the sad Death of the Intrepid

I know that Chrysler had to make a bold break to try to get some
exposure in the sedan market, but to be honest, I am going to miss the
Intrepid.

I have a '97 ES and I love the thing. With 150k miles on it it still
drives and handles very well. It has had some foibles (I had to get
the tie rod ends replaced for ~$1000.) But I just think back to when I
first saw the car in a '91 Automobile and thought that Chrysler was
really going places.

The 300C just doesn't grab me that way. The interior is nice, but I
don't like the reversion to the three box rear wheel drive design.
Daimler seems to have done some good things with the quality; but some
bad things with the design (why does every Mercedes sedan design seem
heavier than hell? One mag was talking just over 4000lbs for the
300C!!!). And the exterior is well, nothing amazing to me.

Wasn't the '98 redesign done with a future in mind? I.E. an all wheel
drive capability? And why not have a powerful 6 if they couldn't fit
the hemi in there?

Ah well, I guess I am just complaining and wondering what I am going
to get when its time for my Intrepid to go in a few years. Maybe a '03
Intrepid or 300M.

Jimbo

 

| I know that Chrysler had to make a bold break to try to get some
| exposure in the sedan market, but to be honest, I am going to miss the
| Intrepid.
|
| I have a '97 ES and I love the thing. With 150k miles on it it still
| drives and handles very well. It has had some foibles (I had to get
| the tie rod ends replaced for ~$1000.) But I just think back to when I
| first saw the car in a '91 Automobile and thought that Chrysler was
| really going places.
|
| The 300C just doesn't grab me that way. The interior is nice, but I
| don't like the reversion to the three box rear wheel drive design.
| Daimler seems to have done some good things with the quality; but some
| bad things with the design (why does every Mercedes sedan design seem
| heavier than hell? One mag was talking just over 4000lbs for the
| 300C!!!). And the exterior is well, nothing amazing to me.
|
| Wasn't the '98 redesign done with a future in mind? I.E. an all wheel
| drive capability? And why not have a powerful 6 if they couldn't fit
| the hemi in there?
|
| Ah well, I guess I am just complaining and wondering what I am going
| to get when its time for my Intrepid to go in a few years. Maybe a '03
| Intrepid or 300M.
|
| Jimbo

I have the same thoughts. The 300C is a 80's-looking box...nothing sleek about
it, Chrysler had the distinctive edge on design...now they're making a box? I
don't get it either!

 

well if rumors are correct and remember rumors are just that...... the
charger is coming back in 06. 4 doors and NEW 6.2 L hemi.

maybe thats what they will field in nascar?? with no intrepid, who knows.

 

Actually, the 300C and Magnum ARE based on the Intrepid / 300M platform,
that's why they are designated LX and the Intrepid was LH. In fact, the
basic platform was originally designed - by RENUALUT - to be FWD, RWD, or
AWD! It was gonna be the Renault Premier, then the Chrys buyout changed the
name to Eagle, and the rest, as they say, is history.

BTw, enlarged Hemi is 6.1L, amazing power. hang on!

Rick

 

Sorry, you're totally wrong.....

The LX platform shares nothing in common with the LH. The closest cousin to
the LX is the Mercedes E-Class W210 sedans....

 

As both of you have made definite statements of 'fact', why not present your
respective credentials so that we agnostics can decide?

DAS

 

Actually, the 300C and Magnum ARE based on the Intrepid / 300M platform,

Aw cripes, won't that stupid rumor EVER die?

If anyone could show me ONE part from an Eagle Premier that could even
remotely be imagined as fitting on an Eagle Vision, I'd be impressed...
but still wouldn't buy into the whole "Renault designed it" BS. The
whole thing springs from the fact that they both have longitudinally
mounted engines in a FWD platform. But saying that the LH is based on
the Premier makes EXACTLY as much sense as saying the Premier is based
on the Olds Toronado becauese it too had a longitudinal engine in a FWD
platform.

The LH cars were designed in Auburn Hills. PERIOD.

 

In Bob Lutz' book, he mentions the Eagle Premier/Dodge Monaco as having
been the platform *inspiration* for the LH cars, but that's quite a
different matter altogether from there having been any commonality between
the two.

(A back-to-back nighttime drive behind Eagle Premier headlamps and then
LH-car headlamps should be enough to convince anyone of this...unless the
LH-car headlamps are on Steve's Vision, but that's, er, another matter.)

My Dodge D100 pickup is based on a 1977 Chevrolet Impala. Front-mounted
longitudinal V8 engine, 3-speed automatic with column shifter, and RWD.
*g*

I donno...didn't I read something in Mopar Action that contradicts
this...?

DS

 

Both vehicles has 2 front fenders, 2 rear fenders, a hood, and trunk lid.
What more proof do you need?

 

I still do not understand the logic behind DC killing off all front
wheel drive LH cars. Granted, I would prefer a rear-drive over a
front-drive for handling in dry weather, but a lot of people (including
myself) have gotten use to the front-wheel drive handling in nasty
weather. I would think that they would at the very least keep the
Intrepid for people with small families who would prefer a front wheel
drive car. Maybe redesign it a little to distinguish it from the 2nd gen
Intrepids. I don't know too many people who would settle for a Stratus
or Neon just to have front wheel drive. It is almost like DC is
motivating people to buy from someone else.

I would have to agree. I have seen a 300C floating around where I live
and I can't get use to those really small side windows. Seems like a
child designed it.

Just make sure you don't get the 2.7 engine *wink*

 

The replacement for the Neon is going to be a mits lancer. Don't know about
the Stratus, probably the Gallant. It will make me consider buying elsewhere
for my next car.

 

I'm in limbo with my 00 Intrepid. The Magnum has its charms, but if its
debuting at $45 000 cdn, I may take a walk on the (dare i say it) Japanese
side.

 

yeah and try to find parts for that eagle premier too


not fun

 

Dieser normalAmerikans, dey vill buy dese rebranded Japaneess
kompaktvagens und den ve sell der rebranded Mercedes krautvagens fur die
ritschenfolks! Now's de time on Schprockets ven ve DANCE!

<cue weird teutonic music and spastic hand movements>

Now you understand the "logic".

 

As in, "Wow, I bet we could actually design a car like that and NOT make
it a frog-eating pile of junk," maybe?

 

Daniel J. Stern wrote:

You know, overall I LIKE Mopar Action. I really do. But there are always
these moments when I fling it across the garage in sheer frustration.
The bad thing is it doesn't even make a good cheap substitute for
oil-dry because the pages are too glossy....

 

I'd never do THAT... But Ford may get a new (old) customer in me. Too
bad the only sedan Ford builds that's worth a second look is the Crown
Vic / Marquis / Town Car. Talk about all the styling of a living room on
wheels....

 

Conservatively speaking, Steve, you're not gonna need a replacement for the
Vision for at least another 12 years, at minimum. So why profane yourself
like this?

--Geoff

 

Actually, my wife has got an itch for a restored 85-90 Jeep Grand
Wagoneer. Either way, you're right

 

Actually I miss the 94 LHS body style. Why come out with a gorgeous body
style like that and just throw it away after 4 years.