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I wonder how much it costs nowadays to replace a power window motor. I had 2 go out in my 1989 Gran Fury, and it cost $500 to fix them both ($150 for each motor and $100 each window for labor), and this was at a local garage, not the dealer. At least they lasted until the car was 10 years old, though! The windows on my Intrepid all work fine, which is a miracle considering how much I play with the switches, but they do creak a little sometimes when they fully close. It'll be just my luck that one of them fails after the warranty is up ;-)
Anyway, Coach, good luck with whatever car you end up getting! I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and hope my Intrepid holds up. It's been a great car so far, but I just have an inherent distrust of new cars...I think mainly because they cost so much to fix when they DO break! It's a pain to be paying $300-400 a month or more on a payment, and then have to be shelling out more for repairs on top of that!
-Andre
This info is contained in one of the manuals that you should have received with the car! IF I remember correctly, it was a separate booklet from the owner's manual and explains what is covered under the California emissions law and the rest of the country. IF you did not get this booklet, I believe this is against the law.
Ask the dealer if you can see the package of manuals for a new car. If they are taking these manuals out of the package, something is amiss.
I would try contacting the FTC- Federal Trade Commission- http://www.ftc.gov/ for help OR just look at this-
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/warr95fs.txt
Hope this helps.
fastdriver
Some "specified components" are covered under the Federal emissions warranty for 8 yrs/80,000 miles, and for the Concorde/300M/LHS/Intrepid those components include only the left/right catalytic convertors, intake manifold assembly
powertrain control module, and transmission control module.
The EGR valve and control system are listed specifically as items covered only for 2 years/ 24,000 miles under the Federal Emission Warranty.
Thanks for clarifying it. I didn't have my warranty booklets with me when I wrote. I always thought that it was 5/50,000 period. Never really noticed when all these other dates/mileage limits entered the picture.
fastdriver
http://www.luckyjdr.homestead.com/ls1impala.html
The upcoming 5.7L V-8 powered Impala SS (2003?)
I have a 99 ES (loaded) and since when new have experienced vibration above 55 mph (similar to out-of-balance tires). Dealer rotated and balanced tires several times. Service manager took an interest since it was being brought in so frequently for same problem. I suspected out-of-round tires. Service manager took car to local company owned Goodyear store - and they replaced two of the tires (out-of-round). Next rotation - vibration back as before. Service manager took car back to Goodyear store - the store said there were two bad rims. Service manager replaced two rims. Problem persisted. I suggested to the service manager that we start with switching tires with another vehicle and work our way upstream if that didn't cure the problem. Manager took car back to the Goodyear store who said tires were within specs. Service manager contacted Goodyear district office and secured four new tires. All is perfect now. LOVE the car!
That's EXACTLY what MY "5-STAR" dealers SHOULD have done, but didn't! After 10 1/2 months of my 99 300M going LEFT, I dealt with Goodyear DIRECTLY! I got 4 new tires at 11,000 miles- NO CHARGE!
Glad that SOMEONE takes that "5-STAR" designation seriously! Have NO clue how some of them hold on to that rating year after year!
fastdriver
I mentioned this to the service manager, and he assured me that he would do everything in his power to see that I was not caught between the two this time. 'Course it is a little remarkable that he went to all the effort when you consider that the tires are warranteed by the tire manufacturer and not by the car maker.
I didn't mention that this same Dodge service manager was recruited from a Mercedes dealership - guess that says something too.
-Andre
Also, we just had some ice here in Atlanta, and some SOB hit my parked Intrepid and dented the hood. Since my collision deductible is 500, the repair will probably come in around 485
Her daughter also has a 2000 Intrepid. She bought it a couple weeks after I bought mine, and only has about 8,000 miles on it. She was recently involved in an accident with an SUV and a small car. I don't know all the details, but they had to cut the roof off of the small car, and in the process, dropped it on the Intrepid's otherwise undamaged hood. Her Intrepid is the only one I've ever seen with a bench seat...and that center position looks pretty useless.
Regalluvr, good luck with your new Regal. I've never tried the newer generation Regals, but have been in the similar Olds Intrigue...nice car, but it just seemed cramped to me. I love those old T-types from the 80's...they were fairly new around the time I got my license, and back then a Grand National was my dream car.
Happy holidays, everyone!
-Andre
When I compare them the Dodge is smoother, quiter (albeit 7 years younger), but less "sporty". however the fully loaded Legend LS (which has no cupholders,by the way) cost $28,000 in 1991, and the ES cost $26,000 in 1999.
Anyway, they are comparable in quality, although the newere Intrepid has less wind noise. My fridnds tell me that the Legend will last 300,000 miles but that the Intrepid is good for 150,000 at best. I intend to find out, as neither one (in the abscence of a crash) will be replaced any time soon.
have you experienced any transmission quirks in the new intrepid, just curious if chrysler has corrected a long standing problem.
