1987 Plymouth Gran Fury Base 318ci (5.2 Liter V8)

Summary:

Not too bad for 500 dollars

Faults:

Bad alignment, so the car has a tendency to drift to the right.

Headliner had to be stapled back into the ceiling.

Needs a full tune-up, and by tune-up, I mean "engine overhaul". My gas mileage is very poor right now, usually about 8-10 miles/gallon. Another side effect is that the wear on the engine makes it take almost 20 seconds to accelerate to highway speeds.

Gas gauge doesn't show the correct amount of gas, so I have to fill it up before it reaches 3/8 of a tank or risk running out.

Fuel pump died. However, this will only cost me $17 to replace.

Leak somewhere in the cooling system, so I have to pour water in the radiator every day or two.

Rust.

General Comments:

I bought this car right off the front lawn of a house down the street from mine.

In a month and a half, I've managed to put 3000 miles on the car, mostly because any problems I've had were minor.

Once it broke down on me, and it turned out that the fuel tank was empty even though the gauge said I still had over 1/4 tank.

The next breakdown was when the engine overheated because all the coolant had leaked out of the radiator.

And finally, most recently (3 days ago), the fuel pump died.

I guess that for 500 dollars, with all the driving that I do, I should expect to have some problems like this. I'm most concerned with the gas gauge and the radiator, because that fuel pump problem will only cost $17 to fix.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th June, 2003

10th Mar 2023, 18:51

Finding one for 500$ that's in good condition nowadays is a literal dream. I miss when these cars used to be cheap. It's a shame really.

11th Mar 2023, 22:41

Same. I miss when cars were cheap to buy and maintain in general as well. 500 bucks gets you a car part now instead of a whole car!

1987 Plymouth Gran Fury salon 318

Summary:

A bargain at $950.00

Faults:

Water pump had to be replaced recently.

Radiator clogged and had to be replaced.

Upper ball joints had to be replaced.

Headliner had to be stapled back into place.

Voltage regulator had to be replaced recently. ($10)

General Comments:

Car is very comfortable and cruises nice on long trips.

When I got the car it ran like it was "fuel starved".I disconnected the temperature sensor to the computer and the car started to run properly. The car gets 26 miles per gallon on the highway and passed emissions tests.

Very inexpensive car to keep since parts are cheap, readily available and it is fairly easy to work on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th February, 2003