1997 Dodge Intrepid Base

Faults:

This has been a great car for me until last week. It shut off as I got to work one morning. Waited until lunch time, went out, tried it, and it started. Tried it again before going back to work, it wouldn't start. Left work, it started, drove it 2 blocks, stopped running. Got it off the road, it would not start. Tried it the next day, it started ran for 10 minutes, stopped. Put a new module box on it, didn't help. Put a cam sensor on it, which was so simple costing $42 dollars including tax. Runs great. All that for a cam sensor, which was so easy to remove and put back on. I hope this helps someone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th November, 2010

1997 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.5

Summary:

The best car I have ever owned

Faults:

Power steering pump failed in two weeks.

Intake manifold gasket failed at 75,000 and 180,000 miles.

Trunk key lock failed after two years.

Rotors warp every couple of years.

General Comments:

This car has been the most reliable that I have ever owned.

It now has 206,000+ miles and is still running strong.

All major components are original, including the motor and transmission.

The motor still does not burn or leak oil. It does use a quart between changes now.

I still get almost 30 mpg on the highway 13 years after I bought it.

The body is pretty rough now, I should have taken better care of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2010

1997 Dodge Intrepid Base Model 3.3 V6

Summary:

Mechanically reliable, but a fit and finish nightmare!

Faults:

Water pump at 75,000 miles.

Alternator around 100,000.

Starter just before I traded it in.

Suspension components break easily, especially sway bar links.

Windshield wipers are useless on windy days or at any speed over 65 MPH; wind lifts them off the windows.

Fuel pressure regulator shortly after I bought it.

Front sub frame cradle mounts began to fall apart at only 110,000 miles; no excuse for such a thing to happen with that low of mileage.

Headlight capsules broke every time I shut the hood, the aftermarket replacements are designed even worse.

Headlights do not illuminate the road well, I compare them to cars of the 1950's and 1960's.

Instrument cluster completely died on me, got a replacement from the junkyard cheap.

Cup holders broke.

General Comments:

Well I've driven worse cars, but that's no excuse for most of these problems.

The car was comfortable and roomy, fairly smooth riding.

Performance and acceleration was decent, good enough for a family sedan.

Handling on dry roads was pretty good, but the wide tires and relatively light weight made driving in rain and snow a total pain. Do not buy one of these cars unless it has traction control. I don't think mine had ABS either.

The 3.3 liter V6 delivered OK fuel economy, maybe 27 MPG highway on a good day. There are many other V6's in similar sized Hondas, Toyotas, GM's and Fords that did much better though. One good thing about this car is I never had any engine or transmission problems. I've heard horror stories though.

These could have been some decent cars if Chrysler had bothered with a little more research, development, and testing. This era was the true dark ages of the American Automobile.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd April, 2010

1997 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.5 V6

Summary:

I have thoroughly enjoyed having this vehicle, and would buy another like it in an instant!

Faults:

So far I've only had to do minor things, mostly nickel and dime stuff. Replaced rear auto-adjusting brakes with rebuild kits.

Oil changes every 3,500 to 5,000 miles.

Replaced thermostat and gasket.

Replaced spark plugs and wires.

Replaced headlight bulbs and bodies.

Replaced hydraulic arms on hood.

Replaced air filter.

Replaced left rear backuplight plug in due to corroded contact piece.

Replaced fuel filter.

General Comments:

I haven't really had any major problems with this vehicle since I have owned it.

I often don't mind taking it on long trips, with having enough room to be inside it for hours on end (Drove from PA to OK straight through with stops for gas and food, 18 hours)

It accelerates like a performance car should, very quick, with no hesitation.

The sound system I feel could be improved with also perhaps adding speakers in the rear doors as well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th August, 2009