New 01 LTD owner

[jglover]

Well, I hit a deer (nice one, maybe a 10-12 point buck) in an 2002 Mitsu Lancer at 45MPH. A good way to wake up in the morning! Car was totalled by State Farm and with my insurance settlement, I was able to find a Patriot Blue 2001 Limited Edition, one owner with 67K miles. I've had the PT for a week now and am pleased so far. No issues other than a clunk in the back end and the dealer is handling that one (Watts linkage housing). The PT is in practically showroom condition on the inside, engine looks very clean and the exterior is also darn near perfect. I am going to be needing tires and am planning to get new plugs and wires, the brakes done and the transmission serviced as well. Any other issues I need to be aware of?

John

[CREWZIN]

Welcome to the forum John. Have the front end (suspension, bearings, hubs, CV joints etc.) looked over for possible signs of excessive wear. Make sure they use the correct ATF+4 fluid in the tranny.

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
I've "tagged" 4 deer with PTs, was able to drive after each one - but the damned hooved rats don't have insurance, so I was out my deductible each time...
I think you have it covered.
I always change the oil - then I know when it was changed and what's in there - and I'm a believer in synthetic.

[cdynaco]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Welcome.
I've "tagged" 4 deer with PTs, was able to drive after each one - but the damned hooved rats don't have insurance, so I was out my deductible each time...

I thought that was covered under "comprehensive"?

[jglover]

Comprehensive covered it for me. I've tagged two deer, both with snmall cars, first with a Nissan Sentra, second with the
Lancer...oddly enough at 45 mph both times. Both cars were driveable as well, no injury to me. This last deer though chose to roll up over my hood and roof, leaving a portion of his antlers firmly wedged between the windshield and the roof, thus damaging essentially the whole unibody structure in the Lancer.

Thanks for the maintenance tips. Tires may wait, I was checking last evening and I have Michelin Hydroedge with, at the most 67K miles on them. Anyone know when Hydroedges were introduced? I saw a press release from late 2002/early 2003 so these tires could have as little as 50K miles on a 90K mile tire.

So far, after a couple of hundred miles, I really love the PT. It handles well and the ride seems decenlty smooth. I have not had a chance to get out and run on the highway yet, nut fro cruising around town and back and forth to the train, I'm happy. An even trade for a wrecked Lancer I think!

John

[quicksilverdon]

I have the hydroedges and I love them.

There's a deductible on my insurance - repairs are covered, minus my deductible, and you can't collect it from deer....

[edsidders]

Just another thing I don't understand...The state claims the deer and if you want to hunt them you are required to purchase a license therefore the state should be responsible for any damages their deer cause exactly as a owner of a dog is required to pay for any damages it causes..

[jglover]

In Illinois, the state considers you to have taken the deer with your vehicle and you can claim it provided you purchase a deer tag for your road kill venison. I've always thought the best deer load was an F250 at 55mph.....drops 'em every time!

John

[quicksilverdon]

In Jersey you can take the deer, too, but not something I want to do on my way to work!

[vtmdsm27]

[QUOTE=quicksilverdon;285709]I have the hydroedges and I love them.
QUOTE]

I have the hydroedge on layaway. I could pay them off but I am waiting for the $40 per tire rebate to come back, then that'll practically pay them off for me. I didn't know they were 90K mile tire though.

If I like them, I will put four more on layaway for my 99 Park Avenue.