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Comments
I still think Buick will be around for the over 60 set and possibly Pontiac too as if they'd built their Grand Prixs or even Bonneville's to fit a 6'4 driver I might be driving one now vs the 300M.
Footnote: I helped my son buy a car Saturday after searching for the past couple months for a decent late 90s vintage car between $3-4K for him to drive hopefully through college and ironically I now have two red sporty cars with the same purchase day, just a year apart....he got a 99 Ford Escort ZX2. My first Ford but priced well under book and real clean at the mechanics check so cross our fingers. We heard enough negatives on the small (Neon) to mid size Chrysler/Dodge products I did not go with those and searched in vain for a late 90s Prizm/Corolla similar to the 02 my daughter has - main they would be snatched up in hours at asking price with this $2.15 gas!
Made me feel kinda good to know that we share a part with Lexus.
I have a couple questions I hope someone can help with.
First, my 300M sometimes shuts off going down the highway. Every time, I re-start and she's just fine, but this makes me nervous. What's the cause of this and what is the fix? I'm not too keen on the dealers in this area, so I want to have a good idea of what to tell them before I take it in for service.
I've experienced the 300M "light show" and saw a reply about connecting/disconneting the switch connector. Does this work?
My turn signals seem to have given out. They seemed to work fine, then the weather turns cold, and no turn signals. Strange. Anyone else experience this? What is the fix?
Finally, I had a blown front door speaker. I read this is fairly common in the '99 300M with Infiniti sound. I replaced both front and rear speakers with Infiniti speakers from crutchfield.com and highly recommend them. I kept the car's head unit CD player and only swapped the speakers, but the sound is good, much more midrange sound. There are also little speakers in the front doors up by the windows. Has anyone replaced these? What size speakers are they and where are they available? While I was working on the others, I ordered a set of Infiniti 3 1/2" Kappa speakers, but these are too large. Since I've replaced the others, I'd kind of like to take care of these too, but this looks not as simple as I first thought. Please let me know if anyone else has done this.
Other than the randomly shutting off while going down the road and my recent turn signal gremlin, she's a good car and regular maintenance has kept her reliable.
Thanks very much!
I just posted myself. I've read that it's fairly common for our cars to blow the
front speakers, but I'd be a bit surprised if you blew the rears. The front
speakers are easily accessible by removing the grills and the speakers are
mounted right there.
Getting to the rear speakers is a bit of a chore. You have to remove the rear
seats and seatbelts first and the plastic rear side panels. Follow these steps:
1. pry upward on the bottom seat cushion and remove cushion.
2. Remove two (2) 3/4" nuts from center seat belt/seat brackets. Lift seat back
cushion to release from "L" hooks behind cushion to remove cushion. note - this
step took me the longest as I had trouble with the nuts and then had to figure
out the "L" hooks.
3. Pry up and remove door scuff plate from one side of vehicle. They just popped
into place, be careful not to snap any of the plastic.
4. Pry out rear side panel to release retaining clips and remove side panel on
same side of vehicle.
5. Pry off pillar trimpanel and set aside. The seatbelt will remain in the
panel, just move it out of your way.
6. Remove three (3) push pin retaining clips fron front edge of rear deck panel.
Pull out deck panel by working it toward the side that has trimpanels removed.
7. Remove four (4) phillips screws securing speaker to deck. Pull out speaker,
disconnect and remove.
8. Connect speaker wiring adapter of replacement speaker to vehicle speaker
connector. Secure speaker with screws previously removed.
If you order your speakers from crutchfield.com, they'll send you these
instructions (which also have diagrams) and the wiring harnesses.
indyracingfan
How about the speaker in the front dash? And how does one get to that speaker?
Does anyone recommend any speaker models to replace them? Would like to get better quality Infiniti if possible, but I'm just curious.
Thanks!
David
Honest opinions please!!!
Bill
Happy Mother's Day to all your families.
Stylewise, you don't give up antything with the TL. Like the M, it's a looker. I like the simple, aggressive front end of the TL more, in profile I think they're equal and the M has a better butt. So, equal in style. The standard HID headlights of the TL are a welcome improvement over the so-so headlights of the M. And I miss the chrome Razorstars of the M!