REGARDING POST #564
HELLO I TOO OWN A 99 TREPID WITH 43,000 ON IT NOW WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I ALSO HAVE THAT ANNOYING VIBRATION,DEALER HAS REPLACED WHEELS,SEVERAL BALANCING JOBS,SEVERAL ROTATIONS, STILL A VIBRATION.DEALER TOLD ME HE WOULD KEEP IT AND GO THRU IT WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB,HE CAME UP WITH WHAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS,AND PUT ON 2 NEW TIE ROD ENDS FREE OF CHARGE GUESS WHAT? STILL VIBRATED.AT 28,000 MILES WE PUT A NEW SET OF TIRES ON IT BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THEY WERE JUNK WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR,STILL NOT HAPPY OVER THAT.THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS IS,WE HAD THE DEALER PUT ON THE SERVICE COMPUTER IF ANY PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD AND OUT OF WARRANTY HE WILL FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE,SO I HAVE BEEN ASKING EVERYBODY IF THEY KNOW THE FIX TO THIS.HOPE YOURS IS FIXED FOR GOOD,AND GOOD LUCK.
It has very strong kick if you floor the pedal. Acceleration from 0 could be better. Unfortunately the car had very bad odor coming from panel but it was going away like 10 minutes after you start driving. Very good on gas, more than 1750 miles I only bought 3.5 or 4 tanks. Very comfortable, no back pain or discomfort. Unlike some others stated, it was not noisy, very decent level of noise level, very nice view, large windshield like my Accord. I will be seriously considering to buy one next December if DC comes up with nice deal.
I think my Intrepid just had its first real problem. The power lock in the driver's door makes a nasty noise when it unlocks, and sometimes the outside door handle won't work.
I took it to Circuit City, where I got the alarm installed, thinking it was something they messed up. But the guy there said that when they installed the alarm, they didn't even touch the door...they tapped into everything they needed to under the dashboard. So it looks like this lock is messing up all by itself without any help from Circuit City!
I'm dropping it off at the dealer tomorrow, and just in time, too! The 36K mile warranty is up in about 800 miles. I have an extended warranty, but it has a $200 deductible.
I'm driving out to Texas next week. I hope the dealer can fix the car by then!
-Andre
The intrepid rides better, yet handles about the same. The intrepid appears to corner a little flatter than the intrigue. I think that the intrepids' springs might be a little firmer than the intrigues' but the shocks are softer which gives a better ride over small bumps, that coupled with the intrepids' longer wheelbase contributes to this ride quality. The intrigue handles larger bumps better than the intrepid due to its softer springs.
The car i drove had the 2.7L engine which was not even in the same league as the intrigues' 3.5L engine. The intrepid had this vibration at idle and a coarseness under accleleration that was not present in the intrigue. The intrepid would shimmy at stoplights which was sort of annoying.
The intrigue has more front head and legroom, the
intrepid had much more rear legroom.
The intrepids black plastic dash was kind of cheap looking and the radio did not work.
The intrepid actually seemed to be alittle quieter.
Driving the intrepid it felt big and a little unwieldly at times, especially around turns.
I have to say that for me the intrigue was the better choice, it just feels more refined, its powertrain is above reproach. Now if i can just get GM to fix the durn thing i will be happy, but i am not holding my breath.
just got a call from the dealer. It turns out the power lock actuator in my Intrepid has to be replaced. It's still under warranty though, so I guess it's no big deal. I guess that's not too bad, considering that's the first semi-major thing that's broken on the car in the 35K+ miles I've had it!
-Andre
Anyway, just be careful, because it's possible to lock yourself out of the car. When my lock was acting up, if I opened the door from inside without unlocking it first, (i.e., just pulling the handle, which overrides the lock)...well, it would let me open the door, but wouldn't necessarily override the lock, so if it closed behind me it would be locked. I use the car to deliver pizzas part-time in the evenings, and I had to make sure the window was cracked just in case it locked me out. I don't like turning the car on and off 30 times a night, so I leave it running when I'm at the customers' houses...starters are too easy to burn up and don't come cheap, and the last 3 cars I used to deliver with ('68 Dart, '79 Newport, '89 Gran Fury) all ended up eating progressively more expensive starters.
Good luck with it!
-Andre
While I admire the styling and innovation on Chrysler,Plymouth,Dodge products I am quite concerned about quality control and long term reliability, especially regarding major failures such as transmissions. I've always been a bit of a GM guy (from back in teenage hotrod days) and believe that while GM products have their own quality control problems such as fit & finish, cheap plastic interiors and rattles their powertrains have been reliable. But now it's 2001 and GM just doesn't offer a car I like at a price point I can afford.
So what have your experiences been with the current body style of Intrepids? What problems are common? Would you buy another? I know no car is perfect but I'd like to hear honest opinions after owning the vehicle for a while.
