1998 Dodge Intrepid review from North America
"It's a money funnel- buy at own risk"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Drum roll please...
1) Power steering pump- $350 @ 78,125 miles
2) water pump- $450 @ 80,098 miles
3) warped rotors x 4 + brakes- $1,000 @ 93,430 miles
4) water pump (again) + radiator - $800 @ 98,765 miles
5) 3 blown tires @ various times, 2 for unexplainable reasons on relatively new tires- maybe d/t deficient steering mechanism (it shimmied when braking even with alignment) - about $300
6) 2 bushings- $400 @ 104,978 miles
7) crank sensor (car would shut off while driving- all power would be cut, very scary) $250 @ about 110,000 miles
8) starter- $275 @ about 115,000 miles
9) alternator- $300 @ about 116,000 miles
10) alternator belt bracket sheared off engine block (dangerous & unusual) $500- 117,000 miles
11) Engine sludged @ 118,592 miles $75 to determine car needed a new engine, $4,000 used and $7,000 new.
Total cost for repairs over 2.75 years: $4,700.
General comments?
Looks sharp and drives rather nice with a lot of comfort. Totally unreliable and a maintenance nightmare. Performed normal maintenance (oil changes, tune ups, etc) and either this 2.7 Litre engine has major engineering flaws (i.e. radiator and water pump used do not effectively perform their function on the engine) or the previous owner drove it hard w/o any oil changes. The comments on this site suggest the previous. Paid cash ($11,000) looking for a reliable, American car (patriotic duty & all) to get me through college. All it has done is make my financial situation dire straits. Got $1,000 for it at a scrap yard (parts for other Intrepid's is big business!!). For those that have had engine failure and still owe on loans, you have my sincerest sympathy. I'm lucky to junk it and get another car (not Dodge, ever) or truck. For those that are still driving one, watch out for the flickering oil light that auto shops/dealer will say is harmless. Soon enough your engine will fail- even with high grade synthetic oil, oil additives, octane booster and fuel injector cleaners. Beware of the ping and rattle...
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.7 Litre Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 0/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 0/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 70000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 115000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota Celica |
| Date of Entry | 23rd January, 2004 |