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Thankfully the relatively small fires around here have been extinguished pretty quickly, but the Red Lodge Montana fire making U.S. headlines is a big concern, since it's a close and popular getaway for our part of the state.
Up to 20,400 miles on the 99 ES. Still like it a lot. Only problems have been that all the power window motors went south. Haven't had any of the new motors go bad, though. The dealer took care of each one as it went. It seemed to happen just before the next oil and filter change was due, so we killed 2 birds with one trip each time. Actually 2 motors were replaced at the same time on one occasion.
Smithed, that scares me that all 4 of yours have already been replaced! And I have more miles than you (about 23,500)! Oh well, at least it's still under warranty.
-Andre
I've heard that an easy way to defeat the musty smells (for at least a while) is to turn the a/c on to max and fresh and then spray some Lysol (or other aerosol disinfectant) into the intake and then switch to recirc.
I was just looking through the Intrepid's owner's manual, and noticed that on schedule "B", the heavy duty one, and it says that the differential fluid should be replaced at 15K miles. Oops! I have about 23,500 on it now! Is that anything major?
It surprised me, too, because I didn't think fwd cars had differentials...I thought the tranny and differential were combined into one piece called the "transaxle".
I figured I'd just wait until it hits 30K miles and take it in and have them do the differential fluid and the power steering fluid at the same time. Should this be too much of a problem, stretching it out till then?
I also noticed that the book says the timing belt doesn't have to be replaced until 100K miles? Is this true? I always thought they were pretty chancy after about 60K.
Just curious...
-Andre
My dealer hasn't given me reason not to trust them, but I'm sure the local shop would be cheaper, and it's a lot closer. Plus, my roommate, who has a '98 Tracker, has been having problems with repairs he's had done at his dealership, so that's putting bad thoughts in my mind...
-Andre
You might want to check with the dealer about a TSB regarding a redesigned vent tube for the differential- I'm sorry i don't know the TSB number. I had the new vent installed on my Intrepid after it belched an ounce or so of fluid after I apparently managed to force some water into the old vent while washing the underside at a car wash.
Regarding the timing belt- I'm of the personal belief that it should be replaced on a regular basis sooner than specified in the manual. I don't know the details of the Intrepid's engine designs, but some engines do not have adequate clearance between the valves and the pistons if the timing belt breaks. In some engines, a failed belt won't result in any internal damage, but in others, a failed belt can result in valves impaling themselves in the piston head.
Better to replace the timing belt (or any belt for that matter) too early rather than too late.
interesting discussion about the trep differential. a chrysler tech i met on usenet has been nice enough to answer any questions i might have about my intrepid. and, i did ask him not too long ago about servicing the differential. he said that as a rule at his dealership they don't ever change the diff grease unless the car sees severe duty (andre, you might fit the bill). he also went on to say that even tho some 99s and all 00 treps have tranny fluid (atf+4) good for 100k miles, he'd still change it around 60k. i also asked him if chrysler had ironed out all the problems with this particular tranny and he said that in the past few years tranny problems have really decreased. due mostly to better electronic control (torque management) and better tranny fluid. he went on to say that the minivan tranny (41te - te for transverse electronic) still sees some problems because of its somewhat weak tranny-diff connection. the 42le (le for logitudinal electronic) in the trep has a much stronger and better lubricated diff and apparently sees far fewer problems. anyway, i'll have to ask him about the timing belt thing. later...
Kerry
I called them about changing the differential grease, and they're telling me there is no differential, that they just do a transaxle service and that's it. They also tried to sell me a "30,000 mile service package" which was basically a cooling system flush, transaxle flush, oil change, rotate the tires, replace the air filter and pcv valve, and change the spark plugs for something like $347.00.
But if the thing has long-life coolant and long-life spark plugs, why should they need to be changed so fast? The owner's manual also said the transaxle fluid should be changed around 50K miles.
The dealer also said changing the power steering fluid was a waste, but recommended putting an additive in it to make it last longer. Any opinions on that?
