1991 Dodge Shadow 2D Highline Conv. review from North America
"Great starter car, good all around performer"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Routine things were done to car. This included front and rear shocks, oil, air filter, flushing out radiator, etc.
The first of two major problems was the head gasket blowing out at about 80 or 90000mi. The engine head had to be taken in and re-surfaced (cost about $300 because we did most of the work ourselves).
The second of the two major problems is what killed the car. Piston #1 blew out about one week ago at 111000mi. Rather than fix the car, I am going simply replace it.
I had my convertible top replace by an auto interiors shop. The top now looks better, but the weather-stripping is horrid. When it rains, my car leaks by the windows badly. When it snows, I get snow drifts on my seats.
The car is noisy, also. The convertible top adds no sort of noise reduction. Given a large bump, my entire top seems to want to rip away from the car.
General comments?
This was my first car, and I will miss it dearly. I had the cow seat covers, the cheap, chrome hubcaps and even the "high performance" stickers on the bumpers.
This is a really great car.
It has been very good to me, as I have been good to it.
Given the problems, I accepted them as part of owning a used car.
My only complaint is that the car died too soon : (
RIP my shadow July 1998 - June 2002.
Recommended reviews
  | The Fastest Dodge Shadow Ever! |
| Low cost, reliable and convertible too! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 8/10 |
| Comfort marks | 5/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 67000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 111000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 8th June, 2002 |