Faults:

No failure has ever occurred with this car. Only routine maintenance items have been replaced.

Radiator hoses at 75,000 miles.

Fuel line deteriorated from dry rot and was replaced at 85,000 miles.

Brake rotors required machining (began grinding), with pad replacement, at 90,000 miles.

General Comments:

My family traded our 1971 Charger on this 1975 Charger in 1976. It was the last new car my father ever intended to buy, so it was always garaged, very rarely driven in winter, and the 92,500 miles on the odometer are original. It is still driven once a week, or for emergencies when the "new" car (1997 Mercury) breaks down.

Although the 1975-1977 Charger is now often derided for being just a Cordoba, and never living up to the name of the previous Chargers, these are still luxurious, comfortable, very nice 2-door sedans. The muscle car era had been dead for several years, and the 1973 oil embargo was still fresh in the mind when this car came out in 1975, so this was never intended for drag racing or a high-horsepower muscle car resurrection.

This has always been regarded as the "nice car" that was saved for special occasions, using a series of other second-hand cars for regular driving. The car is still in beautiful condition, inside and out.

I used to consider this car the pinnacle of driving comfort, and thought it would be sad when the new cars put it to shame. Much to my surprise, it is STILL one of the quietest, smoothest-riding cars I have ever driven. This comparison is with the numerous rentals I drive, including Neon, Impala, Subaru, Cherokee Laredo, Grand Am, and Buick sedans. Steering is tight, the ride is smooth and quiet, the suspension negates bumps and pot-holes, and gives a floating feeling without wandering on the road, and for such a relatively large car it does not have body roll in corners.

The interior has a split bench, with column shift automatic, and upholstery is the gold, white and black "sunburst" with white vinyl accent. Although the car is similar to the Cordoba, the attention to detail seems better in the Dodge than in the corresponding Chrysler models that I've seen, such as more detailed door panels, more use of carpet than vinyl, and even a better gear shift indicator than the cheaper-looking Cordoba. Even the body emblems are nicer than the Cordoba. This Charger is white, with tan trim.

The 318 is completely dependable, and has never given any problems. The car wants to cruise naturally at 65 and gets about 23 mpg. It is an absolute pleasure to drive this car in any conditions, long or short, rain or shine.