Poor Vanessa is having a bad month.
First of all, I noticed a few weeks back that the six black plastic panels mounted around the side windows have become all spotted and streaky. The streaks won't wash off and waxing over them doesn't help. I suspect this may be my fault because like a month ago when I was washing her windows I cleaned these panels with window cleaner. That's probably a no-no.
Secondly I got into the car freshly after waking up on Saturday and as I was backing it into the spot on my driveway where I always back it into I was suddenly reminded that I had parked my wife's car in that spot late the previous night by a dull thud. [|)] Yes. I am a moron. The lens of the right reverse light was broken but there was no other damage to either car.
Then after assessing the damage to the light I walked around the front of the car to put the broken pieces from the lens in the garage when I noticed a large bubble on the right front tire. [xx(]
The dealer has agreed to cover the plastic window-panels on warranty. They said the window panels do not have the same clearcoat as the rest of the car. Is there any special care these panels need to be given differently than the rest of the car? Has anyone else had trouble with theirs?
The dealer did NOT cover the tire on warranty. They say I hit a curb (there are dings in the rim) and that this damaged the tire. I don't remember hitting any curbs, but considering my recent track record ([|)]) I'm not going to deny the possibility.
The 2003 GT comes with 205/50 R17 tires (goodyear eagles) and the dealership was confounded by this. It took all day to find a matching tire to replace the one on the right front wheel, and the tire was pricey ($230).
Vanessa's a lot happier now, as I have had the broken light replaced and replaced the damaged tire. I felt so bad about being the cause of all her woes I took her for full service oil change, and replaced just about eveything I could replace.
I never really liked the standard 2003 GT rims so I asked the dealer if I could put on a set of rims like they have on the '05 convertibles. Apparently those rims come in 17" size too but Chrysler "does not recommend installing rims from the 2005 series on the 2003 series".
Whatever... off to JC Whitney. They have some really nice rims there, but they recommend the same size tire for all of their 17", chrome finish rims for the 2003 GT, 235/45 R17. So I've held off buying anything because the rims are mondo-expensive, and I'd like to be able to use the tires I have (205/50 R17). I have a friend who knows cars and he suggests that since I drive in New England where there are so many potholes and bad roads, I'm better off with the 205/50's as opposed to 235/45's. I'm not clear as to why that is, but for now I'm taking his word for it. Still haven't gotten up the courage to drop $900 on a set of rims though.
The dealer said that they would install any third party rims I buy as long as they didn't require "special tools to avoid damaging the rim". Not sure what that means. I sent a bunch of questions into JC Whitney, but have gotten no response.
What are the appropriate considerations when buying rims for a PT? Keep in mind that I know zip about anything mechanical.
I've heard some folks in here mention the Mopar Stage 1 performance enhancement for the PT Turbo. I asked the dealer about that as well, they looked up the kit and told me if I had it installed the car would no longer be street legal, and that the engine would no longer be covered under warranty. [:I] So I guess I'm not having that done.
Sorry for being so rambly... I've been working long hours for the last 6 weeks. It's been a rough month for me, too! [B)]