1990 Plymouth Horizon 2.2

Summary:

Reliable, sturdy Econobox

Faults:

Air conditioning began leaking in 2001. Replaced the freon using a 134a conversion kit and it has worked fine since. I spend a few dollars each year to add more gas and oil to the A/C and it lasts all summer. Beats replacing the A/C or servicing the old refrigerant at $150.00 each time.

Replaced the timing belt at about 115,000.

Replaced motor mounts at about 110,000 miles.

Paint is oxidized on some portions of the car, but no rust problems.

Had to replace the bearings once about a year ago. Not sure about the mileage then.

General Comments:

This has been an incredibly reliable and cheap car to maintain. It was purchased with very low miles and immediately shipped overseas to Italy where it had a hard two years. It was driven three times from Sicily to Germany, which is about 3000 miles round-trip and we drove the car at 100mph+ the entire trip, stopping only for gas.

I really like the car and will be sad when it finally dies. I enjoy driving it because it has terrific power for merging into traffic. The handling is unusually responsive for being an econobox.

The seats are very comfortable.

The only major complaint that I have about the car is that it is very noisy. At highway speeds, the wind makes a constant roar which is accompanied by a lot of road noise.

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

Review Date: 2nd June, 2003

1990 Plymouth Horizon 2.2

Summary:

A good old basic, reliable automobile for the price

Faults:

Hard to start when cold.

Numerous brake jobs and rotors on this baby, but I live where there are hills.

Back jacks that hold the hatchback open gave out about 50,000 miles ago.

I had to replace the water pump about 15,000 miles ago.

Replaced the radiator.

Numerous coolant leaks from various areas.

Oil leaks from broken seals.

Stereo display is out (most recent) though probably a fuse.

Sometimes the turn signal doesn't work.

General Comments:

Oh, boy I am falling in love with this hunk of crap, because it just never broke down, an it is quite reliable! My girlfriend laughs because I call it the "Mighty Horizon". It never gets caught in the snow, and is a breeze for driving on snow and ice.

The quirkiness of it's problems are what I like the best.

It has some minor rust problems, but I am becomming a Bondo expert.

If they made a Horizon 2002 I would get one in a second.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th July, 2002

1990 Plymouth Horizon 2.2 L OHV 4 FI 4 cyl

Faults:

New struts, brakes, clutch, airbag, (courtesy of a deer), muffler, alternator.

General Comments:

A good small commuter car. With the 5 speed manual gearbox, it can beat almost any car 0-40 mph. Funny, but true. Driven from new to 125K miles with only wear items replaced. Body resisted rust well. 1990 was last year for Horizon and sister car Dodge Omni.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th June, 1998

6th Jan 2001, 12:50

How about a question?

What is the firing line on a 1990 2.2?

13th Jan 2001, 18:31

Hi, I got bad news on my 1990 Horizon today. The transmission is shot, a problem with the valves sticking. AAmco says it will cost 1250 to rebuild My serviceman said he could do it cheaper. The car is in great shape. 116700 miles.

Skip Cabrol

17th Aug 2004, 17:18

If you mean firing order on a chrysler 2.2 also 2.5 it is 1-3-4-2.

30th Nov 2004, 12:25

I have a 1990 horizon very good car. I go to

Mexico from Chicago every year with it it never breaks. it has now 156,000 miles an runs like new.

14th Jun 2005, 12:53

I bought a 1990 Horizon two years ago for my teenager's first car. Now I drive it for my bad back. Love the seats, the mileage savings etc. One possible problem... When leaving a stop lite, if I am not gentle with the accelerator, it "chugs, shimmies " etc. The car only recently started this ... Is this the sound of valves "sticking on transmission" while I'm in first gear? Please say no! email me: blackoutcurtain@gmail.com THANKS.

30th Jul 2007, 21:44

I had a 1979 Plymouth Horizon and still have my 1990 Dodge Omni (was over 206,000 miles when the odometer broke...I'm guessing 310,000 plus now). I have seen the European versions on trips. I have pictures and some information on my page. My comments re my Omni are still up from 2000 or so on the 1990 Dodge Omni page on this site. As for prices, I don't know if you ever got your answer... but I know the Plymouth (with discounts) could be had starting for around $5,100 plus extras while the fancier/hotter Dodge versions (like GLH) were in the mid 7,000 range. I have some more information on my web page... let me know if you want the link.