2003 Dodge Intrepid SE review from North America

At 25,000 miles, the front rotors felt warped, but I will not replace/repair these until I need new tires.

At 32,000 miles, driver side radiator fan bearings went out. One month prior to this happening, I drove through some flood/rain water about 8-9 inches deep for a few minutes. Dealer replaced this under warranty and took care of a secret recall (belt tensioner) without any hassle.

This car has been used in Houston, TX for city and highway driving. I use Mobil 1 10w30 oil, Mopar ATF+4 transmission fluid and strictly follow the "severe service" maintenance schedule.

Positive Points:

This is a large car that looks like and handles like a sporty midsize, rides as smooth a $35k+ luxury car, and is as easy to drive, maneuever and park as a compact. Intrepid truly masks its size, and is impressive mechanical engineering for a "common man's vehicle." The engine and transmission are smooth operating. The interior easily holds five 6-footers comfortably for long trips. The trunk is also very large. Fit and finish are good -- no squeaks or rattles. The climate control is powerful. The 8-way power driver seat is very comfortable for long trips once adjusted properly. Original Goodyear GA tires appear durable if they are diligently rotated every 6,000 miles and kept at 30-32 psi. Styling is as flashy as it can be for a full size car.

Average Points:

The 2.7L engine is adequate in all driving, from city to highway, and the fuzzy logic transmission once programmed, keeps things fairly responsive. However, it is no real performer, as its advertised 200 horsepower comes in a split second before the transmission shifts under wide open throttle. Factory stereo/CD sounds OK for quality. The passenger and rear seats are comfortable enough. The interior layout and ergonomics are basic at best.

Negative Points:

This is a full size car and may require a fair amount of depth perception to drive with its "cockpit" view. Even though Intrepid has the same length and width dimensions as full size SUV's, this is not a good vehicle for drivers who feel at war on the road or are easily threatened, as the seating position is quite low. Some may complain about blind spots, but this can be overcome by a precise seat and mirror adjustment. Dashboard and console plastics are cheap. The stock Goodyear Eagle GA tires are poor for wet traction and noise levels and only get worse with wear. Transmission shifting is too smooth, and lacks the sporty "kick" during gear shifting. No 6-speed manual option for the 2.7L! Flashy styling and fake security features caused my car to almost be stolen.