Tough Month for Vanessa

[PlasteredDragon]

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)]

[quicksilverdon]

1) Window moldings. Yes, lots of folks have reported grief with the black window moldings. I use Zaino polish, and am pleased, but after a wash, the streaking is there.
2) Heed your friends advice. The second number (40, 45, 50, etc) is the aspect ratio - or loosely translated the "profile". Everybody thinks "low profile" is the way to go, untill you hit a pothole. I hit a bad one, broke the rim, needed a new tire & alignment, too - $500 or so, and that was stock. The lower the aspect ratio (profile) the less rubber there is between the road and the rim. Makes for good handling, but at cost of a poorer ride and danger of rim damage.
3) The Goodyear tire prices are ridiculous - it wouldn't be so bad if the tires lasted....
4) Self-inflicted damage - I broke my rear light and put a little dent in by rushing to put the PT in the garage to beat a thunderstorm after I'd just waxed it - so you're not alone. One of the drawbacks of the PT is poor rear visibility.

[PlasteredDragon]

quote:Originally posted by quicksilverdon

1) Window moldings. Yes, lots of folks have reported grief with the black window moldings. I use Zaino polish, and am pleased, but after a wash, the streaking is there.

Thanks for the information Don. Have you or has anyone else tried applying some sort of clearcoat to these panels to prevent streaking?

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by PlasteredDragon
Thanks for the information Don. Have you or has anyone else tried applying some sort of clearcoat to these panels to prevent streaking?

Not heard of anyone doing cleacoat, but lotsa folks have had them painted. I want them black - the mirrors, moldings & tinted windos alll "blend" visually. Maybe ask Turbomangt - Gary - in his forum - The Detail shop.

[bigtommy83]

Buffing takes care of the streaking panels between the windows. With an orbital type, not just by hand. We have found that what causes the streaking is the touchless carwashes. They use a more powerful soap to blast off the dirt, rather than hand washing or using the slap rags of the touch carwashes. That has to be the reason. I only use Mr. Clean (without waxing it) or hand wash it with a bucket and soap(when I wax it). The other PT's in the family don't care or have the time and use the gas station car washes and all those have streaks. Oh well, live and learn I guess. If you never use touchless car washes and you still get the streaks, I would recommend getting a different soap.

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by PlasteredDragon

... I noticed a large bubble on the right front tire. [xx(]
...
The dealer did 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.

You lucky dog, you have a good dealer, who was willing to go to bat for you against BadYear.

The side blisters are not necessarily 'curb' damage, or Pothole damage, or road-hazard... but if you had gone to a BadYear dealer they would have told you it was and it was your fault and it is not covered under the tire warrantee and you gotta buy a new one at a 'discount' off a terribly inflated list price.

(Switch to better tires... it is an inexpensive mod that will improve ride, handling and safety.)

[PlasteredDragon]

quote:Originally posted by bigtommy83

Buffing takes care of the streaking panels between the windows. With an orbital type, not just by hand.

That's really good advice... thanks bigtommy! I've switched to "Mopar Car Wash, Shampoo & Conditioner". The new panels are in, BTW, gotta go get them installed!

[PlasteredDragon]

quote:Originally posted by fritz_t_coyote

You lucky dog, you have a good dealer, who was willing to go to bat for you against BadYear.

Actually that was a typo. The dealer did NOT cover the tire. They covered the window pillars but not the tire. Ah well, all fixed now.

[Grouch]

J C Whitney isn't the place to look for rims. I just put 225/45/17 on my 2002. Don't spend $ 230 for a Goodyear tire. For that price you can buy 2 Kuhmo or Yokahama tires witch are far better tires than the stock ( junk ) Goodyear's. Do a search on one of the search engines ( Yahoo or Google ) and put in custom wheels and you will find hundreds to choose from. If you live in pothole country don't go bigger than 17" because you can almost be sure you WILL bend one.

This will help keep the speedometer correct if you decide to change the size

http://www.dakota-truck.net/TIRECALC/tirecalc.html

[quicksilverdon]

Agree with Grouch on both points. I think Goodyears are made of pencil eraser rubber. Way too expensive and too brief a life. I want to add Michelin to the list of affordable tires - with long lifespans.