the black background that all vehicles have a $1,995 dealer prep fee. Well, when I buy a car, we'll see about paying exorbitant dealer prep fees on a 300M; they're hardly the only dealer in Nevada & Southern California to buy from.
They also had their 1st Pacifica on display. To each their own, I'm not in that market, but what's the big deal about it? I read it has the 300M engine in it, but the Pacifica is about 1,000 pounds heavier. From the outside it just looked like a station wagon/SUV-lite combo already so common on the road.
The deal on 04's is nearly as good, especially if you want the Premium Discount Group. There is a $1,000 rebate (buy or lease) plus, if you wanted the PDG options anyway, another $1100+ discount on the sticker. Base is up about $300.
It had an all steel body when most cars still used a wood & steel construction technique.
The more conventional Airstream outsold it by quite a margin.
The Airflite would be less problematic if DC hadn't lifted the side cove and straked vents from the MB SL Series.
At least "cab forward" was an original idea, but with Airflite lifting ideas from MB cars, and the Magnum being lifted from the Audi Avantissimo show car it raises questions about where DC is heading with the Chrysler half.
You were talking about the car and not the spokesmodel, right?!
My '99 Platinum M continues to serve well, 47,000 miles. No issues since a blown tire and my daughter's school bus backed over my hood...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I've seen it in my 300M - 150km translates to roughly 94 miles per hour. Actually, they were tooling a little slowly for the autobahn.
Then went on to point out that it's being sold into a price point with several choices available. The question they raised was will it draw much attention to itself against the competitors since it isn't outstanding in any respect.
I think it will go the way of the Prowler - hefty sales until the initial demand is met and then it will slowly fade away.
That maybe OK for DC if they are serious about wanting to do more variety with lower volumes per model. Of course how "low" a volume is acceptable is a open question.
Trevor Creed is saying that DC doesn't care if people don't like their controversial styling and product directions, which is a rehash of what was said about the first generation RAM. Of course in that instance sales went through the roof. That philosophy works if sales go up. The truth, however, is they WILL care - a lot - if sales go the wrong way.
Will Trevor Creed be compared to Elwood Engel, or Virgil Exner? Stay tuned, April 15th is soon here!
1- Performance Handling Group... think I gotta have it, don't want to "ooze" down the street-- but is my wife going to kill me (gotta be better than my '95 Neon Sport)?
2- Real Wood dash: Correct in assumption that any 300M with wood steering wheel has real wood pkg? Does the wood portion get unbearably hot/cold when parked (seasonally)?
3- Noticed in my 2001 brochure that there was an optional "electronic vehicle information center"... what is that?? Also, absent the "e.v.i.c." all 300Ms with moonroof would still have the overhead console w/compass, etc., right?
That's it for now-- thanks in advance for your help!
Oh-- here's what I'm "ordering" so far (using broker): 2001 year (for airbag system re-design, see www.iihs.org) deep sapphire w/ either sandstone or light taupe interior, moonroof, 4-disc changer, PHG, and... preferably, real wood interior trim.
MCS
Good luck!
Silver
Get an extended warranty contract if available on a used 2001. You won't regret it.
Good luck.
So ALL 300Ms with the wood steering wheel will also have PHG?? Really?? That'd be great-- and a lot easier to spot than those little fins on the front rotors!
How about my other question: Absent the "e.v.i.c." all 300Ms with moonroof would still have the overhead console w/compass, etc., right?
Oh, "PSTER" thanks for the warning but I can't stand sitting in a "black hole"... my father has a black/black Durango and it's like riding with Darth Vader. Nice place to visit but wouldn't want to live there.
The taupe interior has a pretty dark top to the dash anyway, right?
I will take the warranty issue under consideration. I stupidly bought one when I got our Subaru.... never needed it, money down the drain, so I'm leery of repeating that mistake.
Thank you, thank you all-- I knew I'd come to the right place! MCS
The half-wood wheel comes with the luxury group, which is separate from PHG. EVIC comes with luxury group, but all Ms have an overhead console with compass and temperature, as well as computer. Sunroof is not a factor. Very similar to what is on the current Ms; you should be able to check out the features on Chrysler's site.
Most dealer-ordered cars come pretty loaded; almost all seem to have a sunroof, many come with PHG and/or chrome wheels and/or top line stereo. I ordered both of mine; the 2000 I ordered with only a full-size spare, the 2004 I splurged and got it with just the luxury group. Sunroof I don't like, and the other features were unimportant to me.
If you can get the dealer to give you a good deal on the warranty it can be worth it. It'll pay for itself if anything dies. The more miles until the warranty ends the more it costs, so if you are a high mileage driver (or the car you get has high miles) it may not be worthwhile.
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Luxury Group $520
Wood Trim - Genuine California Walnut
Steering Wheel - Wood/Leather Wrapped
Vehicle Information Center
Mirrors - Auto Adjust in Reverse, Ext
Mirror - Driver Auto Dim, Exterior
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Hold out for the Luxury Group, the wood grain is so much better looking.
Other options
Side air bags $350.
Smokers group $ 20.
360 watt 11 speaker Cass/4 disc in dash Stereo $515.
Moonroof - power $895.
Wheels 17" Aluminum Chrome $750.
On the light taupe, that's what I have in my steel blue and I love it.
Never had any problems with sun glare off the dash, yes the dash is darker than the seats. Be aware there is a taupe and a light taupe interior the light taupe looks a lot nicer.
On extended warranty tryy these guys they greatly discount the Chrysler extended factory warranty.
http://www.chryslerwarranty.com/
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Will display with warning beebs.
Turn signals on.
Perform Service
Door open
Washer fluid low
Memory seat disabled (not in park)
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Customer programmable Features
Language
US or Metric
Auto Door Locks
Auto Unlock
Remote Unlock
Remote linked to memory(Available with memory seats only)
Sound horn with lock
Flash lights with lock/unlock
Head lamp delay
Head lamp on with wipers
Service Interval
Reset service distance
Easy exit seat
Tilt mirrors down
Train remote
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