1989 Dodge Aries LE 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

A great car

Faults:

Shortly after I bought it, the A/C compressor got very hot and froze (from the heat). Since I live in Oregon, I just removed the belt and do nicely without it.

The paint adhesion wasn't the best on the Aries, but I had it repainted in the factory color and have had no further problem. The car has never been garaged, although in the years when I used it as a spare, I covered it with a tarp.

The headliner separated and hung down for a while, but I had a new one put in with no further problem.

About four years ago I had to replace the radiator. I found a new one and put it in by myself.

General Comments:

I bought this car from the State of Oregon. It had been a Motor Pool car and had only 60,000 miles on it. It looked like new and the interior was perfect.

I love the economy of this car, and it's a fun car to drive.

It has been absolutely dependable, and I've never been stranded by it. I always take it on road trips when I visit my married son; first to Idaho Falls, and now to Seattle from Salem, Oregon.

The tires seem to last indefinitely.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2013

1989 Dodge Aries LE 2.2 from North America

Summary:

Best deal on wheels!

Faults:

Nothing out of the field of general maintenance.

General Comments:

Best car available for the money.

I liked this one so much that I bought a station wagon as well.

Highly reliable, inexpensive to maintain and operate... what more can you ask for?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th June, 2010

1989 Dodge Aries SE 2.5 from North America

Summary:

Very good reliable car great for anyone!

Faults:

Rear wheel cylinder leaked and needed replaced.

Seat belts won't retract.

Windshield washer squirts are clogged.

Bottom of rear quarter panels are rusted out and go to trunk.

A/c does not work to good but may just need recharge.

Radio display will come and go.

General Comments:

Gets around good.

Interior is pretty spotless for how old car is.

Great first car not my first choice but gets good mpg.

Very reliable no major problems so far.

Shifts very smooth.

For a 2.5 gets up and can go.

Not a bad size trunk for how small car is.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 2008

1989 Dodge Aries Coupe LE 2.5 from North America

Summary:

This is an excellent vehicle with a few quirks to watch out for.

Faults:

My headgasket blew at 62,000 miles.

When car was purchased, it had a lot of coolant leaks.

Plastic interior panels have started creaking since headliner was replaced last year.

Catalytic converter and EGR valve clogged at 76,000 miles, causing a partial meltdown and choking of the engine.

Some superficial cracks formed between the outside mirrors and door welds on the huge doors that are probably a little heavy.

Some superficial surface cracks have formed on the vinyl part of the bumper cover from people bumping the car and the sun.

Sun has bleached the front bumper and headlight holders gray.

Prior maintenance by previous owner was not well performed as owner was elderly and car was driven for short side-street distances for fourteen years.

Right now, engine is missing at times and running a little rich when cold. Mechanic is stumped as to what to do.

Only real complaint are the tendency for the electric sensors to go out, the head gasket to blow, the fragility of the substandard plastic and vinyl cosmetic parts, and oil leaks.

General Comments:

This car is an excellent reliable vehicle.

Its only problems are due to prior maintenance neglect and the idle problems caused by the tendency for Chrysler electronic sensors of the 80s to fail.

Otherwise, the vehicle is very cheap to repair and service when the mechanic is familiar with 80s Chrysler technology.

The car has never left me stranded and is my daily driver and first car.

I get 25-28 mpg.

The car always starts immediately on the first crank.

Acceleration, if a bit underpowered at freeway speeds, is peppy and quick enough at street speeds.

The acceleration and shifting of the original automatic tranny is smooth and easy.

The car rides smoothly and steering is power assisted without being tough to turn like a Volvo.

My engine is also original.

There is almost not a spot of rust on this 98% percent rust free car.

The seats are front bucket and rear bench.

A completely red interior with comfortable room in the front seats.

The back seats are a little high with some people's heads in the ceiling.

People have to climb out to get through the doors as this car is a coupe.

Rear seat belts tend to bounce of the door or the wall when people unbuckle themselves.

Excellent four way radio and cassette system with clear sound quality.

Only one of the front speakers is starting to go out.

Digital clock turns on and shuts off by itself once a week.

Radio stops working once a month and then works again with a few taps and cranking of the knob.

Radio knob is kept on so radio might stay usable.

Car received a complete new clearcoat two layer paint job of the exterior to match its original factory gold color. Car looks brand new from a few feet away with its red accent stripes.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th February, 2007

20th Jun 2018, 07:35

I still have this car!!! It is much more reliable now. It has been almost 30 years. It has almost 300,000 miles. Long live the K-car and check out my website at www.chryslerkcar.com

7th Aug 2020, 04:15

After a two year hiatus, including another blown headgasket and a contaminated fuel system, it is back on the road with two new tires. This is the car that saved Chrysler and started the Chrysler K-Car Club. My car is now 32 years old in September 2020.