1990 Plymouth Colt
Summary:
The best car ever made
Faults:
Oh, let's see, where to begin?
The seats were toasted when I got the vehicle at 50k.
Rotors needed to be replaced, pads. Probably somewhere near 50k.
Shoes 75k.
The thing's brakes failed completely on me, that was a master cylinder. Perhaps 80k.
Both half axles needed to be replaced around 90k?
Sway bar link broke around 100k, but I did not replace that – just ripped the sway bar off.
Oh and a lower ball joint on right side somewhere in the 100k range.
Front shocks (the front passenger side shock flange broke, which means the shock was no longer connected to the "frame"). I jacked it up one day to check my brakes and whoops – the passenger side tire essentially fell out. Maybe at 110K?
Rear shocks went bad 115k.
Alternator died on me (that was a fun repair in the rain at work) 125k.
Head gasket was leaking and burning oil and coolant. That was replaced at 150k.
Top dead center sensor bad – required new distributor & fuel pump bad at 153k.
General Comments:
Despite all its problems, I love this car.
I paid $500 for the car, and having done all the work on it myself, I must say I have learned a lot (and perhaps saved a lot). It has been a good experience owning this vehicle. We have bled together in the rain, broken down on the side of the road in two feet of snow, and in the sweltering death heat of summer.
The vehicles saving grace is certainly its personality, but since that doesn't count, I will say it's the gas mileage. I get approximately 40 miles to the gallon in this thing.
It is reliable. I know you cant agree with that, given the horrendous list above, but for a (16 year old) vehicle manufactured at bottom dollar, I must say that it has treated me well over the years. From point A to point B. It's not beautiful, it's not fast, it handles poorly (compared with other small cars --- oh and a missing sway bar), can't get much above 85 mph, but I am so comfortable in it.
It is not a vehicle that you will get much positive feedback on. Most people that are riding as passengers make some form of sick and disgusted look, and comments about the thing rate low on the compliment list.
It’s great. You gotta get one!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 26th May, 2006
28th Oct 2009, 17:10
I see two in my driveway, and I've seen a couple around town the past couple weeks.
13th Jan 2010, 08:50
They are very fun to drive, and I own about 6 of them... various parts cars seeing how they are just about extinct here in Canada.
I HAVE KICKED THE ABSOLUTE TAR OUT OF THIS CAR. I take it mudding, trails, through fields and STILL rely on it to get back and forth to school/work/parties.
Clutches are very forgiving, great in snow once you put some 185/80R13's on it. I find it gutless, personal speed record it 160 kph on level ground but it took forever to get there.
The car has a distinct sound, and I plan to modify it with a true 4wd setup out of a Subaru and upgrade to the Dodge Omni 2.2 Turbocharged.
Then she should scoot...
23rd Aug 2008, 17:35
Thank you for writing your experience, it lets me know what parts of this type vehicle are fail-prone! I'm glad you weren't driving when the!%%^&$%^*wheel fell off!