A few beginner questions

1924 Views 22 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Candyman, Aug 19, 2001

Candyman

Discussion Starter · Aug 14, 2001

I am officially a member of the Intrepid family. I own a '98 ES. My questions are:

1. How is the gas milage on your vehicles, year, what octane rating do you use and does it make a difference? (Ex. Reg. vs. Premium)

2. What kind of oil and filters do you use? Synthetic, regular, K&N? Does it improve performance, gas milage, power?

3. Anyone have vanity plates? I am looking into getting some and have come down to a handful of names. Just wondered what anyone else has out there so as not to copy.

4. Does anyone see a value to a hood cover bra or will it harm or damage the paint and hood surface? I have a Platinum color and would rather not have it fade but would like to protect it from chips and scratches.

5. and finally...at least for now, I am getting a Pioneer DEH-P3300 head unit, but would like to replace the factory speakers. I have the cheap audio system and the speakers are pretty weak. How easy are they to cahnge, what will fit and what are your opionions on brand names, prices? I am just looking to getting a fuller sounding sysyem, to hear the whole range of music but be stronger at the low end. I have an amplified Bazooka tube, so I am not worried about too much bass, just a nice good clean full sound.

I know I have written a book here, but I appreciate all the feedback, as much as I can get, remember I am a newbie, and need to be brought up into the Intrepid world! Thanks, all!

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

Si

· #2 · Aug 14, 2001

Congrats!

I own the Brother/Sister Trep` a Concorde

I might be able to answer a few questions here..

Firstly I use Mid-grade and Premium, I do notice a big difference... Air filters... I use a K&N Cone filter, I removed the air-box completely... again, I noticed the difference with speed and sound

Alot of people here can help you out further... About the bra, This winter I am going to invest, without a bra it gets chipped to hell, I havent heard any problems with them, just keep them clean undeneath I heard because they can get dirty..

Cheers

1mz-fe

· #3 · Aug 14, 2001

use at least 89 octane fuel, you get better mileage and the car runs a lot better. plus it's not that much more expensive. the occasional tank of premium can't hurt it.

as for stereo, i stick by my pioneers. they're not that expensive and the quality is awesome. yes, you can do better but the sound is competitive with alpine and boston, as far as i'm concerned. if you want to pay, go bose.

Mopar4U

· #4 · Aug 14, 2001

I beg to differ on Pioneer speakers, I've never had a pair of 6x9's last more than 2 months (no amplifier attached). Just my opinion. The decks are OK.

I've had good and bad experiences with car bras. I have a red 98 Neon. I put a bra on it, within 2 months it started forming moisture under the clearcoat. I got it fixed and chrysler bought back my bra. On the other hand my parents have a bra on there 94 Intrepid. Never had a problem. I think the bras look good on treps as well.

Go to the second gen forums for engine mods.

robin

· #5 · Aug 14, 2001

I went with MB Quartz to replace to 2 front s in the kick panels. I think they sound great...and a sinch to put in.
Robin

Intrepid98

· #6 · Aug 14, 2001

Originally posted by 97 sport platinum:
if you want to pay, go bose.

You can't buy "new" Bose aftermarket. Only on a new car with that option. I wish you could buy them new aftermarket, though

robin

· #7 · Aug 14, 2001

I have heard you can sometimes do more damage than good when using a higher octane gas than what it says to use in the owners manual. Plus you'll save some bucks.
Robin

DMAG

· #8 · Aug 14, 2001

As for the vanity plate....ummm...I got one!

Intrepid98

· #9 · Aug 14, 2001

Unless your last name is Langstraat, I doubt you'd copy my vanity plates:

LNGSTRT

Candyman

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 15, 2001

Well, here are my ideas on vanity plates:
In Ohio we are allowed a combination of letters and numbers anywhere from 4-7 characters. Let me know what you all think. I appreciate the feedback from my first post, keep the info flowin'!

TRPD8TS {In-}(Trepidatious)
TRPD8TR {In-}(Trepidator)
RTST (Artist)
DZINER
(Designer, my occupation, graphic designer)
98 TREP (98 Intrepid)
CRE8V (Creative)
CRE8V 1 (Creative one)
JO 98 ES (Joe's 98 ES)
KANDIMN or CANDYMN (Candyman)

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Candyman

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 15, 2001

Well, here are my ideas on vanity plates:
In Ohio we are allowed a combination of letters and numbers anywhere from 4-7 characters. Let me know what you all think. I appreciate the feedback from my first post, keep the info flowin'!

TRPD8TS {In-}(Trepidatious)
TRPD8TR {In-}(Trepidator)
RTST (Artist)
DZINER
(Designer, my occupation, graphic designer)
98 TREP (98 Intrepid)
CRE8V (Creative)
CRE8V 1 (Creative one)
JO 98 ES (Joe's 98 ES)
KANDIMN or CANDYMN (Candyman)

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Si

· #12 · Aug 15, 2001

Candyman... your a designer to, excellent... What media? NCBrit is also of the creative genre

I think CRE8V 1 is a goer..

[ August 15, 2001: Message edited by: Si ]

Mopar4U

· #13 · Aug 15, 2001

I am the Intrepidator, Hasta La Vista...Baby

Sorry, had to do that.

