30th Jul 2010, 03:37
The people with the 2.7 engines have valid complaints. Dodge took the easy way out and should be held liable for it. For a measly $500 dollars more, Dodge could have put 3.5 standard in all the Intrepids. Dodge ruined this cars name and it's a shame. The 3.2 and 3.5 are wonderful engines. They are very durable, reliable and powerful. Dodge, you should have just charged a tad more for the base models and upped the engine, and never produced the 2.7 to begin with. I now own a 3.5 ES, and I love it. It is very comfortable and powerful. My aunt thinks the car rides like a limousine. Not to mention the newer chargers and 300s look nice on the outside, but look like crap on the inside, with less room and even more visibility issues than before.
27th Jan 2010, 00:07
I'm not sure why your engine blew up. On many car forums, the Intrepid is highly spoken of. Mine has nearly 100k km and it hasn't had a single problem. It's completely original, just had 1 tranny flush as per maintenance, and doing another one soon. I also replaced the accessory belt, simply because its time was up, although it was still in great shape after nearly 72k kms.
It has been serviced by myself after it got out of the 3/60k, and I've been using only Castrol Syntec every 5000km.
No CEL, no oxygen sensors replaced. I don't have a reason to lie, but for a 2002 vehicle it runs like a champ.
It all has to do with how you treat your car and your perception of that. Have you seen Honda and Toyota drivers on the road? The abusive ones have blue smoke pouring out of their so-called reliable imports, whereas the tedious ones drive 10mph under the limit and have cars in great shape. Do the same and you will see that your domestic will last.
Bottom line: it's the driver, not the car. Plenty of soccer moms have Intrepids, and they are even as old as 1998 and still roaming the streets. It's not rocket science.
I'm actually kind of annoyed since mine is lasting without any issues. I'm kind of sick of driving the same car every day, but if I sell it, it will be a freebie due to the massive drop in resale value, so I'm keeping it for as long as she'll last.
PS I have a 2002 3.5L High Output Intrepid ES.