Faults:

At about 100,000 miles the car seemed to overheat and the dealer or my mechanic was not able to locate the problem. I would drive in the middle of July with the heat on in order to make it to my destination.

General Comments:

The car had enough power for everyday use, though it did have the traditional K-car shaking. Over all it was a good value for the money.

Faults:

Brake Caliper Ceased.

Started to get really poor Acceleration around 300,000 kms. It was to the point where I couldn't get up to speed getting on the freeway. I have a feeling it was due to a loss of compression (which seems normal for that many km's)

When my mother owned the car she had to replace the head gasket because the car had an overheating problem.

I also had the same overheating problem where the temp gauge would shoot up to high after driving about 15km, after driving for another 1-2km the temperature gauge would go back to normal.

The car is also easy to brake into making it a popular target for car thieves. This particular car was broken into 5 times and stolen twice.

General Comments:

While the Spirit isn't much to look at, and the interior leaves much to be desired, it's a VERY reliable car. In the 13 years this car has been in the family we've never had any MAJOR problems with it. I think biggest repair was the replacing the head gasket.

The car was just starting to die a slow death at 320,000 kms, and if it wasn't stolen I would probably still be driving it today. If Dodge still made this car I would buy another one in a heartbeat, simply because it's so reliable.

Faults:

See below.

General Comments:

Review of the 1993 Dodge Spirit, “Gold Package” 2.5L Engine, 3 Speed Automatic Transmission.

We are very pleased with the service from the Spirit. Purchased new in 1993, the automobile has 141,000 miles. Its been driven in Toronto, Reno, Seattle, and the high desert of California. It was the only mid-sized automobile that had a front split bench seat and six seat belts; with a family of five, we needed all those belts and wanted room rather than bucket seats and a center console. Furthermore, legroom in the back seat is exceptional, better than many newer model and larger cars.

The only major maintenance, which was scheduled, was replacing the timing belt on two occasions and a water pump. Routine oil changes, plugs and wires, filters, and radiator flushes have been maintained. Close attention has been given to transmission. The 1993 Dodge has the same transmission as our former 1988 Plymouth Voyager a.k.a. “Transmission Hog.” The mini-van had 3 re-built transmissions within 175,000 miles. Remarkably, the Spirit’s transmission is performing well, probably the result of having a smaller engine than the 3.0L Voyager, and less weight to pull around. One inexpensive maintenance item was replacing the oxygen sensor, twice, (a simple task if you own a O2 sensor socket) and a manifold air pressure sensor. This had to be done because the car was running rough. Otherwise reliability and dependability have been exceptional. Maintenance costs to date are 3.2 cents/mile. Total costs/mile, including original purchase, finance and interest costs, and excluding gas and insurance costs are 12.9 cents/mile.

While the car has mostly been parked in a garage when not on the road, the paint has faded in spots. In the last 10,000 miles it has started to leak some oil. Gas mileage is satisfactory. Around town it gets nearly 20 and on the highway up to 25 mpg (keeping the RPM at or below 3000). Once I was able to obtain 30 mpg on a drive from Reno, Nevada to Monterey, California driving at or below 55 mph.

It’s a great car and I have no interest in replacing it.