1987 Plymouth Reliant LE 2.2 F.I.

Summary:

Very luxurious and classic car. It's name says it all!

Faults:

Nothing. Just routine maintenance since it was new.

General Comments:

I bought this Reliant in late 1986. It s a 4 door sedan that is a red metallic color with a tan fake convertible top & red interior. This car has a lot of nice features on it like power windows, seat, locks, map lights, AM/FM cassette stereo, cruise control, tilt wheel, painted pinstripes (Tan in color), and wire wheel covers. There is also a luggage carrier on the trunk. This car has many features that most reliants of the era didn't. It is very luxurious and has a nice ride, it even looks like a much more expensive car than it is. Still runs like a top, and gets great gas mileage. I will keep this one until it drops. There is nothing new out there that is built as well as this car was. New cars just fall apart, and don't hold up like these beasts did. My only gripe is that this car doesn't have the greatest pickup, other than that, this is a high quality well built, extremely luxurious, great classic cruiser.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2005

28th May 2005, 16:25

Sounds like you have a great car and know the importance of keeping it maintained. I have always loved the K cars, have never owned one, but still see a lot of them on the road. I have always championed the underdog cars. Happy motoring!

31st May 2005, 14:47

Calling this K-car "classic" and "luxurious" is like calling a Yugo a "sports car" because you put some racing stripes on it.

It's a K-car, the ultimate disposable car, second only to the aforementioned Yugo.

1987 Plymouth Reliant LE 2.2 EFI

Summary:

The ultimate transportation module

Faults:

Many MAP sensors; I kept spares in the trunk

Fuel pump at 190,000 miles.

CV joints at 170,000 miles.

Water pump/alternator at 160,000 miles.

Radiator at 210,000 miles.

Throttle position sensor, 180,000 miles.

Front brake calipers at 150,000 miles.

Catalytic converter replaced twice.

All other items (belts/shocks/struts/hoses/brakes/etc.) were replaced on a schedule.

General Comments:

A great cheap car to own. If Maytag made a car, this would be it. Everything is easy to reach, inexpensive to buy, and most parts are reliable. Just don't let the engine overheat, and the head should last like mine did.

Handles well if you put performance tires on it; use metallic brakes for fade resistance.

Front bench seat was horrible; I replaced mine with power leather seats from a wrecked New Yorker-they bolt right in)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st December, 2004

1987 Plymouth Reliant LE 2.2

Summary:

Best bang for your buck!

Faults:

Items Replaced and year:

Fuel pump - 2004

MAP sensor - 2004

Rear brake cylinders - 2004

Transmission fluid filter - 2004

Rear shocks - 2004

Block heater installed - 2004

Rear springs - 2003

CD player installed - 2002

Temp/compass/auto dimming rearview mirror installed - 2002.

General Comments:

We purchased the car in 2000 for $150. Since then it has been driven fairly heavily, and we have had virtually no problems with it at all. In the spring of 2004 we had the first problems. The fuel pump and MAP sensor went out within 1 month of each other. Total cost to fix was under $200.

Other than normal routine maintenance, and upgrades that we have done to the car, it has been a very reliable and low cost car to operate, which is good as I am a full time college student.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th October, 2004

1987 Plymouth Reliant LE 4 cylinder gas

Summary:

The perfect commuter car

Faults:

MAP Sensor, replaced at 50000 miles.

Tires, replaced at 48000 miles.

Not bad, but replaced fuel filter at 48000 miles.

Not bad, but replaced fuel pump at 48000 miles.

General Comments:

This has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. It had stopped running for a while and it sat for several months, but I eventually bought a diagnostic book and learned how to read the codes that are flashed by the "Power Loss" light. Once I determined the problem, the MAP Sensor, I replaced it ($15 part) and gave the car to my mom. She then drove it from Northeast Oregon to Las Vegas with no problems whatsoever. She drove it there for a year and then drove it back last month. It still runs great and has only had to have brakes replaced on it while my mom had it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd September, 2004