1997 Dodge Intrepid ES review from North America

Needed replacement:

Inner tie rod bushings

Outer tie rod end

Both sway bar links

Timing belt, water pump, belt tensioner.

All of these are normal wear and tear on Intrepids - if a service shop quotes you a price for inner tie rods, ask them the price for the inner tie rod bushings, since its usually just the bushings (about $10 part compared to $70 part) that need to be replaced. Also, most of these can be replaced fairly easily, with a little mechanical knowledge / know-how. I replaced them all with only a Chilton's manual and an hour of my time, tops. (except timing belt, which was more like 2-4 hours)

Normal wear n tear (tires, battery, brakes, struts)

This car is awesome. I swear by the Intrepids - even the base model is quick, and this one is only quicker. The only downfall I see is the transmission - Chrysler could have put a little more effort into a stronger transmission. Other than that, this car is great for any person of any age. Especially if you know a little about cars, and can perform minor maintenance items yourself - every car needs to be maintained, after all. Taking this car to a shop repeatedly can be expensive, however - make sure you find a trustworthy shop, and ask for your parts back when service is performed.

It gets fair gas mileage - 18 MPG city, 24 MPG highway, but if you drive this car you will see why. 214 HP (221 lbs torque) puts you back in your seat, and ahead of 80% of cars on the road. It is a blast to drive, and very comfortable for long trips. I love this car!