The local shop I deal with also recommended changing the transaxle fluid at around 30K, but also didn't know anything about servicing the differential separately, although they at least said they'd look into it (as opposed to refusing to admit the thing even exists like my dealer did). I think I'm just going to take it to the local garage, since they'll do what the car needs, and for a heck of a lot less.
-Andre
sounds like your dealership is trying to take you for a ride! just follow the owner's manual for the proper care of your car and you'll be fine. and, every car has a differential, i'd hate to try and make a turn in a car without one. can't even imagine what would happen!
i think the concept of a differential becomes harder to understand with fwd cars because you can't see it, per se, like you can with a rwd car. on fwd cars, the diff and tranny are usually housed in the same casing (called transaxle) but are still separate and have their own lubrication systems and lubricant.
kerry,
i'm presuming you probably have a dark colour? that's why i always buy light colours. but, no i haven't had any paint issues with my intrepids (96, 98 and 00). i did however lease a 97 ram back in 96 that had a bright spot on the box that required a repaint of one side of the box...
The few minor (superficial scratches) that have inevitably occurred to my clearcoat have been greatly minimized by the use of these products. I have also discovered that by using a large rubber eraser (pink pencil type) I can prep these scratches by removing the damaged clearcoat so that the Zaino blends into them much better than without the prep.
concerning the 3.2/3.5l timing belt, my service tech buddy says to be sure and change it before 105k which is what the manual says. he recommends changing it by 90k just to be safe as both of these engines are not free-wheeling...meaning that if the belt breaks you'll likely have valvetrain and maybe even piston damage.
Where my Taurus had a pearl black finish my Durango has the straight black color. You can't beat that deep black when it's clean but they can be a "wee" bit more difficult to take care of.
frito,
I've been using Meguir's Deep Crystal system for the prep and polish and then the gold class for wax. I do like Meguir's products a lot and have never had problems in the many years I've used them. I don't blame them for my problems because I used their products on my Taurus with absolutely no problems. I have heard a lot of talk about Zaino on Edmunds but I really don't know much about them. Just about everyone who talks about it endorses it but I need a little more than that before I want to put an "unknown" substance on my vehicle.
Thanks,
Kerry
Any suggestions on where to put it? (be nice, now! ;-)
-Andre
Andre- I'll look up the pvc installation in my service manual if no one else responds in the meantime.
oops, looks like i rambled a bit!
Kelly
There's nothing more subjective than opinions on what's attractive and what's not, but I do like the way the 300 looks. I also really like my Intrepid's apprearance. Now the Chrysler LHS and Concorde, those are a different story, IMO.
Like I said, what one finds attractive is pretty subjective, but it's hard for me to get offended by some dude with purple neon lights under his 300 who thinks the Intrepid "ugly"!!
2001 Dodge Intrepid Feature Highlights
Note: The information shown is preliminary and based on data available at the time of publication.
MODELS
Base model renamed Dodge Intrepid SE
CHASSIS
Optional 16 x 7-inch Cast Aluminum Wheels for Intrepid SE [tentative]
BODY
New Windshield Pillar Moldings for Improved Water Management and Reduced Wind Noise
New Colors - Black and Deep Sapphire Blue Pearl Coat (SE and ES only)
Molded Key Heads with "Dodge" Ram Logo 2
INTERIOR
Split-Folding Rear Seat with Center Armrest and Armrest Cup Holders - Optional on SE and R/T
New Venice Cloth Seats - Standard on ES
Royale Leather and Vinyl Seats with Vinyl Door Appliqués - Optional on R/T
New Colors - Dark Slate Grey and Taupe - All; Sandstone - SE and ES only
Steering Wheel Audio Controls for Volume, Mode, Radio Frequency and Radio Station Presets Included with Infinity® Audio System
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
Additional Electrical Power Outlet in Center Console on Bucket Seat Models
SAFETY & SECURITY
Available Supplemental Side Air Bags(a) To Enhance Side-Impact Protection for Driver and Front Passenger
Center Rear Seat Three-Point Seat Belt System
Internal Emergency Trunk Release
Remote Keyless Entry Key Fobs with "Dodge" Logo
(a) Certified to federal regulations that allow less forceful front air bags. Always use seat belts. Children 12 and under should always be in a back seat correctly using an infant or child restraint system, or a seat belt that is right for their age and size.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
2.7-, 3.2- and 3.5-Liter Engines Meet Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards in All 50 States
Like davidu says, styling is subjective....I also like both the 300 and the Intrepid. We here know that the two cars come down the same line and are basically the same. I think that human nature is such that if you've paid more for something, you convince yourself that what you got is better. The objective performance numbers between the 300 and the Intrepid say the cars are basically identical but that's a hard sell to folks who paid $5000 more for one.
