2000 Chrysler LHS 3.5

Summary:

Super, they never should have made the 300!

Faults:

The power steering lines had to be replaced, but it was the fault of the State of Maine, and what they put on the winter roads.

General Comments:

This car has been a great car to drive and own. It isn't cheap to get it fixed, but it is a top of the line car too. It handles great and has a lot of power.

I'm a big guy and it fits, it is a little hard to exit, but the ride is worth the trouble.

The truck holds more stuff than I could have believed. I can put a 10' board in the car without a problem. The 300 is a faint copy at best.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th December, 2010

2000 Chrysler LHS 3.5L

Summary:

Excellent, but needs to network with the automotive world

Faults:

Car looks & runs great, but can't find used parts, eg. left front headlight. North America has zero.

P. S New is very expensive.

General Comments:

Car rocks, but is a no show, when it comes to finding used parts, or affording to buy new.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th July, 2009

2000 Chrysler LHS 3.5L

Summary:

The LHS is/was a very good car. I would buy another one

Faults:

Front struts were replaced at 101,000 miles. Sway bar end links were also replaced at the same time. I replaced the struts and links myself. I started with the struts, but found that it was actually the links causing the "clunking" sound. Both dramatically improved the handling to what I remembered it being when we got it. Both front wheel bearings have been replaced. One was bad and the other was changed to appease my conscience. Again, I did the work myself.

I have peeled the shrinking plastic from off the weather stripping around the doors, and reused the black part underneath to solve the shrinking weatherstripping issue. I could not see buying new only to have it happen again.

I have re-glued the foam in the speakers using a repair technique used on home speakers, and it has worked every time.

I have replaced the heater core and A/C evaporator core at 101,000 miles. I did the heater core only because I was that far into the dash to replace the evaporator on the A/C. The evaporator core had leaked for over two years, but the replacement works like a charm. It gets cold enough now to "hang meat."

I have used the headlight repair kit to get rid of the faded lens look. It worked good enough that I haven't replaced the lens - yet. The weatherstripping around the headlights is gone and I can't find a good replacement.

I'm on my second set of replacement tires. I used Continental Conti-Trac tires which were excellent tires. I got them for $100/each at The TireRack in Shreveport, LA. I replaced them with Goodrich tires from SAMS, and I have been equally pleased with these tires. I did have trouble with the Continentals going down on me, but I haven't had that trouble with the Goodrich tires. SAMS really cleaned the rims well before installing the tires.

I have replaced the electric lock on the back door on the driver's side ($75 from an online dealer).

I have glued the windshield cowling down with windshield sealant and it stays. I just replaced a broken door glass mount ($10 dealer) and got the window working up and down again. I would suggest checking the adjustment on the regulators to make sure they track right.

I have to agree that the finish leaves something to be desired. It comes off with the slightest little nick.

General Comments:

The car was a vast improvement over the Honda CR-V. It is a nice, big car that gets decent gas mileage - better than the CR-V it replaced. The cabin is comfortable and roomy. Then engine still pulls hard. It is still a joy to drive. I miss a few things that the CR-V offered, most notably the driving height. However, I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee ('92 model with over 200,000 miles on it) that satisfies the sitting high need.

This is the first American car I have had in a long time. The last one was a Chevy Beretta. It was a good car, but something kept going out during our annual Thanksgiving trek home to family, so we got rid of it and went back to Honda. I have been a Honda or Toyota man all my life. I have to say this Chrysler made me feel good owning an American car - albeit by way of Canada.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th April, 2009