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Comments
Brakes - I think the M's brakes are great! (I have PHG). I drive enthusiastically, and I've had plenty of occasions to apply them hard (yeah, I'm the guy who had new front pads at 23K), and I've never felt I needed more stopping power. My big concern in sudden stops is looking in the rear view mirror to make sure I take it easy enough to give the guy behind me enough room for HIM to stop!
300michael- My son wants Christmas lights in his car; where did you get them?
Special - If I was buying an M today, I'd get a Special. Sounds like the package is worth the money, even though some (not all) of the extras can be added aftermarket.
Actually, my exit from the highway does not have a real exit ramp (it is a very uncivilized highway that runs through the everglades). The ramp is mor like a 20-foot pocket. I used to haul a55 on that highway and never missed the exit because of the brakes.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=598531376
Used - I was trying to say - I used to be very leary of used, especially american, however I've been considering it much more, and will probably go that route next time round. A car that's 1-2 yo w/o a lot of miles can be had for very little money. As compared to the Acura - we checked out used TLs a couple months ago. They wanted, for a 99 w/20k mi about $27k. Only $2k less than a new one. Go figure...
More than likely I will trade the M eventually - for a younger one
denverm: Christmas lights: my daughter had battery-operated lights in her VW Jetta. I think she got them at some Christmas decoration/tree store. Also, I sent you email leting you know I updated the scrolling message on the home page, and updated the MemberOdometer TEXT. If you want, send me the graphic files for rotating the speedometer needle and I'll give it a shot. Have been very busy with several sites-Bank-related and 'external' . Membership package assembly is moving along--will be sending out 3 more tomorrow morning.
brakes: I hadn't really noticed just how 'soft' the 300m's brakes were till I had to move my youngest daughter's 2001 Jetta. When backing out of the driveway, I hit the brakes which snapped my noggin pretty good! Very quick stopping and firm to the feel.
blonda: Nice to see a member of the fairer sex posting here as an owner! flagrant plug for the 300m Club follows..I'd like to suggest you visit our club website and take a look around and consider joining our band of merry men and women! end of flagrant plug for the 300m Club.
300m toy cars, etc.. some one here was looking for a model 300m. I have emailed most major manufacturers of 'toy' cars (Hotwheels, Corgi, etc...). Seems they have 'older Chryslers and PT Cruiser, but no 300ms-yet... just an FYI from drpixel
Doc
I started a topic thread on the 300M Club board to discuss a potential Vegas meet.
http://pub88.ezboard.com/f300menthusiastsclubfrm3.showMessage?topicID=12.topic
sdmike-last week I was wearing shorts, today it is snowing in Dallas. That is the crystalline form of water that you see on the national weather reports. You may have seen it there. It is caused by cold weather. To experience "cold", go to your kitchen freezer and stick your arm in. By the way, I believe most mufflers rust from internal condensation caused by short trips, rather than wet streets. Sounds like we are both finding too much time on our hands. I am going to see the owner of a real estate appraisal firm today and see if I can get out of the moribund telecommunications equipment sales business. Good luck to you.
Silver
(however, I just bought this one. There are others)
-M
That aside, the 300M is a lot roomier, more luxurious and (IMO) a lot better looking than the Maxima. These were all factors in my decision. The 2002 Maximas now have 255 HP, compared to 222 in 2000, and should be quicker than the 300M. If I were buying today, though, I'd still choose the M over the Max. JM2C...
The 99 seemed to have a higher-than-expected incident rate with window motors, and the Goodyear tires didn't hold up very well. Some other common ailments are a failed body control module that causes a "light show" with the interior controls, failure of a transmission sensor that causes the car to go into "limp home" mode, and one or two other things that I'm probably forgetting. None of them are a big deal or seem to indicate an overall build or quality issue in my opinion. Like I said, CU had nice things to say about the car.
Geezer300M
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2000/March/200003_feature_chrysler_300m.xml?Manufacturer=Chrysler&Name=300M&class=45
New M - go for it, I'm not biased! So far it's been great, though I've only had it a year w/18k mi. My 98 concorde had problems and that I wasn't happy about, but so far this has been great. It has a few minor common problems - the steering wheel is known to peel, seat has a tsb on a bracket - it shifts sometimes. But all in all, only minor stuff. It's a great car! Not a sports car, but a very sporty luxury car.
"But what struck me most about this Chrysler 300M was the engine. I try not to read any of the specs on a car before I drive it, and after my first spin in this one, had anyone asked me to guess on the engine, I would have said, ``Nice and quiet little V8.'' When I looked and saw the V6, I was pleasantly surprised."
tom
(dubson300m@yahoo.com)
(phtrde1@aol.com)
In making your purchase decision, the only caution I would bring to your attention is the breathtaking depreciation that the M suffers, particularly in its first year. I got an excellent deal on mine, but even with a good deal and a $2,000 Chrysler rebate, the precipitous drop in value is alarming. Thankfully, I hope to keep it for a while. In this regard, the Maxima may fare somewhat better.
I do know the dealer said the Blue, Silver (mine), and a black one were ordered by him. All Black ones are being put on "hold" by Chrysler for some reason.
The only thing I'll miss about the regular 300M is the Chrome Rims. Hopefully the Aluminum Rims look nice. I am also thinking about putting on a rear spoiler on it.
Test drive both, Max is faster off the line, but the 300m is riding in style, and fun. There is something about this car, that makes you want to drive it, I think they should put warnings on it "this car is addictive, have fun". Besided we have the best group of people on the boards.
However, now that I think about it, I wonder if it's really a good choice for this particular board :-D
ow...
As far as resale - yes, Chryslers have had a history of low resale - but as long as the US big 3 are offering 0% financing on new cars, then the used car market has dried up, consequently resale prices on almost any car have dropped.
1) 82 Chevy Cavalier, lasted 2 years. Sold at 50k miles because of numerous problems. Primarily, bad engine.
2)85 Pontiac Gran Am. Lasted 4 years. Sold for $50.00as junk. Engine top end rebuilt at 50K and transmission went at 75K. This car spent more time in for service in the first 6 months I owned it than I had it on the road (no lie). I replaced the brakes 3 times and the alternator 4 times. Oh yeah, 3 mufflers.
3)86 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera - I got this one used from my sister in law in 1991 with 38k miles on it. This lasted until 1993 when a noise in the engine made me scared to drive it anymore. I hated it. I replaced the brakes 2 times and the alternator 3 times.
All these cars had oil changed every 3000 miles (I'm crazy about that)
I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GM PRODUCT!!!
Positive experiences...
1)1994 Ford Explorer - Bought it new. I've had to replace the Auto Hubs, 3 oxygen sensors and the brakes. 87 K miles. I love this truck.
2)1995 Toyota Corolla - A work horse. Daily commuter with 169K miles on it. Drives as if new. I'm going to get to 300K in this car. (at least)
I just hope the 300M "Special" I ordered yesterday turns out to be a good experience like these 2 vehicles above. I haven't heard of many bad experiences with the 300M.
Big three offering 0% financing. The Toyota Dealer I tallked to on monday wanted 9% on a Camry. I laughed at him.
btw - did you get any annular venturis put in? And how is the noise at about 2k rpm?
I had a 300M for 3 years. Mostly perfect. No squeaks, no rattles, doors close with a nice thunk. Close to the end of the 3rd year, one rear window motor went out ('cause the early 300M models had sticky weathestripping that the glass used to get glued to) and the air conditioning refrigerant leaked out. Also had a couple of bad engine speed sensors - dealer replaced under warranty, quick replacement job.