Faults:
Replaced both front bearings (easy to do!).
Replaced both front tie rods/ends.
Replaced both trailing arms.
Replaced both ball joints.
Replaced front and rear brakes.
Replaced front axle (same one, twice).
Struts are in need of replacing.
General Comments:
I love this car. I have towed my boat and all my camping supplies all over the state of Minnesota.
I also had it raised 2 inches and I put chains on the front tires when I go hunting. It goes through any mud puddle I have thrown at it. It was my fault when I broke the rear trailing arms. The stock ones have holes in them (for some unknown reason)that make them weak. I even went through water so high it came inside the car and it kept on trucking. It also gets me through all the snow I can handle. I like to call it my truck.
It is an easy car to work on.
When I got it it had very little or no rust on it. Now the bottoms of the side panels have rusted, completely away. The paint is also chipping in various places.
Its silly that they would make door seals that "shrink" after a few years, but that's what they do. The pasanger air bag panel has also warped.
I put a huge car stereo in this vehicle and the electrical system held up like a spartan, but never died.
My oil dipstick broke off the first time I checked the oil. My friend also had this problem with his 96' intrepid. I guess its from the heat/crappy composite material.
The engine is top notch and burns no oil. I over heated it once when my thermostat when bad. This caused a leak in my radiator. I used some preston radiator stop leak and it has not leaked since (2 years).
7th Jan 2012, 11:11
We LOVE our 1995 Intrepid. Bought it new, and it now has 235,000 miles on the original engine. Can't say enough good things about it.
It's still stylish today, so spacious inside, gets 27 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg city. The engine is strong, and drives like a dream at 70mph.
It looks new because we paid $300.00 to have it painted by Maaco, has no rust, and this 2011 Christmas, the car got a new radio with DVD player. The old one with cassette player still works.
The 3.3 engine is the easiest car to work on, plugs and plug wires are easily accessible. The serpentine belt can be easily changed with 2 wrenches in 15 minutes. Still has the original struts. Did replace the CV joints with lifetime warranty units for $80 each.
The only problem with the transmission was a shift solenoid, which had to be replaced because it was overfilled by a service dept during an oil change.
Thank you Chrysler for a JOB WELL DONE, and to my husband for keeping up with the normal wear and tear maintenance.
Best wishes, Happyville Owners :)