By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I hope I get the car back soon though, because the truck I'm driving is only getting like 11-12 mpg!
Anyway, I did a quick search on the web, and found there is a TSB. It's at this page: http://www.alldata.com/TSB/16/981621EZ.html 45th one down. I couldn't find a way to actually read it in detail though.
whenever i have a problem that is covered by a tsb...i always mention that when i take the car in...seems to get them headed in the right direction the first time!!
Don't forget you can always use the keyword search on the left side of the page to look up discussions. It defaults to looking for the keyword in the title of all the Town Hall message boards, but you can use the advanced search to search even deeper within a single board (such as Sedans, Maintenance & Repair, SUVs, etc.).
AND, when you know what discussion you want to search, just use the handy-dandy "Search This Discussion" feature on the page bar.
The outstanding search features here are the Town Hall's best kept secret.
:-)
Sooo, when I got home, I used this as an excuse to run out to the liquor store ;-) Got to see the rpms drop to 500 a couple times, and no oil light. Who knows? Maybe this time it's fixed for real!
Oh yeah, I also got a good look at that '03 Concorde LXi that my dealer is selling. Saw some online pics. It has a bench front seat!! Yuck! Looks really weird in leather. It actually kinda reminds me of the split-bench seat Chrysler used a lot in the late 60's and 70's on some of their more upscale Valiants and Darts...the kind that was basically two bucket seats with a little, non-moveable section mounted in the middle. Like that's going to be comfortable to sit on!
It also had some funky woodgrain on the center part of the dash that just didn't look right with a dark-gray interior. It looked radioactive, somehow! So, as long as the thing keeps running, I guess I'll hold on to my 'Trep!
Here's one that's winking at you... ;-)
And here's one that's supposed to be a devilish grin... >:-)~
I used to know some dirty ones too, but I'll play nice today!!
Jboehm...see my response over on the 300M board.
Usually Alcan or I can come up with the TSB, if it isn't too lengthy.
Have fun.
Oh yeah, Hi Pat!
My rental was fairly basic with the 2.7 litre engine. Very nice car. I have not driven one for a few years and had forgotten just what a nice car this is. The interior is easily the most stylish, and to my eyes, it it the best looking full size car on the market.
The powertrain is not as smooth as what is found in comparably-priced GM vehicles (like Buick Century)but it is not as soft riding and has much better fit and finish. The switch gear was kind of cheap feeling as well, like most other Big 3 products, but everything worked well.
Up here these things are dirt cheap, usually less than C$23K plus freight and tax. They get a 7-year/115,000 km warrantee on the powertrain. Pretty good deal.
So are these now reliable cars over the long haul? The older ones have a terrible reputation up here for long term quality and especially for wonky transmissions. They have absolutely no resale either.
What are your experiences?
A quick story about the local 5 star Chrysler dealer - Mauro Motors, Woodbridge, NJ.
I took my Intrepid there the day before Thanksgiving (couldn't get into the Dodge dealer until the next week) for a check on an oil leak. I change my own oil. From what I could see of it sitting in the parking deck at work, it was leaking from somewhere near the filter. As best I could (without my ramps) I tightened the filter. Brought it in for service, turns out it was the loose filter. They charge $35 to tighten the oil filter, and another $35 for a tire rotation. OUCH!
Mind you, living in the Toronto area, a small car is a better choice for city driving. And operating costs for these cars is lower and the engines in the Japanese cars are a bit smoother. But still, the Intrepid is one incredible bargain.
I understand the new base model of the LX cars will carry over the smaller 2.7 litre engine. I wonder if it will be quieter. That was my only real beef with the car is that the base powerplant is noisier than a comparable GM car. Mind you I would rather live with the nicer styling and finish of the Intrepid than the appalling appearance of many current mid-size GM vehicles (and this from a happy GM customer for 20 years!).
