1977 Plymouth Volare 318 2bbl from North America

Summary:

Family size sports car

Faults:

The starter went bad at 165,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car was the best $200 that I ever spent. Great gas mileage, with plenty of power. I never had any problems keeping up with traffic.

The coupe also drove like a sports car. However it could be a real monster on ice covered roads.

The car was the most the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. It never left me stranded or failed to start. The only problem I had, was the starter began to drag. This caused the battery to drain quickly. I installed a new starter, which fixed the problem.

I will always look back on that car with nothing but the fondest memories. I believe selling that car was one of the toughest things I've ever done.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th September, 2002

9th Jan 2005, 13:52

A Volare was what my parents bought me for my first school car. Extremely ugly, but mostly reliable with a strong slant 6 motor. Put that car through more than the usual teenage paces (spinning cookies, beating down gravel roads at excessive speeds, sliding around corners, etc.) and it continued to plod along. I actually bought the car back from my parents when I was in college so my girlfriend would have something to drive to work (She hated it), but it still ran well so many years later.

9th Jan 2006, 18:41

If the only problem he ever had was a starter that went bad at 165,000 miles, I don't think anybody can really say anything too bad about it. Maybe the "sports car" line was a little over the top, but the 318 wasn't bad either. I had a friend with a '77 Aspen station wagon, with a 318 and 4-speed. While beat and ragged, it had some real tire-smoking ability.

27th Apr 2009, 20:23

Well, all I have to say is that I bought my first car when I was 17. It was a '77 Plymouth Volare. I drove it from NJ to CA. I'm 32 now and I still have that car and it's runs great. Everyone who knows about cars loves my car and the friends I have that thought/think it's ugly or aren't sure if it's reliability...well, they've all had to get new cars. Oh, and I have no problem keeping up with anyone. It's a stick, it rides smooth and I think it's beautiful. :)

1977 Plymouth Volare 318 5.2L. V8 from North America

Summary:

Almost a Mopar masterpiece

Faults:

There have been several small problems due to the fact that the car sat for several years before I obtained it.

The speedometer broke.

The power steering lines and brake lines needed replacement, as well as the radiator hose.

The gas gauge is wrong.

The power steering pump and transmission leak fluids sporadically. For instance, I was having to put in power steering fluid daily, and transmission fluid ever week or so, then without any repair work, the power steering pump magically quit leaking, and the transmission fluid has to be checked daily.

The windshield wiper broke.

The paint and vinyl top (the few shreds that are left) are horrible.

General Comments:

This was an interesting choice for my first car. I paid very little for it, and for what I paid, I can't complain too much.

It's a fun car, and would be great with a little paint and work.

The 318 is a wonderful engine and is practically indestructible.

If you can find one in decent shape, it's a pretty good old car.

The plaid seats are great for character building.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2002