1st Nov 2001, 16:20

I currently own a 1987 Dodge Omni, automatic, 2.2liter engine, which I have had for the past 13 years.

It has the original motor in in, with a total of 296,000 miles on it. Never have had the motor overhauled, carburetor is the original also. Have just replaced other parts on the car - radiator, timing belt, shift cable, alternator, fuel pump, water pump, brakes - which have worn out. Tires, batteries, gas filters, spark plugs, the usual maintenance upkeep. This vehicle has even had a small fire due to a faulty gas filter and it still runs, started right up after the fire was put out. Now how many can say that about their vehicle.

Still get 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 26 miles per gallon in town driving. The average cost per year on maintenance is about $120.00 USA dollars. Beats the payment on a newer vehicle.

Yes I know that this is unbelievable on this type of vehicle - but remember truth is stranger than fiction. A very satisfied Omni Owner. Yes I would purchase another one if the vehicle was still being made.

20th Jan 2002, 15:29

I currently have a 1988 Dodge Omni with 57 000 km's on it. It is mechanically excellent, but the body has some rust at the bottom of the doors (from the Northern Canadian climate I live in and being parked outside for it's whole life). An elderly woman bought the car new and drove it for 40 000 km's, gave it to her grand daughter and I bought it for 500 $ Canadian. It has some dents due to the first owners less than satisfactory parking skills. It came with four studded winter tires too. Great mileage and cheap purchase makes me happy.

3rd Mar 2002, 00:05

I have a 1980 Omni which I purchased about 5 years ago. I only drive a couple hundred miles a year. So far I have bought one alternator, one voltage regulator, and one fuel pump. That is it for maintenance besides the 4 oil changes. I just have to watch the radiator which has a hole about halfway down, and go easy on the clutch because one of the previous owners damaged the pressure plate spring (probably rode the clutch too much).

4th Jul 2003, 02:28

I currently have 3 of the horizon's and 2 omni's Ranging from 1983 to 1990. My 1990 horizon had 443,000 miles on the original motor when the odometer broke no telling how many after that. I lent it to a friend and he poked a hole in the oil pan and blew it up. Other than that all I've done to any of them were regular maintenance.

I am currently looking for a 1986 OMNI GLH to purchase if any one has any information on one please contact me @ hooptiedriver1990@yahoo.com thank you.

5th Aug 2003, 00:45

I just received a 1987 Dodge Omni as a gift. Today, I bottomed out the car on a speed bump. The car stalled (as it will sometimes do) so I just tried re-starting it (like I always do), but this time it would only click and nothing else. We pushed the car to a street lamp so we could see. Turns out we had just leaked all of our oil and that the oil pan probably tore. The car would not start at all. My friend used his AAA card to get the car towed back to my house. I also just found out that it might be leaking transmission fluid. About how much would it cost to get a used oil pan installed and take care of the repair for the tranny fluid? Just an approximate range.

9th May 2004, 07:56

I am a new driver, and my first car is an 1989 Dodge Omni. From what I drive and the way I drive its great. I haven't had to do much more than regular maintenance. It currently has 51,629 miles on it. It seems unbelievable, but its true. It is still all original except paint and trim. This car is a great car for the money, and I'll recommend it to anyone. People see it and laugh, but when I get on the road and they see me fly by them or pull into tight spots that there SUV's can't, they get mad, plus I get 28 mpg in city and 36 highway.

30th May 2005, 12:31

I had an "86 Omni GLH non-turbo. It was a pretty quick car and could take corners like crazy due to the low profile 50 series tires. The difference of the GLH's from the regular Omni's...bigger brakes, larger anti-sway bars, Chromed valve cover, different head producing more horsepower with a higher compression ratio, a 5 speed with a different gear ratio, Larger wheels & tires (195/50-15) and a quicker ratio steering (less turns of the steering wheel)...yeah, I shoulda kept it as it was the last year produced...they're kinda rare now.

5th Aug 2005, 20:39

Got an '81 Dodge Omni, it has over 176k miles on it. Regular maintenance mostly. I work at an auto shop, so I am able to do a lot more repairs on it. People laugh, doesn't faze me though. I plan on putting a rebuilt motor and transmission in it shortly, but the originals do not have any problems whatsoever. I want to completely customize it. Gas mileage is great, I would recommend it to anyone for their first car.

On a side note, I would recommend replacing 155/80 R13 tires with 175/70 R13 H or S rated tires because it handles much better, especially in the snow, and the tires are a bit beefier which helps keep it under control during cornering and emergency maneuvers. Also, do not replace the carburetor, it will invite trouble. Rebuild it instead, it doesn't take long, its relatively cheap, and with the rebuild kit comes great photos and a step-by-step directions sheet.

If you happen to think the alternator is bad, have your mechanic "full-field" it. More often than you may think, the voltage regulator will fail (went through 2) and "full-fielding" takes it out of the circuit completely, causing it to fully energize and charge at maximum capacity. This can save you a lot of money. Since you are already saving money on gas (which, at this time, is around $2.50 US in the northeast and $1.05 Canadian in Nova Scotia), put it towards the upkeep of a great little car.

New shocks are also a good idea. Just replace the cartridge, unless the mechanic thinks the coils are bad too. Also consider vented brake rotots to prevent unneeded replacement of warped rotors. Well, I push 85 MPH on a 3 speed, so this may not be completely necessary. Thanks for your time.

25th Mar 2006, 11:03

Just bought a 1989 Dodge Omni from a little old lady who just drove it to church on Sundays. 1t has 26k miles and is in nearly perfect condition having been garage kept for the last 17 years. It will be my daughters first car - now if I could only find cool 17" wheels for it...

9th May 2006, 08:15

I just bought a 1990 Omni automatic for an unbelievable steal - $200 out the door and in good running order! Sure, it needs a tune up and the clear-coat is stripping, but for 200, who can argue? Not me, because I need a car and it gets good mileage from what I understand... now if only the odometer was working. *big cheesy grin* That can fixed too I guess.