Being a long time GM guy I really like that Grand Prix since it nice to drive and soldily built. I have to admit that I prefer the exterior styling of the outgoing Grand Prix more than the current one. I do not like the interior in either the current or the previous Grand Prix. The Intrepid is much more stylish overall on the outside while the dash materials are of higher quality in appearance. Both cars feature switch gear that is a little on the cheap size.
Both of these car are made in the Greater Toronto Area, Oshawa for the Pontiac and Brampton for the Intrepid. The GM stuff always ranks a little higher quality and powertrain refinement wise but the Chrysler gets the thunbs up for style. The price difference is startling and the new Pontiac is not as common with fleets so the deals are fewer and less generous.
I'm not as crazy about the '04's body style, but like the fact they stripped off a lot of the cladding. And the interior, while not world-class, is a big improvement over the old one. Seems like the body panels also line up much better. I also like the fact that the 3.8 is standard even in the base model, instead of the 3.1. I had a 3.1 in an '01 Malibu rental, and can only imagine that it'd be even worse in a GP! And finally, FINALLY, GM has made a W-body with a front seat that goes back far enough for me! The back seat is hopelessly cramped though. And overall, the car just doesn't inspire me enough to make me want to run out and dump my Intrepid for one.
If I had to get another new car, right this instant (like if my 'Trep got totaled), truthfully, I'd probably just get another Intrepid, or maybe a Concorde. Overall, I think it's still one of the best cars out there, for my needs and wants. Only thing I'd do differently is get a 3.5 instead of a 2.7.
That Chrysler 3.5 litre is a really nice engine. I have driven a 300M which is a lot more money with that engine and it was powerful and smooth. I think the economics of that car are not as attractive as the Intrepid with the same engine, although I liked the 300M overall.
At over $35 K - $40 K for the 300M it is in direct competition with Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes and BMW, all of which have more cache. Mind you some of these premium cars are not all that great quality and servicing is getting to be an issue on the M-B. Heck even Kia and Hyundai are selling cars in this price range so it is all relative.
I thought the Sable (and Taurus) cleaned up quite nicely when they restyled them for 2000. And Ford was the about the only automaker by that time that had the guts to offer a green interior!
The one thing I will say is they have been very reliable so far. The most miles on any one is around 35,000 the last time I saw the print out. The few problems we've had were within the first 60 days in service and it was dealer adjustment stuff. Because for some of these cars the driving is constant stop and go, transmission problems were a major issue with the Victorias. So far, not even a hiccup from the Intrepids.
You're correct about the resale value, but they are also one of the cheapest cars you can buy especially in that size range. Of course, the truth be known the full size Fords are terrible on resale value, too.
Regards,
Dusty
That driving probably wore out my tires and brakes prematurely, too. I got about 30K out of the first set of tires, and the front pads lasted to 39K, and the rears, 51K. Before that though, I was driving cars that would sometimes go though front brakes every 10-15K and rears every 15-20K, so I wasn't complaining!
mike372...the Charger (or whatever the Dodge version of the LX sedan will be called) is not confirmed yet. Only the Magnum wagon will be released initally. It's hard to fathom that there wouldn't be a Dodge sedan (or why it's not being released right up front) but that may indeed be the case.
There is some movement towards FWD and both the Malibu and Intrepid are picking up some previously all RWD customers in the police market.
Dusty
I think if there is an LX Dodge sedan (Charger?) this could become the preferred squad by a mile.
Then there was the '82-89 Diplomat/Gran Fury, which also made a great police car (or taxi), but by that time they were such guzzlers that even if the public wanted them, Chrysler never would have built them in a very large quantity. And as time went by, Ford and GM got stuff like 4-speed automatics and fuel injection for improved fuel economy, while the Gran Fury/Diplomat stuck it out with an old Torqueflite 3-speed and 4-bbl carb right through the end. The only advancement they beat Ford and GM to the market with was in mid-1988, when they made a driver's side airbag standard in all cars.
