1993 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.5
Summary:
Excellent car, just keep your eye on your levels
Faults:
This car ran almost perfect for two years. The first problem I had was a small $50 part that had just a tiny crack in it.
I started to have overheating problems a few weeks ago which led to my coolant tank bursting. I brought it in to have fixed at a small shop. They charged me $130 for a new coolant tank and installation. My Pioneer receiver was broke after I got it from the shop. I then brought it to Chrysler when it started to bounce and overheat again a few weeks later. It turns out there were two oil leaks, and 3 coolant leaks which had never been there before.
The bouncing was thought to be caused by my spark plugs, and spark plug wires...
My shopping list for the car at this point was:
4 Different O Rings for $18.50
Plug Wires $93.35
6 Plugs $13.50
Block Heater $42.00
2 Cam Seals $16.80
1 Crank Seal $7.14
Thermostat $12.26
Parts ==== $203.54
+
Labor ==== $958.46
=
Total ==== $1162.00.
So I decided to say goodbye, I will not pay $1162.00 on a $2500 car. I am sure I could get all this done much cheaper somewhere else, considering Chrysler charges $50 to fill your coolant tank, but going to a cheaper place is what caused the majority of the issues.
General Comments:
This is a great car for the money. I may have only got 2 years out of it myself, but the engine was still running great as far as I could tell.
I am fully convinced that the leaks were caused by the first place I brought it to leaving something loose, making a mistake, or just making it so I would come crawling back for more service. It was my fault for not checking the coolant often enough though that caused me to have to bring it to them.
This car has
Nice speed
Nice gas mileage (highway)
Nice interior
Nice power features
Nice stereo
Nice everything, for a low price.
Everyone who is looking for a cheaper car that can last them a long time and still looks nice enough and rides nice enough to keep anyone from thinking its cheap, go Intrepid!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th July, 2005