1996 Dodge Intrepid ES

Summary:

Nice car and fun to drive, but fixing it every week is not worth it!

Faults:

Everything and anything.

New exhaust system, new brake system, new suspension, new EVERYTHING.

Horrible car, you are always fixing something and the part are way over priced even used parts.

NEVER EVER will I buy a Dodge again. The concept is nice big and roomy, but annoying to have to constantly fix it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th March, 2010

18th Dec 2018, 18:33

All the things you mention are normal wear and replacement items for the miles on this car, or any car. You think nothing is ever going to wear out?

19th Dec 2018, 03:58

Not wear and tear for 8000 miles. I would expect a truck to not need these kinds of repairs that early in its life.

19th Dec 2018, 19:19

Read it again. It's 80,000 miles. Not 8000.

1996 Dodge Intrepid 3.5 liter

Summary:

LOVE LOVE LOVE this car!

Faults:

- Timing belt and alternator blew in Summer 2006

- Radiator replaced in Spring 2009 (due to front end accident)

- Alternator blew again in Fall 2009

- Fuel pump started going out around 190,000 miles.

- Tie rods started going out in 2004-05, but I haven't replaced them and the tire is still going strong. (It's 2009 now!)

- Cradle bushings going out, but at 200,000 miles that's just normal wear.

General Comments:

I bought this car from a junkyard for $700 in 2003, and it has lasted me almost seven years. I've dropped about $3-4,000 into the car during that time, but most of it was to fix problems caused by two front end collisions. I.E. new hood, two sets of headlights and brackets, radiator and the rest was just regular maintenance - alternator, fuel pump, etc.

I joke around that the car has a lot of character, but really it's just little things that could be fixed easily - the passenger side automatic locks stopped working out of nowhere, my after market radio blew as soon as the warranty expired, the front bumper is held on by zip ties (accident), etc etc.

I loved this car. I'm just tired of working on it and want something slightly newer. I just sold it for $350 (could have gotten more...), but with another $1000 worth of work it could go at least another 50,000 miles.

The 3.5 liter engine is one of the best ever put in the Intrepid. I'm looking to upgrade to a new model, but am slightly wary of the newer engines compared to the great experience I've had so far!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 2009

1996 Dodge Intrepid Base 3.5 24v V6

Summary:

No more Chrysler LH bodies for me!

Faults:

Subframe bushings went bad, found it's a common problem, set me back $185. VERY scary situation.

Steering rack bushings were shot, steering was extremely sloppy, yet another dangerous situation.

Tie rods ends failed because of the bad bushings.

Tires went bald quicker than a receding hairline.

Oil pan rotted out and puked the oil all over the ground; luckily I caught it in time as I was under the car when it happened.

Door seals have shrunken, leading to floor rot under the front seat.

Exhaust pipe is cracked and leaks, of course to fix it I have to replace the converter on the passenger side.

AC failed like almost every 90's Chrysler does, typical of their poor design of not using aluminum pipes, metal ones rotted out in no time.

Master cylinder failed again. From what I was told, this was the 4th master cylinder this car has had.

Previous owner had the transmission rebuilt 2 times, once at 88k, 2nd at 150k, even though he cared and maintained the transmission properly.

Power windows are slow, motors have been replaced countless times by the first owner.

Headlights are yet again broken, previous owner replaced them at 120k, they are now broken again at the adjustment points, and are clouded.

General Comments:

Despite the problems...

The car has a very nice ride, as well as good handling for a large car.

However I don't like how the dashboard is laid out. You literally have the bend over to adjust the climate controls.

I don't smoke so I store my change in the ashtray, but the ashtray falls out upon looking at it; it's a design flaw that causes it to slide out.

Good looking car when they are in good condition. I've seen some with the ES body panels, and they really set the car off, however that doesn't make up for the large amount of problems the car had.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th July, 2009