1997 Dodge Intrepid Base 3.3 liter V6
Summary:
Nothing to brag about
Faults:
Engine cradle moutns rotted out out at 120,000 miles, $700+ job to fix.
Both Sway bar links twice in five years.
Fuel pressure solenoid.
Engine always made a "ticky tick tick" noise after a cold start, especially in winter. The noise would always quit after the engine warmed up.
Persistent leaky valve cover gaskets.
Several Oxygen Sensors kept setting off computer codes even after being replaced, eventually I just drove with the check engine light on as this did not affect driveability, performance, or fuel economy.
Water Pump at 72,000 miles.
Replaced entire Instrument Cluster at 84,000 miles after original kept shorting out, $80 from a junkyard Intrepid with similar miles.
Terrible snow or wet weather traction no matter what kind of tires I put on it.
General Comments:
Well, after reading some of the other Intrepid reviews here I think mine fared quite well when compared to other Chrysler products of this era. I never had to deal with transmission "limp mode" or complete failure, I did change my fluid twice in 6 years. The 3.3 Liter motor seems to be a much more reliable and durable than the 3.5. The performance is nothing to brag about, but I'll take reliable and 28 MPG highway any day over head gaskets blowing every 10,000 miles. Interior materials are cheap and dull to say the least. If Chrysler would have done a little more research and added some decent fit and finish, the LH cars could have been real winners.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 15th November, 2006
31st Jul 2006, 16:17
I forgot to mention the fuel economy on this vehicle. The downside is that the owner's manual recommends 89 octane, which is more expensive than 87, but I can count on 1 hand the number of times I put 87 in it. I found this out after I purchased the vehicle. I drive mainly mixed city-highway driving and with an 18 gallon tank, I get an honest 23 mpg or so. When taking a longer trip on the highway, it gets around 27 mpg - 450 miles on 1 tank. I am impressed with the mpg considering the mileage on the vehicle.