Man I feel like a dick, everyone on this forum is either in some kind of designing or computer related field. Not me. I'm your average Quality Assurance Engineer. Whoopee

Si

· #14 · Aug 15, 2001

Mopar4u, Youre to rough on yourself dude... I have always wanted to create stuff, and I was so determinded to do so.. I am a firm believer in where there is a will there is a way

[ August 15, 2001: Message edited by: Si ]

robin

· #15 · Aug 15, 2001

Another right brainer type... cool Candyman, I've been a graphic designer for 10 years now, I am now a Art Director for a Advertising agency here in Omaha, NE. Big Fricken' Deal. anyway, I would go for CRE8V 1
Peace
Robin

buschman

· #16 · Aug 15, 2001

1)I used to use only premium, but now that gas prices have risen I use premium on the weekends and regular during the week. I notice a huge difference in power between the two. Gas milage difference is not so noticable(mainly cause I do alot of highway driving during the week).

2)I use the OEM MOPAR Oil filters and mobil one syenthetic oil. I always use mobil one in all my cars and the engines NEVER give me problems. that and I am fanatical about letting my cars warmup a minute or two before moving them(Sweety can you slow your contractions down a bit, I got to let the Trep warm up

Her responce

)

3)I've always been waiting for 2LIL2L8 to open up but some lame ass accord always has it in my area.

4)I used to used bras, but they do damage your paint and in my opion they don't look good. let's face it the paint is gonna get messed up in the front anyways. But most people can not tell that I have a few dabs of touch-up pint on the front hood unless they are right up on it. But a bra you can see from miles away. I will admit that I use the bra for long trips. But if you leave them n for extended periods they will rub off the shinny finish and they won't fade at the same rate as the rest of the hood making it look funny when you take it off.

I'm not sure how the non infinity system is hooked up, but I know the infinity systems have a wierd configuration where the speakers partially amplify themselves. So if you want to replace them you have to replace the amp to(which is a good idea actually) If I were you I would get an amp and speakers and THEN get the head unit. You will notice a more significant difference from the amp and speakers than you will from the head unit. As fr brands I think you should go to a shop and listen and compare. But I have found that kenwood excelons are the best speaker out there. They are on the low end, price wise, of the high end speakers. But when it comes to quality, clearity, and power, they kick ASS!

Remember the Treps have a lot of room to work with and if you get good stuff you will have a seriously good sounding system. Don't waste time with tubes, save your money and get a good sub/amp combo.

Hope this helps.

Buschman

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Candyman

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 15, 2001

I am a graphic designer for channels 19 (WOIO) and 43 (WUAB) in Cleveland. I do anything from on air and news graphics to promotional and marketing ad graphics. I mostly work in Photoshop and Illustrator as well as a medium called a Paint Box, similar to Photoshop with the exception that you only have two layers to build on. It is pretty much a news media machine only, it really makes you think about what your final product is going to look like because once you stick it down, theirs no going back! I have been doing it for 2 years now, working every weekend from 2-11pm and Mon.-Wed. days.

Needless to say, my wife has put up with a lot of BS with me never having a free weekend to get away with her or anyone for that matter. I have been trying religiously to find a new graphics position, more print related, but can't find a job to save my life. I don't know if it's the economy or the field but I desperatly need something with a normal schedule. 2 years of weekends has really taken a toll on me physically and mentally.

On another note, I do mostly all highway driving (85%) as opposed to city, so I am hoping for good gas milaege. Will I be able to reach 30mpg?

I am going to just get a hood bra just to use for long road trips. I guess as long as I wash my baby every week or two, I should be safe.

CRE8TV 1 seems like the winner, I'll just have to wait and see if it is open in the state of Ohio. I'll put in for CRE8TV 1, RTST, TRPD8TR, and CANDYMN.

Mopar4U,
It is not always good to be creative, too many people expect us to always come up with ideas and we end up with brainfreeze! Just remember, you are the man that makes the job, not the job that makes the man, if that were the case, I would have become an accountant! No money in art.

Buschman,
Thanks for all the info, you have settled a few disputes for me, I guess I'll just have to listen to the speakers, that will just have to come to me as the ear of the beholder! I guess I am going to try Synthetic oil, never used it before.

Couple of other qick questions, how easy is it to get to the spark plugs for changing and how abbout flushing the coolant system and replacing the fluids?

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Si

· #18 · Aug 15, 2001

Candyman, back in the UK I used to work for a Broadcast company also, called LWT (NCBrit might remember) I used to do Special FX, and yes seen PaintBox

I used to use Lightwave, 3D Studio Max and Alias (SGI) ... I hit the height of my career and then moved to the US For a relaxing job, designing webs/brouchers and anything else thrown my way... I do believe that the Broadcasting inustry is one of the toughest for people like ourselves.. I noticed I started to drink more etc thats when I stopped and took a pay cut for a more relaxing position.

Claim to fame is Digitaly Illustrating a book for Terry Prachett, directing etc...

ermm and thats it

Candyman

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 16, 2001

I already posted this in the 2nd gen forum under mods/specs but want to get as many opionions as possible.

Seems the previous owner of may vehicle had a thing for mismatching, so I have Goodyear GA's on the rears and Uniroyal's on the fronts. Needless to say, I am looking to replace all 4. I have been told to either go with the Potenza RE950 or Michelin MXV4. I was quoted at $100 for Potenza and $160 for Michelin. Are Michelins worth the extra $60 a piece? I don't have a lot of money and was just going to go with the Potenza's but read in this post that they are not good snow tires, but here in Cleveland you NEED good snow tires. So, what are my options? I want a good performing tire with good tread life that handles corners, but yet provides a comfortable ride all season long.

tdauria

· #20 · Aug 18, 2001

In the owner's manual it actually warns of possible damage using higher octane with no benefit... my 2001 seems to run excellent on 87 octane as suggested in the owners manual.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

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