at what point am I walking on thin ice ..

I have 101,000 on it

I know it needs replacing, are we at warp nine ?

Dunno what recommended mileage is, but I've changed belts on older(2000) intrepid and chry 300, at 150k and belts were still in very good shape. I would do it before winter to be on safe side.

Its a SOHC (with wierd rockers) and the tensioner is just a spring tensioner not an oil pressure operated one. Both of those to me make it not so much a time bomb. Also has no balance shafts or anything as well. That being said you should still obviously do it soon, but yeah.

i have always thought 3.5 belts were due around 100k. are they "interference" motors ? and while you are in there, might just as well do all the tensioners and the water pump. i did that on my wife's 94 concorde and it wasn't a bad job at all. i can't say about the magnum as i don't know how much the engine has changed over the years or how much clearance you have. this is just my experience.

On the older ones (90s), I'm pretty sure the recommendation was 105k miles. Not sure if that applies to yours.

The 3.5 is an interference engine. Dodge recommends replacement at 102,000 miles. BTW- visual inspection is not a valid test of a timing belt. They will always look fine, until they snap.

I just did my 04 Intrepid, 191000 miles, water pump and tensioner while I was in there.

The camshaft locking tools are a worthwhile investment if this is a DIY job.

I best get it done, asap

There is a special puller for the balancer/pulley too. You may be able to get a loaner at the parts store.