Thank you
I deliver pizzas part time and have taken a few trips, so that's why my mileage is so high.
It's been a good car, but I do have a few complaints. The car has no legroom in the front. I don't care what the statistics say, I need more legroom. Edmunds lists front legroom at 42.2". For comparison, they list the Impala and Taurus at 42.2", even bigger cars like the Crown Vic at 42.5". All I know is that I'm more comfortable in a Crown Vic or Impala, although the Intrepid does beat the Taurus here.
Also, the floorpan is not flat...it slopes upward gently from the center of the car to the door, and this bugs my ankles. And the dead-pedal is useless...much too small for my size 13 foot, and it also bends my foot at an unnatural angle.
I have a base model with manual seats, though, which may make some difference. I sat in a Concorde with power seats, which helps out considerably in the legroom department. I'm also 6'3", and was raised on Galaxies, real Impalas, and Newports, so of course I'm going to feel cramped?
I also just drove back 1450 miles from Houston, so I really don't consider the interior of my car to be the most inviting place right now...I'll calm down later ;-) Oh yeah, my car's bucket seats are not very comfortable to sleep in, either ;-)
Seriously, though, I'd recommend the car. Just try to get one with power seats, though. And keep up on maintenance, especially the transmission.
-Andre
Did your dealer try this? On the Intrepid it could be this or the BCM(body control module), most likely it's the relay, your car has 2. The relays(hi/low&on/off) are located in the PDC(power distrib center) under the hood by the motor. Maybe this will help'em.
Might want to check out another dealer as some 5-stars shouldn't be...
If you want it for resale value look to a Honda but you'll pay 6 grand more in the first place. If you plan to keep it, buy an Intrepid. In Canada they now have a 100,000 km power train warranty. I sure wish my Dad had it.
Kent K
I am considering the purchase of a Dodge Intrepid SE (list 20,910 plus dest.) or ES (list 22,605 + dest). I will be purchasing through the "Chrsyler Friends Program," which is supposed to mean that I get 2% below factory invoice plus the current 1,000 rebate. This certificate was given to me by a Chrsyler retiree and expires in three days (1/31). I have a couple of questions about pricing:
1. Dealers' invoices seem to differ from those on Edmunds because they add 200-300 dollars for "advertising fees, etc." I've been told by dealers that this charge is imposed on them by Chrsyler and that it's non-negotiable. Is this a fair charge by the dealer or a way to pad the price?
2. What is a "fair" price for the Dodge Intrepid? Are people typically paying 300-400 above factory invoice or getting invoice deals (not counting the 1,000 rebate)?
3. Am I doing as good as I can do with my "Friends" certificate, or could I get just as good a price through hard bargaining?
Information will be greatly appreciated. Unless the rebate is extended, I think it expires tomorrow (1/29).
Positives...
I am a quite large person (read fat) and found I can fit confortably. The interior room for this sized car is enourmous. The trunk as well.
The steering was nice and quick and the suspension was taught (sp?) and the car felt quite sporty for a sedan of this size. If felt solid and a bit stiff (a good thing in my mind).
Power seemed good although perhaps not quite as much as I expected.
Negatives...
Typical american plasticy interior. Guages looked cheap.
Engine noise was more than expected especially under acceleration and sounded tinny rather than throughty and powerful. To me anyway.
The biggest negative is perhaps in my mind. I am not one who can afford to buy a new car every few years and I don't like the idea of leasing so quality control and long term reliability is very important to me. Chrysler,Plymouth,Dodge doesn't have a good reputation in this regard and that worries me. Regardless of warranties, I don't want to have many problems and don't want to be a service dept. regular. Of course these cars may be better now and the one I drove seemed solid enough without any rattles or squeeks but it does nag at me.
Still, if I do decide on an american car, this one is right at the top. As much as I've been a GM person their sedans aren't that attractive to me and the Intrepid seems a good value.
Oh, by the way, in the first 14K miles, NOTHING has gone wrong, something I cannot say about my wife's 98 Malibu, or my earlier 95 VW.
In the midwest, the rebates are large, so the car is a real bargain.
I guess you take your chances with any vehicle these days in regards to whether you get a lemon or not.
One good thing about the Intrepid is that I can easily rent one to try it out for a week. It's amazing that we make such huge decisions on cars based on a short test drive.
I absolutly love the front end styling on the Chrysler Concord (but not the rear). I wish i could order an Intrepid R/T with the Concord's front end:)
I'm pretty sure the 3.3 uses a chain. It's a relatively simple OHV engine that was carried over from the minivans and the Dodge Dynasty/Chrysler New Yorker. I believe the 3.8 minivan engine is also derived from this same block. I could be wrong, though.
hendoggd...
I think the Intrepid is low enough! My 2000 is already about to lose the plastic stone shield up front, from scraping curbs, speed bumps, etc. Lower if you want, but it only means you'll hit more things!
-Andre