Interior, the TL is a smaller car (trunk, too). But I wanted to downsize a bit as I'm alone in the car most of the time. I loved the "indiglo" lighting of the M, but the blue (including ambient) lighting of the TL is even better. The audio system of the TL wins hands down! One thing I wish more automakers would copy from the M is the elegant analog clock. A generic digital clock sits atop the center stack in the TL. No style there. Seats in the TL are much firmer and the bottom cushion is a bit short for me (and I'm only 5' 10"), I liked the M seats better.
Ride and handling go to the TL. The TL engine is great, very smooth and quiet. I'm getting 5-10% better mpg in the TL and the power delivery is much better than in the M.
Having a fifth gear helps, I'm sure but the TL REALLY moves when you tell it to. 5th to 3rd downshift with the autostick is FUN!!! The TL just feels overall "tighter" than the M. (As the rear seat of the TL is fixed, unlike the Ms fold-down, maybe that adds to the tighter structural/handling feel of the TL?) Much quiter ride especially regarding wind noise. This is one of the traits I really wanted in my post M car, one of the reasons I chose TL over G35. The Bridgestone tires on the TL, however. are terrible in the snow. Makes me miss the Eagle LS. The M never gave me any reason to be nervous in the snow, the TL with the Bridgestones require extra care and more appreciation for the traction aids! I don't think I'll get snows for next winter, but will definately not get the same tires when it's time to get new ones.
Besides the clock, I wish the TL had the driver's seat ingress/egress feature (the G35 had it) and auto-on headlighsts. The TL has steering wheel mounted audio controls and rear seat cupholder, which my M didn't (again, it was a '99).
I've had one recurring electrical problem, which, like the window motors in the "99 M, is a fairly well known glitch in anotherwise trouble-free 4 months/4000 miles. The electrical problem is (so far) a nusiance, not a show-stopper. I'll have it addressed at first service. A reboot of the car usually alleviates the issue.
So, while I still miss my M, the TL is an excellent successor offering everything I wanted . When the time comes, I'd recommend adding it to your list. Since I mentioned the G35 a couple of times, the reasons I chose the TL included the smoother, quieter ride and nicer materials and styling of the interior and superior exterior style. The G was a blast to drive, though.
I hope everyone is still lovin' their Ms! Happy Mom's Day!
'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 still have my 00M which has over 80k on the dial. Still runs great but soon if I keep it I will have to consider doing the water pump and timing belt change and hoses, antifreeze etc. I bought all the parts a long time ago so I'm ready. I just starting to look at what I would replace my M with when the time comes.
My present considerations would be: (not in any particular order)
Chrylser 300C awd
Acura TL
Toyota Avalon Limited
Infiniti M35 (slight possibility)--
Note: I have not test driven any of the above
Things that concern me for the 300C are reliability, fuel economy, somewhat plain interior, and somewhat the exterior styling . Also the visibility from the driver's seat is an issue. Another issue is that car will soon lose its exclusivity on the road once the rental fleets get involved and the taxi companies start buying them.
The Acura's drawbacks are : somewhat bland styling, more cramped than the M, lack of autolamp, But I'm sure it handles very well and is reasonably quiet. And it has proven to be a reliable vehicle except for the tranny problem which I believe they have corrected.
The new 2005 Avalon: better styling than earlier versions but still somewhat mediocre, somewhat soft ride compared to the M -- not good for high performance handling but good for a non-jarring ride, no fold down rear seats. In other aspects, the Avalon has all the comfort and convenience qualities. Comfortable ride, space comparable to the 300M, very very quiet, every toy imaginable, stability control, laser adaptive cruise control, telescopic steering wheel and pedals (with memory) adjustable lower seat extension, 12 way adjustable seat, steering wheel controls, dual climate control with filtration, comfortable leather seats (cooled and heated), full surround airbags, 12 speaker JBL stereo, and a great powertrain---3.5 liter 280hp DOHC variable valve timing with 5 speed automatic which gives 6.5 sec -0 to 60 times and 14.9 sec quarter mile but still gives 22 city, 31 hway mileage. The only thing it lacks is bluetooth for the phone. Cost: approximately $38k list fully loaded including nav--final cost (per Edmunds posters ) of about $35k after discount. And of course you get Toyota reliability and a 5 year 60k powertrain warranty.
As you can see, I am leaning toward the Avalon but that could definitely change by next year when I will be more seriously looking to buy.
