dang, crazy. my 99's got 114k on it and she just experienced her first problem, which ended up being minor and a VERY cheap (free) fix. KNOCK ON WOOD.
yeah engine ratings are accurate most of the time, but my last car was a 1998 chrysler sebring lxi (the non convertible), which is rated at about 120k usually (real sucky 2.5). I got 180k out of it when I finally traded it in for my alero. granted all 6 cylinders were misfiring when I traded her in
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sorry to hear about your problem though, that really sucks. hope you get it all worked out!