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Author Topic:   To buy or not to buy???
firebird
Prowler Newbie

From:Odessa, TX
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 06-29-2009 02:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for firebird     send a private message to firebird   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by firebird
Hello all,

This is my first post and maybe my most important one. I really enjoy reading this forum and have been doing so for
a few months. I'm 46 and have been working as a mechanic for the last 26 years.
I was looking to purchase a Kat but there have been a few
mechanical issues that are causing me to shy away. The main one being the TCM and or the transmission itself. I am under the assumption that the TCM's are hard to come buy when they go out and that only the dealer can reflash them?
Also,how about the Kat parts in general as far as availability through Dodge?
Any info in regards to help with my decision to purchase or not do to mainly mechanical and parts aaialiblty would be much appreciated.
I think the Prowler Is one of the coolest cars that the big three has ever produced!
Thank you
David

ALLEY CAT





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From:mesa, az, USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 06-29-2009 03:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ALLEY CAT     send a private message to ALLEY CAT   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by ALLEY CAT
BUY!

And enjoy the car!

I can't honestly answer your TCM question,,,,,but most parts are still around. Probably 1K out of 11K of them may have wrecked one way or another by now,,,,with parts sitting in the bone yards. I wouldn't worry about that now,,,,,maybe 20 years from now it might be more of a concern.

BTW,,welcome to the POA

------------------

Call 911 - there is a Prowler in my garage....
'00 Silver Millennium Edition, '01 Orange Rolex Edition, '99 Yellow Route 66 Edition, '06 SRT10 Viper Coupe

alrtg



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Prowler Junkie

From:Westminster, MD, USA
Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 06-29-2009 05:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for alrtg     send a private message to alrtg   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by alrtg
PM sent.

Short Version.....GO fot it!

catfish




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Prowler Junkie

From:scottsdale,az,usa
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 06-29-2009 06:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for catfish     send a private message to catfish   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by catfish
only a couple trans problems ive heard of,go ahead and buy it,no matter what brand or model,they are cars,they are not w,o mech. problems,they all have them.enjoy the cat,you wont be sorry.

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Steve Conley





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Prowler Junkie

From:Tucson,AZ,U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 06-29-2009 07:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Steve Conley     send a private message to Steve Conley   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Steve Conley
I've had my cat for 7 years now. (Why did I wait so long??) If you don't buy a cat. Years from now you will wonder why didn't I?? And you will have lost those years. And still not have one????? Life is fleeting, GO FOR IT!!
George Johnson




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From:Katy, TX USA
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posted 06-29-2009 08:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for George Johnson     send a private message to George Johnson   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by George Johnson
My only suggestion would be if you buy a 2001 make sure the previous owner changed the OE shocks to Konis. I have been thru that with mine. The fronts are easy but the rears are quite a job.
Besides that, I would say go for it, and it will be the enjoyment of a lifetime everytime you drive it.
Prowl 36

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From:Palm Bay, Florida, US
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posted 06-29-2009 08:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Prowl 36     send a private message to Prowl 36   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Prowl 36
The only problem I have run into is , When you buy your first one, you will soon want another, and another and another.

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ed monahan





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From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA
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posted 06-29-2009 11:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ed monahan     send a private message to ed monahan   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by ed monahan
I have owned four and have had a few mechanical problems but nothing that was a big deal. If you are a mechanic you should be able to handle most anything on the car. It is not that complicated. Don't forget that the problems are probably only on 1/10th of 1 percent of the cars so it is not a widespread problem, other than the wheels peeling.
CJ





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From:Rochester Hills, MI USA
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posted 06-30-2009 06:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for CJ     send a private message to CJ   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by CJ
I am fortunate enough to own three Prowlers. After 10 years and approx. 65,000 combined miles, I've not had any major problems with any of them. NO TCM or trans problems. There are still parts out there. It was called the "Parts Prowler" due to the fact that many of its parts were from other Chrysler vehicles. The engine, for example, was the same engine used in the LHS vehicles. The mirrors were from the minivan.