Meanwhile I am still throughly enjoying driving my 300M and still get many envious looks and comments even though it is over 5 years old. In the last year, I installed the nav and the HIDs which makes it even more pleasurable to drive. And I just paid off my 5 year loan that carried a 1% interest rate (why pay it off early). It sure is nice not having car payments anymore. Now I could blow $500 at Foxwoods every month if I wanted and not feel the pain as much. jk
It makes my '02 Special feel too slow and too spongy. Though, I think my suspension has gotten spongy over the years. I'd like to take it to the dealer and have it checked out, but why bother? I already know the response. They'll just tell me that it's normal. Having the highest performance model feel like the luxury model is not normal. Then again, I haven't ridden in a luxury package 300M in so long that it might very well be more squishy than mine feels right now.
Spongy or not, she still handles wonderfully! Just the other day I was leaving the airport and had to get on a freeway. I wasn't familiar with that particular area and the onramp was a very sharp one and the "recommended speed" sign is obstructed by some bushes. I didn't even see it or the sharp curve ">" signs until I was already in it, doing 60MPH. The recommended speed was 20MPH. I didn't want to upset the tires and suspension too much by slamming on the brakes, so I bled off just enough speed to load up the left side suspension and front tire so as not to understeer off into the trees. She took it like a true champion and showed she could've taken it a bit faster. The tires didn't even squeal! But it did feel like I was going through a corkscrew on a roller coaster, though.
Nice list, although the Avalon seems slightly out of place as it is less "sports-sedan" than the others.
Glad your M is still going strong, at 5.5 years and 67,000 miles mine was good, too. It was going to need some kind of front suspension work, though. Traded it before I diagnosed the situation. Besides missing the M, I miss the no payments! I had a 36month 0% interest loan, so for the last 2.5 years no car payments. That made Mohegan Sun happy...! I got 48 months/2.9% with the Acura, not bad. Especially now that my savings account is paying 3%! I'm in the black! Except for those pesky taxes...
I never really considered the new 300. Initially the styling turned me right off. It has grown on me, but I really wanted to go down a size or two. As my M was fairly reliable, I wouldn't have worried about the new 300s reliability but the overall package just didn't appeal to me.
Beauty is in the eye and as I stated in my above review, I find the TL to be quite a good looking car with some nice details. The Avalon? Now that is bland styling (but an improvement over its predecessor!). But you get Toyota quality and lots of toys! I find the TL to have a very nice ride/handling balance. As I've often said, though, the tires stink in the snow!
The 300M still catches my eye everytime I see one. I thought I saw my Platinum M a few weeks back in Norwood. I still hope it has found a good home. Oh, well. Go Sox!
'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...)
questionably improved air flow under car supposedly helps direct air to slightly increase cooling and possibly cut down drag... Benefits of removing air dam: Much less chance of scraping against rise in driveways or parking curb stops, Less chance of seriously damaging bumper cover...Looks much cleaner without it.]
As of a month ago my wife claimed her 300M back now that winter is finally over in the upper midwestern US, but I was driving and putting gas in yesterday and noticed the dam hanging down. It was missing at least 5 of those metal rivets so I put some cable ties in them to hold it to the plastic bumper, but I am thinking if it pulls off again I will just yank the entire thing off unless you can report after 3 years it's caused problems being off the car. It's one of the few things on this car that seems like a "goofy design" to me, otherwise still NO quality problems and we are VERY satisfied with it!
PS-Have you or anyone else reading this comment ever put a door edge guard on the back doors? Man those things are great for getting in and out but have a HUGE swing in a standard 2 car garage. I have at least 3 door dings on my Jeep Gr Cherokee due to my 300M doors hitting it. I hate to put the ugly black rubber guards on the M so am looking for other ideas and have not noticed any on other Ms around town - perhaps they have wider garages?
I also took a 05 TL for a couple of test rides, I really like its looks and handling, and I like the fact that it’s a size smaller than my 300m. Did the same with a Infiniti g35x, really like the RWD, but I feel the TL is a great value for the dollar. So I’ll keep on pondering, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for new car payments again.
I was this close to keeping the M for another year but as I was actually rising out of my chair at the Acura dealer to leave, I suddenly said, "Ok, we've got a deal." Merry Christmas, indeed!
