1997 Dodge Intrepid 3.5 Liter 24 Valve from North America
Summary:
A great bargain! I I can't wait to buy one of the new models!
Faults:
I had the tire rods replaced at 81000 miles.
Check engine light comes on. Car runs just the same as if it wasn't on.
General Comments:
The most powerful car I have ever driven.
It handles perfectly around corners and is smooth riding at high speeds.
Seats get a little uncomfortable after five hourse.
To all those people who have had major problems with their Dodge Intrepids, you can't blame a company for everything that goes wrong with your vehicle. There is no way that they can build every car to last forever. Nothing is perfect. It doesn't matter if you bought a Ford or a Toyota or a GM vehicle. You will always have the chance that something major will go wrong.
And by the way, I have owned three Dodge cars, (2 Spirits and 1 Intrepid) and have never had a major problem. On the other hand, my first car was a Pontiac Grand Am and the engine went at 128000 miles.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th March, 2004
22nd Jan 2008, 18:42
We bought our 1997 Dodge Intrepid for a cash price of $3,800 in August of 2007 from a dealership which had about 92,000 miles on it. Car came equipped with just about every factory option including the more desire-able 3.5 liter engine. It was evident that the previous owner had taken good care of this car and did all of the proper maintenance as per factory recommendations.
On our 1st trip out of town from the San Francisco Bay Area where we reside, we encountered an engine check light problem just as we were entering Reno Nevada at 10 PM on a Friday evening. Rather than continue to drive, we elected to find a place to stay over and look for a repair shop in the morning.
Found one that did engine diagnostics and was told it was a 02 sensor. They replaced that and some $375.00 later we were back on the road. Some 150 miles or so later, engine check light was back on. Luckily, we found a shop in Winnemucca Nevada that worked us in after a 4 hour wait only to discover the earlier sensor was the incorrect one. Another $250.00 and back on the road and since no more problems in that regard.
Once we returned from South Dakota, at about 101,000 miles we had all of the timing belts and a new water pump installed as a preventive measure.
About 3 weeks ago, engine check light came on only this time my scanner told me that it was a misfire in the #5 cylinder. Car was running rough and after replacing all 6 spark plugs and a new set of spark plug wires, it was good as ever. Seems that a hole had been burned in the insulator that slips over the spark plug thus the miss.
Overall, it is a great car with plenty of room both for passengers and luggage. For a car of it's size, great power and it is very easy on gas especially during highway driving. In Nebraska on the flat at 65 mph, we got a astounding 33 mpg on the cruise control.
The biggest fault that I can see from what I have read from others and also confirmed by a friend who owns a transmission shop is the transmission it's self. We did a complete transmission fluid/Filter change right after the purchase and switched to Red Line Synthetic ATF with no major issues to date.
My wife loves the car and that is what counts plus it offers a very smooth ride and we wouldn't hesitate to take it across country again.