1986 Dodge Aries SE 2.5 liter I-4

Summary:

Cheap reliable car.

Faults:

Transmission started to slip at 68,000 miles.

Leaks gasoline.

Rear hatch won't stay up.

Back door will not stay closed.

Lost reverse.

Needs a brake assembly.

Tires leak air.

Interior is worn very badly.

Car is very bad in the snow, front wheel drive, 13 inch tires, and no reverse cause a lot of problems in the winter.

The car is good in the summer, though.

Car is very slow, will not even go past 65.

It has a lot of rust underneath.

General Comments:

It is good on gas.

Paint still looks brand new.

The engine is very reliable, but the transmission is not.

The car is very cramped inside.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th March, 2004

1986 Dodge Aries SE 2.2 litre inline 4

Summary:

A cheap reliable, but UGLY granny tank

Faults:

The engine needed to be re-timed.

Brakes and rotors needed replacement.

New fuel and air filters.

New thermostat and engine mounts.

Left Instrument Cluster never displays the correct information. (Fuel Gauge, Voltage Meter, and Temperature Gauge)

Car stalls if not idled for at least 5 minutes prior to driving.

Accelerator pedal isn't sensitive or accurate at all.

Transmission and Engine struggles and hesitates when going uphill.

General Comments:

Although not very attractive and not that quick (0-60mph in 13.7 sec) the Aries/Reliant is not a bad car for a boring commute or as a back up car.

The 93hp 2.2 liter four cylinder is very noisy, and is very slow to accelerate.

At higher speeds the car handles very sluggish, the cabin noise from the air hitting the window seals is VERY annoying.

Even with new brakes, at speeds higher than 40mph the car shimmies when brake pedal is applied.

It is a VERY UGLY car.

But all that put aside, not a bad car for your 80 yr old grandmother.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd April, 2003

9th Apr 2004, 02:25

"Accelerator pedal isn't sensitive or accurate at all"

That is simple, the engine has 93 horsepower, the pedal seems so inaccurate since you don't feel any pull from the engine there is too little power.

As for the brakes shimmying, that is also simple, 2 things are possible.

1. The place that turned/replaced the rotors did a bad job, either they turned them improperly or they tightened the wheel lug nuts too tight.

2. You didn't let the new brakes wear in, if you go hard at new brakes, you WILL warp the nicely clean/new rotors.

1986 Dodge Aries LE Woody Wagon 2.5L 4 cylinder.

Summary:

One of the best cars I have ever owned

Faults:

Constant problem with idle control sensor.

Head gasket went at 212000 km.

General Comments:

This was a great car. Comfortable, reliable, peppy.

Air conditioner still worked when I sold it.

Three speed automatic transmission was the original and had never been serviced.

After 14 years in south-western Ontario there was no sign of exterior rust. One small hole had appeared through the floor of the drivers side.

Car is still being used today (2002) as a delivery vehicle in London, Ontario.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th July, 2002

1986 Dodge Aries Custom Wagon 2.6 Mitsubishi

Summary:

Beautifully engineered... gotta love the k-car!

Faults:

The car overheated before I got it.

The right-front tire leaked air.

The radio blew a fuse once.

Had some trouble with the air conditioning compressor (then again, it had the original compressor).

General Comments:

This Aries was the best damn fine car you'll ever see!

Only reason why I don't have it anymore is because of title trouble.

The seats were pretty comfortable and the cabin was pretty decent, with the exception of the headliner. Nothing that a few thumbtacks wouldn't solve.

All of the accessories, with the exception of the air conditioner, worked fine.

The Mitsubishi ran strong and the transmission shifted smoothly, even when I floored it. :)

Overall, I wish I could find another one of these beauties. A great car. I loved it. If it was a girl, I'd marry it. *Laughs*

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2001

28th Jan 2002, 20:55

Did you ever have any carbureter problems with your Mitsu 2.6L engine in your Aries. I heard that the 2.6L engine was plagued by incessant carburetor problems.