But, in the end, I'm happy with the TL and feel I got an overall OK deal, including the 2.9% financing. I plan to order and apply Zaino, something I never did with the M (Nufinish). But the M was Platinum, the TL blue so the Zaino will probably be more noticeable. Zaino was a pretty big discussion here so very long ago...
I, too, debated the G35X, but found the TL fit my wants and needs better (interior style and quality, exterior style, quiet ride and I'd read about fairly poor mpg with the G35X. Child of the 70s, I remember embargos, long gas lines and purchase restrictions! Man, I'm old...).
Good luck with whatever replaces the wonderful 300M!
'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...)
Still time to sign up to attend the 300M Mountain Meet in Asheville, NC, area if anyone can get free that weekend [9-11 Jun] and are interested. All M'ers are welcome. :shades:
Road trip to southern LA Wednesday via Houston. Should get a good read on MPG. I think it has decreased for some reason. I declined the throttle body cleaning by the dealer. After this trip, I might do it, depending on results.
Anyway, I sold my steel blue 300M with the PHP package and sunroof last week. It had been sitting on a local used car lot for 5 months. Before I put it up for sale I had it detailed, replaced the a/c compressor, window lifts in the back, transmission servos, and brakes with rotors. The tires were almost new. The car has 80,000 miles. I drove it last week to take the plates off and it drove and looked like new. I still love the car.
The Magnum R/T Dodge I replaced the car with is practical and fast but it doesn't have as much personality.
The dealer is getting $8,500 and I am giving him $700 for the sale (he replaced the original battery two weeks ago) In my mind the buyer is getting a great car and a good
deal. If I didn't need the money I would have loved to keep the car. I hope I won't be kicking myself for selling it five years from now.
I do still miss it but figured A/C, tranny, new tires and something in the front end repairs were coming up soon. And I just wanted a new car!
I, too, am enjoying this extended winter we're enjoying here in N.E. Although the thunderstorms held off long enought today for my to wash and Zaino my TL today. Although the third application/buffing did happen in the garage due to the torrential rain, thunder and lightining.
Hopefully, the Sox will do it to the Yanks again tonight. Although one fears that they used up their next 4 game run allotment in yesterday's game...
'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...)
Thanks for the response. Platinum was a great color. Just saw a 2000 in silver this morning and it still turned my head!
Looks like another great week of weather ahead around Boston.
Hopefully the Sox can let loose with the bats in the rest of this series with the troublesome Orioles.
Driving the M? If you see an Abyss Blue TL with 4 coats of Zaino (applied in just the last three weeks!), that might just be me! Safe travels, enjoy the new arrival. As he is a new citizen of Red Sox nation, may I suggest the following names:
David
Manny
Trot
Jason
Curt
Or Brady?
'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...)
- '99 'M has 104K and after getting front suspension components (struts, sway bars, & ball joints) it's running like new. Local mechanic charge me about $600 including parts and 4 wheel alignment, probably a lucky deal on my part. Since I prefer to put as much money as possible towards my future (way future) retirement, plan to hold onto it for another 4 years or so...
- Some talk of the Avalon here. If you haven't seen it, check out the article in Car and Driver; it won top spot over the 300 (w/V6 I believe) and Maxima as it now has 280 HP, good fuel mileage, and handles well (breakthrough for Avalon).
- Regarding discussion on taking off front air dam; I've had mine off for about a year with no bad repercussions. I can't imagine it has any purpose other than to improve airflow a little; no biggie.
- Changed plugs myself at 100K as recomended; very easy job to do for anyone who wishes to try it yourself
- Glad to hear that some of you are enjoying the TL; it's a sharp looking car and Acura seems to be doing a nice job. It's nice the way they include so many goodies for the asking price, unlike Cadillac as I found when I considered a CTS, which is my favorite 'M competitor (unless you buy the CTS-V). And for those of you that have held on to your cars like me; it's still fun, stylish, relatively economical, and reliable. Keep on truckin'..
- Last but not least, Bigmike5 congrats on grandchild #2. Terrific!
Regards,
BlueSky/car_nut2
Blue_nut2: When I did trade my M for the TL (still get a tear everytime I see an M) there was something going on in the front end, maybe at 67,000 miles I needed similar work to yours. Car still looked and drove great, but I knew I was going to have to invest a few $ and thought, what the heck, for a fistfull of dollars I can get a new toy! Congrats on your fiscal responsibility, since my wfie ain't gonna let me retire until I'm at least 85 I'm gonna spend it now...!
