1988 Dodge Aries Reviews

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13th Jul 2010, 21:22

That's a good find with the low miles. The Chrysler 2.2 and 2.5 motors were insanely reliable; they run and run and run. Don't mind the little knocking noise if it develops one, it's "normal" and will keep on going.

I believe '89 was the last year they made the Aries, and production began in '81 or something like that. So they had plenty of time to get it right. We had an '88 Omni with well over 200k miles before we sold it, and it still had ice cold A/C from the factory.

The K-Car 4-banger motors lived on for years to come in the Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance and Dodge Spirit/Plymouth Acclaim models of the 1990's.

1988 Dodge Aries LE 2.5 L 4 cyl from North America

Model year	1988
Year of manufacture	1988
First year of ownership	1988
Most recent year of ownership	2005
Engine and transmission	2.5 L 4 cyl Automatic
Performance marks	5 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	4 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	6.5 / 10
Distance when acquired	15 miles
Most recent distance	40000 miles

Summary:

It's a very reliable, economical and good looking ride

Faults:

Stock hoses started to fall apart at 36000.

Head gasket started leaking.

Heater control valve wore out.

Had to convert the AC from freon to R135 (because of government regulations).

Heater core wore out about 35,000 miles.

Had to replace fan relay.

In 14 yrs only 2 stock tires had two be changed.

Headliner fabric stared to fall down in 2003.

General Comments:

The things that have gone wrong are minor things that come with old age.

The K car was handed down to me by my beloved grandfather, after he considered himself too sick to drive it.

The sentimental value is through the roof; I wouldn't want to give it up.

For a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine it is surprisingly peppy.

The '88 Dodge Aries is very reliable.

It is quite good looking for an old car. The boxiness is distinguishing.

I highly recommend the K car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th February, 2005

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15th Feb 2005, 06:41

Yeah, well driving a K-car for 17 years would make anyone sick.

And that's an Aries LE, not an EL!

15th Feb 2005, 15:31

And the "LE" stood for, believe it or not, "Luxury Edition" lol.

9th Apr 2005, 00:05

OK review. I think the K car is not as cool as the newer cars, but its really good looking for its time. Also it's a peppy little car.

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1988 Dodge Aries K 2.5 Liter from North America

Year of manufacture	1988
First year of ownership	1996
Most recent year of ownership	2001
Engine and transmission	2.5 Liter Automatic
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	9 / 10
Dealer Service marks	3 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	9 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	85000 miles
Most recent distance	115000 miles

Summary:

I would gladly bump off one of my friends to keep this car

Faults:

The only thing wrong is that the blower is permanently stuck on half forward defrost and half floor. It's probably just a blown vacuum seal, but I have never bothered to get it checked out because it really doesn't bother me.

General Comments:

This car is an absolute trooper. It is my first car, and I could not ask for anything more. It has always been with me for whatever I need it for.

The 2.5 liter engine provides fairly surprising pep, and still gets good mileage. 22/31 mpg (not bad for a 13 year old car!)

I really prefer the bench seat to confining bucket seats that other cars have.

She is still running great and I will gladly keep her for as long as I possibly can.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 2001

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23rd Jun 2002, 13:24

I like the car, but I wish there were something to make it more stylish. It's comfy and cozy, it is great with gas compared to the newer cars.