There were actually a few Dodge Dynasty test mules set up to see how they'd do for police duty, and they actually didn't do too bad, but by that time, I think Chrysler decided the police market just wasn't worth it.
Now that the Intrepid's back in the game, though, it actually stacks up pretty well against the Chevy Impala and Ford Crown Vic. Awhile back, I found some Michigan State Police comparison tests on the internet, and I believe the Intrepid was slightly quicker from 0-60 than the Impala/Crown Vic, and that advantage widened for 0-100. I think top speed was even a bit better.
Where the Intrepid came up short though, was underhood area for installing stuff like lights and sirens, and I think the cops also weren't too crazy about the interior. Although I think an Intrepid's interior blows away a Crown Vic and especially the Impala!
As for the Crown Vic in general, they're not perfect, either. The old 302 was notorious for premature self-destruction, and the 4-speed trannies weren't all that durable. When they first went to the 4.6 in the new style for '92, they also had engine problems. One year, they switched to a larger rim with a lower-profile tire, and the resulting harder ride tore up suspensions, especially ball joints. Handling also isn't a strong point. Maybe they've improved with the '03 redesign that has rack and pinion steering, but every Crown Vic/Grand Marquis I've ever driven makes a mid 80's Caprice, or even my old '79 Newport, feel like a precision machine in comparison!
In fact, a lot of police departments like to buy up old Caprices and refurbish them, rather than buy a new Crown Vic. The '94-96 Caprice is especially desired by police departments.
Chrysler shouldn't have a problem cracking this market open again, especially once they go back to their roots with RWD (even if those "roots" have some Mercedes mechanicals!)
Thanks.
You might try a brighter headlamp bulb. I believe its Sylvania that has a new line of "sharpest, whitest" replacement bulbs out now that contend to illuminate more light.
Regards,
Dusty
PS...The Sylvania bright halogens are called "Silver Stars" - I run them in my Explorer, they are excellent.
*ABC Anything But Chrysler
Problem is, I have 9 payments left on the loan, and I'm really not feeling taking on a new one. I was in a similar situation when I got this car - I got rid of a car that was almost paid off, took on a new car (headache) and the bottom line is I'm still paying for it.
BTW - the engine needed the computer re-programmed. Kinda weird, as they replaced the computer when the car was seven months old, now this new computer had issues. According to the paperwork they gave me, there is a TSB on this, the engine fail code was "FM"
Running good for now.
So, that is a coil pack, fuel injectors, a new computer, and a re-programming of the replacement computer, and it's still not right.
As luck would have it, the Lemon Law in NJ is good until 2 years or 18000 miles. The 2 year mark was 5 weeks ago.
According to my manual, I should start with the service manager for conflict resolution. I guess I'll start there so as to not jump over anyone's head. Anybody else been down this road with DC?
depends which engine you have. if it's the 3.5l then you have a timing belt. if it's the 3.3l then you have the chain. chain's normally don't need any maintenance. dodge suggests changing the timing belt around 105k...
This "road" is well travelled, and the players on the other side have their lines rehearsed well--the most common being -You are the first one with that problem. Start with the service manager then the GM and if your lucky the dealer principle works on site. Good luck but don't get your hopes up too high.
Personally I had problems with a DC purchase and the only way it got resolved is when I decided to take the loss and unload the JUNK.
We have had the same problem and lack of action by the DC group regarding the fleet vehicles. In 2001 the bean counters decided the "cheaper" Intrepids would be a suitable vehicle for our needs, never have they been more mistaken. The 2001, 2002 had many problems electrical, transmissions (solenoids), ball joints, wheel brgs, door locks, window motors, heater motors, a/c parts etc etc etc. When the cost of ownership got to a certain level the bean counters admitted their mistake and decided that initial cost is not the only factor in determining the correct vehicle for the job.
We only have one 2003 Intrepid the recent purchases have been from another manuf, and one thing for sure they cannot be any worse then the Intrepids.