posted 08-21-2002 07:15 PM                  

Several postings lately have been re: prices. My experience in sourcing this car was very interesting. Since I got the Prowler "bug" around February, it seems like prices have actually gone up on the used cars by $2-3,000. Seems like then, I could have gotten a low-miles car for about $30-32K, but I have had several dealers and sellers absolutely blow me off at that range in the last month. Even rental Prowlers in the 15K mile range are quite firm in the mid-$30's, and the price only drops $1,000 or so for miles over 20K, which seems like a lot of hard driving for this kind of car. I'm betting few Prowlers get gentle "grandma" miles. I agree with prior posts that as these cars age and miles build up, prices will drop dramatically, so I can't see this as a true "classic car investment". Low production will keep prices pretty strong on low mile pristine examples, but it will only be a matter of time before dropping prices bring the cars into reach of a different kind of owner than we see now, and then they'll be just like any other used car.

I'm a bit disappointed that my car does not have the "high output" engine that later years had, but last month I rented the orange car that Budget Rents of Beverly Hills has on the lot, but even with the bigger engine, I could not get those rear tires to chirp off the line from a stop, no matter how hard I stood on it. Tire chirping (or lack thereof) seems to be the most popular subject on this board, so my first question for the group is a simple one: if I want to chirp the tires, what mods do I REALLY need? Am I going to have to go the full Paxton route, or are there some lower-priced mods that will get me just a puff of smoke or two off the line? Gotta do something, because it's hard to call it a hot rod if you can't burn at least a little rubber.

Also, if anyone knows of any peculiar problems to the 1999 model, I'd love to hear about it. The dealer took care of a minor recall item, but there are sure a lot of technical bulletins, and I'd like to know if there is anything that I should be keeping my eyes open for. I had to buy the Chrysler full warranty (nearly $2,000 !!!!) because the original had "timed out", so anything that goes wrong should be covered.

I also see that some members are worried about availability of parts. Should I be stockpiling any particular parts that are in short supply or are hard to find? It sure sounds like you guys go through an awful lot of center caps!!!

Finally, I'm looking forward to participating in any SoCal events, and I'm wondering if there is a local (L.A. or SoCal) chapter of this club ?

Again, this club is great, and is a necessity with a car like this. You guys have been a great resource!!

posted 08-21-2002 07:29 PM                  

There's good news, and there's bad news.

The good news: You should have thee "high output" engine. Only the 1997's had the lower HP engine per prowler history on Home Page:

"December 1997
A total of 457 Prowlers were built (all Purple). . . . . All of these were Purple with Silver wheels. The engine was the 3.5 liter V6 cast iron engine rated a 214 HP.

January 1998
The 1999 model year Prowler debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show with an all aluminum 3.5 liter 24 valve V6 that produces 253 HP."

The bad news: Read your extended warrantee. You can drive a Prowler through the loopholes (but it does cover the major items).

Good luck, and have fun.

posted 08-21-2002 08:10 PM                  

If you have 99, you have high output motor. Now, to add additional performance, the least expensive would be NOS, than you can go Paxton, Prowler Pro twin intakes, or Twin Turbos by Ida Automotive... You may want to add the Prowler Pro gears for a little more quickness right off the bat...

On the warranty, if you want to compare prices give David Caroon a call at 800-259-5337 Causeway Chrysler. He sells the Chrysler extended warranty for $100 over costs...

The SoCal group is very active... They just completed an cruise there last weekend to the Nettercutt museum..

posted 08-21-2002 09:35 PM                    

quote:

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Originally posted by jeffsurp:
I do not feel that this car will ever drop into the ranges that you predict. Look at the escalation prices of street rods that are out there.

Have fun - enjoy ---
J

---

Those street rods are 30-40 years old now. Wrecks, wear/tear, etc. over time have made them worth more. Those rods all had v-8's which is what hot rodder's want in those cars.

Witness cars like the ZR-1 which HAD a v-8 and it's production was about 1/4 of what the Prowler was and they can be had for a song.

Look, don't get me wrong, I love these cars but, they are not an investment (for the next 20-30 years anyway). If you still think so, email me and I can sell you some Enron stock at a bargain $85/share......