As with any other vehicle, if you take care of the vehicle, don't abuse it, it will last. And by the way, it IS the coolest car that was built by any of the big three!!!

Welcome to POA!!

STEVE ITALIA

Prowler Junkie

From:italia
Registered: May 2009
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posted 06-30-2009 01:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for STEVE ITALIA     send a private message to STEVE ITALIA   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by STEVE ITALIA
COMPRALAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
onecatnodog
Prowler Junkie

From:arvada,co,usa
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 06-30-2009 09:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for onecatnodog     send a private message to onecatnodog   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by onecatnodog
The Prowler has changed my life and if you buy one it will do the same to you.. I guess the major Problem that I myself have experienced is spending tons of time with friends out Prowlin and not keeping up on the choirs around the house... Thank goodness my wife is so forgiving and I have a 20 year old son.. John(onecatnodog)Collins
firebird
Prowler Newbie

From:Odessa, TX
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 07-02-2009 01:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for firebird     send a private message to firebird   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by firebird
Thanks for all the responses so far guys. OK, I feel a little more assured about purchasing one.
How about the A-frame (control arm,A-arm,whatever) bushings? Are they replaceable? Does the after market
carry them? Or do you have to replace the complete arms?
I had read a couple of posts on this forum that these
bushings were wearing out due to age and or usage.

Thanks
David

Howard


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Prowler Junkie

From:Valencia, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 07-02-2009 02:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Howard     send a private message to Howard   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Howard
According to the International Programs Center, U.S. Census Bureau, the total population of the World, projected to 07/02/09 at 19:36 GMT (EST+5) is

6,768,550,971

Total number of Prowlers produced 11702.

This is a unique car that only a few can own. I say buy one.

MDProwler



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From:Fallston,MD USA
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posted 07-02-2009 03:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MDProwler     send a private message to MDProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by MDProwler
David,
As with anything else the a-arm bushings are going to eventually wear out or dry rot. Mine is 8 years old and no problems. Right now you have to buy the entire arm but someone will find aftermarkets before it becomes a major problem. That's just what we do. Get the car and you won't regret it.
firebird
Prowler Newbie

From:Odessa, TX
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 07-02-2009 04:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for firebird     send a private message to firebird   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by firebird
Are the bushings molded into the arms or are they the pressed in type?
If they are the pressed in type, you would think that
one of the after market suspension companys like PST (performance suspention tech.) would have replacements.
They offer suspension parts for most american cars from
like the 1930's on up. Polyurethane would be nice.
I get the point in regards to very few prowlers produced.

Thanks
David

catfish




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Prowler Junkie

From:scottsdale,az,usa
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 07-02-2009 08:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for catfish     send a private message to catfish   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by catfish
the bushings are pressed in.the reason the a/m suspension cos wont make them is that there is not enough profit to be made from 11,702 cars.there are people ,owners who are working on that problem.if the 2 major susp.cos,energy susp,and prothane wont do it,we will.i dont care what car you buy its going to have problems.what would you rather be driving,a camry,or a prowler.

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firebird
Prowler Newbie

From:Odessa, TX
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 07-03-2009 12:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for firebird     send a private message to firebird   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by firebird
Well lets see. If the camry had a chevy V8 stuffed in it along with a turbo 400 and a ford 9inch rear end, I might
take it over the prowler.
I do understand very much about automotive problems catfish.I worked at a chevrolet dealership for 21 years.
I'm just trying to figure out if there are any more problems with these cars than the norm before I spend my
very hard earned cash on one.
Really great forum here.

Thanks a bunch

catfish




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Prowler Junkie

From:scottsdale,az,usa
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 07-03-2009 11:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for catfish     send a private message to catfish   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by catfish
the prowler is a very special car.when you climb in and start it up.its a feeling thats hard to describe,one thats ive not felt with any other car.if you do not buy one ,you will never experince that,and it happens very time you drive it.

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JohnC


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Prowler Junkie

From:Kechi, KS 67067
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 07-03-2009 01:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JohnC     send a private message to JohnC   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by JohnC
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do."
- Mark Twain

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