Overpriced and underquality...
I agree. I love this car, too, but the "love/hate" thing seems to grow with every mile. And I've had absolutely no problems at all with the car, it's just the "little things" that you would expect a car company to be able to get right in 2003, especially for $30-plus K. Things like the paint job, the fit and finish of some of the interior console, the realtively "cheap" and "soft" feel to the "leather" seats, etc.
As far as the "Japs" go...my wife's Lexus is an amazing vehicle and the quality of fit and finish go way beyond the MM. It even has a "dead pedal" moulded into the floorboard, and came with McGard wheel locks standard (they aren't even listed as an item, they're just included as a matter of fact) and this is a 2003 SUV that listed for less than the MM.
I'd buy another Lexus, BMW, or Toyota for that matter in a second. I can't say the same about FoMoCo...the MM is the first "American car" I've ever purchased and, although I love it and won't be parting with it unless something catastrophic happens to it, I can't say I love the brand.
03 MM 300A
Tint
SOUND: Alpine CD/MP3 with iPod Fullspeed, Sirius Satellite Radio; MB Quart 6 1/2 Premiums up front, MB Quart 5X7 Reference in back, JL Audio W3 10" sub, JL Audio Slash Series 500 W amp, Dynamat everywhere, Optima yellow top to keep it cranking...
SPEED: Ford Racing 4.10 gears, Ford Racing girdle cover and stud kit, SCT Reinhardt tune, Stallion Torque Converter, JLT Intake, Densos/Stat, Addco front and rear, Metco upper and lower, Front Willwood brake kit by TCE