1999 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.2

Summary:

Was worth the chance

Faults:

I replaced the speed control sensor a couple of months after I bought the car. One rear power window will not work. Dash lights blinked a couple of times like there is a short.

General Comments:

When I first thought about buying this car, I read the reviews, and thought maybe I should look on, but I took a chance since this car had the 3.2 liter. I have to say that this car has been a very good car. There are some minor problems, but I was willing to deal with the minor problems for the amount I paid (5200 dollars). The car is a pleasure to drive. It handles well and has ABS and traction control. The interior is roomy and comfortable (leather). I had a Honda Accord that had 350,000 miles when I sold it. I do not expect to get that many miles out of the Intrepid, but the cost of the car compared to what I was going to pay for an Accord is significantly different. You get what you pay for, so maybe I have been lucky. I took a chance and feel like I got a great deal. If you are thinking about buying an intrepid, buy a 3.2 liter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th November, 2006

19th Nov 2006, 08:59

Hello there

I own the same car (actually is a Chrysler Intrepid here in Canada) and I owned the car for almost five years and just small annoyances in this time. worth the money. Why I'm replying is to give you a hint how to solve the windows problem. I did it myself and it worked. Have someone pushing the window button and in meantime you have to try to move by hand the window up and down. It will start (it is jammed because of dirt). After that put some either thin oil on the rubber frame or you can try as well the baby powder (it will help the window to slide). And after all this you wouldn't suppose to have more problems. You ca do this for all windows to prevent jamming.

Good luck

And so far, my car runs great with no problems at all (it is a '99 car too)

1999 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.2L

Summary:

Excellent and dependable family sedan

Faults:

AC Condensor needed replacement at 45,000 miles.

Power window motors burned out three times (replaced once under warranty)

Rack and pinion began binding at 70,000 miles, replaced with used unit - no problems since.

AC display went out - replaced with used unit.

Transmission shift control sensor replaced at 55,000 miles.

General Comments:

Bought our platinum 1999 Intrepid ES 3.2L new, it now has 161,000 miles.

Love the interior room for our family of five, real decent handling and performance for a large sedan, great Infinity sound system.

It gets regular oil changes, dealer maintenance, new brakes as needed.

Am not happy with my Dodge dealer - when my steering started getting a serious 'tight spot' whenever I turned left the dealer said they never heard of this problem before and quoted $800 to replace the unit. It turns out to be a major chronic problem for all Chrysler sedans that use this common unit (Intrepid, Concorde, 300M) and has been a problem for some time. I paid $80 for a used unit and had the dealer install it - saved over $500.

My AC display went out - dealer wanted $500 to the replace the entire display unit. I bought a used one for $30, replaced it myself and all it really turned out to be was a burnt out LED display, which of course you cannot buy separately. You have to buy the entire unit for several hundred dollars.

The starter occasionally will not turn over, just get a loud solenoid click. After several attempts it will finally crank and not be a problem again for days or weeks. Other times it's every time it sits overnight. Very odd. I suspect the starter solenoid as I checked the relay circuit and was still not able to start the car.

The matte black paint on the windshield trim began peelnig from the hot southern climate. I simply peeled it all off, masked the area and painted the trim with flat black paint. Looks practically new.

Even with several other relatively minor annoyances the drivetrain has been running strong for 161,000 miles, the car still looks almost new and has no squeaks, groans, or other odd noises when driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th October, 2006