Thanks for the info on the 2001 Treps. Naturally they add the second power point after I buy mine.
And now (this is davidu's fault), with it being Friday and all, I feel the need, the need for neon or Neon under my Intrepid!!!!!
Have a good weekend all.
While my folks like their 300, it has had a number of "build" problems that have needed correction, far more than my lowly Intrepdi. The glove box door has been replaced twice due to faulty fit. The OEM windshield was replaced at 100 miles due to bubbling of the black edge trim and weather strip failures and the car has had several rattles corrected that certainly have not occurred in my Intrepid. The battery shorted internally at 5,000 miles and had to be replaced, and the OEM Eagle LS's were replaced under warranty with Michelin Pilot XGT Z4's due to the oft mentioned vibration.
Meanwhile, my newer Intrepid with about 21,000 miles has required one new power window motor, and that's IT. The doors close with an expensive thunk, the car has not one rattle, and overall, I'd say the build quality is BETTER than my parent's 300. In fact, after riding in my Intrepid a number of times, they're thinking of ditching their 300 for a 2001 Intrepid or Sebring Sedan.
Anyway, my point is (and I think I'm preaching to the choir, but bear with me)- 300M owners are paying for more features, NOT better quality.
They've proably inhaled too much Zaino to understand anyway.
If that was the case, then they must have all been hung over the day they built mine. ;-))
fastdriver
not sure but will take a look later about the horsepower thing...
emale, thanks, I am just curious about the hp thing, like I said earlier, it's making me glad I got the 2000. I'm all for clean air but lowering horsepower is a step backwards in my book.
Kelly
Don't be a chicken! I think I know who you're referring to! He does get out of control sometimes with other members in the same group. I guess it's just his youthful exuberance that makes him fly off the handle! LOL....
fastdriver
Available Supplemental Side Air Bags(a) To Enhance
Side-Impact Protection for Driver and Front
Passenger
Center Rear Seat Three-Point Seat Belt System
Above copied from emales post. Just one word difference between the Passat and Intrepid. DC has "available side air bags, with the Passat its standard. Lower HP to pass the emission tests country wide, interesting tatic. What "standard" items now become an option to keep the price basically same as 00?
]
I looked at all 3 when I bought our 99 ES. The 300 is a classy car with a few more creature comforts. However, the extra $$$ didn't seem justified. We liked the way the Intrepid looked better than the Concorde. My wife, now age 46, didn't want to be seen in anything that resembles "Grandma's Car". We like the Intrepid at 20,000 miles. By the way the dealer is changing my oil and filter for $5.65 a pop. Pretty good deal, huh? The only extra service they have recommended is 15,000 mile transmission service.
Keep it shiny
Anyone else with this problem?
It was a computer chip and it was under warranty. It cost $93.45
Just make sure to use the "MOPAR" fluid.
just checked on the 01' 3.2l engines output. it is 222 both horsepower and torque. that is down from 225 from last year. i guess that 50 states lev compliance thing is taking a bit of a toll. of more interest is the fact that highway gas mileage has dropped to 26! my 00' is rated 28! however, that said, 26 is still a couple more miles per gallon more than say a v/6 passat! i hope dc sees fit to stick a 5 speed autobox in the next generation intrepid, or sooner! i just discovered they are now putting one (5 speed auto)in the 01' grand cherokee!
Are the rebates pushing the price below invoice so the dealers can move them out or is this too good to be true?
The rebates are probably pushing the prices this low. But be careful, are these really new cars, and is that after down payment? Read the fine print and go for it.
I have a '99 ES and we like it. But I paid $25,000. Invoice for that model, and no rebate at that time.