1993 Plymouth Sundance Standard 2.2 from North America

Summary:

Great car... Can't kill it... I believe mine to have multiple lives!

Faults:

O2 sensor.

Alternator belt.

Thermostat.

Airbag replaced.

Radiator replaced.

Headlights, grille, bumper.

Most things were simple to replace, and most were my own fault.. not the car's.

I'd still take it cross country, even with all it's been through.

General Comments:

Sadly this car been in 4 accidents throughout the course of its life, two of which were quite major, and only one of which was my fault. I pulled out of side road onto the main drag, and I unfortunately misjudged the speed of an oncoming mini-van, which ended up slamming into my left front fender at approximately 40 miles per hour.. The damage was what 90 percent of people would classify irreparable.

At 56 thousand miles though, I couldn't bear to see the car head for the scrap yard. My front bumper was blown completely off.. taking the headlights, signals, grille, and radiator with it. The left front subframe was bent at a 90 degree angle right underneath the battery box, and the right front subframe also had a considerable bend. All three motor mounts were broke, and the motor was twisted enough to where the power-steering pump pulley was rubbing against the firewall. Also, the hood was blown up against the windshield on impact, and the airbag did deploy. The computer (which is tucked in along side the battery, nestled right inside the left front fender) was cracked in half.

I ended up buying a parts car for 20 bucks that had no tranny and a butchered wiring harness. Although it had some impact on the right front, the left front was good shape, and therefore I was able to get the majority of the parts I needed.

It took a friend and I about two weeks to fix it, working every single day after school until about 10 o'clock. It required tons of work with the torch and sledge hammer, as it was extremely difficult to straighten the subframes once again.

Also, I had to weld a whole new front end on as there was nothing to bolt my new fenders too or to put my new radiator in.

There is still a large crease in the left front subframe, but I was still able to get it straight enough to get the bumper on. After all work was done, she fired right up! Nothing really lines up perfect, but all in all, it really was a miracle how it all came together.

People still disagree with me deciding to fix it up, but hey, as long as you have the appropriate tools and an empty garage stall.. what is there to lose. The experience was worth everything to me.

I put anyone who questioned its reliability to shame, as I took it on an almost 200 mile round trip on the interstate the day I finally got it all together. I even got it to pass inspection 6 months later.

My alignment is still a bit off, but I'm not too worried. It's three different colors now and certainly isn't pretty, but it gets me around, and I'm real proud of it.

The day I saw that odometer turn once again after the accident, was quite possibly the happiest I've ever been.

Just last week I hit a deer with the left front at about 30mph... now my once undamaged fender is slightly folded underneath the hood and dented. A few more sledge hammer whacks and she's once again serviceable.

61 thousand miles now, and I plan on keeping those digits turning!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th February, 2007

1993 Plymouth Sundance from North America

Summary:

Unfortunately I think this car is one big money pit!!!

Faults:

I had to replace a broken front axle.

I had to replace both front ball joints.

I had to replace the exhaust because of a severe leak that was filling the cab with fumes.

I had to replace both front struts.

Paint on the roof was chipping off badly!

I had to repair the parking brake.

The left turn signal does not shut off automatically like it's supposed to.

Hydraulics on the hatchback don't work-I have to prop the trunk open with a broom handle.

And the latest problem is either the battery or alternator (interior and exterior lights, stereo and wipers shut down and car won't start now!!!)

General Comments:

This is my first car and when I bought it in April 2005 for $500 I thought I was getting a good deal despite the high mileage! I read reviews from other 93 Sundance owners and the only complaints I saw were regarding the paint job! I had the car looked over by several mechanics who all assured me that the engine was sound and reliable, but I have had nothing, but trouble with this car since the day I got it on the road! I am very frustrated at this point because with the money I have spent just to keep my Sundance on the road I could have bought a better car!! I would appreciate any troubleshooting tips if anyone out there has any or referrals for where to get parts-specifically an alternator-in Ontario!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd December, 2005

2nd Dec 2005, 22:12

You got what you paid for, a $500 car with over 200,000 miles on it. These cars are not that bad if maintained properly from my experience with a 92, you just happened to buy the one that was at the end of its life. Next time spend the extra money and buy something that was better maintained with much lower mileage.

2nd Dec 2005, 22:47

Hello! to the person who bought this car. those are normal repairs for a car that old with that high mileage. it seems like you just bought it, I think that's why the seller sould it, because the car was at a time when things needed to be replaced. The paint problem however is no excuse, but those cars are widely known for their crappy paint.

3rd Dec 2005, 15:49

Paying 500 bucks for a car with over 200,000 miles, you have no cause for complaint. Buying a car that old, you have to assume that you'll need to buy a starter, alternator, spark plugs/cap/wires, change coolant/motor oil/transmission fluid and filter, and start using lots of fuel injector cleaner. You may as well just add the cost of those items to the purchase price when you're car shopping. It's called "You can't get something for nothing."

26th Apr 2009, 16:32

I too had a 93 Sundance, it was my first car. I purchased it at age 16 in 2001 for $1,000. It was a cheap car; the paint was terrible it had lots of rust, the interior was cheap...

But it ran good and never let me sitting ever in 3 years I owned it... I wish I had it back because it was very economical.

The only real bad things that happened were that the rear axle rusted and broke and the passenger side door busted at the latch and the entire door about fell off... I had to seal it shut and was going to replace the door, but I sold it before I could do that.. overall not a real bad car!