I've heard the same thing about the drive by wire having "issues" from some of the automagazines, but they were working with preproduction models. I havent had any problems with it, I just wish the clutch werent so heavy
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My last car was a 2001 Eclipse GT auto. It sucked, I bought it on a whim and hated it after the third month. It was slow (even though it was a 200hp V6), and it leaked. Glad to be out of it.
I agree with the 97-99's being sweet looking. I didnt like the 2k3's crome tails, a buddy at the office has a 2k3 GLE and I love it from the front and side but the tails kill me. And about the saturn ION comments, I know I see how it can look that way from some angles, but just like any Maxima it will grown on even the most stubborn haters I'm sure. I wasnt wild about the front end when i bought it, but I drove it and couldnt be talked out of buying her....
Take care,
James