Sorry if I posted about Zaino here before. I do like to check in and post once in an Abyss Blue moon.
'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...)
Happy 4th of July,
car_nut2
Bluesky thanks for the good wishes.
For those who have not read my earlier comments...we [300M'ers and DI's who might be interested] ]will have a meet at the Woodward Dream Cruise just north of Detroit on the weekend of 19 August. Our host hotel is the Embassy Suites in Southfield, MI, and I negotiated a $99 a night group rate for either double or king suite, and each suite has a pull out couch that will sleep 2 more. The rate includes free made to order breakfast or buffet breakfast, and free Manager's happy hour with snacks in the evening. Having just stayed last week at a hotel near Boston, I can attest that this is a very reasonable rate when the free meals are thrown in. Reservations can be had via phone and credit card at [248]-350-2000 and mention the Chrysler 300M group. The block of rooms will only be held until 19 July. We will have a get acquainted Pizza fest at the hotel on Friday night at registration.
After we do a group cruise up Woodward Ave on Saturday morning and ogle the cars all day, we will have dinner at the Copper Canyon Mini-Brewery nearby. This place has great food and is very reasonably priced. The beers aren't bad either, [they have a six glass- 6 ounce- sampler that is wonderful. Then on Sunday we will have car judging and awards [hotel will provide water hook-up to detail the cars] in the morning and we will then caravan up to Brampton, Ontario, Canada and stay at the Holiday Inn -Select- Hotel. Reservations by phone with a credit card at [905]-792-9900, and again mention the Chrysler 300M group for a double room at about $96 a night with free breakfast. We will have dinner there on Sunday night at a great Italian restaurant nearby, and on Monday we will get a tour of the Chrysler plant where our 300Ms were made and see them producing 300s and Magnum and the new Charger. The group did this a couple of years ago and it was a terrific fun day. We are limited to 50 for the tour.
Please, if you are interested in attending this weekend of fun and seeing all the great cars on Woodward Ave, as well as interacting with other M'ers, make a reservation now, or let me know what events you can attend so I can get the number counts for the various events and restaurants. This will be a highlight of your year if you can attend, and you can take that to the bank. :shades:
On my way to Indy Raceway Park area this afternoon in prep for the C & D 50th Birthday bash tomorrow and Sunday. Hoping for at least tolerable weather. I signed up for a ride in an Audi Supercar. Looking forward to that. I will not be dragging with my Vette, or doing Autocross either, although I intend to watch some of that. :shades:
On the people coming to Michigan for the Dream Cruise. It now runs from 8 Mile all the way to Pontiac, about 19 miles. It will begin the Monday before the actual cruise and each night Woodward will get more congested. Last year they were shutting the Avenue down at 10 P.M. If you plan to make the side trip to Brampton for the plant tour be advised that crossing into Canada is a bit more difficult than before. You will need at least two pieces of photo I.D.. If you bring a child they will need a birth certificate. It isn't a hard border crossing but since 9/11 it has become tighter. You can cross in Detroit at the Ambassador Bridge or right downtown through the Detroit/Windsor tunnel. You can also take I-94 east to Port Huron and cross at the Blue Water Bridge which exits right onto 402 that will take you directly to 401.
I'd love to join you in my "M" but I'll be out cruising in my 69 Camaro. Have fun.
Scott
Wish I could go. I'm going to be in Ontario (Kitchener, about 50-60 miles from Brampton) in September, but not with my M. Just too far to drive from California. And how can you beat a $99 flight (each way) California to Buffalo? Hope you have a great time (as always) during the cruise and Brampton plant visit...
BTW, what kind of day did you have when your odometer reached 66666? Just curious what to expect when my M reaches these levels...
Reference 66,666 on the odo, it was a devil of a day. lol :shades:
Your offer is very inviting, let me check the calendar with my wife. If we can make it Friday and Sat. I'll take the Camaro cruising on Thursday and then join you with my "M" for the other events. Just keep in mind that I just acquired the "M" used and have done almost nothing to it so far. I left Chrysler due to a lay off back in 1987 when they were still head quartered in Highland Park. At that time the LH platform was a full sized mock up from the Pacifica design studio in California. I never did get the opportunity to tour Auburn Hills even though I had several invitations. I should be able to give you a go or no go by this evening. Thanks for the invite.
Scott