6th Sep 2009, 12:53
Hello, I own a 2002 300m. Bought it with about 16,000 miles used from Carmax back in 2005.
Now in September 2009, I have 93,000 miles with a new transmission put in at 85,000 miles back in February 2009, because of the transmission going bad, at which point I had the limp mode experience and took it to dealership, and they had to install a new relay switch cause of the car idling and then stalling.
Recently I had hoses and belts replaced, the only serious repairs were the cost of a new transmission + install for $2700.
As I write this post currently, my car is at Pep Boys getting its master cylinder and brake booster, and front rotors, oil change and alignment done all for $820... I was thinking of trading the 300m, but I still owe 5g for it, plus I got a new transmission so I am good for another 100,000, now that I am starting to take more care of my car, and replacing old parts with new parts or doing the proper maintenance repairs.
The next job is doing the bodywork. I have a dented door from backing up incorrectly, so that's going to be $500.
The car itself is nice and I like the performance. It's like anything you own, you can't always expect perfection, so sometimes you may as well get the part fixed than ignore it and have it lead to bigger problems.
2nd Dec 2009, 23:15
I've got a Chrysler 300. I've got 173,000 on it and have no problems with it... it's the best car I ever had.
2nd Feb 2010, 01:24
I bought my 300m when it was three years old, and it is now 10 years old with 117K miles. It runs and looks almost like new. I have never had a car hold up this well. The exterior, interior look great, and the car runs and feels almost new.
The only problem is the brakes. The pads melt down. I have slotted and dimpled rotors for two years now, and they scrape off the melted pad instead of warping. I've tried about five different pads, and none can handle the job. I think the pads/rotors are undersized for the car's weight. I'm going to try Satisfaction pro or classic pads next time. They are much cheaper pads than the EBC racing pads and others I've been trying, but they solved a similar problem on another vehicle, so I will try this.
16th Aug 2010, 09:54
I recently bought a 2002 300M Special for my wife from a used car dealer with a 105,000 miles on it.
I test drove it for a short distance, it was fine, but after 2 days it started to get a clunk in the transmission, I think while it was downshifting coming to a stop. I took it back to the dealer and they found a code and cleared it. After 2 days it was back again. The transmission was rebuilt according to the car fax last year.
Has anyone had this problem? Appreciate any info on this issue.
17th Aug 2010, 09:19
That is a pretty specific problem isn't it? The tranny was rebuilt so who knows what kind of work they did with it? Also, you have over 100K miles on it and have no idea what kind of driving it was subjected to. You'd be better off typing your problem into Google and searching forums for this specific car. I find most of my answers to car problems that way.
4th Sep 2011, 19:22
Count yourself as blessed. I have a 2003 300M Special. We have spent over $1500 in the last 9 months... still occasionally runs hot, & shut down yesterday on the interstate. My husband says he's poured all the money into this car he intends to.
Also, the dash has been cracked for two years. Chrysler refused to replace it under original warranty, because it was an interior "cosmetic" part. NEVER AGAIN CHRYSLER!!!
27th Jan 2014, 11:43
I bought my 2002 300M special in 2004 with 36,000 miles on it. I replaced the transmission at 140,000 miles, the radiator at 179,000 and the plugs at 156,000 (just thought it was time, was still getting 26.9 MPG). I just gave it to my 18 year old daughter with 202,000 miles on it and it still runs great. Have been looking for a low mileage of the same vintage, as it has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.
Sorry some of you have had such bad luck!
16th Jul 2009, 13:18
OK I have you all beat. I bought my 02 300M Special with 49000 miles almost 3 years ago, it now has 150,000 miles on it. I just recently had the transmission rebuilt, it went into limp mode. I have had no problems except for doing the brakes and had to replace the two front drive axles. I hit a huge pot hole at 70 miles an hour, can't blame the car. I use only Mobile One and am actually changing the plugs in it now with 150,000 miles on it.