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Trey
"Who are you calling chicken? I said I'm YELLOW"

posted 08-21-2002 10:13 PM                  

ENJOY THE RIDE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and payments read your profile.

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Call 911 - there is a Prowler in my garage....
3.5 power packed POA hours daily, always with rock solid analysis of all the hot topics!

posted 08-21-2002 10:35 PM                  

If you love cars - you'll LOVE this one. They are simply too fun.

John

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posted 08-22-2002 07:19 AM                  

Marty

posted 08-22-2002 09:31 AM                  

Here is the up coming event in Orange County that you might want to participate. It's only park and shine. If you want a cruise, I am sure that's some there will join you. Hopefully we will see you there...

posted 08-22-2002 09:43 AM                  

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posted 08-22-2002 10:24 AM                  

I have had my Prowler only about a month, and this site is the best and most informative.

posted 08-22-2002 10:28 AM                  

I have to agree with you on that dealership in Torrance! I have dropped in there off and on over the years when I have seen a kat in their window. But don't be discouraged - they aren't as bad as the one in Glendale!

Todd is right about the Prowler Techs. The best ones we have found is Bart in Fillmore and the dealership in Ontario. There are probably some others out there but they haven't been found yet.

We have a great bunch of guys here in SoCal and love to go cruisin'

I have to agree with the ProwlerPro gears and the SSS muffler. I don't have the gears but I do have the muffler and I can chirp off the line (Just ask the tour guide at Nethercutt - ouch ). The gears would make it even better.

You are going to have some great fun with this car! Get ready to be the center of attention.

posted 08-22-2002 05:48 PM                  

fixumm

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posted 08-22-2002 06:21 PM                  

I see I posted a partial answer to your question a while back at:
http://www.prowleronline.com/cgi-bin/postings.cgi?action=reply&forum=Technical+Questions+|AMP|+Answers&number=2&topic=000686.cgi&TopicSubject=cheap+****++center+caps...&replyto=16

This was in the context of a dealer refusing to replace a wheel center cap under the EXTENDED warranty (I don't believe that anyone has reported this problem under the INITIAL warranty)

quote:

---

Originally posted by GRROWL:
Randy (and all) -

This is why I asked the question if anyone knew how Chrysler handled "hidden warrantees" on known weak/poorly designed parts.

When I bought the extended warrantee, it was on the basis of the offering pamphlet that stated,

"THE ONLY MAINTENANCE AND PARTS NOT COVERED ARE . . . .
- Maintenance services and items used in such services;
- Glass, plastic lenses;
- Body and paint items, including soft trim;
- Snow plows, winches and trailer hitches;
- Wear items such as manual clutch assembly, brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums and belts are not covered at any time."

The ACTUAL CHRYSLER CONTRACT eliminates MANY parts from coverage, including:

- wheel covers
- aluminum wheels
- exhaust system (this is a maintenance item?)
- lights (bulb, sealed beams, lenses) - (assumedly, the fogging headlight problem isn't covered)
- Shop supplies and materials (they can drive a truck through this one)
- side-view mirrors (glass/housing)
- door and window handles; knobs; buttons
- and MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Randy, you may have a SLIGHT chance of arguing this point. Contrary to what the dealer told you, at least my contract doesn't eliminate "trim parts". I would argue that the center caps are not "wheel covers" (don't wheel covers go over the entire wheel - on the order of 17" or 20"?) and they aren't "SOFT trim".

I, like jmcant1 who started this thread, am appalled by the lack of quality of the center caps and am amazed that DC didn't come out with a proper replacement the first year.

Anyone have any experience under the Chrysler extended warrantee?

- GRROWL

---

It does seem to cover the big mechanicals OK, but there's a lot it doesn't. I suggest you read the actual fine print (if you can get a hold of it before it's too late - it arrives in the mail after the glow dims down and most owners are likely to toss it in the drawer unread) mine is 7 pages long with most of page 4 detailing all of the items that are not covered.

I'll ask the question again - has anyone had any experiences, good or bad, to report under the extended warranty? Wheels, center caps, convertible top latches, ???

-GRROWL